Plate Carrier: With or Without Cummerbund?

[jeh]

I am looking to buy an Eagle Plate Carrier to leave in my cruiser, in case of active shooter, etc. It looks like without the cummerbund it allows quicker access, but I also want something I can in use in a Pat Rogers class, etc. I believe you will fight as you train, so I don't want change my setup after the class, to work the street. Also any input on what I would need vs unnecessary pouches, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks, Jim

[ISHOT]

Jim, if you're currently using covert armor, the Eagle PC is a perfect add-on. A lot of guys I know operate that way and we see a good number of guys doing EP & PSD running covert as the basic set-up and then bundle it with the plate carrier for overt (PSD).

I have the Eagle and think the world of it.

[Snake RAH]

Go ahead and get it with the cummerbund. If you don't like the cummerbund, it is removable.

To put it on quickly with the cummerbund, go ahead and buckle your weakside and attach the weakside panel to the front. Leave the strong side undone. Then put it on (head and weakside arm), and you just have the strong side to attach. By doing it this way, you have some protection and stabilty (if you're having to run) until you get the strong side attached.

One thing I have found with the cummerbund on is that it can disengage the shroud on my Safariland 6280.

As for recommended pouches: I run rifle ammo (5 AR15 mags), a blow out kit (marked as such), and a small handheld (Surefire G2 on mine). I think it takes up a total of 11 PALS channels, or the whole bottom front, minus the cummerbund.

[Steel_Weasel]

...+1

[USMC03]

For uniform patrol go WITHOUT the cumberbun. The cumberbun can be a pain to don at times, can take longer to don, depending on your body size and shape the cumberbun can interfer with your draw stroke (pistol) and may interfer with access to other items on your Sam Brown belt (ie. radio, peper spray, hand cuffs, baton, etc).

I have used both. For active shooter, patrol first responder, etc. the cumberbun is more of a liability than an assett.

I went from a non-cumberbun to a cumberbun, but I use my plate carrier for SWAT duties and the non-cumberbun model didn't afford me the real estate I needed for mission essencial gear (ie. I put my radio, pistol mag pouches, carbine mag pouches, med kit, flash bangs, water, etc, etc, etc. on the plate carrier).

A first responder either won't carry many of these items (flash bangs, etc) or have the gear on his Sam Brown belt (ie. pepper spray, taser, radio, pistol mag pouches, etc). A first responder is generally only going to have water, med kit, rifle mags, and possibly a misc pouch on his plate carrier. Thus doesn't need the real estate that the cumberbun affords, plus once you start putting things on the cumberbun it restricts access to gear on your Sam Brown belt.


Just my experiences, your milage may vary.



Take care and stay safe,
Jeff

[DocGKR]

USMC03 is ABSOLUTELY correct--for patrol use and fast donning in emergencies/active shooter incidents over other gear you want NO cummerbund. For SWAT use, the cummerbund may be of benefit if you are not running a CIRAS/RAV set-up.

[xpd54]

For patrol, I have a HSGI Woosatch plate carrier that sits on the passenger floorbard of my cruiser. It kinda offers the best of both worlds. It doesn't have a cumberbund, but I think it has more real estate for pouches that a regular plate carrier.

For SWAT, I have a TAG Plate Carrier which has their version of a CB. It's a pain in the ass to get into when you got all you stuff already in the pouches.

[MASP7]

Jeff's comments are right on.
While the cummerbund allows for more real estate, it definitely would slow deployment, and could interfere with the duty belt.

The PC for patrol would be used for active shooter and other impromptu high-risk situations where rifle plates would be a good idea. Since you have soft armor on already, an appropriate set of ICW plates, a couple (3, 4...) rifle mags, a med pouch, and some "POLICE" patches would pretty much do it for the basics.

[jeh]

Thanks for the info, guys. I think I'll go with the PC without the cummerbund. I think I'll have plenty of room for mag pouches, etc. even during classes. Thanks again, Jim

[VA_Dinger]

Why not just buy the plate carrier with cummerbund? Like several have already pointed out in this thread - it is removable. That way you can go back & forth until you make up your mind.

[jeh]

I decided on the P/C without the cummerbund because I decided to put on a 6 rifle mag pouch, maybe a couple handgun mag pouches and a med kit. Depending on the space, I would replace the med kit for a dump pouch during a class. I would have my Sam Brown on, so even the pistol mag pouches would be for light sticks or markers, etc. during active shooter. I'm always open to suggestions though. Thanks, Jim

[xm17sbullpup]

For uniform patrol go WITHOUT the cumberbun. The cumberbun can be a pain to don at times, can take longer to don, depending on your body size and shape the cumberbun can interfer with your draw stroke (pistol) and may interfer with access to other items on your Sam Brown belt (ie. radio, peper spray, hand cuffs, baton, etc).

I have used both. For active shooter, patrol first responder, etc. the cumberbun is more of a liability than an assett.

I went from a non-cumberbun to a cumberbun, but I use my plate carrier for SWAT duties and the non-cumberbun model didn't afford me the real estate I needed for mission essencial gear (ie. I put my radio, pistol mag pouches, carbine mag pouches, med kit, flash bangs, water, etc, etc, etc. on the plate carrier).

A first responder either won't carry many of these items (flash bangs, etc) or have the gear on his Sam Brown belt (ie. pepper spray, taser, radio, pistol mag pouches, etc). A first responder is generally only going to have water, med kit, rifle mags, and possibly a misc pouch on his plate carrier. Thus doesn't need the real estate that the cumberbun affords, plus once you start putting things on the cumberbun it restricts access to gear on your Sam Brown belt.


Just my experiences, your milage may vary.



Take care and stay safe,
Jeff


+1. My active shooter set up is as follows. Level 3 Stand Alone Steel Plates, 6 mags, and a blow out kit on the front. Hydra Storm on the rear. This keeps all your duty gear accessible on your belt. This works for me. Don't fall into the trap of putting so much gear on your rig that you can't move.

[CavReconScout]

I decided on the P/C without the cummerbund because I decided to put on a 6 rifle mag pouch, maybe a couple handgun mag pouches and a med kit. Depending on the space, I would replace the med kit for a dump pouch during a class. I would have my Sam Brown on, so even the pistol mag pouches would be for light sticks or markers, etc. during active shooter. I'm always open to suggestions though. Thanks, Jim

I run the Eagle PC with the cummerbund removed. It will fit 3/6 AR mags, an ENDOM B.O.M.B. med pouch, roly-polly drop pouch, and 1 handgun mag pouch across the lower front, with ID patches across the top front and back. With the cummerbund removed, it is really fast to put on, with the cummerbund on it would tangle with the radio antenna, holster, etc., slowing deployment.

[Core781]

I have a long torso so the PC with Cummerbund does not interfere with my belt. Many folks have a short torso, so it really depends. Most new rigs are modular and you can go in different directions depending on you requirements. Beez Combat Systems has something for everyone and the turn around is not bad. Beez is also great about initial workup if you do your due diligence and know your requirements. Would recommend. They offer 500 and 1000 DC: a 1000DC plate carrier is really light and rugged. They also have PC's with the new hypalon type materials. I have fought in old heavy flack jackets and some advanced armor made for Navy and Corps. I worked abroad with a guy who wore dragon scale armor prototype while we traveled around on duty. Things have progressed a long way. I look at the cummerbund as a better way to wear a PC. Granted if it comes down to seconds, I would say in your position use cover and do not don the PC unless you have time to. I would take the few seconds to don it if you are in a safe place. A XL cummerbund with IIIA+ soft panels is about 3lbs for two panels: and you get the additional support and protection. Beez also has pockets for 6x8 hard plates or whatever you need they can do full custom if you have special requirements. I feel like armor should be somewhat customized and Beez is priced very reasonable and its made in the USA.

[MASP7]

Did it take you 14 years to decide?

[ViniVidivici]

Holy ****in' necropost! Why?

[Leaveammoforme]

Impressive. I'm actually going to have to work for the title this year. I'll swoop in with a dunk near the end though. Don't want to show my cards this early.

[Ramon Morales]

Great info Guys. I am thinking to buy PC Without the cummerbund. It offers plenty of room for mag pouches.