View Full Version : Soft armor and plate carrier suggestions
I have an interceptor vest (size medium) in my patrol vehicle to be deployed when I am invited to a potential gunfight. I also purchased a set of plates for it (front and back). The vest is in desert camo pattern. The issue I have with this is that when I deploy it, there is no way to put any POLICE patches on it to identify myself and it is as I said, dessert tan. In the winter months I can get around this by putting my patrol jacket on over it but that doesn't work quite well in the summer. Last Wednesday I had to deploy my vest and other equipment and when I put my jacket on over it, I broke my jacket zipper. I do not use this vest often so I do not want to spend a small fortune on a carrier but I would like to replace the existing carrier with something preferably black with a front and back area for a patch that says POLICE. I guess what I am asking in so many words is.... is there a carrier that accepts interceptor soft armor and ceramic plates that won't cost me a ton of cash I do not have???
Triad Tactical
10-19-09, 21:20
Rubber cement and a couple of POLICE patches?
Just to be clear...
Your current carrier holds the soft armor AND the plates? Are you not already wearing soft armor as part of your normal routine for your entire shift?
Also, do you have a need to attach pouches and the like to the carrier or do you just need a place for "police" patches to attach? Is having it covered in molle too militaristic for your jurisdiction and they'll just get in the way, or are you looking for the ability to add pouches and reconfigure as needed?
Shoe goo and rubber cement would solve the police patch problem and it would smell good too. :D It would not change the color of the carrier though. A few years ago we had a neighboring department ERT team get in a gunfight during a drug warrant and they dispatched the suspect. When the civil suit went to trial, one of the issues that were brought up was the excuse that the ERT team looked too much like military or mercenaries than police. RobS, I do wear soft armor but I like the fact that the OTV has soft armor also. There are times where I am on call and may respond to work from somewhere other than home and in that case I may not have my duty vest with me. Right now I have three 511 AR-15 mag pouches and a frag pouch that holds two pair of cuffs quite nicely. I may also add a shotshell pouch but I am not sure if I want to do that. The stuff is heavy enough so as it is.
http://www.beezcombatsystems.bigcartel.com/product/bcs-i-low-profile-carrier
Available in black. Add velcro front and back for Police placards.
http://www.beezcombatsystems.bigcartel.com/product/bcs-i-low-profile-carrier
Available in black. Add velcro front and back for Police placards.
Very nice!!
HighSpeedDreams
10-24-09, 10:43
Cory,
I was having the same problem as you with what was issued and what I wanted. I did some research and with the help of some M4C members came to purchase a Mayflower Research Low Profile Assault Carrier.
Hands down, the best piece of kit that I have ordered in a LONG TIME. Excellent craftsmanship, top notch materials, a lot of thought in the design, and overall functionality is GREAT! I highly recommend checking it out. Rob also did a review of the non-molle version elsewhere on this site.
https://mayflower-rc.com/our-products/low-vis-assault-armor-carrier/
Good luck and stay safe.
High Speed, That looks great but does it accept the Interceptor OTV soft armor?
I also have that mayflower carrier. It is nicely made, very adjustable and a quality product. I dont know about your inserts though, sorry. I have the paraclete concealment cut dyneema XL size soft armor in mine. They fit snugly but with no bunching. If you email mayflower or grey group training, I bet they could tell you.
If you don't want to glue the patches on I have seen a velcro panel that attaches to the MOLLE to add ID patches. I think it was from Tactical Tailor.
I have a ProTech entry vest for SWAT but I carry around a Blackwater plate carrier with 4 mags and some other stuff for active shooter or other incidents that might occur when on patrol. I've tried the ProTech over my uniform and it doesn't sit right with my duty belt and duty soft armor. The plate carrier is quicker to don and upgrades my protection without limiting my mobility and access to belt items (radio, sidearm, etc) like the heavier vest.
High Speed, That looks great but does it accept the Interceptor OTV soft armor?
Grey Group, a site sponsor here, sells Mayflower and if you call them they can help walk you through whether or not your armor fits.
Thanks for the replies guys!
You can also have a custom armor carrier made for you, it sounds more expensive than it is.
I've had good luck with David Bosen at Coyote Tactical (http://coyotetactical.blogspot.com/) in the past, although I'm not sure how active he is with his nylon business.
You can also try Joel at Zulu Nylon Gear (http://nancytactical.blogspot.com/), I recently had him make up a carrier/micro rig for a soft armor insert.
Let us know if you find a solution to your problem.
Klear Above
11-02-09, 10:01
The Mayflower Low Pro Carrier (http://stores.greygrouptraining.com/-strse-3217/Low-Profile-Carrier/Detail.bok) with the QD Chestrig (http://stores.greygrouptraining.com/-strse-3149/UW-Chest-Rig%2C-QD/Detail.bok) is hard to beat for the role that you are looking to fill. Just ask Rob for some info on his Frankenstein creation that he is working on with a Mini MAV (http://stores.greygrouptraining.com/-strse-2904/Mini-MAV/Detail.bok) and a Mayflower Low Pro (http://stores.greygrouptraining.com/-strse-3217/Low-Profile-Carrier/Detail.bok).
http://stores.greygrouptraining.com/catalog/3149a.jpg (http://stores.greygrouptraining.com/-strse-3149/UW-Chest-Rig%2C-QD/Detail.bok#)
BLACK LION
11-02-09, 15:41
I have an interceptor vest (size medium) in my patrol vehicle to be deployed when I am invited to a potential gunfight. I also purchased a set of plates for it (front and back). The vest is in desert camo pattern. The issue I have with this is that when I deploy it, there is no way to put any POLICE patches on it to identify myself and it is as I said, dessert tan. In the winter months I can get around this by putting my patrol jacket on over it but that doesn't work quite well in the summer. Last Wednesday I had to deploy my vest and other equipment and when I put my jacket on over it, I broke my jacket zipper. I do not use this vest often so I do not want to spend a small fortune on a carrier but I would like to replace the existing carrier with something preferably black with a front and back area for a patch that says POLICE. I guess what I am asking in so many words is.... is there a carrier that accepts interceptor soft armor and ceramic plates that won't cost me a ton of cash I do not have???
Bulletproofme.com has carriers in different colors and patterns. Black is one of them. They specifically fit the interceptor/otv cut panels.
http://www.bulletproofme.com/TACTICAL_Body_Armor.shtml#OTV
Scroll down to where they offer just the carrier.
Black Lion, this is perfect!! This is what I am ordering. Thank you very much!!!
BLACK LION
11-03-09, 11:17
Any tiiiime!!!
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