Different cuts of plate for front and back?

[DocMaynard]

I'm looking into getting plates and I've set on getting multi-curve shooters cut plates for the front since being able to shoulder my rifle is of primary concern. I've been wondering if I should run medium SAPIs in the back or the same shooters cut plates. The plates will be from the same manufacturer (Hesco) and rating of course. But I've been wondering if this was something that was typically done? If it causes any unforeseen consequences from the weights of the plate being slightly different?

Or is the difference between a 10x12 shooters cut and a medium SAPI so negligible that I should just go with the same plate in the back to save some money and weight?

[turnburglar]

Most dudes I know run identical plates front and rear.

You could 'game' armor to get the most surface area covered, but honestly real life doesn't work that way.

[Alex V]

I have SAPI cut medium plates in my JPC. Recently I got a slickster as a low profile option. With everything happening I felt like it’s not a bad idea to have plates in a less tacticool carrier. This time I went with a 10x12 SAPI cut rear but a swimmers cut front.

I noticed that running a full SAPI plate I had to cant my rifle when I shoulder it. With the swimmers my rifle is more vertical in the shoulder. I’m still seeing which I like more.

[DocMaynard]

Sick. Yeah I'm a slim guy and when I tried on my friend's SAPI plates, the stock was on the corner of the plate and when I switched to shooters, I was able to have a straight stock on my shoulder pocket.
How is running swimmers in the front and SAPI in the back?

[Alex V]

Sick. Yeah I'm a slim guy and when I tried on my friend's SAPI plates, the stock was on the corner of the plate and when I switched to shooters, I was able to have a straight stock on my shoulder pocket.
How is running swimmers in the front and SAPI in the back?

I’m pretty slim as well 5-9 and 160lbs. I wear a size small T-shirt.

I haven’t run a carbine with the Slickster yet but just wearing it you can feel a little more freedom of movement. For instance, shooting a pistol with the JPC and SAPI plates I can’t lock my arms out holding the pistol in front. I know you don’t have to lock your arms, just making an example of reduction of range of motion. With the swimmers cut plates I can lock my arms out in front of me.

[Blstr88]

I have SAPI cut medium plates in my JPC. Recently I got a slickster as a low profile option. With everything happening I felt like it’s not a bad idea to have plates in a less tacticool carrier. This time I went with a 10x12 SAPI cut rear but a swimmers cut front.

I noticed that running a full SAPI plate I had to cant my rifle when I shoulder it. With the swimmers my rifle is more vertical in the shoulder. I’m still seeing which I like more.

I am researching ordering plates and had the same idea - SAPI in the rear and Shooters in the front...you went with 10x12 SAPI rear which is Medium, but Shooters cuts are only Small and Large - I assume you went with a Large shooters cut in the front?

True 10x12 plates are a tad too large for me, so Im thinking a Medium SAPI for the rear and a Small Shooters for the front.

[Lowdown3]

Just went and put a Duritium GT2 SAPI cut in a carrier. Did a couple dozen manipulations both right and left handed, couldn't see a problem whatsoever in shouldering the rifle.

After that I went and pulled my normal carriers, cause honestly I wasn't sure what "cut" of plate they had in them.

Both of them had SAPI cut plates up front.

[DocMaynard]

How is running the SAPI in the back? Does the difference cause the carrier to wear differently? Or do you find that the SAPIs get in the way of or rub on your shoulder blades or something?

[Alex V]

How is running the SAPI in the back? Does the difference cause the carrier to wear differently? Or do you find that the SAPIs get in the way of or rub on your shoulder blades or something?

A medium SAPI plate feels fine on my back. Never felt it to be a problem. I ran my JPC a couple days at two separate Costa rifle classes and at a local instructor class as well. Never felt uncomfortable.

[DocMaynard]

Thanks good to know! What made you go with the SAPI on the rear? And what plates do you run? I’ve been thinking of just going with the shooters/swimmers in the back to save some weight.