10x12” should be good. So if you’re looking at the MEPC, get the medium. Most carriers it’ll end up being a medium for that size. You’ll never need a plate bigger then 10”x12”. You want the plates to be on the tighter end inside of the front/rear bags instead of on the looser end. So you don’t have extra fabric and a sloppy pc.
Let's see your LaRpIng/Duty/Range belt & chest rig/Plate Carrier set ups
- Thread starter Edwardteach72
- Start date
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
Wouldn't 10x12 be a bit too big given I'm 9" nipple to nipple?
If you’re 9” wide than a 10”x12” plate will only be .5” extra on each side. You could go down to an 8”x10” plate since that’s the sexy size down but it’s hard to tell exactly how plates would be fitting you without physically seeing the measurements and plates on you. You’ll be the deciding factor on what size plates you need. It’ll either be 8”x10” or 10”x12”…either way…that Veritas pc is much bigger than it needs to be for those size plates.
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
Given what I've been watching this evening, I'm sort of in between sizes. If I go down to 8x10, then it's going to fuck up the cummerbund on the sides a bit and it's going to curve a little too much. If I go to up to 10x12, I'll have some extra per side.
Slightly big or slightly smaller, it seems like smaller is the better bet?
Everything is a balance. Especially when it comes to choice of plates. Your have to sacrifice something not matter what, even after you figure out what size you’re going with. Then you have to decide if you want more protection or mobility. You’ll have to decide on what you want or what will end up being. What’s your height and weight?
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
5'7", varries between 155-160. I'm at about 157 as of a few days ago.
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
Mind you I'm down from 344. So I have loose skin to account for to some degree. Probably about 5-10 lbs of it.
Danggg…good job on the weight loss, good for you. You kinda seem to be somewhere in between like you said. You’ll be the best judge of what you need since you know your body more than anyone else. But go 8”x10” or 10”x12”…no bigger than that.
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
I feel if I go smaller, I'm going to have a pretty big gap between the waist line and the bottom of the plate. That being said, it seems like the length of the plate is more up to the user. The chest width is more the defining factor? If so I'd rather it land more squarely on my chest and go 9x9 or 8x10 or something and have less slop.
Well, since 9”x9” isn’t really a thing…8”x10” it is lmfao. Now time to choose nice plates.
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
I think the only question I have left is whether I go slick or molle on the MEPC. Almost definitely going to grab one.
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
Also I remeasured, and 10 inches down from the notch is more perfect for me when sitting given what loose skin I have, than 12. A full 12 down is kind of pushing it. I feel like sitting in my chair right now, 10 down seems nearly perfect where it lands.
I’d go Molle. You can still run it slick with the Molle. You don’t HAVE to attach anything to it if you don’t want to. But if you ever decide you want to, you have the ability to do so.
Works out for you since 8”x10” plates are usually cheaper since they’re smaller but still provide the same ballistic protection. I’ll have you hooked up with a solid setup in no time. You’ll have a better setup than the majority of people out there.
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
8x10. Molle. Who do you recommend for 8x10 SAPI plates? I'll grab a cummerbund as well.
For now the Vertias is too big, but it'll be enough to just do airsoft width till I get the MEPC.
If you thought choosing just a pc was difficult, wait until you really get into it and have to look into plates. There are a ton of plate companies out there. But plenty of release the information that is needed to decide on which you should choose. There are things that need to be weighed in on like NIJ certs, thickness, weight, protection…they are all factors. Then it gets deeper like are the plates actually edge to edge protection, what does the test data say how they did against certain rounds. BFD (Backface Deformation) is a pretty larger factor. Prepar to go down the rabbit hole lol
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
I probably want two sets of plates, maybe. One for running around that will be similar weight. hard to find dummies of 8x10. Another real deal.
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
Also what else other than the cummerbund and choosing molle on the options should I be doing here, other than selecting 8x10 size wise?
Also didn't realize they have 10 cummerbund options. Jesus christ.
Mag pouches, admin pouch, med pouches (can go on belt setup)…my main concern would be me setting you up with a solid rig you can use in real world but you run it in airsoft as well…instead of the other way around. Finding fake plates to run during airsoft won’t be too hard.
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
Pouches I have. That's a non issue. I color code that generally, but not always. Black == medical. Tan == non ammo / armor (mag dump pouches, batteries, etc.) Green is generally ammo and armor.
They have a bunch of cummerbunds. My inclination is the 3 inch hybrid, but if you recommend a specific one like the mesh or the non-hybrid, let me know.
If you haven’t taken a look at how the MEPC works, you should do so. It’s pretty sweet actually. You can run all types of placard setups. And swap them out with ease. Check out Defense Mechanisms YouTube channel and watch all their videos. It’ll help kinda give you an idea.
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
Alright I'm going to take a look in the AM at this more, and probably order it sometime tomorrow. In the meantime if you have any recommendations on 8x10 plates I'll research into those this week.
Go check out
The owner is a complete nerd when it comes to body armor
The owner is a complete nerd when it comes to body armor
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
Alright so here is my plan.
I want to see how an 8x10 fits on me given I have 10x12 dummy plates that seem to show me that they could be "slightly" too big even with a conservative carrier.
I need training plates anyway, so I'm thinking of grabbing 2x of these: Tactical Scorpion Gear - Level III AR500 / Lightweight Level III+ Steel Body Armor 8" x 10" Plate
and just the cheapest carrier they have (Tactical Scorpion Gear - AR500 Bobcat 8x10 Concealed Body Armor Carrier Vest - Black) to just see how they land on me. The plates I can use for airsoft matches, and the basic carrier, since quite frankly I wouldn't probably use them for much else other than replicating 5-6lb weights in the front and rear pockets of anything. I have a rig I use over top anyway that I prefer, so I don't really care much about the carrier other than it fitting the bill of holding the plates at the moment.
If 8x10 lands on me fine, I have a 8x10 carrier to get started training wise, and I'll order the more expensive MEPC and get GOOD plates for it that are level 4 / more expensive and dedicated pouches. That way I'm sure this whole setup approx size wise lands perfect on me.
I'd rather risk $100, and likely be able to use $70 of the plates anyway for airsoft, then be $1000 in good plates and an MEPC that doesn't fit.
I want to see how an 8x10 fits on me given I have 10x12 dummy plates that seem to show me that they could be "slightly" too big even with a conservative carrier.
I need training plates anyway, so I'm thinking of grabbing 2x of these: Tactical Scorpion Gear - Level III AR500 / Lightweight Level III+ Steel Body Armor 8" x 10" Plate
and just the cheapest carrier they have (Tactical Scorpion Gear - AR500 Bobcat 8x10 Concealed Body Armor Carrier Vest - Black) to just see how they land on me. The plates I can use for airsoft matches, and the basic carrier, since quite frankly I wouldn't probably use them for much else other than replicating 5-6lb weights in the front and rear pockets of anything. I have a rig I use over top anyway that I prefer, so I don't really care much about the carrier other than it fitting the bill of holding the plates at the moment.
If 8x10 lands on me fine, I have a 8x10 carrier to get started training wise, and I'll order the more expensive MEPC and get GOOD plates for it that are level 4 / more expensive and dedicated pouches. That way I'm sure this whole setup approx size wise lands perfect on me.
I'd rather risk $100, and likely be able to use $70 of the plates anyway for airsoft, then be $1000 in good plates and an MEPC that doesn't fit.
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
I wound up doing one better. I got the trauma pads which are cheaper to just fill the pocket ,and got the vest for $30. So for less than $50 I can see how this fits, and use the pads if put a full plate in there or use them with the MEPC as backers on 8x10s. Let me see how this fits and based on the 8x10 I will order the MEPC.
More like using $70 worth of plates as steel targets, so that’s a plus lol. For the love of all that is holy, do not buy steel plates for any reason. They are not a good option at all and I can give you better options. The only thing steel plates are good for are making it easier for your enemy to call their hits. *pinggggg*
libertysnake
.338 Win Mag
As dummy plates? I just need weight for training. Honestly 10 pounds of plates is nothing to me. I ruck with a 45 pound plate multiple times a week on my back.
@libertysnake here is an awesome budget option for plates..
They are multi curved (huge bonus)
Stand alone
Multi hit rated
NIJ LVL4 certified (not "independently tested to nij standards" < if you see that type of wording on plates that means don't buy)
A set (2 plates) of SAPI cut smalls is $475. They are a bit on the heavy side at 7.1lbs each
Smalls are 8.75" x 11.75" 0.9" thick
www.apexarmorsolutions.com
Or if you want/can bump up in price a bit (+$300)
Same company but they drop the weight from 7.1lbs down to 6.5lbs and are only 0.7" thick vs the above that are 0.9" thick
www.apexarmorsolutions.com
They are multi curved (huge bonus)
Stand alone
Multi hit rated
NIJ LVL4 certified (not "independently tested to nij standards" < if you see that type of wording on plates that means don't buy)
A set (2 plates) of SAPI cut smalls is $475. They are a bit on the heavy side at 7.1lbs each
Smalls are 8.75" x 11.75" 0.9" thick
Two Highcom 4S17M SAPI Cut Multi Curve Level 4 Plates (XS-XL) | Apex Armor Solutions
New Lower Pricing For 2023! Get 6 Months Interest Free Financing With PayPal Pay Later.Click Here To Learn More. *All plates are sold in Pairs (2)**In Stock Please give a few days for shipping* Click (HERE) For 7.2lb 10x12 Shooters Cut.DESCRIPTION:The Highcom Guardian 4S17M Multi Curve Level 4...
www.apexarmorsolutions.com
Or if you want/can bump up in price a bit (+$300)
Same company but they drop the weight from 7.1lbs down to 6.5lbs and are only 0.7" thick vs the above that are 0.9" thick
Two Highcom 4S16 Multi Curve Level 4 Plates (Shooters or SAPI) (XS-XL) (6.2lbs) | Apex Armor Solutions
New Lower Pricing for 2022! Get 6 Months Interest Free Financing With PayPal Pay Later.Click Here To Learn More. *All Sizes In Stock**All plates are sold in Pairs (2)*Please give a few days for shippingDESCRIPTION:The Highcom 4S16 Standalone Multi Curve Level 4 plates are a mid weight ballistic...
www.apexarmorsolutions.com
Steel plates aren’t just about weight…yeah they are heavy but how they work in general. But I guess if you’re just looking for a paperweight, that’s fine I guess…just don’t wear them them for real.