Post by Abbot on Mar 3, 2015 18:23:19 GMT
As the title insinuates.
Chest Rigs
“AK” Chest Rigs
These chest rigs come in various styles but the most popular version is the one pictured below. Usually they have integrated pouches (not attached by molle, and therefore not adjustable) and have more than what you will most likely need. They will hold up to a good amount of wear and tear and will most likely hold more than you will need. The mag pouches will hold on average two M4 mags each, and considering there are 3-4 of them, you could hold approximately 6-8 mags for a heavy load. The side utility/general purpose pouches (usually referred to as GP pouches) will hold a good amount of what you should need. BBs, water bottles, food, maybe even some mags, if you need more. Usually, LBVs will have an inner pouch built into it called the “Admin Pouch” which lets you store maps, keys, phones, wallets, pen, paper, granola bars, etc.
As for comfort, it depends on whether you like this type of rig or not. Just ask someone if you could try theirs on.
“Chicom” Chest Rigs
These are real steel chest rigs made for AKs from China and Russia. They have only 4-6 mag pouches and no other pouches. However, they are very cheap and real steel, so will most likely hold up to a lot of stress as well as be inexpensive. But I would not recommend them too much.
Molle Chest Rigs
These are for more set for the person who’s decided to stick with chest rigs, or just want one a bit more customizable. They are a basic strip material with molle (and an integrated admin pouch) with straps. They come in many variations; the most popular airsoft versions are the Condor versions (MCR3, MCR4, MCR5, etc.). However, on ebay, I’m sure if you searched under Collectibles: Militaria: Chest rigs, you would find some very moderately priced real steel versions, such as the Eagle Industries ones.
www.evike.com/search/?search_in_description=1&sort=3a&keywords=condor+chest+rig+tactical&x=0&y=0
Eagle (or repro) RRV, or Rhodesian Recon Vest
This is one of the more interesting chest rigs. It has a flip up panel behind the body of the chest rig which, when attached via two d-rings, makes the rig into a sort of plate carrier, just without a back panel. The flap can be flipped down to change it back to an ordinary chest rig. They do sell RRV back panels to make it into a plate carrier, as well as some hydration pouches and backpacks which have buckles which attach to the RRV making a sort of back panel. The real steel version was issued to troops (I don’t remember until when) and is made by Eagle Industries and runs for roughly $80-100, but I believe Condor and Flyye make versions of these, as well as their being several repro versions which include various pouches including a triple mag pouch (which holds up to 6 M4 mags), a utility pouch, and an admin pouch. They are very good rigs, and I would recommend them.
www.evike.com/products/37908/
LBT 1961 and Eagle Ind. MPCR Chest Rigs
These rigs run a bit pricey (the repro Flyye version runs at approximately $80-100, I believe) but are amazing rigs. They have integrated pouches and are very comfortable and well made. They are still used today by the military. I have seen many an airsofter with the Flyye versions (sometimes over a slick armor carrier) and refuse to be parted from them. Usually, they run best with a backpack to help with anything the rig can’t carry. These are also used for light “Recce” missions and loads. Missions which require a lightweight load, and little to no confrontation expected. But it’s airsoft, there’s always a good amount confrontation… One version (the 1961G, I believe) has a zipper down the center to allow quick donning of doffing, as well as the traditional buckles chest rigs always have. I highly recommend these rigs if you can afford them.
Plate Carriers
MBSS
These are plate carriers that take only two plate bags, and band with buckles on the sides. It has only the molle space on the plate bags. These, however, leave much to be desired as they tend to ride to high when crouching and tend to be rather uncomfortable without the ability to tighten the side bands tight enough. The repro versions can be had for about $25-30, but I would not recommend these because of the great lack of comfort.
JPC
These are a new addition to the plate carrier line, produced fairly recently (in the last 8 years, I’d say). They were a revolutionary plate carrier as it keeps the weight extremely down, but the comfort and load capability very high. The cummerbund, called the airlite cummerbund, keeps it light, allows it to be tightened and carry a load. The c-bund is made up of three bands of two strip-thick molle nylon and is reinforced in the center of these strips by a stiff material to keep it strong enough to carry a load. These carriers have become extremely popular and come in many different forms. I have personally owned both this, and the MBSS and the JPC, and the JPC surpasses the former by many miles. The RS version runs at approximately $200 new, but repro versions can be had from anywhere between $50-100. I would very highly recommend these carrier.
6094
These carriers have become amazingly popular and for a good reason. They have a traditional c-bund, and are rounded at the top to allow free arm movement. They really don’t have too much fancy in the, just a basic and comfortable PC, but they live up to their reputation as “Light and tight”. Condor makes a version of these (the MOPC), as well as many other companies. The RS version by LBT runs at approximately $200 used, Flyye undoubtedly makes the best repro version and it runs at $100-150, but the repro ones run anywhere from $60-150. I would very highly recommend these carriers.
CIRAS
These carriers have some interesting features, for instance, the quick detach system. In the real world scenario, the CIRAS was designed for maritime operations. If the wearer found himself in water and needing to swim, but was held down by the weight of his armor, he could pull the tab on the front of the carrier and the carrier would detach into four pieces (front and back plate, and right and left c-bund). This was also used if a medic needed to remove the carrier from the wearer to address any wounds. The main problem with these carriers is that they are extremely bulky and are slightly uncomfortable. But they are able to carry a great load and were the issued carrier for a good amount of time. The Eagle Version (RS) runs at about $100-150, but repro versions can be found (w/ rifle and pistol mag, GP, and admin pouches) for approximately $80. If you think you would like this vest, I’d say it’s a fairly good carrier. Mine never let me down, but be warned, it may be bulky.
Eagle Plate Carrier (EPC)
They were supposed to be the upgraded version of the Eagle MBSS, and they live up to it. They balance the difference between a 6094 and an MBSS with a traditional c-bund. The military still run this carrier alongside Crye Precisions carries. The RS runs at $100-180 and repro versions can be found for about $50-60 (w/ alot of pouches). I would highly recommend these carriers.
www.evike.com/products/43500/
Brands
TMC
Bottom line, don’t get it. They’re junk and I’ve heard too many stories about them.
Emerson
Better, but still a risky buy.
“Matrix”
Matrix is evike’s name for ACM (Another Chinese Manufacturer) products. Their CIRAS, EPC, and RRV are actually fairly decent.
Avengers
Also an evike name. Their JPC is a decent product.
Condor
Condor actually is a “real steel” company, though they are still only fairly decent. Their products, however, will hold up rather well to most skirmishes.
Flyye and Pantac
Both are excellent brands. I would highly recommend their products. Flyye seems to be the cheaper of the two, but still just as high quality, in my humble opinion.
Semapo Gear
Hands down, the best repro brand out there. Never has there been a company which produced as high quality a product as Semapo. But they are expensive and mainly make products for impressionists, as I used to be.. If you have the budget, go for it.
Hope this is helpful!
Chest Rigs
“AK” Chest Rigs
These chest rigs come in various styles but the most popular version is the one pictured below. Usually they have integrated pouches (not attached by molle, and therefore not adjustable) and have more than what you will most likely need. They will hold up to a good amount of wear and tear and will most likely hold more than you will need. The mag pouches will hold on average two M4 mags each, and considering there are 3-4 of them, you could hold approximately 6-8 mags for a heavy load. The side utility/general purpose pouches (usually referred to as GP pouches) will hold a good amount of what you should need. BBs, water bottles, food, maybe even some mags, if you need more. Usually, LBVs will have an inner pouch built into it called the “Admin Pouch” which lets you store maps, keys, phones, wallets, pen, paper, granola bars, etc.
As for comfort, it depends on whether you like this type of rig or not. Just ask someone if you could try theirs on.
“Chicom” Chest Rigs
These are real steel chest rigs made for AKs from China and Russia. They have only 4-6 mag pouches and no other pouches. However, they are very cheap and real steel, so will most likely hold up to a lot of stress as well as be inexpensive. But I would not recommend them too much.
Molle Chest Rigs
These are for more set for the person who’s decided to stick with chest rigs, or just want one a bit more customizable. They are a basic strip material with molle (and an integrated admin pouch) with straps. They come in many variations; the most popular airsoft versions are the Condor versions (MCR3, MCR4, MCR5, etc.). However, on ebay, I’m sure if you searched under Collectibles: Militaria: Chest rigs, you would find some very moderately priced real steel versions, such as the Eagle Industries ones.
www.evike.com/search/?search_in_description=1&sort=3a&keywords=condor+chest+rig+tactical&x=0&y=0
Eagle (or repro) RRV, or Rhodesian Recon Vest
This is one of the more interesting chest rigs. It has a flip up panel behind the body of the chest rig which, when attached via two d-rings, makes the rig into a sort of plate carrier, just without a back panel. The flap can be flipped down to change it back to an ordinary chest rig. They do sell RRV back panels to make it into a plate carrier, as well as some hydration pouches and backpacks which have buckles which attach to the RRV making a sort of back panel. The real steel version was issued to troops (I don’t remember until when) and is made by Eagle Industries and runs for roughly $80-100, but I believe Condor and Flyye make versions of these, as well as their being several repro versions which include various pouches including a triple mag pouch (which holds up to 6 M4 mags), a utility pouch, and an admin pouch. They are very good rigs, and I would recommend them.
www.evike.com/products/37908/
LBT 1961 and Eagle Ind. MPCR Chest Rigs
These rigs run a bit pricey (the repro Flyye version runs at approximately $80-100, I believe) but are amazing rigs. They have integrated pouches and are very comfortable and well made. They are still used today by the military. I have seen many an airsofter with the Flyye versions (sometimes over a slick armor carrier) and refuse to be parted from them. Usually, they run best with a backpack to help with anything the rig can’t carry. These are also used for light “Recce” missions and loads. Missions which require a lightweight load, and little to no confrontation expected. But it’s airsoft, there’s always a good amount confrontation… One version (the 1961G, I believe) has a zipper down the center to allow quick donning of doffing, as well as the traditional buckles chest rigs always have. I highly recommend these rigs if you can afford them.
Plate Carriers
MBSS
These are plate carriers that take only two plate bags, and band with buckles on the sides. It has only the molle space on the plate bags. These, however, leave much to be desired as they tend to ride to high when crouching and tend to be rather uncomfortable without the ability to tighten the side bands tight enough. The repro versions can be had for about $25-30, but I would not recommend these because of the great lack of comfort.
JPC
These are a new addition to the plate carrier line, produced fairly recently (in the last 8 years, I’d say). They were a revolutionary plate carrier as it keeps the weight extremely down, but the comfort and load capability very high. The cummerbund, called the airlite cummerbund, keeps it light, allows it to be tightened and carry a load. The c-bund is made up of three bands of two strip-thick molle nylon and is reinforced in the center of these strips by a stiff material to keep it strong enough to carry a load. These carriers have become extremely popular and come in many different forms. I have personally owned both this, and the MBSS and the JPC, and the JPC surpasses the former by many miles. The RS version runs at approximately $200 new, but repro versions can be had from anywhere between $50-100. I would very highly recommend these carrier.
6094
These carriers have become amazingly popular and for a good reason. They have a traditional c-bund, and are rounded at the top to allow free arm movement. They really don’t have too much fancy in the, just a basic and comfortable PC, but they live up to their reputation as “Light and tight”. Condor makes a version of these (the MOPC), as well as many other companies. The RS version by LBT runs at approximately $200 used, Flyye undoubtedly makes the best repro version and it runs at $100-150, but the repro ones run anywhere from $60-150. I would very highly recommend these carriers.
CIRAS
These carriers have some interesting features, for instance, the quick detach system. In the real world scenario, the CIRAS was designed for maritime operations. If the wearer found himself in water and needing to swim, but was held down by the weight of his armor, he could pull the tab on the front of the carrier and the carrier would detach into four pieces (front and back plate, and right and left c-bund). This was also used if a medic needed to remove the carrier from the wearer to address any wounds. The main problem with these carriers is that they are extremely bulky and are slightly uncomfortable. But they are able to carry a great load and were the issued carrier for a good amount of time. The Eagle Version (RS) runs at about $100-150, but repro versions can be found (w/ rifle and pistol mag, GP, and admin pouches) for approximately $80. If you think you would like this vest, I’d say it’s a fairly good carrier. Mine never let me down, but be warned, it may be bulky.
Eagle Plate Carrier (EPC)
They were supposed to be the upgraded version of the Eagle MBSS, and they live up to it. They balance the difference between a 6094 and an MBSS with a traditional c-bund. The military still run this carrier alongside Crye Precisions carries. The RS runs at $100-180 and repro versions can be found for about $50-60 (w/ alot of pouches). I would highly recommend these carriers.
www.evike.com/products/43500/
Brands
TMC
Bottom line, don’t get it. They’re junk and I’ve heard too many stories about them.
Emerson
Better, but still a risky buy.
“Matrix”
Matrix is evike’s name for ACM (Another Chinese Manufacturer) products. Their CIRAS, EPC, and RRV are actually fairly decent.
Avengers
Also an evike name. Their JPC is a decent product.
Condor
Condor actually is a “real steel” company, though they are still only fairly decent. Their products, however, will hold up rather well to most skirmishes.
Flyye and Pantac
Both are excellent brands. I would highly recommend their products. Flyye seems to be the cheaper of the two, but still just as high quality, in my humble opinion.
Semapo Gear
Hands down, the best repro brand out there. Never has there been a company which produced as high quality a product as Semapo. But they are expensive and mainly make products for impressionists, as I used to be.. If you have the budget, go for it.
Hope this is helpful!
