20 Feb Reconbrothers Tactical Plate Carrier Setups for Milsim & Airsoft 2020
Reconbrothers Tactical Plate Carrier Setups for Milsim & Airsoft 2020
Since our 2019 plate carrier setup video did so well, and changes always happen we decided to make a new video/blog covering both of our plate carrier setups for 2020.
But before we dig into this subject, make sure to subscribe to our blog page by filling in the form. Also Make sure to visit our Youtube Channel by clicking the button. If you’re looking for quality tactical products of your own, make sure to visit shop.reconbrothers.com.
If you’re interested in plate carriers like these and much more go have a look at our shop, shop.reconbrothers.com. Also both full setups we show you today can be found on our webshop with a nice discount as well, click on the images to view the product.
The setups
As said these are both our custom plate carrier setups which we use for our airsoft events, military’s simulations and our tactical trainings with former SF Instructor Delta.
Be Advised!
These plates carriers setups work well for us, but that doesn’t mean they do for you. The purpose of this blog is to share our thinking process with you.
Also note that personally, we rather pay for quality gear than up to 60% for repro garbage. And we recommend you to do the same, but this doesn’t mean you necessarily need the extreme high-end “Gucci” gear.
Furthermore if you’re looking for a guidance video about fitting a plate carriers, setting it up and testing your setup, click on the link in the image.
The rules we follow
To start off with, there are always a few rules we take into count when it comes to setting up our PCs.
Rule 1
- Easy accessibility
- Efficiency of movement
- Minimum stuff
What do we mean with easy access?
First of all: don’t make it clumsy! Secondly, have a look at the pouches you use most and place them in a maximum of 180° of your access space. The other space is mostly used for pouches for your teammates. And thirdly, carefully consider the placement of pouches you need access to in stressful situations.
What do we mean with efficiency of movement?
With this we mean that the carrier setup should obstruct you as less as possible when doing physical movements. Like for example crouching, laying down, sprinting and traversing obstacles.
What do we mean with minimum stuff?
As for minimal stuff we mean, carry only what you really need! There is no need for extra stuff that will only make you heavier and bulkier.
Rule 2
Our second rule regards the conjunction of your plate carrier with your belt setup. For this, make sure they don’t interfere with one another.
Rule 3
Another rule that has become a necessity is the use of plates, even if it’s just training plates. This because of their profile, rigidity and sometimes even their weight for training purposes. We ourselves use the training plates from Travail Fitness.
Rule 4
The next rule we follow is the amount of magazines we carry with us. We ourselves use 6 GBBR magazines of which 4 are positioned on the carrier, 1 on the belt for an emergency reload and 1 in the gun itself. This gives us a total of 210 rounds.
Rule 5
Another rule we’ve added to this list is use of quick-release buckles, these are being used more and more often because they are easier in use and silence compared to the classic Velcro closures.
Rule 6
At last a few things we don’t do, which is 1: We don’t use a holster or admin pouch on our front plate, because it will limit the use of our front panel. Secondly, we don’t use a utility pouch below our front plate as it will obstruct our movement capabilities. And if you don’t believe us, go do some burpees and see for yourself.
Instinct’s plate carrier Setup
The Tasmanian Tiger QR LC
Instinct’s used to use the Tasmanian tiger MKIII in the XL version. Which was unfortunately too big for him and disturbed him in his movements. As for that reason in the end of 2019 he changed it to the Tasmanian Tiger QR LC. So, if you’re a regular sized person don’t go for plate carriers with additional model space as it will only obstruct you.
If you’re looking for an in-depth review of this plate carrier, click on the link in the image.
Front Panel
Magazine Pouches
We aim to have our front panel as slim as possible in order to have the ability to go prone. As for this reason Instinct uses 3 fast mag pouches which used to be the Tasmanian Tiger BEL M4 pouches with retention cords. Now, he also modded these to become fast mag pouches, but nowadays he uses the new designated fast mag pouches from Tasmanian Tiger called the MC LP pouches. Mainly because these have an overall better design and grip.
Magazine Usage
When it comes to the facing of the magazines, last year Instinct was convinced that they should be facing to the left. But after training tactical reloads and discussing it with his brother Viper, he had to agree, they should be faced to the right, if you’re a right-side dominant shooter.
Since we don’t use a dump pouch, we had to come up with a small technique so we could easily see which magazines are full and which ones are empty in a split second. For this we just turn the magazines in the opposite direction when putting them back into their pouches.
PTT & Radio Placement
On the top left of Instinct’s front plate he uses the FL5035 PTT for Kenwood/Baofeng radios from PELTOR. It is secured with its clip and additionally secured with two rubber bands. The placement allows us to use our gun with our dominant hands while still remaining in contact with the team using our left hands.
The cable running from the PTT goes straight into the Kenwood TK 3401 digital radio. It is placed in an inside pouch which allows Instinct to easily access the radio.
On the other side of the carrier he has removed this pouch since he recently noticed that it was possible and it doesn’t serve him a purpose at this point.
Hydration Tube Placement
At last on the top right side of the plate carrier, he has placed a drinking tube to keep him hydrated.
Left Cummerbund
On the left cummerbund Instinct placed the TT Tac Pouch 1, which is positioned here because it’s his non-dominant side and thus the least-used side. And therefor preferably also the most bulky side. Here he stores his personal stuff, batteries and SD cards.
Back Plate
We consider the back panel to be used for hydrating yourself and storing items for your teammates. Now looking at TT’s assortment we think the TT tac pouch 11 is the most fit for the job.
Since Instinct used to use a bottle inside of it which made it too bulky for for example entering doorways or even sitting in a car, he decided to get a smaller drinking system. But since he doesn’t have that yet, he uses the TT bladder pouch for now.
Right Cummerbund
At last on the right cummerbund he has the 4th fast mag pouch which is a TT MCL pouch. Important to notice here is that the magazine is facing forward for if he’s shooting the gun with his left hand and needs to make a reload.
Also important is that this pouch is a low profile pouch which allows Instinct for a good butt stock manipulation under the armpit as well as a good pistol draw.
Viper’s plate carrier Setup
As for Viper’s PC setup, he uses another carrier which has other modular options and thus a slightly different setup.
Old vs New
Probably the biggest change noticeable on Viper’s carrier is that he went from an Olive Drab Green to a Coyote Brown Color. This was important both for the team cohesion, since we started our own Milsim team, as well as for the fact that Milsim organizations divide their teams depending on the color. So for the guys amongst you that want to get into Milsim in the future, you have been warned.
The Templar’s Gear Crusader ROC SET
Another noticeable change is that Viper changed from Tasmanian Tiger to Templar’s Gear. As for the base for his setup, he is using a Templar’s Gear Crusader ROC Set which also gives him quick release buckles.
If you are looking for a more in-depth review about this carrier, click on the link in the image.
Be Warned!
Jumping into Viper’s plate carrier setup. He is also using the Travail Fitness plates. But when doing physical movements the plates and the carrier can create frictional noises which were quite noticeable on stealthy occasions. We resolved this issue by adding Gearskin onto the plates.
Front Panel
Starting off with the front panel. This carrier comes with buckles that allow for interchangeable front panels, but since Viper doesn’t use them, he removed the buckles.
Magazine Pouches
Also Viper is using 3 fast mag pouches for easy inserting and drawing of the magazines but we need to add a lot of tension for a secure hold of the magazines.
PTT & Drinking Tube
On the top left of the carrier Viper has attached his PTT with two rubber bands. The cable is being managed by Velcro managers which are present onto the carrier. Also on the other side the drinking tube is being managed by another Velcro manager present on the carrier which prevents too much jiggling.
Left Cummerbund
On the outside of his left cummerbund, Viper has placed a cargo pouch M Gen 2 for storage purposes just like Instinct does. A nice detail is that on the back of the pouch he has place to store a knife.
On the inside of his left cummerbund Viper has placed a universal radio pouch which contains his Kenwood. A good thing about this pouch is that it can also be used for a magazine.
TIP
Viper noticed that placing the radio pouch on the inside of the cummerbund can be highly uncomfortable for the ribs. Though, this depends on the height placement of the pouch, so all you have to do is find a sweet spot for yourself.
Back Plate
Going to the back panel Viper has a TG Hydration Pouch L with a Source Tactical 3L WXP reservoir for hydration purposes. Furthermore the backpack features a lot of shock cords and zippers for his teammates to store their equipment in it.
Overall Viper thinks this is a good all-around backpack with lots of different purposes.
Right Cummerbund
Going to the right cummerbund on the inside, Viper has placed his 4th fast mag pouch with the magazine also facing forward. Now, the fact that the magazine is placed on the inside allows for an even slimmer profile which is beneficial for weapon manipulation while the magazine is still easy accessible.
So that’s it for our 2020 PC setups. If you are looking for such a full plate carrier setup, you can find them at our store with a nice discount at shop.reconbrothers.com, with the color of your choosing.
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