Plate/Carrier recommendations for bigger guys?

Supermatch

Supermatch

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Been on the lookout for a budget (under $600 ideally, but I'm not opposed to buying used as well) "just in case" SHTF type setup that can also double as some extra weight while working out.

I'm a short, stocky guy with a big chest/neck/shoulders. Chest is 52", so I normally wear a 2XL shirt. Don't want half the kitchen sink hanging off of me, just enough to carry some AR and pistol mags on my person if need be without the whole rig flopping around anywhere. Would like something like a 3+ or "special threat" plate. Was looking at the Hesco L210's, but was unsure how well they fit bigger guys, and whether they would bounce around too much in a bigger carrier.

Any thoughts/recommendations on a plate/carrier setup?
 
The 5.11 TacTec is what I use.
It is very adjustable.
Will accommodate very large to medium sized plates.
The drag handle and releasable features are also important-
The special drag handle let’s a smaller person drag a larger person much more easily,
Releasable- if you are drowning or on fire you can pull the hidden handle and the armor falls off of you.
 
I manufacture a full line of plate carriers. MADE IN NORTH CAROLINA, not in vietnam,

We offer them in all four SAPI sizes.

www.tacshield.com

RZR® MOLLE Warrior Plate Carrier | tacshield

The TAC SHIELD RZR Warrior Plate Carrier is our GEN III Molle design with focus on its lightweight, slim-line profile and system modularity. RZR Warrior Plate Carriers are designed for maximum human mobility and comfort. At less than 2.4 pounds, it offers a variety of configuration options to...
www.tacshield.com www.tacshield.com

I would keep the torso height as a critical measurement for your needs

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I'm also assuming that most multi-curve plates don't do well with very broad or heavy set guys?
 
I ended up grabbing the TacTec. It fit me well with plenty of room for adjustment in both directions. Heavily discounted for Labor Day, so I bit. Now I just need plates. The ripcord seemed like an interesting setup, albeit a bitch to lace back together. Since I will also be using it for workouts, I appreciated the "segmented" padding to facilitate airflow - something I learned to love very much on my hydration pack that I use for mountain biking.

My one complaint is that the "bungee" side straps are more likely to snag on something than the Tac Shield posted above. A zippered pocket like the Tac Shield would have been nice as well, but given that I'm on a very tight budget, I can't complain.
 
I was in the Coast Guard for 6 years. I did two tours in Iraq and about 20 counter narcotics missions in South America. I wore a plate carrier nearly every day, and it had a quick release. We would train in a swimming pool and pull the quick release to dump our gear to keep from drowning if we ever fell in the drink.

One day, my team boarded a Guatemalan fishing boat. We found several tons of cocaine onboard. Arresting the drug runners, seizing the coke, and finalizing the investigation took about 20 hours. After all that work, and wearing plates and gear for 20 hours, I was exhausted.

While riding the small boat back to the ship, I literally fell asleep, and fell overboard into the Pacific Ocean. Luckily, I woke up as I was falling in and instinctively grabbed on to a rope on the side of the small boat. I held on, and several guys pulled me back into the boat, soaking wet, and wide awake.

Thankfully, I didn't have to ditch my gear. That would have been a lot of paperwork....
 
Supermatch said:
South Charlotte area
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I’ll be in Salisbury this coming weekend and can bring a XL plate carrier with multi curve plates you can try on to see how you like them. I know you already made a purchase but maybe it will help you decide on plates or what carrier you’d like in the future
 
CarolinaColtCollector said:
I’ll be in Salisbury this coming weekend and can bring a XL plate carrier with multi curve plates you can try on to see how you like them. I know you already made a purchase but maybe it will help you decide on plates or what carrier you’d like in the future
Click to expand...
Thanks, if I’m available I’ll let you know.
 
Ended up with the TacTec late last year when on sale. I really like it, but just as a heads up, mine was part of this recall. Apparently over time, the original quick release cable can degrade and separate from the handle. Just e-mailed them for my replacement.

www.cpsc.gov

5.11 Recalls Tactec Plate Carriers Due to Injury Hazard

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled plate carriers and contact 5.11 for a free replacement of the cable system.
www.cpsc.gov www.cpsc.gov
 
I’m 235 I run a London bridge trading LBT6094b it’s a solid choice a lot of cag and seal guys ran them, most guys have switched to a jumpable plate carrier so you can get some really good deals on them they will take a beating

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