20 Best 7.62 X39 Bolt Carrier Group (2022 Updated)

Other than the side plates being a little difficult to fit into the carrier due to their size, the entire product meets my expectations. For the price point, I don’t think there’s much better out there.

Are BETTER products out there? Sure. But for much more money. I prefer purchasing products built right here in the US. The manufacturer dates on my plates when they arrived showed they were built two days after I placed my order, made here in North Carolina.

The carrier vest, additional mag pouch, universal pouch, and pistol mag pouch/universal pocket are made in China, but are overall pretty decent quality. I recommend it.

The plates are real solid, but they don’t cover as much of the vital areas as I would’ve liked. The carrier kind of sags to the front, leaving the top of the sternum slightly exposed. The carrier game with lots of cool features like the mag pouches, the emergency drag handle, and the medic pouch.

Good deal for a level 3 plate + plate carrier + accessory set. However, the carrier straps seem a little flimsy. They front and back sections are connected by thin plastic clips (like the ones on backpacks) and I don’t know if those will hold up to regular abuse.

Plate carrier is air soft quality. Stitching is barely enough to support the weight with the plates and most definitely would not stand up to heavy use. Stitching on the breathable mesh ripped at the seam when inserting the plates.

That being said, the level III AR500 plates are legit and the molle attachments (3 velcro mag carriers, approx. 5″x7″ full zipper pouch, and a loop Velcro morale patch square/ pocket with Velcro pistol mag / flashlight pouch) which are decent quality.

Good luck.

Opened the package it shipped in pulled it out of the bag and undid the Velcro to put my plates in and the stiching came apart everywhere on it. Probably just use it as a vest with weight for the gym now.

The cordura is fine. But the molle and all the stiching all over it is garbage. Single stiches throughout whith standard cotton thread. It’s too bad because it fits really well and looks squared away.

Junk.

I am very impressed with this carrier. I am a smaller guy (30 inch waist) and wasn’t sure if it would fit but its snug and comfortable and easily adjustable. It was comfortable to run (4 miles) in carrying 20 pounds of weights and then my level 3 plates on front and back.

I also had much bigger friends try it on and it can adjust to their size. Velcro and MOLLE/stitches are good quality. It’s a superb carrier for the price.

I think this is a good value for the money. I have only just received it so have yet to give it any field testing. I am a bit disappointed with some of the stitching though. I opened one of the Velcro compartments and the stitching along the side immediately ripped.

I plan to take it for repair with a heavier duty stitching. Without loading up the plates and wearing it yet, I can say that I am over all happy with it though. Unlike some packs Ive bought, all of the MOLLE webbing is stitched straight.

I do not have any experience with plate carriers. So cannot compare. However, the quality appears good. Design is good & it has provision for some side protection. The quick release is a good design feature in the event you need to free yourself from it quickly.

Once adjusted it’s comfortable as one would expect and also when seated. I went with Amor Core type plates which are lighter than steel. truck bed painted and then gorilla taped 1/4″ padding on wearer side.

I would highly recommend this Vest if you are looking for a solid platform to work from. The quality is second to none. The adjustments are very simple if you understand the setup process. You have plenty of room for all your gear.

If you are a big guy like myself, this is the Vest for you. The plates are easy to install and have plenty of padding against your body. You will not be disappointed.

I had a older version of the NcStar Vism plate carrier but when I saw this Quick release model I needed it ! For the price you can’t beat it ! I would stack this up against any other carrier twice the price ! Sewing on molle is top notch and features are impressive with separate pocket s for plates, padding between plates and body more room for add ons such as mag pouches,1st aid, pistol ect.

and the Quick release !.

I work 40 hours a week doing armed security, and wanted to carry 10″×12″ III+ steel plates. This carrier is perfect for it. Durable and easy to adjust. I even went boujee and bought a kangaroo pouch zipper conversion, and first spear quick release adapters for it, now it’s easy to put on and take off.

My only complaint is how the quick release/ adjustment straps stack on top of each other. It’s forces the lower of the plates into the back when seated against a back rest; such as sitting in a car. But this thing works great, and is affordable on an hourly wage.

During the crazy times when the options are very limited, you go for what’s available. Condor gets bashed a lot. If you use your equipment hard then go with what’s tried and true. I see no visible quality issues with this PC.

Fits ceramic plates well. The shoulder straps are a little stiff. It does interfere with shouldering a weapon, but it is expected. Go with a different cut. Great value for what it is.

Very comfortable and a great value compared to other brands costing 3-5 times more. Basically a Shellback Banshee for $100 to $150 less; they share the same basic layout and features. If your plate carrier isn’t going to see regular, very hard use, you’re not likely to see any benefit to paying the premium for some of the more expensive PCs.

If I were to improve anything, it would be to eliminate the virtually useless “quick release” feature. If emergency personnel need to remove your PC for medical treatment, they are going to cut it off.

Unlikely they would even know the quick release is there, much less how it functions. It’s not practical to use for removing the plate carrier on a regular basis, either. It serves no useful purpose and makes the back of the carrier slightly uneven and bumpy.

It’s not hugely uncomfortable when riding in a vehicle or sitting, but you can still feel it. Essentially, it adds bulk and unnecessary complications to the adjustment system for no added benefit. Get rid of it, Condor.

Overall, I still rate this product as excellent and very usable.

Paired this carrier with AR500 11×14 level 3+ lightweight multi curve build up coat plates and trauma pad and it fits great. Plates are tight in the carrier and it does not move when running or jumping.

I’m 6’1” 230 lbs and 36” waist and this carrier is almost to big. It is on its smallest adjustments and the back plate is a tad low for my taste. My carrier came from the factory with the releasable straps hooked up improperly, watch the video on condors website.

I made one modification to the cable routing for the shoulder straps which help the rear plate sit higher. Run the top connecting point loop thru the top grommet on the straps and run cable thru, then route the bottom connecting point thru the second grommet on the shoulder straps and then thru the cumberbunds grommets and run the cable thru and insert in the stow away channel.

The shoulder straps are now held by the bottom connecting point as well as the top and it allows the rear to sit a bit higher. It also gives the shoulder straps a second anchor point should one of the connecting point points rip.

I wish it came with another grommet placed higher on the shoulder straps but I’m not going to knock it a star as it is a great carrier for the price. If your smaller than me I doubt this carrier is going to fit properly.

I am very happy with this setup.

As a non active duty/EAS’d United States Marine, I was in the market for something that wouldn’t break my bank but still give me the option of live fire training under a combat load. After attaching a few more magic pouches, a dump porch and filling the med kit porch, I can achieve just that with this stripped down system.

Light weight and durable, this system fullfilled my needs. Whether you need something for a run day at the range or running seriously drills under pressure or just the budget minded prepper, this kit kicks butt.

The banshee plate carrier is a great bit of kit. It is wildly popular down here in Colorado mainly due to its small size and build quality for the price. While they have increased the price quite a bit from when it first came out, that move makes sense because of the sheer numbers of vests TAG and Shellback have been selling.

I am personally using mine with an HSGI battle belt first line setup, bfg mag pouches on the front, and a tyr tactical 50 oz hydration pouch. While running a first line I maintain full range of motion of my upper body.

The vest also works well with the Ares armor xii pack as well as the HSP D3CR if you want to carry more gear on you. The banshee is the perfect plate carrier for anyone who wants to carry only the essentials while staying as mobile as possible.

It is essentially the same thing as the JPC but is $50+ cheaper. A few things to mention. The small size doesn’t allow for a ton of options when it comes to hydration, and in order to use a larger or even regular sized bladder you have to use something like the xii pack.

The tyr tactical 50 oz works well for me. Also, the first day I got it I removed the side buckles making it much more comfortable to wear. This is a good option if you are using the cummerbund for long periods of time when you do not need to get the vest on quickly.

Also, a cool thing, these buckles can be used to integrate a D3CR onto your chest for added load capacity. After owning many vests before this one I have to say the Banshee is one of the best, if not the best, vest on the market for the price.

This is a very high quality plate carrier made in the USA. I liked the first one enough that I bought a second one. The only two criticisms I have is that the plate carrier compartment is on the tight side, but you should be able to get most lever III plus or IV plates in.

The second is that using the cummerbund adjustment mechanism take some trial and error to get the fit right.

This is a great plate carrier. I bought it when it was cheaper, but I would buy it again. This carrier has everything you need, and nothing that you don’t. It can be ran light with only front and back plates, or with the cummerbund to accommodate side plates or just extra MOLLE real estate.

The comfort level is great at this price point, and don’t think that you will find better. It also has a front velcro pocket, which a feature missing on some more expensive carriers. I find this very useful for a 3×1, hook and loop, AR15 magazine pouch.

The fit is very tight with 3 (I actually had to cut the sides off of the pouch to get it to fit with the mags), but it works, and would be easy with a 2 mag pouch. This is a high level item at a low-level price.

i recently purchased the crye jpc 2. 0 multicam in medium. i messaged the guys at tactical distributors and told them that i need the carrier quite urgently but i live in the united kingdom. within 3 days of ordering i had the plate carrier delivered to me.

absolutely unbelievable. i have never had a package arrive that fast from the USA EVER!!!!! it was also significantly cheaper for me to purchase the carrier from tactical distributors even with the shipping than if i were to buy it in the UK.

the plate carrier itself is of high quality and is very popular and there is no wonder why.

Crye quality is already well known and documented, so no more need be said. What DOES deserve noting is the TD service. I had my order from TD BEFORE I received other kit purchased on the same day from a very reputable company located only a couple hours away.

I didn’t spring for “Sweet baby Jesus on Fire”- fast shipping either; TD just got off the X that much quicker. Seven years I’ve been a loyal customer, and I see no end in sight. Top marks all around!.

This vest fits well. I ordered a large. Nice and snug. Looks awesome in black multicam plus it’s made by Crye! Tactical Distributers sent this out with a quickness! I’m all the way on the Pacific North West and the shipping was fast regardless.

I love the MOLLE set up. However, the plates that came with it are way too heavy. The opening you put the plates in are too big. The plates don’t stay in one place. They move around and is very uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, the company doesn’t offer a thin lightweight body armour option. It is my fault for ordering this package. The price is right, but I’d rather pay more for comfort and weight reduction.

You don’t want to carry around an extra 50lbs (just a guess, I haven’t weighed them). Especially if you get in a foot chase. Pay more and get yourself a lightweight body armour set.

For the price point, you really cant beat the value here. Sure it could fit a little better, sit a little higher, be a little more comfortable, etc. However, where else are you going to get all the protection a body armor vest could have for under $200? Its high quality, and I feel safe.

You cant put a price on this kind of piece of mind. Would I upgrade in the future? If I can afford to do so, sure. However, for just starting out and dont want to break the bank! This is the Ideal piece of body armor.

Im a big guy / wide and it was able to fit me perfect with some simple adjustments of the Velcro A+.

This is my first body armor purchase and I did not know what to expect. When I got the package I was surprised, because it is a compact package that seemed to weigh a LOT! But at the same time, this level of performance from plates is so impressive that I should have expected that, to be frank.

Once you start playing with the vest for fit, then adding plates and adjusting some more, you will get the system all set up. Put it on, and it weight will not be a big deal. Remember what this thing can do for you.

As for other options, like side zippers, that could be good, but when you really look at this thing it is already somewhat complex. If you are a LEO preparing for something that will happen in 30 minutes, yes.

For a regular person who may need to deploy quickly, I say have it set up, and have just a *reasonable* level of strength and flexibility to put it on a table, a bed or piece of furniture, put your arms through, and get upright.

This seems an incredible value.

For a good price, this plate carrier is comfortable and light on the shoulders. Fits nicely. I wear it for 12 hours a day, 5 days a week and have no pain in shoulders or back from it. Worth the investment.

Quick delivery. Out of the box fit and finish were top quality but then again this is my first rig so what do I know. Only had to make small adjustments (lots of Velcro) to get to fit just right. The only issue I would have is trying to get into this vest because of the weight but once you get it over your head and It snugged down the added weights not bad.

This is awesome!!! The steel plates are heavier than expected but overall this is amazing armor!! Watch louder with crowder lol

Really heavy. Don’t like the way the side plates fit in the carrier. Ride way too high up under the armpit.

I bought in April, it’s now July. The thing has held up pretty well so far. I initially bought it for ruck style hikes, but have continuously used it with 25lb echo plates, for about 2 times per week during training outside of ruck hikes.

So far it has held up incredibly well, and contrary to some reports, I’ve even managed to figure out the strap adjustments to the point that i can jump rope in it without it bouncing around or slapping my chin.

Sure it’s no 5. 11 tactec, but I like it enough to give it a 5 star. If you’ve got the money for a 5. 11 go for it, but if you want to save a bit and still get a good solid training vest go with the Condor.

I bought this product to run and do pull ups. I used the rogue 10lb plates in the front and back. Adjustments were necessary to limit the bouncing of plates during runs. The worst part of the product is the rough Velcro on the neck and under arms.

This product is not good to be worn with just a tshirt or else your neck will get torn up from the Velcro. Doing pull ups in the vest caused my under arms to get torn up from the unnecessary Velcro straps.

I ended up cutting off a lot of the vest Velcro to get some relief. I would get the rogue brand vest if I had to do it again.

I served in the army OEF 13 and 14. This is a great product. The carrier is well made and the plates are very light. The lightness is bewildering but confidence inspiring. The plates are dated the day I ordered them; most plates have a shelf life and I dont feel cheated knowing they were not sitting around on a shelf somewhere considering it only took a week to ship, thats great.

There are many cheaper products but you arent merely purchasing a plate carrier; you are purchasing a carrier with lll+ plates capable of stopping a 7. 62 or 5. 56. That is a tremendous jump in stopping power from the usual llla plate readily available on the market today.

A level 3a only stops pistol rounds not rifle. The choice for me is clear and Ill sleep better knowing I have the additional protection.

This carrier is great quality for the price. Of course, it is not of the same quality as the more expensive plate carriers made with the quick-clot lining or sewn-in kevlar linings, etc. For the price point this offers the most basic of ballistic protection with plenty of room for add-on protection such as hard plates (level 3 and up), side panels, etc.

For a worse case scenario for those that are budget minded this is a great starting point. This does include two level IIIA soft panels which are very light weight and stackable with hard plates for maximum ballistic threat mitigation.

Great vest for the price. Well made and light weight. Lots of options for attaching additional gear. Has room to add additional plates for added protection.

Recently picked up the Tac Tec Plate Carrier, and am overall impressed with the quality production. There are things both good and bad with it: Pros: Comfortable, High Quality, Sturdy, Easy to move and manipulate while wearing it, Love the GEO7 camo pattern, Fairly easy to adjust for sizing.

Cons: The Cummerbund should be attached in the back with lashing/ cordage to prevent accidental disconnection– which I did with some 550 Cordage and a spare nylon/fabric MOLLE snap strap, and should have a better means of attaching MOLLE pouches on the sides, and the biggest issue are the “quick disconnect” cables– they can be pulled or snagged way too easily on accident and can completely disassemble the carrier.

There is no stopper/ buffer to prevent that from happening, and the finish on said cables are shiny/ reflective which defeats the camouflaging purpose, so I removed them and used an earth tone colored 550 Paracord to affix everything in place, and finished the connections with knots/ tying and high strength tape so that it doesn’t come apart unless I need it to, whether by untying the cordage or cutting the cordage (which with the original cables you could not cut them due to the metal cores of the cables).

The only other con is regarding the accessories– 5. 11 currently doesn’t produce soft nylon fabric magazine pouches in either M4/ AR or M14/ FAL metric magazine sizes and the same camo pattern for the system.

I was skeptical of the TacTec carrier. I also knew there was a reason for its popularity. I had another carrier I have used for a few years for exercise and I broke down my stubbornness and got one of these… these are the best and most comfortable carrier’s I have worn for workouts.

I would also like to add that it is more comfortable and better fitting with 2-20lb rogue plates than my other one, and my other one had considerably less weight in it too!.

Feels great! Material is robust but not too aggressive. The carrier alone isn’t heavy – having the ability to scale the weight for anything is really cool, too. I just wish the plates for it were cheaper.

Scored the carrier for $99 – which I feel is an appropriate price for the item.

Pros: The vest arrived neatly assembled and I only had to put the included plates in. The vest and plates all looked complete and clean. Cons: The vest got delayed three times before finally arriving more than 6 weeks after it was originally scheduled to arrive.

Even before it arrived, I started getting emails asking me to review the product I hadn’t even received. The shoulder straps loosen themselves at the buckles while donning and doffing which makes the plates sag enough that leaves more of the upper torso exposed.

The shoulder straps have padding that wrap around the strap but are not integrally connected to the vest which means they are two pieces that can potentially get lost. I understand the vest does not have a quick release cummerbund but I have to fight through a lot of velcro to don or doff it.

It looks like the buckles for the shoulder straps are supposed to be quickly releasable with finger holes cut into the shoulder straps for access but the holes aren’t even lined up with the buckles. There are buckles around the waist that apply tension to keep the vest hugging the body but they don’t apply tension to the cummerbund itself which I think is strange since it would leave the cummerbund (Which I eventually intend to load with side plates) to bounce around.

The kangaroo pouch has so much velcro keeping it closed that it is impractical to use unless I put double sided velcro (the fuzzy side) in it. Overall: The plates are fine but I’m going to look for a better vest.

Actually ended up buying a second one. I keep one in my duty rig and keep the other in my POV with my “truck gun. ” I put “shooters cut” plates in the front and SAAPI cut plates in the back. I was able to make the SAAPI cut plates work but there is a one inch gap at the top of the carrier because the plates are too wide at the top for the carrier.

To Shellback’s credit they do list this carrier for shooter’s cut plates. Anyways I love these carriers. Simple, well built, fast to don and comfortable.

Excellent carrier for the money and has been reasonably comfortable in my time wearing it. For my specific application, this will be worn infrequently for training and will be stored in the included bag for when not in use.

Given the initial build quality of this carrier, I expect that it will be rugged enough to perform a handful of times throughout the year.

This carrier feels great. I’m 5’9” F, 220lbs, and a large fit me perfectly. It’s comfortable and well padded, making for a great carrier. My only complaint is that one of the side armor plate Velcros was installed inside out.

The plate still holds its place, so no big functional issue. I’m just picky about small detail haha.

Let me start by saying that 5. 11 makes tactical clothing primarily for civilians. This vest echoes that in overall design and adaptability. The build quality is solid and they use good materials. My main complaint is with the fit and how the load is distributed over the shoulders.

This vest uses a wire/cord to thread the different parts of the vest together and allow for quick doffing of the vest. The cord runs through the shoulder harness and ultimately carries the weight of the vest.

I wore this vest almost daily for 3 months and it painfully dug in to my shoulders despite the thick shoulder straps. I tried adjusting the straps countless times but was unable to get a better fit. I think some of the issue is that the shoulder yoke is permanently attached to the back plate bag and limits the range of adjustment.

When doing pushups the vest would annoyingly hang several inches off of my chest. I gave my 5. 11 vest away and purchased a milspec vest the fit is 100x better. I am 6″3″ and 208lb.

I’ve been using the 5. 11 TacTec plate carrier (and accompanying set of Rogue plates) for just over a month or so now and I’m really impressed!! Firstly, as you might expect, the vest itself is amazingly well built.

The plate carrier feels really sturdy whilst still managing to be comfortable for longer sessions and I have no doubt that it’ll last a lifetime. The shoulder pads and chest/back cushions are perfectly placed to take the impact and reduce the strain while wearing the kit – even with a heavy plate set.

Speaking of which, the Rogue plates are also a perfect fit! They’re easy to install and held securely in place by the plate carrier. I’ve not needed to readjust or tighten the velcro fastenings as yet despite putting some reasonable mileage in.

They’re the ideal size to make the most of the space afforded by the plate carrier whilst still being compact, so you don’t feel like you’re carrying your whole gym with you. I’ve been using the vest for pretty much all my training since I got it.

The vest itself doesn’t compromise mobility at all, which seems kind of impossible, but it’s ideal for HIIT workouts. Even though the plate carrier doesn’t make a difference to how freely you move you can really see how effectively it increases the resistance to your workout.

You definitely feel yourself working harder and getting more from your training sessions. (which is the goal, right?!) When running the plate carrier feels perfectly stable – hardly moving at all – and I can’t say I’ve felt any increased strain on my joints.

That being said, during HIIT sessions, I notice that the vest moves a little but it’s hardly noticeable (to the point I thought about not mentioning it at all in this review) and certainly not enough to be distracting.

The adjustable fastenings allow the vest to move with you but not bounce around so much the plate carrier becomes uncomfortable. In summary, this plate carrier is a fantastic bit of kit. Big/tough enough to feel dependable and sturdy even with heavy plates but slight enough so it doesn’t compromise mobility and you can still work out effectively.

This plate carrier definitely goes on my “must buy” list. It’s quickly becoming an essential part of my training arsenal and is without a doubt the most effective bit of training equipment I’ve ever used.