Mission Gear

A plate carrier for the big boys: AR500’s Testudo Gen 2 is a good pick for large frames

Plate carriers are among the most fiercely debated pieces of kit on the market today and it’s easy to see why. With so many options and prices that can range from thirty bucks to three hundred, just about everybody has an opinion on what you need for your purposes. Like most things, it’s been my experience that neither the cheapest nor the most expensive options on the market are right for most users, and what really matters is finding the kit that works best for you, rather than the one that’ll score you the most cool-guy points in the Tacticool subreddits.

AR500 offers a number of different kinds of plate carriers meant to meet various needs and budgets. I opted to review the Testudo Gen 2 because it can support both standard 10″ by 12″ ballistic plates as well as the larger 11″ by 14″ plates reserved for those of us that shop at Big and Tall outlets. I’m not as skinny as I was on active duty, so the Testudo also offers the added benefit of not making me look like a gorilla in a tank top.

I ran this carrier with plates provided to me by ShotStop that are among the lightest on the market, which when combined with the 3d webbing AR500 uses on most of the interior of this plate carrier, made running and gunning in the Georgia woods survivable even in June when the humidity is just north of what you’ll find in the Amazon rain forest. The combination of light weight and breathability made my range session not only tolerable, but as pleasant as Georgia summers can get.

At $160, this probably isn’t the right plate carrier for preppers that like to stockpile their gear but rarely run and gun in their kit. If, however, you’re a bigger dude that wears your plate carrier for work, the 3D webbing and good quality stitching make this an excellent choice. That same 3D webbing, however, can be pretty abrasive if you’re wearing a thin undershirt. I’d imagine that gets better over time, but at least so far, I’ve stuck to thick tee shirts and had no trouble.

You can get your own Testudo Gen 2 Plate Carrier from AR500 Armor here.

And you can get your own ShotStop Ballistic plates here.

The 5.11 All Missions Plate Carrier: The most modular plate carrier on the market

5.11 Tactical made big waves this year with the introduction of the new Hex Grid system they are using for packs, bags, and plate carriers. Needless to say, the idea of being able to mount gear at a variety of angles spoke to me. Upon seeing the All Missions Plate Carrier I knew I had to have one. Well, I got one! After spending a bit of time with the All Missions Plate Carrier I realized I couldn’t capture everything I wanted in one article, so this is the first of two. This article will capture what the All Missions Plate carrier is and its capabilities. Part two will cover it in action and talk more from how it functions while being worn.

What Up With the Hex Grid?

Hexagons have become the official tactical shape of 2019. Odd I know, but it seems to work. With the All Missions Plate Carrier, you get a healthy 12×9 platform on both sides of the plate, as well as a cumberbund with Hexgrib everywhere. Hexgrid is replacing traditional MOLLE or PALS webbing on this carrier due to the modularity of the Hexagon webbing.

Effortless Swap to a Vertical Configuration

The Hexgrid allows you to mount traditional MOLLE gear as it’s intended to be mounted. Or you can run it at an angle, or even run it horizontally. This allows quick and easy customization and you can tailor pouches you need to fit in a certain way. It’s honestly made me experiment over and over with the placement of my kit. I now run my 3×6 Med Kit horizontally and find it easier to reach with both hands, even when running it on my nondominant side.

I’m also able to fit more by running different gear at angles. For example, if I run a shotgun 5 shot bandolier at a slight angle I can fit another, the VTAC shotgun pouch, and a dual mag pouch all on the 12×9 Hexgrid. This isn’t even crowding the gear either. Everything is plenty easy to reach and use.

In the past adapters have existed to orient gear is different directions, but a truly modular option like this has never been tried as far as I know. The Hexgrid of the All Missions Plate Carrier makes things very simple to attach to.

Swapping Loadouts

Even though gear is simple to attach and replace via the Hexgrid who really likes to break down their gear over and over again to change their loadout? It’s a hassle to weave, unweave, reweave, and on and on. With the All Missions Plate Carrier, you can very easily swap loadouts without the need for the constant weaving.

Both the front and rear 12×9 Hexgrid is removable and 5.11 sells extra 12×9 Hexgrids. You can set up multiple Hexgrids with different loadouts and swap them onto the plate carrier. They change out very easily and attach in just a few seconds. I set-up two loadouts between my AMP. The first is a pretty standard rifle loadout with the new Flex AR mag and pistol pouches. I also have the internal Kangaroo pouches for extra AR magazines. It’s easy and perfect for most AR loadouts. This is my current AR Loadout for use with my 80 lower receiver AR pistol.

The second loadout is an all shotgun kit. It features two Vtac/5.11 Shotgun bandoliers as well as the VTAC shotgun ammo pouch, and the dual Flex Pistol pouch. The 3×9 kit stays constant between both kits.

There are two Kangaroo pouches in this plate carrier. The first is underneath the Hexgrid panel and the second is in the Hexgrid panel. The internal kangaroo pouch has a set of small bungee cords and magazine sized compartments this can be removed and swapped between both kangaroo pouches.

These two very different weapon systems use very different pouches and attachments to function. Instead of spending 15 or 20 minutes unloading one just to load up another I spend 15 to 20 seconds swapping hexgrid panels.

Why It’s Called the All Missions Plate Carrier

Obviously being able to near instantly swap loadouts from rifle to shotgun, to sub gun, and to anything in between is invaluable. That helps the AMP be versatile for a variety of missions. However, there is more to it than that.

The Carrier can be bulked up or stripped down with ease. The end user can remove the internal pads, the Hexgrid panel, the cumberbund, and everything else for a super low profile plate carrier. You can conceal the thing with a jacket on.

You can add it all back and built it out in a layered loadout for storing tons of gear and ammo. Perfect for that intense short duration missions. The removable kangaroo pouch with fit three AR magazines and the cumberbund has three elastic pockets on each side for gear like more magazines, a radio, extra tourniquets, really whatever you want. Another cummerbund compromised of Hexgrid will easily allow you to add even more gear. You can even reverse the inner cumberbund to place the mag pouch in the cumberbund on the opposite side of the plate carrier. This makes it easier to reach. So one side can rock a radio and the other a magazine.

You can tailor it for just about any task from sitting on a post to direct action missions. This makes it one of the most customizable options on the market. The All Missions Plate Carrier is a well-made piece of kit. It’s very adaptable and you can tune it and customize it in a wide variety of ways.

Stay tuned for part 2 where we get out and shoot with the thing on and we can talk about how it runs.

REFactor Advanced Special Operations (ASO) Bag

I’ll admit it. I have a bag problem. In my garage, there is an entire storage shelf where I keep my wide assortment of shoulder bags, rucks, backpacks, duffels… you name it. There are many categories and I have at least one entry from each. Although I have a wide variety of them, my favorite bags tend to be those with a high level of compartmentalization. Call it the former military in me, call it OCD, call it whatever you want but I enjoy having a well-organized bag.

So, when I found out about the Advanced Special Operations (ASO) bag from REFactor Tactical, I was very interested. The company, founded by a former Green Beret, has put a lot of attention into this bag and you can tell that it was designed for utility by people who have a lot of experience. That experience informed the design of the bag and some good forethought made it accessible to a very wide market. It comes in a variety of colors, including navy blue in case you want to be a little less conspicuous.

Advertised as a bag “specifically designed for the individual who needs the ability to travel with a tactical bag, without the tactical look” which is mostly accurate except for the color choices. I don’t think you’re fooling anyone if you carry a Multicam or Ranger Green bag but certainly, the black and blue offerings look ordinary. The ASO bag is constructed to last, using very sturdy stitching and durable materials. The bottom of the bag, as well as ¼ of the sides, are covered with a vinyl material which goes a long way toward keeping the contents of the bag dry, even if set in standing water.

The three exterior Velcro pockets are great for smaller items that need to be readily accessible. I tend to use those for snacks, simple first aid items and to stow the strap the bag comes with. Using those straps, this duffle can turn into a shoulder bag or a backpack in a matter of seconds. There is also a medium-sized zipper pocket on the right side of the bag which I use for a more extensive trauma kit, but could fit a few pistols, several magazines or boxes of ammunition, 3 boxes of power bars or whatever you prefer.

The large main compartment is large enough for me to fit my kit (plate carrier, helmet, battle belt) and a carbine. I have a folding stock on my rifle, but you could fit a full-sized AR15 if you detached the upper receiver. The lid to the main compartment has 3 mesh zipper pockets and the inside of the compartment has MOLLE lining in case you wanted to add pouches for even further compartmentalization.

Conclusion: The Advanced Special Operations bag is an excellent and sturdy addition to anyone’s range, bug-out or duty gear, especially if there is a desire or requirement for low-visibility.

Durability – 5/5

Design/Use of Space – 5/5

Color Choices – 4/5

Utility – 5/5

Author – Eddy South is a security consultant working in both the government and private sectors, where he works in full spectrum security operations in austere environments. Previously he served in the U.S. Army for 10 years as a Combat Engineer, Infantryman and finally Psychological Operations specialist for an SMU. He is an enthusiastic shooter, boater, snowboarder, gamer and traveler.

The Garmin Foretrex 401 Wrist Mounted GPS

There are quite a few GPS devices out there and several companies who make good ones. However good is subjective and dependent upon what you need it for. When it comes to a GPS unit I need something that is lightweight. More so than that I need something that conserves battery power and can give me accurate readings quickly. I’ve found that the Garmin Foretrex 401 is largely without competition in these categories.

Prior to using the Foretrex 401 I was issued the Garmin eTrex 30 which does offer some advantages (detailed topographic maps installed on the GPS for example). However, I found that for executing missions that required precision the unit was somewhat unwieldy despite some of the excellent holders and pouches that I tried. After moving to the Foretrex 401 I was immediately impressed with the weight (3.1 oz with batteries) and it’s ability to run on 2 AAA batteries for around 9 hours. Due to the weight I am easily able to attach the GPS to my wrist and can pull 10 digit MGRS coordinates whenever necessary.

This isn’t to say that I couldn’t do that with my eTrex 30, but rather that it took more time to take it out of my kit. With the Foretrex 401 I can do my map work and simply rotate my wrist to get coordinates that I need. I’ve found that the Foretrex 401 tends to acquire at about the same speed as my eTrex 30 (which depends on how long it’s been since it was last turned on). On average it acquires within 12-20 seconds and if left on will stay acquired unless bad weather or terrain prevents it from communicating.

The Garmin Foretrex 401 also allows you to track your elevation/elevation change which can be especially helpful when working with helicopters/aircraft. Another great feature is that you can send coordinates between other Garmin 401’s. I’ve found that the unit itself is well sealed against the weather and that the screen does not scratch easily at all. Punching in coordinates is mostly painless and perhaps slightly more difficult than the eTrex 30. Ultimately I believe that choosing a GPS comes down to what you need. The eTrex 30 is handy because you can store topo maps of the entire world, however, if you need your GPS to be wrist mounted then the 401 might be more up your alley.

In the end I’m more of a 2 is 1, 1 is none type of guy and I carry the eTrex 30 in my pack. The 401 is a handy, easy to navigate by GPS that is dependable and reliable. I feel wholly confident in it. If you’re looking for a lightweight wrist-mounted GPS I doubt you could find one quite as good as the 401 at a $150 price point.

Bulletproof Backpack Inserts: What You Need to Know

Not all bulletproof backpack inserts are the same. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know when it comes to ballistic backpack inserts.

Are you looking for a bulletproof backpack insert? Whether you landed here because you’ve seen them in the news or you just decided to look for new ways to protect yourself or your kids, you probably have a lot of questions:

What guns/ammunition will it stop?
How much does it weigh?
How much does it cost?
Will it actually keep me/my child safe?
And many more…

In this article, we’ll look at several bulletproof backpack inserts and share some details about each. We are not here to tell you to buy our backpack insert. It’s totally up to you to decide 1) whether you want or need to buy one and 2) which one is best for you/your child.

What are the different types, or levels, of bulletproof backpack protection? The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has been setting voluntary body armor standards since 1972. The NIJ standard is the only nationally accepted standard for the body armor worn by law enforcement and corrections officers, and its ballistic resistance standard classifies body armor by levels of ballistic performance. The chart below shows those classifications:

Most bulletproof backpacks are classified as Level IIIA, which means they will stop at least four rounds from most handguns. The majority of ballistic backpack inserts on the market fall into this classification; they are meant to protect against multiple rounds from 9mm, .357 Magnum, and .44 Magnum ammunition.

In our research, we found the following bulletproof backpack inserts at the Level IIIA (handgun) protection level:

NOTE OF CAUTION

Be sure to check the Ballistic Lab Report and any NIJ Compliance letters referenced on all websites. We have found that many manufacturers show a lab report or compliance letter that may be for a different product or an outdated NIJ standard. For example, the current NIJ standard set in 2008 is NIJ 0106.01. We have seen several of these backpack inserts noted as NIJ 0108.01, which was the standard set back in 1985 – much has changed since 1985 when it comes to guns and ammunition!

Watch our video “How to Read a Ballistic Lab Report” to make sure you’re getting what you think you’re getting.

So, what does a Level IIIA backpack insert really stop?

Here is a video testing the ShotStop Level III3a backpack inserts:

Klik Belts: Don’t just get a belt, get a belt you can keep for life

When it comes to duty belts, concealed carry belts, or gun belts in general, there are a number of manufacturers out there with products I can recommend whole-heartedly. I mean, let’s be honest, the things that make for a good quality pistol belt aren’t elusive: the material of the belt needs to be stiff enough to support the weight of your gear without bowing outward, the buckle needs to be strong enough to support the weight of what you’re carrying, and hopefully you can get both of those things in one decent looking package. So, if you’re looking for a good choice in belts (whether you’re a recreational shooter or a cop that relies on your belt every day), you certainly have some options. But if you’re looking for the best choice, it helps to consider some other things, like customer service.

Klik Belts’ line of products certainly meet and exceed the baseline criteria required of a good quality belt. Their two-ply tactical belt offers very little give without becoming a nuisance and is just as at home as an EDC belt run through your belt loops as it is strapped over your hips as a quick release gun belt. And much to my surprise, even their single-ply belts (which Klik Belt don’t recommend for use with a holster) has served me extremely well with the Bravo Concealment IWB holster I’ve been wearing to review for the past month or so. It’s easy to see why: not only are Klik Belts made right here in America (Austin, Texas, to be exact) using the best materials they could get their hands on, but they also come equipped with Cobra Belt Buckles. These buckles are incredibly strong… how strong? One held up to 5 1/2 tons of pressure before letting go in one test… so yours ought to do fine even chalk full of gear and fighting back your gut after Taco Tuesday.

Klik Belts may make their belts on site, but they sourced these buckles from Austria for a reason. Here’s what they have to say about the Cobra Buckle:

Patented AustriAlpin COBRA® quick releases are, without equal, the safest, most finely crafted, and strongest load bearing buckles available anywhere. They are also the only stab-lock style fastener in the safety products market that will not open while under load. That makes them the best choice (we believe, the only choice) for ensuring the highest degree of safety for yourself or your customer. COBRA® quick releases are CNC machined, assembled, inspected, and packed (re: from alpha to omega) in our ISO quality assurance acredited facility. All COBRA® products are tested and certified by highly respected independent /3rd party test houses and exceed Mil Spec guidelines for dust / sand / salt water as well as all applicable CE, EN, CSA, ANSI, and NFPA standards for fall-protection and personal safety.

The belts and buckles are just as high quality as they’re touted, but what really sets these belts apart from other good quality belts is their lifetime warranty and the level of customer service you get when you order one. I spoke to Dona at Klik Belts who immediately set about making my new belts to order based on my (decidedly embarrassing) measurements. Even made to order, the belts arrived in no time and I immediately set about trying to ruin them so poor Donna would have to hunker back down at her sewing machine and send me some new ones. She was so nice when we spoke, I really didn’t think she’d mind… but after weeks of punishment, the best I could do was leave a bit of white gunk on the nylon portion of the belt (maybe a mix of bug spray and sunscreen). Beyond that, I just couldn’t manage to break, fray, or otherwise mess up these belts.

I haven’t given up yet though, and eventually, I’m sure I’ll manage to do some kind of damage that leaves my belts un-serviceable, and when I do, I won’t have to buy a new one. I can just send the buckle back in to Klik Belts with a crisp $20 bill and they’ll send it back to me good as new. They’ll even adjust the size if I’ve gotten fatter (or hopefully, thinner) by then.

I won’t pretend that there are no other good quality belt options on the market, but with prices starting under $65 for a double-ply tactical belt you can wear for the rest of your life, I honestly couldn’t recommend any option that isn’t from Klik Belt. You can get them in a variety of colors and despite the utility allotted by the Cobra Buckles, these belts look just as appropriate in a pair of khakis as they do on your jeans or hiking pants.

When you order a belt from Klik Belts, you’re not just getting a belt — you’re getting a lifetime commitment from the company itself. It’s tough to beat that.