What are the differences between your armor bundles? This is a common question we get and hopefully this article will clear up some of the differences. We designed our bundles around our most popular plate carrier and armor options, then we put them together to make each bundle unique for its own reasons.
We have five primary armor bundles, the Essentials, Basics, Gunfighter, Low Vis and Defender Armor Bundles. We offer our bundles with four primary armor options, the Highcom 4S17M (Lvl. 4), 4S16 (Lvl. 4) and 3S9M (Lvl. 3++). Our Defender Bundle can also come with Highcom 4SAS7 (Lvl.4)s and our Low Vis Armor Bundle can come with Highcom 4SAS7(Lvl.4)s or RSTP (Lvl. 3+ ICW) plates.
Essentials Armor Bundle
This bundle was designed to be a low profile overt fighting kit with maximum customization and scalability in mind, while also including a frontal combination placard that accepts rifle magazines, handgun magazines and has a utility pouch. The platebags are mesh lined and the cummerbund is low profile and laser cut with optional QD buckle attachments. It features a drag handle and built in zippered admin pouch. This was designed to have all basic essentials you needed, in one kit.
This bundle comes with a Defense Mechanisms MEPC with Molle platebags, the Laser Cut 5" Hybrid Molle Cummerbund and the Defense Mechanisms Loaded Placard that holds 3x AR mags, 2x Pistol Mags and has a small utility pouch. Optional QD buckles on the cummerbund. Optional upgrade of the Defense Mechanisms Recondite bag, which can either be attached to the carrier, or detached in a self access configuration (straps required).
This carrier is fully compatible with all Defense Mechanisms accessories, so it can be scaled down to a slick for concealment with an elastic cummerbund, or worn in its full configuration with additional pouches for a full fighting kit.
Gunfighter Armor Bundle
This bundle was designed to be a load bearing overt fighting kit with maximum comfort and load bearing capabilities in mind. This bundle comes with a Shellback Tactical SF Plate Carrier which features padded mesh lined platebags, padding under the cummerbund and included shoulder pads. The Shellback SF also features Molle "kangaroo" front flap that includes a triple AR-15 magazine insert (removable), built in radio/ magazine pouches on the cummerbund, built in side plate pouches and a drag handle.
Again this bundle was built to be a load bearing carrier with maximum comfort in mind, which means the carrier has a little bit of extra bulk naturally due to its 360 degree padding. Great option for comfort and more load bearing setups, similar to our Essentials Bundle in the sense that this also includes most of the essentials you need.
Defender Armor Bundle
This bundle was designed to be a low profile overt fighting kit with budget constraints in mind. This bundle comes with a Shellback Tactical Rampage 2.0 Plate Carrier which features padded mesh lined platebags, laser cut molle, detachable molle front flap, built in cummerbund magazine pouches and included shoulder pads.
This bundle was designed to be more price effective and lower cost for individuals who are getting into the tactical gear scene or are looking for a spare carrier. This bundle does come with three price tiers of plates, so depending on what you get, you may only decide to want to upgrade the carrier in the future. The Highcom 4SAS7 Single Curve Level 4 10x12 Swimmers cut plates at 7.5lbs and 0.7" thick are our basic low priced option.
The Highcom 4S17M/ 4SAS7 Multi Curve Shooters Cut Level 4s are the middle tier option at 7.2/7.1lbs per plate and 0.9/ 0.7" thick. The Highcom 4S16 Level 4s are the higher end option at 6.2lbs per plate and 0.7" thick.
Basics Armor Bundle
This bundle was designed to be a low profile slick armor kit with keeping a low profile, yet still leaving room for customization and scalability in mind. This bundle comes with the Defense Mechanisms MEPC with slick platebags and the 4" elastic cummerbund (optional QD buckles). You get mesh lined platebags with an optional MOLLE back (HERE). This carrier accepts all standard placards and holds magazines in the cummerbund. You can run this completely slick with only magazines on the front, or you can scale it up and run a full placard and pack on the rear with the Molle back.
"Low Vis" Armor Bundle
This bundle was designed to be a concealable slick armor vest, keeping bulk to a minimum and prioritizing keeping a low profile. This comes with a Defense Mechanisms RVPC which is an incredibly barebones carrier. It is meant to carry plates and that's it. There are no built in magazine pouches or padding of any kind. This bundle is meant for concealment or low profile work.
Due to it being a concealment oriented carrier, we offer the Highcom RSTP Multi Curve 3+ ICW plates with it. This is a 2.9lb, 0.55" thick (at 10x12) plate that stops M193, M855 and 7.62x39 MSC standalone and .308 M80 ball with a backer. This makes it an excellent option for concealment when used standalone. If you prefer level 4 protection, we offer the Highcom 4SAS7 Multi Curve Level 4s which are 7.1lbs and 0.7" thick (for the 10x12) or the Highcom 4S16 Multi Curve Level 4s which are 6.2lbs and 0.7" thick (for the 10x12).
The Armor Options
As mentioned previously, we offer four primary armor options, the, Highcom 4S17M Level 4, Highcom 4S16 Level 4, and the Highcom 3S9M Level 3++. Our Defender/ Low Vis Bundles have the option of the Highcom 4SAS7 Level 4s and Highcom RSTP 3+ ICW plates. Here we will break down the differences between their plates, as they were chosen to be popular options in their respective budget ranges.
1) Highcom 4S17M Multi Curve Level 4 Plates (Click Here to view 4S17 10x12 Swimmers cut product page) (Click Here to view 4S17M 10x12 Shooters cut product page) (Click Here to view 4S17M SAPI cut product page) This is our intermediate or mid range option for level 4 plates. Highcom plates come with higher end features and better quality than many other plates in this price range. For example, it uses higher end polyethylene and utilizes a crack arrestor on the ceramic itself. This crack arrestor keeps the plate together after multiple hits, creates a longer lifespan and better performance. Higher end polyethylene means better blunt force trauma mitigation. The 4S17M 10x12 Multi Curve shooters cut is also lighter and thinner at 7.2lbs per plate and 0.9" thick. The 4S17M/ 4SAS7 is the best level 4 plate we offer in the price range of under $500 a set.
Our 4S17/ 4SAS7 10x12 Swimmers Cut plates have replaced the RMA 1155s as our "budget" plates.
Our bundles with 4S17Ms are our most popular bundle, therefore our bundles can come with various sizes for the plates. We offer them in our bundles in 10x12 Single Curve swimmers cut, 10x12 Multi Curve shooters cut, Small and XL Multi Curve SAPI cut.
2) Highcom 4SAS7 Multi Curve Level 4 Plates
(Click Here to view 4SAS7 10x12 Shooters cut product page) (Click Here to view 4SAS7 SAPI cut product page) This is another one of our intermediate or mid range options for level 4 plates. The ballistic materials used (ceramic and polyethylene) are identical to our 4S17Ms, however the system used for the frontal drop protection is altered, which allows it to shave off 0.2" in thickness. In any of our bundles, we are happy to substitute 4S17Ms for 4SAS7s. 10x12s mean a straight swap with no added cost, however the smaller or larger sizes will incur a small fee to cover the difference in pricing.
3) Highcom 4S16 Multi Curve Level 4 Plates (Click Here to view 4S16 10x12 Shooters Cut or SAPI cut product page)
This is one of our higher tier options for level 4 plates. This is the best level 4 plate we offer in the price range of under $1,000 a set. This plate is lighter and thinner than our 4S17M option, weighing at only 6.2lbs and 0.7" thick for the 10x12 Multi Curve shooters cut. It utilizes further upgraded materials, such as lighter weight and higher tensile strength polyethylene to not only further reduce weight, but also increase performance and multi hit capabilities.
4) Highcom 3S9M Multi Curve Level 3++ Plates (Click Here to view 3S9M 10x12 Shooters Cut) (Click Here to view 3S9M SAPI Cut)
This is one of our high end options for level 3++ plates. While this plate is marked as a Level 3++, its performance is more like a lightweight level 4. The 3S9M is capable of stopping 7.62x54R AP, 7.62x51mm (.308) M61 AP, M80A1, M855A1 and 7.62x39 AP. So for all intents and purposes, this has very close to lightweight level 4 performance but at a lower cost. The 3S9M 10x12 Multi Curve Shooters Cut weighs just 5.3lbs per plate.
5) Highcom RSTP Multi Curve Level 3+ ICW Plates (Click Here to view RSTP Shooters or SAPI cut plates)
This is one of our high end options for lightweight level 3+ plates and is best used as a low profile plate or concealment plate, which is why it is only offered in one bundle. This plate is incredibly lightweight and has an incredibly thin profile, being just 2.9lbs and 0.55" thick for the 10x12. Standalone it is capable of stopping M193, M855 and 7.62x39 MSC, with a backer it is capable of stopping .308 M80 ball.