Having a plate carrier that’s comfortable and performs across a multitude of situations is an awesome thing to have. However, we have to face the reality that at a base level, your plate carrier is only as good as the plates you put inside of it. Having the slickest, fastest gear on the planet won’t matter if you’ve been properly ventilated by some 7.62x39.
When we decided to start carrying plates, the decision wasn’t only about finding some that fit our carriers perfectly. It quickly became apparent to us that we needed plates that were as light as possible while still offering the ballistic protection that the modern-day fighter demands.
With that said, we won’t go try and sell you each individual plate. We’ll let the stats speak for themselves as really it’s up to you to decide which level of protection you need.
Note: I’ve been given the “directive” of “improving the customer experience.” Whatever that means. Personally, I think all customers should be mandated to give us an extra $100 with every purchase as tribute. Regardless, part of my “directive” is giving customers more info. Here’s a list of plates we’ve noted that are compatible with our plate carriers. Click here to skip my awesome sales pitch and head right to the list.
DURITIUM PLATES
Duritium. That’s a fancy word. To make it quick, we can sum it up as these plates are super lightweight. Our Level III+ is only a mere 2.7 lbs and the Level IV is at 4.5 lbs. These are easily some of the lightest plates on the market at their level of protection and it’s a big part of the reason why we offer them. If you wear plates all day for work, you know that lightening your load-out everywhere you can is a big benefit.
Check the stats out:
Armor Plate Set Pro - Duritium® 10x12 Level IV
- Compliant testing to US Level 4
- 10” x 12”
- 0.9” thick
- Multicurve
- Shooters cut
- 4.5 pounds per plate
- Multi-Hit
- Level IV
- Special threat tested
- Stand alone
- UHMWPE Composite/Duritium®
- SOLD AS A SET OF 2
- Fits Medium Carriers
- 10 year warranty
- Made in the USA
NIJ THREATS TESTED:
- 9mm/357 Mag/44 Mag
- 5.56x45mm 55 Grain Ball (M193)
- 7.62x39mm PS Ball (MSC)
- 7.62x51mm 149 Grain M80 FMJ (Green Tip)
- 5.56x45mm M855A1
- 7.62x54mm
- 7.62x63mm
- 7.62x54mm API B32 (BXN)
- 7.62x63mm M2 AP
Armor Plate Set Pro - Duritium® 10x12 Level III+
- NIJ Certified NIJ 0101.06
- 10” x 12”
- 0.7” thick
- Multicurve
- Shooters cut
- 2.7 pounds per plate
- Multi-Hit
- Level lll+
- Special threat tested
- Stand alone
- Duritium® (High tensile strength polyethylene)
- Neutrally Buoyant
- SOLD AS A SET OF 2
- Fits Medium Carriers
- 15 year warranty
- Made in the USA
NIJ SPECIAL THREATS TESTED:
- 5.56x45mm 55 grain ball (M193)
- 7.62x39mm PS ball (MSC)
- 7.62x51mm 149 grain M80 FMJ
Side Armor Plate Set Pro - Duritium® 6x6 Level III+
- 6” x 6”
- 0.7” thick
- 0.9 pounds per plate
- Multi-Hit
- Level lll+
- Special threat tested
- Stand alone
- Duritium® (High tensile strength polyethylene)
- Neutrally Buoyant
- SOLD AS A SET OF 2
- Fits our 3AC Side Plate Pockets
- 15 year warranty
- Made in the USA
CERAMIC-COMPOSITE
They’re heavier than Duritium. Why sell plates that are heavier? Well, for two reasons. Some folks are on a budget AND these plates also stop M855. So in exchange for some extra weight, you gain the added protection of stopping green tips. Sounds fair to us!
Armor Plate Set - Ceramic Composite Level III Special Threat - Medium (10x12)
- NIJ Certified NIJ 0101.06
- 10” x 12”
- 1.1” thickness
- Multicurve
- Shooters cut SAPI
- 5.4 pounds per plate
- Multi-Hit
- Level lll
- Stand alone
- Ceramic-composite
- Plus special threat tested
- Wolf Grey
- SOLD AS A SET OF 2
- Fits Medium Carriers
- 10 year warranty
- Made in the USA
NIJ SPECIAL THREATS TESTED:
- 5.56 x 45 M193 @ 3100-3150 fps
- 7.62 x 39 M67 @ 2880-2930fps
- 7.62 x 63 JSP @ 2730-2780 fps
- 5.56 x 45 M855 @ 3100-3150 fps
- 7.62 x 39 M43 @ 2340-2390 fps
- 7.62 x 54r LPS @ 2800-2850 fps
Armor Plate Set - Ceramic Composite Level III Special Threat - Large (10.25x13.25)
- NIJ Certified NIJ 0101.06
- 10.25” x 13.25”
- 1.1” thickness
- Multicurve
- Shooters cut SAPI
- 6 pounds per plate
- Multi-Hit
- Level lll
- Stand alone
- Ceramic-composite
- Plus special threat tested
- Black fabric covering
- SOLD AS A SET OF 2
- Large Carriers
- 10 year warranty
- Made in the USA
NIJ SPECIAL THREATS TESTED:
- 5.56 x 45 M193 @ 3100-3150 fps
- 7.62 x 39 M67 @ 2880-2930fps
- 7.62 x 63 JSP @ 2730-2780 fps
- 5.56 x 45 M855 @ 3100-3150 fps
- 7.62 x 39 M43 @ 2340-2390 fps
- 7.62 x 54r LPS @ 2800-2850 fps
COMPATIBLE PLATES
DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a list of what we suggest or a list of plates you should buy. This is only for reference of fitment. Please research the plates you're looking in to and make sure they are tested or certified to a high standard. Additionally this list is crowdsourced.
Not all sizes are mentioned but we have made this list using the following sizes: SAPI medium, ESAPI medium, 10”x12”. When buying plates for our carriers the “FULL CUT” option will not work. You need either SAPI, ESAPI, SWIMMER, SHOOTER CUT.
There are SO many companies making armor and calling them 10”x12” but when you go measure the plate itself it is sometimes 10x12 and other times it is as far as plus or minus 1” out in dimensions! Yet they still call it a 10x12. Can ya’ll believe that! But what can you do? You can know what our plate carriers fit! Ha!
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR PLATES
If you're wonderin' if your plates will fit, just bust out that soft tape measure. It's important that you use a SOFT tape measure and not one meant for carpentry. Ask your mom if you need help.
It's pretty simple to measure up your plates. Make sure that you're measuring flat against the curve of the plate on the FRONT of the plate (the side that faces away from your body.) Measure side to side, top to bottom, then turn the plate on its side and grab the thiccness. You'll end with something like 10"x12"x1". Once again, if you're in need of help run upstairs and grab your momma. She'll figure it out.
THE SLICKSTER and FCPC V5 SIZE MEDIUM PLATE CARRIER FITS
- MEDIUM SAPI, ESAPI, SWIMMER PLATE, 10"x12" up to 10”x12.25“x1”
- Medium WIDTH absolute maximum plate circumference – 22”
- Medium HEIGHT absolute maximum plate circumference – 26.5”
THE SLICKSTER and FCPC V5 SIZE LARGE PLATE CARRIER FITS
- LARGE SAPI, ESAPI, SWIMMER PLATE up to 10.5”x13.5“x1”
- Large WIDTH absolute maximum plate circumference – 23”
- Large HEIGHT absolute maximum plate circumference – 29”
The FCPC V5 has stretch pockets and is more forgiving on fitment but we still suggest sticking to those dimensions.
Below is a list we have compiled of hard and soft body armor plates known to fit in The Slickster and the FCPC V5. We got as specific as we could. This list is always having more added to it and if you do not see the armor you are using on this list please email us at info@ferroconcepts.com so we can make this list better for future customers.
The Slickster and FCPC V5 in SIZE MEDIUM: In no specific order
3M CERADYNE
|
• Ceradyne Item #TE770 Mfg# 98009005228s |
• Medium SAPI Plate - USA Military Issued Body Armor |
|
• MEDIUM ESAPI with 3A Kevlar Backers |
• Ceradyne 10x12 with Ferro Concepts Plate Comfort Pads |
REVISION
| • Canadian Forces ballistic plates |
SHOT STOP - 10x12
|
• Duririum lll+GT Shooter cut |
• Duritium® III+PA Body Armor Plates |
|
• Duritium® III ICW (In Conjunction With) Body Armor Plates |
• Duritium® IV+HS Body Armor Plates |
|
• Duritium® GT Body Armor Plates |
SKD TACTICAL
|
• SKD Armor Soft Armor Plate Backer (IIIA), 10" x 12" - AMR.358 |
• SKD Armor 10 x 12 Level IV Stand Alone Plate - AMR.905 |
|
• SKD Armor 10 X 12 Carbine Plate (Multi-Hit) - AMR.906 |
PARACLETE - 10x12 shooters cut
|
• Speed Plates Model: 10024/10025 |
• 10079 Hard Armor Plate |
|
• 10800 Hard Armor Plate |
• 9900SA Hard Armor Plate |
SAFARILAND - 10x12 shooters cut
| • 2113MC-3 |
PROTECH - 10x12 shooters cut
|
• MODEL: DT306C SKU: 1223860 |
• MODEL: DT306P SKU: DT306P |
|
• SKU: XCAL_DTC1 |
• SKU: PT_2014MC |
|
• Model 9812-R1 - NIJ 0101.04 Type IV Stand Alone |
• MODEL: HW-LWP-III SKU: 1302169 |
HIGHCOM - 10x12 multi-curve, single curve, shooter cut, swimmers cut, SAPI (medium)
|
• Guardian RSTP SA+ |
• Guardian 4sas7 |
|
• Guardian 3s11 |
• Guardian 4s17m |
|
• Guardian 3s9m |
• Guardian 3s11m |
|
• Guardian 3i5 |
• Guardian 34i1 |
|
• Guardian 4sss2 |
• Guardian 3i6 |
|
• Guardian 4s16 |
SPARTAN ARMOR
|
• LEVEL IIIA HARD QUAD CURVATURE PLATES |
• FLEX FUSED CORE™ IIIA SOFT BODY ARMOR |
|
• LEVEL IIIA TRIPLE CURVED SHOOTERS CUT |
• LEVEL IV SHOOTERS CUT RIFLE CERAMIC BODY |
|
• LEVEL IV SHOOTERS CUT RIFLE CERAMIC BODY |
UNITED SHIELD INTERNATIONAL
| SIGMA 6 LEVEL II STAND ALONE PLATE |
AR500
|
• AR500 Armor® Level IIIA Rimelig 10" x 12" Soft Body Armor |
• AR500 Armor® Level II 10" x 12" Rimelig Soft Body Armor |
|
• AR500 Armor® Level IIIA Hybrid 10" x 12" Soft Body Armor |
• AR500 Armor® Level III Patented Advanced Shooters Cut (ASC) 10" x 12" |
|
• AR500 Armor® Level III+ ASC Body Armor 10" x 12" |
• AR500 Armor® Level III+ Lightweight Patented ASC Body Armor 10" x 12" (6.5lbs) |
|
• AR500 Armor® Level IV Body Armor 10" x 12" |
• AR500 Armor® Level IIIA LW (Steel) 10" x 12" Curved Build Up |
BATTLE STEEL
|
• BattleSteel-BSM8551112 |
• BattleSteel-BSM8551112MC |
LA POLICE GEAR
| LA POLICE GEAR LEVEL IV BALLISTIC ARMOR RIFLE PLATE Item Code: L4PLATE |
LTC
|
• 28340-10X12-SC |
• 28340 - Medium |
|
• 28520 - Medium |
• 23600-3 |
|
• 28720 |
HESCO
|
• 4400-SH-SC-L |
• 4400-SA-MC-M |
|
• 3800-SA-MC-M |
• 3810-SH-MC-L |
|
• 3810-SA-MC-M |
• 4800-SA-MC-M |
|
• P210-SH-MC-L |
• P210-SA-MC-M |
|
• P210-SH-SC-L |
• L210-SH-SC-L |
|
• U210-SH-MC-L |
• U210-SA-MC-M |
TACTICAL SCORPION GEAR
|
• PE-10124MC |
• PE-1012M4-4 |
|
• PE-10123 |
• PE-MSH3-PE |
|
• PE-MSH3 |
• PE-10123AC |
RMA
|
• Level IV (Model #1155) |
• SRT HARD ARMOR PLATE (MODEL #1003) |
|
• LEVEL III+ MULTI-CURVE SM-XL Level III+ Model 1092 Size: 9.5″ x 12.5″ |
VETRANS MFG
| • Level AR/AK Armor Plate |
STEEL OPS
| • Costa Ludis Armis |
MIDWEST ARMOR AND STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS
| • 10x12 – SH Model D1557 |
|
• NIJ Certified Level IV, Stand Alone (26225-26226) |
• 10x12 NIJ certified level IV triple curve stand-alone (26135) |
| • RTS TACTICAL CERAMIC NIJ 0101.06 LEVEL IV RIFLE PROTECTION PLATE INSERT - SKU RTS-ASK-IV-Insert |
HARDWIRE
| • LIGHTWEIGHT MULTI CURVE PLATE |
| • LEVEL III++ RIFLE RATED BODY ARMOR – SAPI CUT – 9.5x12.5 |
QORE PREFORMANCE
| • ICE PLATE HYDRATION PLATE |
The FCPC V5 in SIZE MEDIUM ONLY *Not the Slickster* -
HESCO|
• 3410-SH-SC-L |
• 3800-SH-MC-L |
|
• 4800-SH-MC-L |
• 3600-SH-MC-L |
|
• 3401-SH-SC-L |
• 3410-SH-SC-L |
|
• PE-4MS-4 |
• PE-1012H3 |
The FCPC V5 in SIZE LARGE ONLY *Not the Slickster* -
DFNDR ARMOR| • LEVEL III++ RIFLE RATED BODY ARMOR – SAPI CUT – 10.25x13.25 |
USA MILITARY ISSUE BODY ARMOR
|
• LARGE ESAPI PLATE |
• LARGE SAPI PLATE |