New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket

New Production SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket

Color
Color: DPM
Available

Made In Vietnam

Free CONUS Shipping, 30 Day Returns

Product Features & Specs

Pouches

  • Four double magazine pouches, compatible with R4 Vektor and STANAG pattern magazines, and partially compatible with Galil and AK 5.45 magazines. Not compatible with AKM magazines.
  • One large front pouch
  • Two large canteen side pouches
  • Two Smoke Grenade Pouches
  • Two small side grenade pouches
  • Large “backpack” pouch with two compartments

Specs

  • 1000D PU Coated Cordura fabric
  • Milspec ITW Fastex & Slider hardware
  • Milspec hook and loop fasteners
  • Milspec webbing and binding tape
  • High quality bonded nylon thread
  • All materials are NIR compliant

Fitting Your Rig

Proper fit is achieved by adjusting the shoulders and cummerbund so that the weight sits at your natural waist above your hips.

Pay attention to the height of the vest and position of the upper magazine pouches, as this will place the padding and magazine pouches in a way that will cause minimal intrusions to the wearer when shouldering a rifle.

To don the rig, simply put it on like a "Jacket" and fasten the two front buckles. It's a one-and-done adjustment!

Common mistakes include wearing the rig too low (at the "belt line" of your waist), Too high (magazine flaps open up higher than your chin) and not tightening the cummerbund enough so that the weight of the rig is entirely sitting on your shoulders.

SADF Field Manual
We are hosting a digital copy of the original SADF field manual containing adjustment, handling and maintenance information on the entire P83 system. To view the manual click here. Battle Jacket usage information can be found on pages A4, A12-A17, and A34-A46

Where We Began...

In 1983, the first well-known modern chest rig was made somewhere most people wouldn't expect — South Africa. Developed during a time of canvas and metal fittings the SADF's "Pattern 83" brought new materials like Cordura, Velcro, nylon webbing, and plastic buckles to the forefront of military kit. It went on to inspire chest rig designs for generations to come... Including our own.

In 2021, we saw the writing on the wall — military surplus isn't forever. Supply would run dry one day, and before it did, we took it upon ourselves to breathe new life into the rig that frankly needed very little fixing.

Read More Pattern 83 History

KSGI encompasses our mission to do this with many other pieces of timeless kit. learn more here.

Tap or click to interact

Mag Compatibability Guide

If you're using a popular, semi-automatic magazine-fed rifle, odds are P83 fits at least 6 of your mags. Want to know for sure? We've tested dozens of different platforms and detailed our results below.

You can help expand this 'verified compatible' list by submitting your results to help@kommandostore.com

Rifle Platforms

Battle jackets were originally designed in 1983 for South Africa's R4 (Galil) 35 round magazines, which are similar in size but slightly longer than standard USGI/STANAG magazines.

PMAGs might be a tighter fit in general, and specialized 5.56 magazines such as those for the G36 are not going to double-stack. Consider using PMAGs instead of the kind that link together.

The best possible fit is always going to be the aluminum/steel USGI-style STANAGs for their slightly thinner proportions all around.

7.62 platform magazines, like the case with original battle jackets, largely do not fit in the main magazine poouches. AK mags are too tall, and "Battle Rifle" magazines such as those for the G3, FAL, or M14, are too large or otherwise awkward of a fit.

If It Ain't Broke..?

The process of "modernizing" a chest rig like this is a balancing act. Change too little and there’s no benefit to the end user. Change too much and you might ruin what made the original good.


In our view, almost everything about the P83 rig was done right the first time. The philosophy of the SADF is clear, and we agree with their conclusions. We decided our big design changes should be saved for a whole new rig, but also offer an option to get the classic factory fresh.

Click the "+" icons for more information

Quality Counts

Near-Infrared Fabrics & Dyes
Write a Review
average rating 4.8 out of 5
Based on 23 reviews
  • 5 Stars
    19 Reviews
  • 4 Stars
    4 Reviews
  • 3 Stars
    0 Reviews
  • 2 Stars
    0 Reviews
  • 1 Star
    0 Reviews
100% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
Performance
Rated 4 out of 5
Customer photos and videos
Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal Open user-uploaded photo and review in a modal
23 Reviews
Reviewed by Brandon F., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
6 1"
Weight
190-210
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AR-15/STANAG-Compatible
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

FOR RHODESIA

This vest can carry a lot the only thing I plan on modifying is The GP pouch on the gotta stiffen those and the way you close the GP pouches I'm adding some faster buckles to make it easier to open other than that.

P.S. you will have to put this together comes in 3 peices

From left to right

The left side there are 2 double rifle mag pouches I have 2 mags in each and a grenade pouch that is holding a taginn AFG-6 can hold 2 AFG-4

One medical pouch that holds some basic bandages, gauze, pain killers, 1 tourniquet, a few bandaids, and some batteries for NVG, flashlight, etc

1 square 2 liter water bottle in the big GP pouch Walmart sells them for $20

So the komandostore DPM p83 can take a 3 liter water bladder in the main compartment on the back but I would recommend only putting a 2 liter water bladder back there this way my tarp and 550 cord to make a tent can fit in there

The bottom compartment of the back panel can hold 2 MRE's but I have 1 MRE and some snacks in it

The right side there are 2 double rifle mag pouches that hold 3 mags and my baofang uv5r radio and a double smoke grenade pouch that holds 2 EG18 smokes that and another grenade pouch

1 square 2 liter water bottle in the big GP pouch

Still got some thing to order/pickup from a outdoor store for this like a snug pack, 80 feet of climbing rope and a m81 poncho

kinda surprised I haven't gotten a poncho yet

Loading...
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Image by Brandon F. View more (2)
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Daniel B., from Canada
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
6' 2"
Weight
190-210
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AR-15/STANAG-Compatible
  • Other
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

neat piece of kit

I had a chinese made sadf pattern 83 in atacs au camo and it was both child sized, and underwhelming in terms of quality. this kommando store rig feels much more robust, and looks great.

Loading...
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Andre C., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
6'
Weight
175-190
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AR-15/STANAG-Compatible
  • FAL
  • G3
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Amazing first buy

First ever time buying a battle jacket and I absolutely love it and think it’s amazing

Loading...
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Darren L., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
5' 10"
Weight
175-190
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AR-15/STANAG-Compatible
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

McLovin’ It

The Kommando Store reproduction of the SADF Pattern 83 Battle Jacket is exceptional. I bought it for the history and lore behind the original, but the quality of the reproduction is what really impressed me. It arrives in separate components, but assembly is straightforward and intuitive. Once configured, the jacket carries a surprising amount of gear without feeling bulky or cumbersome, and the weight distribution is exceptionally well balanced. It’s a practical piece of equipment with a fascinating history behind it.

Loading...
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Image by Darren L.
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Monroe W., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
6' 2"
Weight
210-240
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AK47/74
Rated 4 out of 5
Review posted

Could fit a twink and gorlock the destroyer

I had to tie in 12 straps to assemble it, and it seems literally infinitely adjustable; truly one size fits all. Can sorta barely fit AK-74 mags, you can't close the pouches but its tight enough they wont fall out and there is enough space to fit my 11 mags :).

Loading...
Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Was this helpful?