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

What makes this rig so good, even in the 2020s?

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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

"short" 7.62x51 battle rifle magazines and STANAG 5.56 magazines may need the assistance of the ejector strap, ranger plate, or mag assist to compensate for the rig's deep pockets, as they were originally designed in 1983 for South Africa's R4 (Galil) 35 round magazines.

In general, Magazines for the 7.62 SCAR, HK G3/HK 91, 7.62 AR 10 PMAGs, 7.62 FAL, and Metallic STANAG Magazines all fit without issue.

longer magazines such as those found on AK platforms work without need of the ejector strap.

Pistol Caliber Carbines/SMGs

Magazines such as those found in HK MP5s, B&T GHM/APC/TP Platforms, CZ Scorpions, Grand Power Stribogs, UZIs, Colt AR-9s, and Glock 'stick' type mags will fit, but with a catch: They must be placed side by side in order to maintain retention.

The best way to run PCC magazines for maximum retention is to place 4 in each main mag cell.

Results may vary with magazine extensions and different types of base plates. Compact pistol magazines, such as those used by the Glock 19, are too short to use effectively in P83's main pouches but will fit in the second smallest GP pouch if you want to carry them on your rig.

Using the Ejector Straps

P83's unique feature to accommodate shorter magazines is an assist that's easy to set up, and can be removed if you don't wish to use it.

Prepare the Strap

Prepare the strap by making a closed loop and fastening the strap's Velcro to the inside of the pouch. The loop should be entirely contained by the pouch with room for a magazine to sit inside of it.

Cradle A Mag

Insert a magazine into the loop so that it's cradled by the bottom of the strap and insert it into the pouch. Leave the top of the loop accessible to pull on during extraction. 7.62 mags will likely have a snugger fit.

Ready To Reload

Extract the magazine by pulling upwards on the strap (you can choose to undo the Velcro and pull the whole strap or simply pull up on the loop). The smoothness of the action will depend on the magazine type.

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Visual Learner? Watch Our Tutorial Video Instead

Watch it on our channel

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

average rating 4.9 out of 5
Based on 131 reviews
  • 5 Stars
    121 Reviews
  • 4 Stars
    9 Reviews
  • 3 Stars
    1 Review
  • 2 Stars
    0 Reviews
  • 1 Star
    0 Reviews
99% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
Performance
Rated 4 out of 5
Customer photos and videos
131 Reviews
Reviewed by kaleb g., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
5' 9"
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

Literally perfect

Got this after the gorka sold out cause I was so depressed I couldn't get one (I now ordered one of the pre order gorkas thank God) but this thing fits perfectly and fits my ar15 mags perfectly too im gonna use this for hiking and just being a goober

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Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
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Reviewed by Benjamin A., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
6 1"
Weight
210-240
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AR-15/STANAG-Compatible
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Pattern 83/DPM

Great product. The ejector straps are a nice touch/solution for STANAG mags. Love the DPM pattern. Thanks for making a great rig.

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Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
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Reviewed by Valentino M., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
5' 5"
Weight
125-140
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AR-15/STANAG-Compatible
  • AK47/74
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

The best

One of my favorite chest rigs that I own. Fits about everything in it.

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Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
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Reviewed by Nathan M., from Canada
Verified Buyer
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AK47/74
Rated 3 out of 5
Review posted

It was decent.

Really great quality but it's built small, I'm 6 foot 245 and I can't even put it on, there is not enough line to fit around me so I can't get it buckled. I'll probably just give it to my brother for his birthday because I simply can't use it. If you're a fellow big guy you may want to consider a different option.

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Performance
Rated 3 out of 5
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Reviewed by Angel M., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
5' 5"
Weight
210-240
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AR-15/STANAG-Compatible
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Better than a Modern Mini Rig

Are you tired of mini chest rig?

If you are, get the pattern 83 chest rig, it carries more mag capacity, and has other pockets than a flimsy Mini Chest rig, so come on and get the Chad pattern 83 chest rig

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Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
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