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.

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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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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 143 reviews
  • 5 Stars
    130 Reviews
  • 4 Stars
    11 Reviews
  • 3 Stars
    2 Reviews
  • 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
143 Reviews
Reviewed by Eugene H., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
5' 11"
Weight
>250
How It FIts
Needs More Adjustment
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • FAL
  • G3
  • SCAR/AR10
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Very good

The main complaint about the unit is that the 20 round 308 or 7.62x51 magazine retrieval on the first mag. When double stacked is extremely tight, you will need a pool tab. Polymer mag, a metal magazine for 20 round, will fall down inside the pouch. After you've moved around and rooked for a while, so you need some way to retrieve it out. Or put something in the bottom of it? Because it's the the magazine pouch will take a 30 round banana clip. So that extended space needs to be filled with something that durability's great. I like it that's the only complaint I got.

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Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
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Reviewed by J L., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
5' 10"
Weight
<110
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AK47/74
  • Handguns/Pistol Caliber Carbine
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Gucci kite

Too late for the SADF nutria Brown. DPM is next best thing. Couldn't beat the price the quality top shelf. My AK mags fit nice and snug. And Glock happy sticks fit perfectly side by side. So when I'm LARPing I can look super cool. If they're still available buy them for that price it's unbeatable.

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Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
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Reviewed by Kijana H., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
6'
Weight
210-240
How It FIts
Needs More Adjustment
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AK47/74
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Does the job

Superior quality, commrades. Ill be back for more of your wares. Too much beer so im a bit round but the back horizontal buckle strap could be better with a little extra room/adjustment. Nothing further

-H

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Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
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Reviewed by Emile H., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
5' 9"
Weight
140-150
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AK47/74
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

Fits snug, good use of space, not field tested

I'm 150lb lean 5 9 tall and i adjusted to where it fits me perfectly, I mean comfort and secure. Can only fit 3 AK mags, but could fit 6 metal ar15 mags. other pockets are a good size too. have not had for long enough to comment on its true durability, but feels well built.

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Performance
Rated 4 out of 5
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Reviewed by Jackson R., 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
  • AR-15/STANAG-Compatible
Rated 4 out of 5
Review posted

Very comfy

I’m 6,2 and 240lbs, it’s very comfy, I run it on top of a smaller plate carrier and it fits just right, doubt it could fit over some chunkier armor though, if someone from the kommandostore team sees this I would like to say that some more adjustment space would be great for people who want to run this with larger armor, or a flak vest

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Performance
Rated 4 out of 5
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