New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig

New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig

Color
Color: Ranger Green
Available

Made In Vietnam

FREE CONUS Shipping, 30 Day Returns

Product Features & Specs

Features

Ejector Straps

• Ejector straps are designed to offer backwards compatibility with FN FAL (R1) magazines and improve the performance of Galil (R4) magazines. In our testing they work well with many magazines which are shorter than the standard 35 round Galil mag, including 30 round STANAG magazines popular on the Armalite Rifle 15 and its derivatives.

• After rigorous internal testing and overwhelming customer feedback we decided to make our ejector straps removeable. This is a small departure from original early-pattern chest rigs however the added utility of removable straps cannot be ignored. So we've switched out permanent stitching in favor of sturdy velcro.

Pouches

• The central magazine pouches hold up to 6 magazines in 3 rows of 2. The cells are made for Galil magazines, but are compatible or partially compatible with STANAG, FAL, G3, AK 47, AK 74, and AK 5.56 magazines.

• The large right pocket is designed to fit a smoke or frag grenade. In practice this pouch works great for small water bottles, miscellaneous loose tools, and extra medical supplies. What you put here really depends on if you are wearing a belt or a fanny pack in addition to the chest rig.

• The two smaller pockets on the left are designed to fit a single fragmentation grenade and a compass respectively. We’ve found they work well for storing weapon lube, cleaning supplies, other smaller items.

• On the inside of the rig, a large admin pouch comfortably accommodates and protects maps, notebooks, and writing utensils.

• A small pen flare pocket is attached to the left side of the central magazine pouches. It’s a great spot for a grease or paint pen.

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 Berry compliant
  • All materials are NIR compliant

Fitting Your Rig

Proper fit is achieved by adjusting the straps as shown below using the included sliders.

Pay attention to the position of the padded straps, ensuring they sit high on the back of the wearer as shown. This places the padding in the correct position to protect the wearer.

To don the rig, hold the shoulder straps in the crossed position and insert your head and arms as if you were putting on a shirt. Then tighten the straps to fit.

To quickly doff the rig first unbuckle the waist belt. Then “swim out” by grabbing your left shoulder strap with your right hand and pulling it over your head. Repeat this procedure using your left hand to grab the right shoulder strap and pull it over your head. The rig is now completely free from your body.

A common rookie mistake is attempting to remove the rig by reversing the donning procedure. When this rig is loaded the weight of magazines and equipment makes this awkward. With a moment’s practice you’ll find the “swim out” method is much faster.

Important sizing note:

The abdomen strap on the original Pattern 83 Rig was a common complaint we received from selling the surplus ones, and is something we directly addressed in the redesign. The rig will fit midriffs up to approximately 43-44", equivalent to a 2XL Walmart/Target tee or a 3XL standard tee. If you need more room, an extender strap is available for purchase separately.

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. Chest Rig usage information can be found on pages A3, A9-A11, and A27-A33.

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

"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.
Load video:

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
Write a Review
average rating 4.9 out of 5
Based on 135 reviews
  • 5 Stars
    123 Reviews
  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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    0 Reviews
99% of reviewers would recommend this product to a friend
Performance
Rated 4 out of 5
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135 Reviews
Reviewed by Brent B., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
6'
Weight
160-175
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • G3
Rated 5 out of 5
Review posted

SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig - Fast, Simple, To the point

Let's get to it! This thing slaps, fks, whatever....it's rad. Was looking for an assault rig specifically for running a HK91 loadout. G3 mags are kinda weird compared to M14'a and FAL's iykyk....not a lot on the market that accepts them willingly w/o mods and the Chicom gear that fits them are super suspect in terms of quality and fit. The Pattern 83 fits G3 mags perfectly and the quick tabs allow you to access your extra mags nearly as fast as open top style pouches!

Construction is actually good. It's made from a very heavy canvas like material that is stitched and reinforced with very heavy thread. Fit and finish on it is absolutely professional grade. This is field ready kit. Adjustment is quick and once locked in rides comfortably and doesn't create pressure points on the body.

Side pockets hold enough for an operation. IFAK supplies, snacks, radios, "distraction devices" and the like, all of its sits nicely and is easy to access.

I tried really hard to find something to gripe about with the rig, but I really dig it. My only minor criticism is that its utility could have been maximized by modernizing it slightly more and replacing the permanently attached accessory pouches with MOLLE webbing and made the pouches removable/reconfigurable. But then the vibes would be to far off for it to truly be a "Pattern 83".

Drip factor is on point. Looks sexy as hell in DPM. Would be just swell if they were also made in the worlds most superior camo patter:…

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Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
Image by Brent B. View more (2)
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Reviewed by Nathaniel N., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
5' 8"
Weight
175-190
How It FIts
Perfect Fit
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • AK47/74
Rated 4 out of 5
Review posted

Sweet piece of kit

I was pretty bummed when I purchased this because the doo doo brown color wasn't available at the time and this was the only pattern in stock (this pattern is dope but I live in a desert so not the most practical IMO lol.)

With that said, this chest rig is exactly what I need to run my AK. Mags fit very well, easily carry 180 rounds comfortably. The pouches on the sides are convenient to throw stuff like cleaning kits, AK tools, headlamps, etc. The padding is stiff on the x harness straps and can take the load of your ammo. Honestly, this thing everything you need and nothing you don't if you are just starting out in kit and need a way to stow your stuff to throw on quickly. Plus you can't beat the price in comparison to every other "modular" gucci brand chest rig that's on the market.

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Performance
Rated 4 out of 5
Image by Nathaniel N.
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Reviewed by Robert G., from United States
Verified Buyer
Height
6'
Weight
>250
How It FIts
Needs More Adjustment
What Platform Do You Use With This Rig?
  • G3
  • AR-15/STANAG-Compatible
  • AK47/74
Rated 3 out of 5
Review posted

Cool chest rig

Fits all the mags I need it to didn't fit around the ribs without body armour and extenders sold out it's hard being a big man sometimes

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Performance
Rated 4 out of 5
Was this helpful?
Reviewed by Robert S., from United States
Verified Buyer
I recommend this product
Height
5' 11"
Weight
110-125
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

Good stuff

Holds mags, is comfy, what else do you need?

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Performance
Rated 5 out of 5
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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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