Made In Vietnam
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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
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:
New Production SADF Pattern 83 Chest Rig
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.
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Velcro-enclosed pockets & pouches can fit a large variety of equipment and sustainment suitable for endless missions.
Like early originals, our reproduction chest webbing features ammunition ejector straps. This ensures quick access to many different lengths & styles of magazines.
The P83's overall design sits tight, low, and comfortable thanks to a generously padded X-harness that evenly distributes the weight on the user's back muscles.
It's easy to don, easy to doff, and easy to adjust with no detachment buckles needed.
Heavy-denier CORDURA Nylon never went out of style. It was durable in the 80s, and thanks to 2020s cut & sew processes, is even more durably constructed & consistently high quality.
It's a rig that will serve you for years to come and remain timeless with its retro silhouette.
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
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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Quality Counts
Our rig is cut and sewn by an experienced manufacturer in Vietnam.
We commissioned custom-run mesh, 1000D Cordura, and ITW Nexus hardware for consistent, top-notch quality.
You're getting a higher quality product, while matching the original's charm (minus the surplus smell).
Near-Infrared Fabrics & Dyes
Our rig is held to the same standards as modern high-end mil-spec gear is. Special non-reflective fabrics & color absorbing dyes reduces the rig's signature when viewed from night vision devices.
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Rated 4 out of 5
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Fits well and looks good with my British dpm and Dutch dpm. Great kit!
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Rated 5 out of 5
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Guys love the Rigs!!
TIA
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Rated 5 out of 5
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High Value Chest rig, the shoulder straps are comfy, but the lower strap that goes around your back is way too short for my thicc-boy frame (i'm 6'2" 300lbs). I'll need to get an extension. Holds 3 Ak 7/62x39 mags great, 6 gets a little tight on the over flap, but it holds up for a 2-gun-action-challenge competition. FAL 7.62x51 mags fit Perfect. Side pockets are great for Competition gear like Timers and radios, pens, markers, etc. This is perfect for what I use it for, 2-gun action matches.
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Rated 4 out of 5
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This rig is going to be great! I have an old pattern 83 and love using it. I bought 2 of these, and due to my unit being deployed, had to have them sent to an APO shipping company to get them to my location. They are going to be for some of the guys in my platoon. We cannot wear them for normal operations, but the guys are looking forward to training on days off with these badass DPM rigs. Thanks Kommandostore, we are all big fans of all that you guys do!!!
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Rated 5 out of 5
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It's great made very well, became a dpm because of boomerball 2 so I'm going all in I guess
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Rated 5 out of 5
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