The BANSHEE Rifle Plate Carrier is an Ultra lightweight, low profile, high quality plate carrier designed for

protection,
utility, mobility in a compact lightweight design.
The BANSHEE rifle plate carrier comes standard with a removable cummerbund. Cummerbund runs through the
carrier, is fully adjustable (one size fits most) and has PALS webbing on the interior and exterior to accept side plates
or other pouches. Also standard is a secondary nylon strap system with quick release buckles (also removable) if the
cummerbund is not needed. Both Cummerbund and secondary system integrated on all Banshees. The front pocket of
the Carrier has a hook and loop kangaroo type pocket to allow for accessories.
Value and features are packed into this plate carrier. USA Made-Full Berry Compliant Plate Carrier - Backed by our No
Questions asked Lifetime Warranty.

SPECS:

500D Cordura
Lightweight Shoulder Pads Included
Extreme versatility with several PALS web attachment points
covering the front, back and shoulders of the vest.
Fully adjustable and padded front, back and shoulder areas.
Two areas of loop for identifiers
Heavy Duty bar tacking at key stress points
Wire, antenna or hydration hose guides
Removable Cummerbund with interior and exterior PALS
for side plates
Quick Release Buckle secondary securing system
Drag Handle
Cummerbund sides that accept soft armor 17in x 6in
Weight of the BANSHEE empty 2lbs 5 oz
Will accept up to 10x12 Level 3 and 4 ESAPI or similar plates
and Plate Backers.
Los Angeles Police Department (L.A.P.D.)- NTOA (NATIONAL
TACTICAL OFFICER ASSOCIATION) APPROVED

COLORS:
COYOTE TAN

Contact:

shellbacktactical.com

RANGER GREEN

BLACK

MULTICAM

A-TACS

TESTED BY A POLICE OFFICER

FROM PENNSYLVANIA

The Shellback Banshee Rifle Plate Carrier was provided for evaluation in black.
It included a black cummerbund, black shoulder pads, two pouches for attaching
smaller side armor plates, and a triple combination rifle/pistol pouch. There is an
additional pocket built into the front of the vest that closes with Velcro. I wore this
operationally once for about 90 minutes during a high risk warrant service and at
training for a full day (taking it off for lunch, breaks, etc.). I provided my own plates
(from my usual heavy vest) during the evaluation.
Obviously, by going from a heavy tactical vest with extra neck, bicep, and groin
protection to a Banshee, you will lose some Level IIIA protection, but keep Level IV
protection over your vital organs. There is a marked increase in mobility using the
Banshee. I was easily able to drive wearing it and while it is still heavy, it is easier to
wear for long periods than my heavy vest. I also tried it on with my field jacket over
top of it. The fit was tight, but I could get my jacket zipped up over top of it.
The magazine pouches were tight, but effective. The rifle pouches had elastic pull
tabs to secure the magazines. The pistol pouches have a magnet built in, but no
other retention. My Glock magazines are plastic, but I put a Beretta magazine in the
pouch and the magnet stuck to it right away. Even without the magnets, the Glock
magazines stayed put. The shoulder pads made wearing the heavy plates more
bearable. They are thick with routing tubes for radio wires, etc. The cummerbund is
an excellent design, made of two pieces of molle covered black nylon, held together
with an easily adjustable piece of thick elastic cord. The only minor criticism was the
side armor plates were hard to make tight. I would like to see pockets built right into
the cummerbund for them.

TEST SCORES
CATEGORY SCORE

CATEGORY SCORE

design

quality

size

versatility

storage

comfort

application

ease of use

cleaning/maintenance

durability

performance

convenience

OVERALL SCORE: 4.42 out of 5

I can see several uses for the Banshee. I think it is perfect for a patrol officer to
throw on over his soft body armor in situations where rifles might be present or
active shooter situations. In a camouflage pattern, it would be great for woodland
operations or snipers, where stealth and mobility are needed.
In checking the internet, I found the basic carrier available for less than $140 from
several different companies. It comes in all of the popular tactical colors. The
Banshee is a quality piece of equipment that has applications for SWAT and patrol
applications. I would recommend it to any police officer and plan on obtaining one
in multicam in the near future.

Contact:

shellbacktactical.com

August 7, 2012
TO: All Concerned Personnel
FROM: Chairperson, Uniform Committee
SUBJECT: A
 pproved and Authorized Private Purchase Hard Armor
Plates and Load Bearing Vests - Revised

This Notice, revises Incident Management and Training Bureau Notice, titled
Approved and Authorized Private Purchase Hard Armor Plates and Load Bearing
Vests, August 24, 2009. The Department will continue to authorize and encourage
officers to obtain hard armor and hard armor plate carriers/Load Bearing Vests
(LBV), in order to provide officers with the protective equipment they may need
during an unusual tactical event. The Department has identified additional
LBVs that meet Department specifications and has revised/expanded the list of
authorized models.

AUTHORIZED USE

Authorized LBVs and equipment may be used the following circumstances:

Officers are involved in a tactical situation where a suspect is believed to be
armed with a weapon that is capable of defeating concealable ballistic armor
(high velocity handgun or rifle).
Officers are involved in a tactical situation where they may require additional
tactical equipment that would not normally be carried on the Sam Browne, such
as additional ammunition, portable water supply, medical trauma kit, etc.
Officers are involved in pre-planned tactical events, such as a search warrant
service, with the approval of the Watch Commander or Officer in Charge.
All LBVs and equipment pouches must be black in color. Use of camouflage
colored LBVs and equipment pouches is prohibited.

AUTHORIZED HARD ARMOR PLATE

CARRIER/LOAD BEARING VEST

The following MOLLE compatible LBVs are designed to carry hard armor plates.
Department issued soft body armor must also be worn under the LBV:
Shellback Tactical
814773, Banshee Hard Plate Carrier

Contact:

shellbacktactical.com

Should you have any questions regarding this notice,

please contact:
Sergeant Steve Embrich, Uniform Coordinator,
Personnel and Training Bureau, at 213.486.7098 or
email, 30993@lapd.lacity.org.