Back in 2011 I was searching for a new plate carrier. At the time I was a lot skinnier than I am now, so it was hard to find a plate carrier that fit.
I had tried a lot of different types of plate carriers and vests, but none of them worked 100% for me.
I tried everything from Eagle Industries CIRAS to their EPC and their MBSS. I tried the Flyye FAPC (DBT replica) and I even tried the PACA + chestrig combo for a while.
I needed something with a slimmer profile. Something that would fit my (back then) smaller frame.
I started looking at the LBT 6094 series. They seemed to have what I was looking for.
They were plate cut and they looked as they would fit me. But the price at the time was way over my budget. So I got a cheap TMC replica to see if this type of plate carrier would fit me.
It did. So I started making plans to get the real one.
But then Warrior Assault Systems came out with their DCS. I seemed to have a similar cut to the 6094, but with the addition of 3d mesh on the inside of the plate carrier for ventilation.
That, and the price was a lot lower than the LBT (about 900 DKK incl. shipping)
So, long story short. I got one.
This is what it looked like when I got it.
When I got it, it came with two side-plate pockets that fit in the cummerbund (on the left in the photo).
You also get two foam plates with the DCS. If you don’t have real plates for the vest you can use these as a substitute. They make the DCS sit more comfortable than without any type of plate.
Other than that, that’s pretty much it.
As I mentioned earlier the DCS has 3d mesh on the inside of the vest. It also has this mesh on the shoulder pads. This makes the DCS extremely comfortable to wear and helps with ventilation.
I sweat A LOT! So the 3d mesh is a big plus in my book.
Other than that the DCS is made of 500D cordura and all the webbing, velcro, and stitching is all mil-spec. This makes for a light, but solid plate carrier.
Over the years I’ve been through many different setups with the DCS. And whatever task I could throw at it, it performed well.
Right now it’s setup as a DA’ish doorkicker setup. My setup has been tweaked and revised countless times over the past 6 years. And now I have a setup that fits my needs and role on the team.
Two other members of the team also have the DCS. They have different setups and roles on the team, so they’ll give some other perspectives on the DCS later in the review.
Right now my setup looks like this.
As you may have noticed I’ve changed the original cummerbund out with a Crye Precision 3-band skeletal one. The original one that came with the DCS was fine, but I wanted just a bit more ventilation. That’s why I got the Crye. Other than that the DCS “base” is as when I got it.
I won’t go into too much detail about the setup and choice of pouches (maybe in another review). So for now I’ll just list the setup.
Front:
Tactical Tailor triple 5.56 pouch
Blue Force Gear Ten-speed triple
Replica U-94 PTT
Right side:
Tactical Tailor 1V small GP
Leth side:
Tyr Tactical Multitool pouch
Unknown CP-style pistol mag pouch
(Inside the cummerbund) Crye Precision radio pouch
Back:
TMC CP-style hydration pouch
2x LBT 40mm pouches
M-Beck rip-off IFAK
Inside the DCS I have a set of weighted replica medium SAPI plates. They don’t fit perfectly in the DCS. The DCS is made for Nexus plates. These plates are a bit shorter than the SAPI-plates. Because of that, the velcro that closes under the plates dosen’t line perfectly up. It still keeps the plates securely in, though.
Other than that the DCS is fantastic!
I’ve put the vest to the test over the past six years and it has not failed me once. When i look at the stitching and the materials nothing has given up. There is some fading in some places and a small amount of wear where the vest touches/rubs the body/other gear. But other than that it’s in great shape.
Awesome plate carrier and great quality for the price!
I’ll continue to give updates on the DCS, and as soon as I get the feedback from my teammates about their DCS’ I’ll make an updated post.
