r/canadaguns • u/Vsatbtw • May 03 '26

Application / Regulation advice Plate carriers

It’s hard to find much online. Some say you need a permit. Others say you just need a pal to buy a plate carrier in bc. I don’t want to do anything against the law. Is it legal to buy a plate carrier with just a pal in bc? On top of that. What are some good plate carrier recommendations? I was looking at the nexus

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u/Pho-fo-Sho May 03 '26

You don't need a PAL for a plate carrier, but in some provinces, a PAL is required for body armour.

BC will require a PAL for body armour. It totally depends on your budget of what you want.

3

u/Vsatbtw May 04 '26

Want to put a good amount into a solid one. I’m a firm believer of buy once cry once haha. Plan on getting some extra AR mag pouches for it. Afak kit all the bells and whistles

3

u/Pho-fo-Sho May 04 '26

Not sure if you'd be interested in a Shaw Concepts Arc v2.

1

u/Vsatbtw May 04 '26

Shaw concepts arc v2 looks very nice. Probably will consider that one over the nexus tbh. Better features overall on the Shaw concepts. Thanks for mentioning that one

4

u/EliteDuck May 04 '26 edited May 04 '26

The Shaw Concepts ARC carrier is arguably one of, if not the best PC on the market at the moment. The rest of ARC lineup like the PCP (plate carrier pack, self-accessible backpack), sidekick (comfy multi-holster leg strap with MOLLE), raid pouch (front-mounted dangler IFAK with QD, and it doubles as a 🥜 armour dangler), buckets, placard, mag inserts, pouches, etc are all incredibly innovative.

As for plates, the only NIJ-approved level 4s in Canada are the Aratech ones. The issue is they're heavy as fuck. Unless you're a big guy, they're not worth it. ITAR restricts exports of the good light level 4s from the US, so we're pretty much just stuck with the domestically-made Aratechs. The next step down, level 3+ (also called special threat sometimes) is a bit cheaper, much lighter, and the selection opens up a lot more. Hesco 3810s are pretty much the best we can get. Any other plates in Canada other than the discontinued Millburn Mountain Defense 3+ plates are either lying/using weasel wording, Chinese junk, or not NIJ approved.

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u/Holmes419 May 04 '26

3+ isn’t an official NIJ rating, it’s an industry term.

3

u/EliteDuck May 04 '26

Correct, they're only recognized as 3s by the NIJ, but it's a worthwhile distinction to make considering the only 4s we have are boat anchors. I'd take a 3+ over a 3 any day.

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u/Holmes419 May 04 '26

I just found it ironic that you said if it’s not one of these brand 3+ they are using weasel words when 3+ itself is a weasel word with no actual defined meaning. 

It’s not really a worthwhile distinction since it has no inherent value aside from marketing. 

1

u/Vsatbtw May 04 '26

Thanks for the info. Definitely gonna look into the Shaw concepts plate carrier. Other brands besides Shaw concepts can be used with the plate carrier?Sucks the only level IVs we have are super heavy. Could some of the 3+ we have still stop a rifle round though? Kind of my main concern. Not really worried about pistol rounds.

1

u/DougMacRay617 May 04 '26

Ferro , plenty of options from RDSC