Rather an unusual chest rig as they go. The main part of this can replace the front plate pouch of your AVS armour vest, since it can hold a front plate and 2 side playes. I’ve never owned the conventional AVS myself to try it out however and my suspicion is that the combo setup isn’t commonly chosen by end users. The commonly depicted config is as you see it here, with the padded yoke on the back, making a much more conventional chest rig which I’d wager hasn’t been utilised to carry armour most of the time. With that said, if for some niche reason a rig like the RRV with just frontal protection was something anyone ever needed, then the AVS Detachable could do that for them.
In terms of construction methods and materials, this design is, at this point, old school. I think that’s why the main panel alone is listed for $463 direct from Crye, and the Yoke is a further $149.70. There’s no laser cut laminates here, no real machine automated sewing, just a shit ton of labour hours to cut all the cordura and webbing then sit at a machine and assemble this really rather complex piece. I got lucky and found this used one for under 200. Fortunately it has just the right amount of wear to look cool and kinda gnarly but doesn’t actually have and rips or holes.
I do love the fact this is a split-front design and the split can be achieved fairly quickly and easily even with the bib connected up in use. Though the extra complexity of making it this way will certainly play in to the price.
The down side for me in terms of design is the actual mag pouches. They’re extremely tight even for 2 metal 556 mags, to the point I’d call them impractical unless you intend to do very flashy and expensive discarding reloads. I couldn’t get 2 Magpul mags in to each pouch on my example and I don’t think anything .30 cal has any hope of fitting.
These days I’d advise folks to look at the Airlite convertible if you do want a chest rig from Crye and don’t need to carry plates or have to have the split feature. And if you need an armoured chest rig, Tracer Tac is the first option that springs to my mind.
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