Viceroy's Gear Review - SADF M83 Chest Rig

So here is my first gear review and I decided to start with one of the original chest rigs; the South African Defence Forces M83 chest rig. The chest rig was designed in the 1980’s for use with the SADF in the Angolan Bush/Border War and has seen use in the SADF, SANDF and PMCs since then.

Chest rig have seen increased use in both the real world and airsoft due to the increased movement they offer the user. Chest rigs also offer the user to sit in vehicles while still having access to mission essential gear. They also make carrying a backpack easier which the M83 was designed to do with the M83 bergan.

Front of the rig:

The chest rig is designed to be strong and versatile in the harsh conditions of the African bush. It is made out of 1000 denier cordura nylon and is generally regarded by those who have used them in the field as pretty bomb proof. The colour is Nutria Brown which is a darker brown than coyote brown and blends very well with both desert and woodland patterns. Nutria was designed to be a good base colour so as it gets dirty in the bush it would create a camouflage.

There is black mesh on the inside to make it slightly cooler and all the stitching and buckles are all very well made and hold together very well. My personal one is from 1987 and everything is perfect

Rear of the rig:

It is a very simply deisgn. There are two cross straps which go across the back and one waist strap which keeps it tight. It is very much a once size fits all rig and will fit over the top of armour like a PACA.

From left to right there is a utility/first aid pouch, 3x double magazine pouches, [attached to mag pouches] small pen/chemlight holser, [top] compass/oil can pouch, [bottom] utility pouch. On the back there is a small pouch for holding maps, documents etc

Exploded view showing everything that can be carried:

Rear view showing map pouch:

The utility pouch on the left of the rig can carry anything from a smoke grenade (pictured) to a first aid kit and anything else you canf it in there. Airsoft wise it is good for spare bbs, batteries or gas. It is also long enough to keep a pistol like a P226

View of left utility pouch with smoke grenade inside the pouch:

There are 3x double magazine pouches on the rig with dividers. These will take anything included AK47, M4, Galil, Ak74, AUG, FAL, G3 etc. They are designed for the 35rd 5.56 Galil/R4 magazines so M4 and other short magazines will not reach the top of the pouch but a piece of wood or some material in the bottom of the pouch will sort that out. The divided magazine pouches means there’s no clanking when moving and largely no need for a dump pouch as you’re not trying to fight elastic to get it back into the pouch. And unlike many other divided pouches if there is a magazine in the front pouch but not the back it will not shake about loosely but remain secure and firm. As can be seen in the exploded view I had Galil, AK74 and M4 magazines in the rig at the same time with no issues.

On the right hand side there is a small holder for a pen and chemlight. Top right the small pouch was originally designed for an oil can although I use it for a role of electrical tape and will keep anything you can fit in it. Below is another utility pouch which would fit a small radio and even another smoke grenade (both pictured)

With radio:

With smoke grenade:

A word on the fit, I’m 5’8 and 150lbs and it fits perfectly and it has room to go quite far either way. Here’s some photos of it on me from the summer.

On the whole this is a brilliant chest rig and certainly rivals its modern counterparts. It’s been thoroughly thought through, intelligently designed and shows you don’t need MOLLE for increased adaptiveness. Even with a full load it doesn’t feel bulky and is a very comfortable rig to wear even for long skirmishes.

Bottom line is that it is a well built, well designed and incredibly durable chest rig which has solidly stood the test of time and has become my go to piece of gear.

Viceroy

ZuluFour@FireTeamZuluAirsoft