Body armor
 

So, since there's a topic about blades (which I'm not into at all), I figured I'd ask: Is there anyone here who's knowledgeable about body armor?

I ask because I'm thinking about replacing the plate carrier I have now, which is a Pantac SVS that I bought years ago when I still took part in airsoft skirmishes. I'm looking at the Platinum AA301 with Spectra Shield IIA plates. Anyone know much about these (besides the fact that lots of LE agencies issue them)?

All I know is that "bullet proof vests" are insanely expensive and that they are pretty much single use only (if you get shot once you probably should find a replacement vest sooner rather than later)

Fortunately, I don't plan on entering any situations where I expect to get shot at. :D It really is just for collection purposes only. I'm thinking about getting just the plate carrier for now, which would reduce the cost.

I would like one that can stop normal pistol rounds and would conceal easily under a t-shirt, just to be safe (I go to Beaumont and Houston alot, which are pretty damn dangerous places). Of course, I am just about broke ( despite my efforts to save money, I only have approx. $125 w/ another $60 tucked away for Red Dead Redmption) so I won't be able to afford one unless I hit the lottery

I have a fair bit of experience with body armor, and I can tell you this. Wearing 40lbs of front and back ceramic plates in 50 degree heat = really shitty.

is that 50 celcius?

BTW, ive heard the 5.11 palte carrier is sweet, its 5 bucks, excellent build, molle compatible fornt and back, and has pouches front and back for a large IIIa plate and another slot over vitals areas for ceramic plates.

Yes. Yes it is. Thats about 125 for you farenheit types.

Yes I have experience with body armor. It's heavy and very hot in the summer. Good way to lose weight though. I sweat off several pounds every summer.

I use both a ceramic plate and a soft pack together to supplement the vest. There is a pocket in the front of the carrier in which the plate and soft pack slide into. No reason but I figure I have both of them why not use them?

I just got my new vest last November. It cost the department almost $700.00. It was custom made for me - which is pretty common. The industry recommends you get a new vest every five years. That is assumming you don't get shot and then need to get another vest.

Inccidentally don't rely on a "bullet - proof" vest to stop an edged weapon. Knives, ice-picks,razors and so forth will go through a vest. Also most rifle loads will go through the standard vest worn by patrolmen.

SWAT/TRT/HRT/PICK YOUR ACRONYM teams typically wear the higher level vests which are designed to stop rifle rounds. I believe the vests my department's TRT officers use will stop up to a 30-06.

They do make stab proof vests, but I've never seen one here in the States. I've been told that they are more common in Europe and I've also been told that corrections officers sometimes wear them. Supposedly they involve some type of light weight metal alloy chain mail. But once agin I've never seen one so I can't swear to that.

Maybe I should start wearing chainmail. I know where to get it and I'm more likely to be stabbed than shot

Hmmm, as neat as I think it would be to own a vest, I guess it really isn't worth the investment. Those AA301 plate carriers are pretty expensive.