Body Armor

IrishCannon said:
I train in RMA Defense Level IV multi curve, but if you're looking for just equipment use as designed, I'd recommend a high end Level III+ multi curve. RMA has good options for the price but the trade off is thickness.
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Who is RMA?
 
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USMC6094 said:
I picked a USGI PASGT vest of the later variety than the type I was issued on active duty over the weekend, and let me tell you how they have changed since my time wearing them.
This thing has the usual Kevlar soft plates, front and back, but also two Level III tomb stones.
I wore an IOTV when I was in the Guard that didn't seem as heavy as this monster, and at the moment, it's still CLEAN, nothing has been added to make it like it'd be if it was in use.
Granted, it'll be carried in my truck, but im seriously looking into lightweight setups at this point.
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I was issued the Eagle CIRAS, I am seeing them on ebay for $100. Not shabby for a $400 PC.
 
The "angel" on one shoulder: Buy once, cry once...get the lightest unobtanium...get Level VIII+ because you never know...get the 10 oz PC because it's so light and ounces equals pounds and pounds equals pain....

The "devil" on the other shoulder: Why do you want one or think you need one?....If you don't wear one >8 hours you don't need the lightest plates...how do you plan on employing it?....Do you train in it?....

Only you can decide how these things make sense for what you need.
 
surrealone said:
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I've been planning to buy armor for a while and figured I'd ping those who have already gone there.

I'm aware of the independent testing and lack of NIJ cert with many SLD products (but not all, they actually have some NIJ-certified, now: https://safelifedefense.com/product-category/body-armor/nij-certified/). That said, I've been looking at the FRAS (which is apparently going through NIJ certification) and was curious if you ended up buying it and, if so, how you liked it. (I'm also curious if you got the side armor panels and your opinion on them.) My uses will specifically be training + SHTF. (Gotta train in what you plan to wear!)



What did you ultimately end up buying ... and why?
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I bought this today to be non detectable and good for up to 44 mag. Bought at the Hickory gun show after looking at it previously. Company is in Elon, NC. I wanted something lighter weight and concealable for handgun only. I just could not see myself ever wearing AR500. It would be heavy and not very conducive to running.
mavericktactical.com

The Most Lightweight Concealable Body Armor - Maverick Tactical

Maverick Tactical Concealable Body Armor Shirt Advanced Defense, Effortless Style: NIJ Level IIIA compliant protection in the front and back (side panels optional). Sizes from S to 3XL Comfort Beyond Compare: Weighs only 40 oz, offering powerful protection without heaviness. Spandex blend...
mavericktactical.com mavericktactical.com
 
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BlackGun said:
I bought this today to be non detectable and good for up to 44 mag. Bought at the Hickory gun show after looking at it previously. Company is in Elon, NC. I wanted something lighter weight and concealable for handgun only. I just could not see myself ever wearing AR500. It would be heavy and not very conducive to running.
mavericktactical.com

The Most Lightweight Concealable Body Armor - Maverick Tactical

Maverick Tactical Concealable Body Armor Shirt Advanced Defense, Effortless Style: NIJ Level IIIA compliant protection in the front and back (side panels optional). Sizes from S to 3XL Comfort Beyond Compare: Weighs only 40 oz, offering powerful protection without heaviness. Spandex blend...
mavericktactical.com mavericktactical.com
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We modded under armor holster shirts to carry the Level II armor that I had certified years ago. Quantico executive protection guys needed something for business casual days. I was never happy with how the soft armor laid at the shoulder blades but they were happy with the system.

Be ready to deal with sweat stank if you plan on working out wearing it. We provided several shirts and recovered the ballistic with fresh adamant as needed for them. Some of the panels got RIPE!
 
I picked a VISM plate carrier Saturday, it takes the Medium SAPPI plates I have, with room to spare for large plates if and when I pick up a set. It's also got pouches on either side for hard plates.
Only issue is the on and off. It's manual of arms ain't exactly simple. But, it'll help me in the long run with getting the carrier I can put on, and take off without the drama of this one.
But, that's the fun of all this isn't it?
 
CHRIS_WNC said:
We modded under armor holster shirts to carry the Level II armor that I had certified years ago. Quantico executive protection guys needed something for business casual days. I was never happy with how the soft armor laid at the shoulder blades but they were happy with the system.

Be ready to deal with sweat stank if you plan on working out wearing it. We provided several shirts and recovered the ballistic with fresh adamant as needed for them. Some of the panels got RIPE!
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Softener sheets for the drier, my soft armor had a dozen of them slipped into nooks and crannies to keep my Cop oder to a minimum, especially in the Summer time.
 
Try living in it 24/7 in 110+ degrees; to your own sweat add dirt/dust, oils, snot, puke, and blood. That right there is a nice recipe for a special kind of ripeness.

Even now about the only time I wear my PC is for working out and it 'only' gets sweaty, and it gets funky.
 
Just wanted to drop my recent experience here in case it helps anyone.

I bought a set of LAPG single curve level 4 plates after watching a bunch of silly YouTubers shoot the snot out of them 2 or 3 years ago i think? I figured I might as well buy level 4 if I'm buying budget ceramics.

Boy was a wrong...

I recently took a rifle 2 class with Apex and realized just how bad these plates were. They were fine for wearing around the house and what not and I'm sure they will stop rounds, but actually shooting in them, especially weak shoulder and the like was awful. Come to find out they aren't even a true shooters cut.

I'll be looking into a set of Hesco L210s here pretty soon. So far I've learned that cuts really matter, and seemingly multi curve >>>>> single curve.

Fwiw carrier is a Ferro Concepts Slickster with a hsp micro swift clipped in, I saw no issues with these.
 
CHRIS_WNC said:
I always hated the inconsistency in plate shapes. True “size” vs nominal vs SAPI. Trap, rec, shooter, swimmer etc. It was all over the place.

CHRIS
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And they can be inconsistent within the manufacturing. Definitely all over the place. Maddening.
 
Just ordered two Spartan 6X6 multi-curve side plates for my "economy" carrier, they're sold as a set, so the purchase price coulda been a LOT worse.
 
BlackGun said:
I bought this today to be non detectable and good for up to 44 mag. Bought at the Hickory gun show after looking at it previously. Company is in Elon, NC. I wanted something lighter weight and concealable for handgun only. I just could not see myself ever wearing AR500. It would be heavy and not very conducive to running.
mavericktactical.com

The Most Lightweight Concealable Body Armor - Maverick Tactical

Maverick Tactical Concealable Body Armor Shirt Advanced Defense, Effortless Style: NIJ Level IIIA compliant protection in the front and back (side panels optional). Sizes from S to 3XL Comfort Beyond Compare: Weighs only 40 oz, offering powerful protection without heaviness. Spandex blend...
mavericktactical.com mavericktactical.com
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I bought this same shirt (and a second one sans armor for shirt cleaning/rotation) from Maverick Tactical, today. This is for a different application (RSO activities).

It may be enough in conjunction with @georgel's recommendation, which has been given some thought -- but it's also tough to quickly throw it on, so I still plan to pick up non-concealable armor of some sort. (I'm not sold on flexible armor systems -- in part due to the weight involved in its side protection -- which those wearing plates usually omit.)

As an aside and for the benefit of the membership here, I learned the following today:
According to the owner of Maverick Tactical (Patrick), they'll be opening up a 1200sq. ft. shop for armor-related sales/showcasing in Burlington in the not-too-distant future.
 
surrealone said:
I bought this same shirt (and a second one sans armor for shirt cleaning/rotation) from Maverick Tactical, today. This is for a different application (RSO activities).

It may be enough in conjunction with @georgel's recommendation, which has been given some thought -- but it's also tough to quickly throw it on, so I still plan to pick up non-concealable armor of some sort. (I'm not sold on flexible armor systems -- in part due to the weight involved in its side protection -- which those wearing plates usually omit.)

As an aside and for the benefit of the membership here, I learned the following today:
According to the owner of Maverick Tactical (Patrick), they'll be opening up a 1200sq. ft. shop for armor-related sales/showcasing in Burlington in the not-too-distant future.
Click to expand...
People tend to forget, when it's your playground, you can set it up any way you want. Create fatal funnels. Drive movement down certain lines and block others. Just remember, you don't want to create engagemen from the house. You don't want the house to become a bullet magnet. You want to engage away from the house, before they get there.

Also, make friends. Find out about those in your community, good and bad. Draw a circle on a map around your house, say 1 mile. Find everything that's within that circle, resources or threats. Find out what's down that road you never regularly go down. Use satellite maps, topo maps and google earth. Use the GIS system if your county has it. Find out who owns what plot of land and how it's laid out. Plot alternate paths for yourself. Recon the crap out of everything, while you can. The resources are at your fingertips. Use them. You'll be surprised what you find and what you may have been driving by every day.

In war, what is your most valuable asset? Information.


Just sayin'...


 
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