BODY ARMOR: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

[Buffman]

MinuteMan Armor Level IV:

[Buffman]

I would say the clipboard performed above my expectations. It seems pressed and held together very well. This is the first time I was able to defeat a PE based armor with .50AE, but the shots that were able to do that happened on a compromised area

Rather spendy for a clipboard, but if you'd like "buffman" is a 10% code Ballistic Clipboard IIIA

[floogy]

Originally Posted by Buffman

I would say the clipboard performed above my expectations. It seems pressed and held together very well. This is the first time I was able to defeat a PE based armor with .50AE, but the shots that were able to do that happened on a compromised area

Rather spendy for a clipboard, but if you'd like "buffman" is a 10% code Ballistic Clipboard IIIA

That's cool. A good way to really hide a backpack armor plate in a way that is even less likely to arouse suspicion.

Love your channel BTW. Seriously underrated.

[Buffman]

Some soft armor from MinuteMan Armor:

[Buffman]

If you need the lightest of light ceramic plates while using a 3A backer, this might be for you. However at the cost, I think ESAPI's are superior..

[Buffman]

American Blast Level "IV"

[Buffman]

Tacticon III+ https://bit.ly/3QTjbJe

[Buffman]

Hesco P210:

[Buffman]

AR500 Armor's Hybrid Steel and PE RF2 / III+ plate

[Epaphroditus]

Buff ... seems your domain has issues!

[Buffman]

A big thanks to the follower who donated these. I'm still trying to find an RF2 capable piece of steel armor, but M193 continues to be a nail in the coffin. Another discovery is that some of these plates don't like M80 ball over 2,750 fps . Their frag coating does well against 5.56 and lesser threats, but struggles with more than 2-3 hits of M80 ball.

[Buffman]

US Military XSAPI

[SharedShots]

Originally Posted by Buffman

I would say the clipboard performed above my expectations. It seems pressed and held together very well. This is the first time I was able to defeat a PE based armor with .50AE, but the shots that were able to do that happened on a compromised area

Rather spendy for a clipboard, but if you'd like "buffman" is a 10% code Ballistic Clipboard IIIA

Can you stuff your arms, legs, hands, feet, head and *** behind that clipboard?

The ugly part of body armor.




.

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by SharedShots

Can you stuff your arms, legs, hands, feet, head and *** behind that clipboard?

I don't know if that's ugly, but it is realistic I guess. The point of front and back 10x12's are to protect the heart and lungs, no? Everyone knows that.

Here you go:



You still might take one up the old thermal exhaust port though and you will need an Ironman helmet. If I see any *** protectors I will send the link your way.

[xrMike]

Originally Posted by SharedShots

Can you stuff your arms, legs, hands, feet, head and *** behind that clipboard?

The ugly part of body armor.

Yeah, I've considered that also. I bought 2 plates for front/back, plus carrier, based on this thread. Seems like a good idea for SHTF times... BUT!

10" x 12" or 12" x 12" protects heart and lungs front/back only (not side torso hits). That still leaves a LOT of your body unprotected to receive hits that will either kill you, incapacitate you, or leave you bleeding out.

I know, this is all common knowledge. I made my decision and bought some, but I still think about the cost-to-benefit ratio sometimes.

This is a great thread and I am not trying to derail it, carry on with the reviews!

[crufflers]

The above "Full Armor" set is only IIIA I think, but also only 11 pounds. They are about a grand.

[Buffman]

The 1092 seems to have become a popular plate aleast among the groups I frequent. It's built to withstand the threats it's rated for, and is attractively priced. It's only downside was that it could not stop M855A1 from barrels longer than 10.5". The new Generation 2 they just released was designed specifically to address those concerns. The upside is that this new plate is thinner than the G1, but the increase in protection comes at a weight penalty of 1lb over the Gen 1. As always I appreciate those that take the time to consume these videos. They come at great expense and when I can work with a manufacturers, that certainly helps the cause. If you were thinking of these as mentioned "buffman" is my fancy affiliate code https://rmadefense.com/store/body-ar...nij-07-tested/

[ShredLA]

If anyone is interested, I have a well taken care of set of Level IV RMA 1155's for sale.
$250 picked up from Upland 91786
They are NIJ certified level 4 ceramic plates, single curve.

DM me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Buffman]

RTS Tactical Mini Shield. From RTS they discontinued this IIIA as they were able to source a new type of steel that is NIJ III compliant at the same weight and thickness. https://bit.ly/3DjdsaY

[Experimentalist]

I posted this in a separate thread, having forgotten about this one: https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/....php?t=1830492

Ideas and experience appreciated.

[Buffman]

This plate from Adept now tops the "King of the Hill" in terms of a level IV plate. Their magic lies in whatever proprietary ceramic they're using. I wonder how the threats I used compare against the Army's new 6.8.
If this plate does interest you "sharing is caring" - buffman is my discount code https://bit.ly/3wDGX5p

[xrMike]

Extend your range of coverage and ensure your ability to reproduce AFTER the firefight!

https://gun.deals/product/british-mi...evlar-new-4049

[sigstroker]

Reproduce??!? Who wants that? Do you know what you end up with?

[Buffman]

They've since updated their website, but originally this plate was listed at 5.7lbs. My samples came in at just a touch over 6lbs as well as some other customers. RMA discovered this was because of a variance with the ceramic supplier. This is not an NIJ certified plate, but is the lightest current offering that RMA has, besides the discontinued 1199, which did not have full edge to edge strike face. I am very impressed with this plates performance. Given the amount of energy I displaced on these plates, the backers held up very well. I was told these were a competitor to Hesco's 4800. and I suppose it's time to review those!
I do have a discount code from RMA that helps me pay for ammo, but don't think it stacks with sales "buffman"
https://rmadefense.com/store/body-ar...ve-body-armor/

[tacticalcity]

Originally Posted by xrMike

Extend your range of coverage and ensure your ability to reproduce AFTER the firefight!

https://gun.deals/product/british-mi...evlar-new-4049

Because if you lose that...who cares about the rest?

[Buffman]

Safe Life Defense Standalone III+ FRAS Demo. Just to stop any internet rumors this panel is made in ITALY, NOT China. It built upon the ability of the ICW model, but it does lose a little bit of flexibility with more PE:

[d-r]

Thanks Matt. Yeah, Jake's new Colossus is pretty impressive. They are doing some extremely cool things in several realms.

Also, posted a new paper on Hypothesized Defeat Mechanisms of M-855 on Pure Polyethylene plates:

https://drmorgear.wordpress.com/2022...lates-by-m855/

[Buffman]

D-R Thanks, that was a good read! Factor 2 in your article is true of other designs as well to a lesser degree. Certain 55gr FMJ at subsonic velocities with thicker jackets do not derform when striking UHMWPE and can easily penetrate. Not as deep as M855, but in the case of thinner rigid IIIA versions, rounds like SB193 5.7x28mm easily will.

Many have seen this brand on Facebook, but here's the Predator III+ with their fancy fragmentation lining

[Buffman]

cautionary tale of sometimes you get what you pay for. This plate had POOR adhesion between the strike face and the backer.

[Buffman]

RTS introduced a new frag coating to help contain frag. It did a better job but on a 10x12 plate 6 hits of the M80 ball is close to the holding limit. 5.56 has a lot more use left, but M193 continues to be a problem for steel
https://bit.ly/3PNCCUV

[Corbin Dallas]

Originally Posted by xrMike

Extend your range of coverage and ensure your ability to reproduce AFTER the firefight!

https://gun.deals/product/british-mi...evlar-new-4049

Mac did it first...

[madland]

Buffman...any word on these?
Thanks in advance!!

https://www.ncstar.com/performance-g...hrdsh-cut10x12

[Buffman]

Originally Posted by madland

Buffman...any word on these?
Thanks in advance!!

https://www.ncstar.com/performance-g...hrdsh-cut10x12

Interesting NIJ Certified level III. M193 and M80 ball won't be an issue but M855 will. I have a VISM plate at home to test hopefully this year. Based on the part number on the CPL the cert plate is a LongFri plate. Should be good to go. Not the best, but not trash

[Buffman]

Rigid IIIA does very well IMO at covering some of these newer threats in 9mm that aramid and Kevlar don't address, as well as some higher end 5.7 threats
If you do need any TSG products "armorking" is my magic code for them Tactical Scorpion Gear IIIA

[Buffman]

For those that need "XSAPI" level protection Stealth Armor had some stock left of these that's he's getting rid of. They are THICCC boys though:

[Buffman]

It's a level IIIA rigid panel made from UHMWPE. At 1lb it's very thin and would go very well in a low vis situation. I like UHMWPE over Aramid for increased resistance to speed and specialty rounds I also put some internet rumors to the test with 7.62x25mm
Tacticon IIIA

[BucDan]

Wow! Didn't know Buffman was making all of these videos! I will be having a marathon soon! Subbed!

[johncage]

Originally Posted by xrMike

Extend your range of coverage and ensure your ability to reproduce AFTER the firefight!

https://gun.deals/product/british-mi...evlar-new-4049

eventually armor will resemble robes and skirts like medieval soldiers wore to protect the femoral artery

[Corbin Dallas]

I recently picked up some Level IV plates and looking for a carrier recommendation.

The plates are medium and I'm 6'1" 220 with a long torso (short legs, 32 inseam). Nape to navel is 16"

I've been looking at Spartan but I'm open to options. Would love to add 6x6 side plates in the future but not a requirement.

[KrisDSA]

Originally Posted by Corbin Dallas

I recently picked up some Level IV plates and looking for a carrier recommendation.

The plates are medium and I'm 6'1" 220 with a long torso (short legs, 32 inseam). Nape to navel is 16"

I've been looking at Spartan but I'm open to options. Would love to add 6x6 side plates in the future but not a requirement.

Spiritus Systems or Ferro Concepts