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

[xrMike]

This thread is huge. Without having to eat the whole thing, is there a consensus on the LAPG Level III plates I picked up a year ago, when they were on sale? Got an LAPG carrier shortly after that also.

I remember seeing a couple of youtube videos after my purchase where a guy did some rifle testing on them, and they did surprisingly well. They actually should have been classified as Level IV plates, because they stopped .30-06 armor piercing, or maybe it was some other Level IV round like 5.56 green-tip, I don't remember the details.

[California_Deplorable]

Originally Posted by xrMike

This thread is huge. Without having to eat the whole thing, is there a consensus on the LAPG Level IIIa plates I picked up a year ago, when they were on sale? Got an LAPG carrier shortly after that also.

I remember seeing a couple of youtube videos after my purchase where a guy did some rifle testing on them, and they did surprisingly well. They actually should have been classified as Level IV plates, because they stopped .30-06 armor piercing, or maybe it was some other Level IV round like 5.56 green-tip, I don't remember the details.

I think you mean level III not IIIA. IIIA is for handgun rounds.

[xrMike]

Originally Posted by California_Deplorable

I think you mean level III not IIIA. IIIA is for handgun rounds.

Yes, you are correct, my bad, I meant Level III. That's what I bought from LAPG (not the IIIa).

(gonna go back and edit that)

[crufflers]

BOTACH Level IV 10x12 $89.98
https://botach.com/battle-steel-level-4-armor-plates/

[Buffman]

Originally Posted by xrMike

Yes, you are correct, my bad, I meant Level III. That's what I bought from LAPG (not the IIIa).

(gonna go back and edit that)

They essentially are a way overbuilt level III. The only reason they handle M2AP is because 99% of youtubers will shoot surplus M2AP at plates, which lacks upwards of 300 fps to meet spec. They are one of the few plates I've tested in a "level III" that stopped M80A1. Mainly because the strike face is almost as thick as most level IV They are imported and lack things like NIJ certification, but it would appear the company who actually makes them is keeping the quality good.

[Buffman]

https://www.andoutfitters.us/collect...oducts/level-3
Discount: ARMORUP

[Buffman]

This plate like the level IV employs edge to edge protection with a monolithic strike face. It did well against our threats EXCEPT M855A1.
Link To BS III+/RF2

[xrMike]

Originally Posted by Buffman

They essentially are a way overbuilt level III. The only reason they handle M2AP is because 99% of youtubers will shoot surplus M2AP at plates, which lacks upwards of 300 fps to meet spec. They are one of the few plates I've tested in a "level III" that stopped M80A1. Mainly because the strike face is almost as thick as most level IV They are imported and lack things like NIJ certification, but it would appear the company who actually makes them is keeping the quality good.

Thank you!

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by Buffman

This plate like the level IV employs edge to edge protection with a monolithic strike face.

Those level IV's are pretty damn good for $89.xx and 5 pounds eleven ounces IIRC. I have a couple sets in Slicksters.

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by Buffman

This plate like the level IV employs edge to edge protection with a monolithic strike face. It did well against our threats EXCEPT M855A1.
Link To BS III+/RF2

Great video. Your link to the Botach site looks like 100% UHMWPE plate in the pic anyway... I just got a link to these in email, they are pushing these. These maybe look like the ones you tested:

https://botach.com/battle-steel-leve...lyester-cover/

They even pictured some green tip. I guess if they actually STOP M855, it is worth saving 2 pounds per front/back carrier?

[Buffman]

Originally Posted by crufflers

Great video. Your link to the Botach site looks like 100% UHMWPE plate in the pic anyway... I just got a link to these in email, they are pushing these. These maybe look like the ones you tested:

https://botach.com/battle-steel-leve...lyester-cover/

They even pictured some green tip. I guess if they actually STOP M855, it is worth saving 2 pounds per front/back carrier?

I think they offered 2 models. One with the liner cover, and one with the nylon cover. Interesting that the nylon cover one is on sale on Botach's main site, but not the dedicated armor site :\

[Buffman]

Shot Stop HS From their Partner site, "buffman" is 20% off if you want it.

[Buffman]

These have been requested quite a bit, and we finally were able to get one for testing.
https://tacticalscorpiongear.com/tac...x12-plate.html "armorking" is 20% off if you want one of them.
I like what TSG is doing with the construction of this plate. The hexagon tiles are proving to be a good thing for 5.56 threats, but .30 cal past M80 ball seems to be their limit.

[Buffman]

Couple of takeaways. The mutli-curve GT2 is using hexagon tiles. The Single curve is rectangle/square. This plate does not have edge to edge coverage. DO NOT expect it to meet Level III/RF2 threat protection for M80 ball. This plate is really a slightly more impressive L210, but the cost is INSANE in my opinion. The original GT plate used Alumina and was edge to edge. I do not know why they changed other than to play the "LAT" (light and thin) game?
If this plate interests you "buffman" is the magic 20% discount they gave me: https://ssbpartner.site/collections/...12-multi-curve

[S.A.]

New year new prices. Shot Stop raised their body armor prices. Wonder if all body armor manufacturers will do the same

[97F1504RAD]

Seems everyone and everything is raising prices.

[Buffman]

Hesco 3810

[vg247]

Originally Posted by Buffman

Hesco 3810

^ This is the way (3810’s)

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by vg247

^ This is the way (3810’s)

Is there a review comparing and contrasting a $1350 set of 4 pound level III+ (8 pound total) with other 4 pound level III+ plates that might cost $520 a pair like the Tactical Scorpion Gear Extreme or the Long Fri Level III, III+, IV, etc...

Are those HESCO's weighing in right at 4.00 pounds on the dot? Is the benefit light weight?

[vg247]

Originally Posted by crufflers

Is there a review comparing and contrasting a $1350 set of 4 pound level III+ (8 pound total) with other 4 pound level III+ plates that might cost $520 a pair like the Tactical Scorpion Gear Extreme or the Long Fri Level III, III+, IV, etc...

Are those HESCO's weighing in right at 4.00 pounds on the dot? Is the benefit light weight?

Absolutely, while there are many literature about the Hesco 3810’s vs others trying to offer the same protection and weight etc. additionally if you have connects in LE/Mil you will hear real world user experience which will affirm why they are known and cost as such.

Personally, it comes down on how much you’re willing to pay for quality and that can be subjective.

My sets (small and medium multicurve SAPI’s) depending on the size, come in exactly as Hesco listed in their specifications.

[Buffman]

Prime Armor has been pimping their PE Level III for quite some time. What's unique is that it's very THICK!. 1.3". I saw someone else test M855 against it, but of course they leave off important details like was it really M855, what was the velocity, etc. I've tested M855 in the past against pure PE, and typically a 10.5" barrel velocity is the limit for PE, but those plates are anywhere from 1/2" to 1" thick.
Prime Armor III PE magic nugget code "buffmanrange"

Edit: Material is imported from Bulgaria, and is finished here in the US

[Buffman]

Wearing these to me is like multi curve plates. They are definitely NOT cheap, but they are smaller batch manufactured, with very good attention to detail. I hear grumblings that the land of China is trying to knock these off for commercial sale..Al said he's set up a discount code "Buffmanhexaricw3" on this plate and the alumina version.


https://stealtharmorsystems.com

[Buffman]

Alumina Version:

[Buffman]

Spartan Armor Ares B4C

[Buffman]

Stealth Armor Systems Rigid Level IV:

[Buffman]

Hesco M210 fans?

[Buffman]

L210 Re-test

[Buffman]

Some level IV against surplus M2-AP

[ShredLA]

Just in case anyone is looking through here for AFFORDABLE ceramic plates, I have a set of RMA Level 4 Ceramic plates which have been babied and never taken out of the house. they're in perfect condition and have never been dropped.
I'll sell both level 4 plates for $210 but buyer has to cover shipping or come to me (located in Rancho Cucamonga)

[Buffman]

This level III PE plate did surprisingly well for being thin.

[Regular guy]

Originally Posted by xrMike

This thread is huge. Without having to eat the whole thing, is there a consensus on the LAPG Level III plates I picked up a year ago, when they were on sale? Got an LAPG carrier shortly after that also.

I remember seeing a couple of youtube videos after my purchase where a guy did some rifle testing on them, and they did surprisingly well. They actually should have been classified as Level IV plates, because they stopped .30-06 armor piercing, or maybe it was some other Level IV round like 5.56 green-tip, I don't remember the details.

I'm running their ceramic lvl IV plate up front, and a lvl IIIA soft armor in back with trauma pads.

[Buffman]

Battle Steel by Botach level III PE:

[Big Chudungus]

imma gonna get TWO of these

https://hardwirellc.com/products/bul...ard-level-3a-1

Reasons are:

1) seems pretty cheap.
2) I do some Security gigs and one of my fave props is to carry a clip board. It seems to calm people down when they see I'm just seeing if they are "on the list" or if I'm going to ask them to "sign the list"...so it would make extra sense if its also armor I'd be holding more or less between my chest and them. Clip board seems to be a universal Symbol of Authority.
3) I got personal drawing/paperwork/reading to do at "work" and this looks like nice slightly super-size board.
4) TWO because "they" might soon ban or restrict body armor (and spike prices if nothing else) plus I could keep one in my backpack for front and back coverage.

Any reasons I shouldn't waste my money on these?

[Buffman]

A very typical PE plate. I was surprised to find almost 1/4" of foam hiding in the back of the plate, as a buoyancy aid, and to help with blunt force trauma. Pure UHMWPE plates are still very low on my recommendation list because of their weakness to M855 even from SBR, as highlighted below. I did get a chance to test 5.45 against plates

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by Big Chudungus

imma gonna get TWO of these

https://hardwirellc.com/products/bul...ard-level-3a-1

Reasons are:

1) seems pretty cheap.
2) I do some Security gigs and one of my fave props is to carry a clip board. It seems to calm people down when they see I'm just seeing if they are "on the list" or if I'm going to ask them to "sign the list"...so it would make extra sense if its also armor I'd be holding more or less between my chest and them. Clip board seems to be a universal Symbol of Authority.
3) I got personal drawing/paperwork/reading to do at "work" and this looks like nice slightly super-size board.
4) TWO because "they" might soon ban or restrict body armor (and spike prices if nothing else) plus I could keep one in my backpack for front and back coverage.

Any reasons I shouldn't waste my money on these?

I'd buy some. I'd slide the board down the front of my shirt and clip it to the neck band of my t-shirt if I had time when something pops off. Probably just as fast as turning a armored backpack around.

[sirgrumps]

Originally Posted by Buffman

Definitely recommend spall guards in addition to build up coating.

Any recommendation for spall guards?

[Big Chudungus]

Originally Posted by crufflers

I'd buy some. I'd slide the board down the front of my shirt and clip it to the neck band of my t-shirt if I had time when something pops off. Probably just as fast as turning a armored backpack around.

nice tip, I think the clip would serve as hook

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by sirgrumps

Any recommendation for spall guards?

The ones I have I think are from the old Main Guns and Cati Armor... typical plate shaped flat nylon container with the Aramid fiber sheets inside... I think they are all over Amazon and Ebay and there are pretty fancy looking ones that look good.

Do the research, but...

https://www.spartanarmorsystems.com/...waAsV4EALw_wcB

https://tacticalscorpiongear.com/tac...IaAgq8EALw_wcB

https://premierbodyarmor.com/product...AaAh0TEALw_wcB

[crufflers]

Originally Posted by Big Chudungus

nice tip, I think the clip would serve as hook

That could be very covert if you have a reason to carry a clipboard... not sure if the strike face would be directional, but I'd prefer to slide the board inside my shirt with the clip out... so maybe that would be backwards.

I have IIIA+ in some packs. That works if the pack has a good way to stabilize the exact plate size. They are not heavy.

[Big Chudungus]

Originally Posted by crufflers

That could be very covert if you have a reason to carry a clipboard... not sure if the strike face would be directional, but I'd prefer to slide the board inside my shirt with the clip out... so maybe that would be backwards.

I have IIIA+ in some packs. That works if the pack has a good way to stabilize the exact plate size. They are not heavy.

Like I sorta mentioned about carrying a clip board as "prop", not only does everyone have a reason, but it marks you as some low level clerk type person.

Pretty sure in countless Hollywood productions grabbing a random clip board and acting like you are doing something is SOP to blend in or bluff your way past the guards.

I'll get back to you once I get it about Directional. I MIGHT blast the clip off one to use as more drawing/drafting board where you tape corners down so clip doesn't interfere with use of rulers, french curves, squares, etc, and that would ride in backpack as stiffener under laptop and binders.