Body Armor suggestions

[Crusader]

I'm sure this topic gets tossed around every once in a while but I didn't find anything real recent or relevant.

I'm in the market for a Level IIIA soft body armor vest and was curious if anyone had any hands-on experience and recommendations. I just threw down some money for on of the BulletSafe vests just because it was so cheap and I'll use it as a back-up.

But I'm still looking for a little bit higher end vest ($500ish range). Does anyone have any recommendations?

I'm a big guy but I am in the process of losing weight so I need an XXL vest now but hope to end up at the high end of a Large or low end of XL by the time I'm down to my goal weight

Thanks everyone

[LeadFarmer74]

Why IIIA and not III? Level 3's are so cheap right now for steel?
Also check here....

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=498169&page=13

[hellayella]

ZFI Israeli Body Armor, owned by a former IDF guys

[Crusader]

Why IIIA and not III? Level 3's are so cheap right now for steel?
Also check here....
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...498169&page=13

Because I want armor that is practical, not so heavy that wearing it becomes a hassle. Plus, I'd rather fly under the radar than advertise that I'm wearing armor.

[LeadFarmer74]

Because I want armor that is practical, not so heavy that wearing it becomes a hassle. Plus, I'd rather fly under the radar than advertise that I'm wearing armor.

Practical for a knife and handgun attack? If my armor ever goes on it doesn't matter what other people think..... It'll be past that point. I guess I don't find myself wanting to wear it on the daily. I guess I am just confused on your purpose for it. Unless your LEO then that would make sense.

[eviioiive]

ZFI Israeli Body Armor, owned by a former IDF guys

Negative.


Please reference the body armor thread by D-R

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=498169

anything -flex or -shield is a laminate and/or polyethylene. Therefore make sure that it doesn't sit anywhere, or is stored anywhere, that gets over 160 deg F, like the trunk of a car, a contact shot....also nij spec is not nij certified

[JDay]

Practical for a knife and handgun attack? If my armor ever goes on it doesn't matter what other people think..... It'll be past that point. I guess I don't find myself wanting to wear it on the daily. I guess I am just confused on your purpose for it. Unless your LEO then that would make sense.

Soft armor will not stop a knife.

[Squidward]

Please reference the body armor thread by D-R

The body armor thread is worth reading in it's entirety. The reader's Digest version, IIRC, is that D-R said to avoid many types including; laminates, Spectrashield, Zylon, Nanotube, and many others. Basically, only buy 100% woven Aramid.

[Crusader]

That's what I was just going to ask. It seems that most vests in about the price range I'm looking for has some sort of laminate. I think I've only come across 1 or 2 vests that claimed to be aramid. Does anyone have suggestions for full kevlar-woven vests in the sub $500ish range?

[Walky Talky]

why is body armor illegal?

[Bigtwin]

Its not!

[alfred1222]

why is body armor illegal?

It's not unless you're a felon

[10rounds]

why is body armor illegal?

Some of the state & Fed politicians want to make them illegal for civilians. It's probably for the safety of the government thugs.

[twinfin]

Does anyone have suggestions for full kevlar-woven vests in the sub $500ish range?

You might take a look at http://www.bulletproofme.com/ They have a variety of products in your price range including the woven Kevlar material that you would want in a level IIIA vest.

Also, the thread linked to over in the the Survival-Preparedness forum is very educational. Read through that and then take a look at the bullet-proof-me website and you should be able to make some informed choices.

[IVth Horseman]

Don't buy anything that's not woven Kevlar, I went with a second chance 3A and couldn't be happier with my decision.