School me on body armor

[steelholder]

I have 10x12 plates but the area around the plates is obviously not protected. I have a bigger chest and would like some sort of protection on the surrounding areas, specifically rated against rifle rounds. What do you guys recommend? Are bigger plates my only option? What do you guys have?

[Yugo]

[SharedShots]

I have 10x12 plates but the area around the plates is obviously not protected. I have a bigger chest and would like some sort of protection on the surrounding areas, specifically rated against rifle rounds. What do you guys recommend? Are bigger plates my only option? What do you guys have?

What is your use case?

Asking for everyone.

As for options:

1. Don't go places where you'll be shot at?
2. Don't shoot at others so they won't shoot at you?
3. Drive a tank.
4. Get out of Ukraine - now.
5. Hope the other guy doesn't have the new SigSauer and wonder bullet.









.

[broadside]

They make 11x14 stuff.

I am 6'3" and wear 2XL shirts and the 11x14 fits great. Yes I am fat but I am big guy all around.

10x12 would easily break my ribs if shot as the curve of the plate is more than the curve of my chest so all the impact load will be just on the edges of the plate rather than spread out.

The 11x14 lay flat on my chest.

I'd recommend that you try on the plates of friends or hold them against you in a store that stocks them

[plumbum]

They make side plates, but that depends on if your rig has spots to hold them - if you’re beefy and feel like you need more coverage maybe look at soft armor for the love handles.
Personally I’d just suggest not getting shot at, like ever… that will keep your cosplay rigs in mint condition!

[FeuerFrei]

I have 10x12 plates but the area around the plates is obviously not protected. I have a bigger chest and would like some sort of protection on the surrounding areas, specifically rated against rifle rounds. What do you guys recommend? Are bigger plates my only option? What do you guys have?

http://www.bulletproofme.com/Body_Armor_Accessories_Rifle_Protection.shtml

These guys have large size bullet resistant attire for walking targets. They will help you get fitted over the phone. I've used them before.

[steelholder]

What is your use case?

Asking for everyone.

As for options:

1. Don't go places where you'll be shot at?
2. Don't shoot at others so they won't shoot at you?
3. Drive a tank.
4. Get out of Ukraine - now.
5. Hope the other guy doesn't have the new SigSauer and wonder bullet.









.

I live in L.A.

[CGZ]

Hard armor rated to stop rifle calibers (Level III(+) or IV) has its limitation in the amount of the body it can cover. It also requires bulkier carriers that can be heavy and uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time (this also means you can't conceal that you're wearing it). You're limited to steel plates which are heavy or ceramic plates which while lighter are typically more expensive and usually are only designed to stop a single round.

Personally I would recommend something similar to what active duty service members are using, but that's just my bias as a veteran.

On the other hand, I've seen soft armor rated to stop pistol calibers (level II or IIIA) as full body suits and even as t-shirts.

[SharedShots]

I live in L.A.

Then lean towards #3, driving a tank.

Seems like many major metro areas are just one step away from being unlivable, my condolences.

Don't forget, either drive with the windows down or spray the inside of all the windows with crazy glue. Not perfect but might help.

[naz]

Are you a civilian OP? Where do you go that you’re worried about taking fire from a rifle?

My $0.02 would be stay the heck away from there

Also, try concealing plates, and if you can’t, maybe just stick with soft pistol level iiia that you can conceal. as a civilian, I think concealment and not being the first target of bad guys is super important

[steelholder]

Hard armor rated to stop rifle calibers (Level III(+) or IV) has its limitation in the amount of the body it can cover. It also requires bulkier carriers that can be heavy and uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time (this also means you can't conceal that you're wearing it). You're limited to steel plates which are heavy or ceramic plates which while lighter are typically more expensive and usually are only designed to stop a single round.

Personally I would recommend something similar to what active duty service members are using, but that's just my bias as a veteran.

On the other hand, I've seen soft armor rated to stop pistol calibers (level II or IIIA) as full body suits and even as t-shirts.

What do active duty use? Thanks for your input.

[TKM]

d-r is a member here who sells bullet resistant stuff.

Find some soft panels that extend beyond the plates and find a carrier.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=498169&highlight=D-R

[The Gleam]

I think it is reasonable now days for anyone that goes to a public shooting range, to want, or at least be curious, about wearing a vest at the range.

There are more new shooters than ever before, and I'm seeing more sloppy safe-handling (or complete lack thereof) with grotesque examples of muzzle-sweeps of the line, due to many new gun owners entering the fray, treating their newfound interest, cultivated during the shamdemic, like toys rather than firearms.

What they know, they have learned from movies, TV, or playing cops-and-robbers at 8 years old with squirt guns.

A larger percentage than what has usually been seen have little to no concept of safe handling, many not even able to answer what are the 4 basic rules of safety if asked.

From selfies with guns to their head to collective groups with a single gun at the range treating it like a novelty party bauble, it's bad out there, and only a matter of time before the inevitable happens due to others' newb stupidity or worse - arrogance.

A vest would at least be a logical addition to one's gear - as well as a trauma kit - should you frequent public shooting ranges, no matter how strict their rules or how militant the R/O.

----

[sigstroker]

They make 11x14 stuff.

I am 6'3" and wear 2XL shirts and the 11x14 fits great. Yes I am fat but I am big guy all around.

10x12 would easily break my ribs if shot as the curve of the plate is more than the curve of my chest so all the impact load will be just on the edges of the plate rather than spread out.

The 11x14 lay flat on my chest.

I'd recommend that you try on the plates of friends or hold them against you in a store that stocks them

The issue you might run into is not every carrier will take the big plates.

[sigstroker]

What do active duty use? Thanks for your input.

It's unnecessarily expensive. Very lightweight considering, but unless you're going to be running and gunning all day, you don't need it. The best value these days is the chinese composite ceramic/UHWMPE plastic laminate stuff. It's not officially rated because it costs a fortune to get rated, but it stands up to rating equivalent they claim. See the youtube channel for MrGunsnGear. He blasts up armor a lot.

I think it is reasonable now days for anyone that goes to a public shooting range, to want, or at least be curious, about wearing a vest at the range.

There are more new shooters than ever before, and I'm seeing more sloppy safe-handling (or complete lack thereof) with grotesque examples of muzzle-sweeps of the line, due to many new gun owners entering the fray, treating their newfound interest, cultivated during the shamdemic, like toys rather than firearms.

What they know, they have learned from movies, TV, or playing cops-and-robbers at 8 years old with squirt guns.

A larger percentage than what has usually been seen have little to no concept of safe handling, many not even able to answer what are the 4 basic rules of safety if asked.

From selfies with guns to their head to collective groups with a single gun at the range treating it like a novelty party bauble, it's bad out there, and only a matter of time before the inevitable happens due to others' newb stupidity or worse - arrogance.

A vest would at least be a logical addition to one's gear - as well as a trauma kit - should you frequent public shooting ranges, no matter how strict their rules or how militant the R/O.

----

You'll need a thick skin because everyone will be laughing at you, but at least you won't die of a torso shot. Wear a ballistic helmet too, to complete the effect.

There is a flexible armor that covers basically your whole chest, and is not as obvious as plates. It would work much better as everyday wear, but it's over a thousand bucks. I can't remember the name at the moment.