Armor - plate question

[sigstroker]

Do the "Shooter's Cut" plates still protect what's important? The "standard" ones I'm looking at are heavy bastids, 9 pounds. The other ones are still heavy but not as much at 8.15 pounds. That saves something at least.

I assume what you're supposed to do is get a Shooter's Cut (if I go that way) for the front and a standard for the back?


Standard plate:




Shooter's Cut:

[Quiet]

AFAIK...
The "shooters cut" is to provide better mobility for maneuvering/handling a long gun while still providing adequate coverage of the vital organs in the human torso.

It is on the end user to determine if the trade off of less coverage area for greater mobility is worth it or not.


IMO...
Ceramic plates > steel plates

[tomk556]

https://youtu.be/ih9gzQRdoXw?si=Z2Twd5nWjL1lYFQS

Shoot cut is designed to allow for greater ease with long guns while covering enough of the vitals. Ultimately you kinda just have to go with something. Get whatever you?ll wear when no one is making you wear it. If you want to save weight you can look at level III or these newer III+ plates that protect against M855.

[sigstroker]

AFAIK...
The "shooters cut" is to provide better mobility for maneuvering/handling a long gun while still providing adequate coverage of the vital organs in the human torso.

It is on the end user to determine if the trade off of less coverage area for greater mobility is worth it or not.


IMO...
Ceramic plates > steel plates

These are composite ceramic UHMWPE.

https://youtu.be/ih9gzQRdoXw?si=Z2Twd5nWjL1lYFQS

Shoot cut is designed to allow for greater ease with long guns while covering enough of the vitals. Ultimately you kinda just have to go with something. Get whatever you?ll wear when no one is making you wear it. If you want to save weight you can look at level III or these newer III+ plates that protect against M855.

These are level IV and on sale.

I know what the shooter's cut is supposed to do, just wondering if anyone's heard of people getting killed because it didn't cover as much as the standard one.

[RAMCLAP]

Don't do steel. Get ceramic. Lighter and no spall.

[G-forceJunkie]

8 pound each is still a tank. Buy the lightest set you can afford. More $$$ = less weight.

[sigstroker]

Part of the extra weight is they are 11x14. According to the measurement instructions, that's what I should get.

[ldsnet]

A common phrase in backpacking, also applies to ruck sacks and armor;
Ounces = Pounds, Pounds = Pain!
Get the lightest Level IV plates you can afford!

Think about the total weight of your kit, get a workout vest that weighs about the same, and go jog a 5k (should take 30-40 minutes). Now remember, you aren't carrying a 6-9lb rifle and are not wearing a helmet. Now add an additional 5lbs to the vest! That is the difference of the heavier plate that doesn't offer any more protection (and if its steel, probably less protection).

I will be the first to admit, I am old, slow, and out of shape. If I had to run a 5k in my gear, I know I will not be combat effective at the end of it....I have work to do (and that is on me)... I spent the money for lighter plates, and it was worth it! I can now move and train in my gear .... The pain on my neck and collar bones was crazy after 20 or 30 minutes with the old plates.

[tomk556]

These are composite ceramic UHMWPE.



These are level IV and on sale.

I know what the shooter's cut is supposed to do, just wondering if anyone's heard of people getting killed because it didn't cover as much as the standard one.

Sorry I missed your question. I haven?t heard of anything like that. I?ve never heard a lot said about there being a sharp uptick in guys be killed in plate carriers vs IOTVs. I suspect the concern kind of misses the point with armor. Mainly that nothing is perfect and that you just buy and make yourself wear something. At the end of the day you could buy full size plates and then take a round through the arm pit, neck, groin, or face and it wouldn?t matter. You could also take a shot to the abdomen and if there isn?t a level IV trauma center within an hour or so away you might not make it.

Hope that makes sense.