Body Armor

[patriot_man]

I have used PACA low vis, Eagle LVAC all with 3A soft inserts. The PACA is uncomfortable, the LVAC had some nice fabric underneath that stayed pretty cool but it was way too bulky to conceal. Currently looking to buy a BAE ECMPV because of the low profile look.

Also on the dragon skin: In high temperatures some individual "scales" would move out of place causing gaps in the armor as well as breaking the link between each scale having little effect of stopping a bullet.

[Plisk]

As far as carriers, TAG or Eagle CIRAS are good choices. You can find their BALCS cut soft armor on ebay for $400 or less for them. Plates are another story, new ones will cost you a first born child. While you can find deals on surp military ones on eBay or gunbroker occasional. If you want a good all-in-one package deal, search around for people selling old IBA (Interceptor Body Armor) with a set of plates. And they usually don't cost too much. Now none of these options work for concealed use... but I don't have much experience with concealable armor. Maybe try LEO surplus sites?

[patriot_man]

Also if you don't plan on going into the sandbox or any other hellish place that will torture your gear consider using lower deniers of Cordura. 500D is way lighter then 1000D and you will notice. BAE RBAV, Mayflower (I have heard great praise for Mayflower), Eagle, London Bridge Trading (LBT) all have lines of plate carriers that use 500D materials to save weight while at the cost of durability. I myself am partial to LBT gear....



Mayflower

[Cyc Wid It]

Out of curiosity, what's the deal with companies like:

http://vipbodyarmor.com/

http://www.miguelcaballero.com/cms/front_content.php

[akoba]

For those REALLY on a budget.....

hahaha

[patriot_man]

Out of curiosity, what's the deal with companies like:

http://vipbodyarmor.com/

http://www.miguelcaballero.com/cms/front_content.php

I'm guessing the videos don't lie. Obama has a Miguel Caballero suit.

[Jerkdog]

Here's some more reading for you...http://www.wired.com/reviews/product...lletproofvests

[Lagduf]

Body armor wont stop headshots though keep that in mind

Better get a ballistic helmet:

http://www.bulletproofme.com/Body_Armor_Accessories_Helmets.shtm

I so want one, but...I don't want to get in to Mall Ninja territory.

[patriot_man]

Better get a ballistic helmet:

http://www.bulletproofme.com/Body_Armor_Accessories_Helmets.shtm

I so want one, but...I don't want to get in to Mall Ninja territory.

I don't care if people call me a Mall Ninja. Keeping my melon safe during a SHTF situation is worth more to me than a couple words LOL.

[FUBAR]

Second Chance Armor.

[Hayashi Killian]

Ok OP, you want something concealable that can also carry plates? Well, pick one, because you're not going to get both. Some concealable armor might have pouches for carrying soft armor, but to carry plates you're going to need a plate carrier, and those aren't concealable.

You can get a concealable vest for daily use, and a plate carrier/vest with plates that you can don at a moment's notice without having to take off your concealed vest. The advantage of this is that you don't have to get plates that have trauma backers, as the soft armor will serve as a trauma backer. The many downsides of this are it's going to be heavier, bulkier and way more uncomfortable than just a plate carrier. Unless you're LE and need to respond as an active shooter to a situation, don't do this.

I would just go with an Eagle Ciras:

or a plain old Interceptor, or IOTV in conjunction w/SAPI plates:

Point Blank Interceptor

Point Blank IOTV:

CIRAS is great (as is the rest of Eagle's gear), but it's simply a carrier and comes with no armor. Unless you're MIL/LE/GOV, your options for obtaining armor are pretty limited as most are paranoid about selling to civilians. Go to bulletproofme.com, they sell to civilians and sell everything from level IIA soft armor to level IV ceramic plates. And a whole lot more.

Interceptor? Yeah, sure. That'd be great if he gets issued one in the military. The Interceptor is DOD property and if he gets ahold of one, he can be charged with possession of restricted materials. Buying one on eBay won't work either, especially as most of those are stolen.

[JohnnyRooks]

Mayflower with Level4 plates.. i shoot lots of rifle rounds.. soft armor would be useless so i opted for ceramic plates..



here's my Crye Precision CAGE.. it comes with level3A and level 4 plates.. it also has a blast belt with 3A armor..

[hunteran]

Dig deeper. The dragon skin debate is all bs. Its the DOD trying to cover their *** because they supply inferior gear to the troops.

That is an incorrect assessment. The owner of the company is a POS and the vests failed the testing. Don't fall for the smoke and mirrors thrown up by the owner of the company. Perhaps there is a solid concept in dragon skin, but their quality control is terrible and the vests failed to stop bullets. Its overpriced, unreliable and VERY heavy.

[Hayashi Killian]

My only beef with the Crye armor is that it has no side protection, which is hugely important IMO. The armored belt is a great idea but it has no webbing for pouches or whatever you want to put there, since the belt is a great place to expand your real estate.

[till44]

Also if you don't plan on going into the sandbox or any other hellish place that will torture your gear consider using lower deniers of Cordura. 500D is way lighter then 1000D and you will notice. BAE RBAV, Mayflower (I have heard great praise for Mayflower), Eagle, London Bridge Trading (LBT) all have lines of plate carriers that use 500D materials to save weight while at the cost of durability. I myself am partial to LBT gear....


Mayflower

Mayflower

Another vote for Mayflower. Their concealement vest is great and the ability to quickly attach a chest rig is handy. http://stores.greygrouptraining.com/...IER/Detail.bok