Choosing hard armor plates help

[send it_hit]

Mods if this isn't suited to be in General discussion, please move


So I have been running a Mayflower Low-Pro plate carrier with front and rear AR500 plates, with extra line-x coating. Behind those plates I run IIIA soft armor, front and rear, for peace of mind you could say.

I recently switched to the Mayflower Assault Plate Carrier (APC), and I like it a lot. The more I use it, the more I realize AR500 plates are damn heavy. My soft armor doesn't fit the APC, but running those plates is starting to wear on me. The reason I went with AR500 was partially price, but mainly because AR500 was able to stop XM855 62gr penetrators (unlike many of the ceramics I looked into).

The Armored Mobility plates stop several .308 hits, but is pricey and XM855 penetrated. Midwest Armor seemed about the same, though significantly lighter. AR500 didn't take multiple hits of .308, but stopped XM855 (though it's not "officially" rated to do so) and is very heavy.

So I can bite the bullet to some extent on price, but my question is this: Can anyone recommend a stand alone plate that can stop XM855, is significantly lighter than AR500, and as a bonus can stop multiple 7.62 strikes? (not as worried about that, as I assume if I take a 7.62 hit I won't stay put for more). Am I looking for a unicorn here?

[send it_hit]

As a side note, if anyone can refer me to any testing info, of plates vs xm855 with IIIA soft armor backing... For example, the Midwest Armor plates are nice and light, and though they don't defeat XM855 on their own, due to the weight I wouldn't mind running soft armor underneath.

[TheExiled]

Im happy with my AR500 plates due to them standing up to repeated hits, the thickness and the price point. I look at the weight as a trade-off, which isnt any more than a loadout of mags.

I bought an extra plate with my set from the same batch and use it as a target whenever I go out. It makes me feel safe knowing how much abuse I put into it and it still is holding strong. The only thing about my plates I worry about it spalling, as the line-x or whatever isn't good enough. I wrapped mine in gorilla tape, then covered that in line-x and repeated (3 total).

Ive seen a lot of videos comparing your options, and still am staying with my AR 500

[Todosi]

The AR500 works, no doubt about it. The problem with heavy plates like that, is that a person is less likely to be wearing it when needed.

I have tested and handled the Point Blank hard plates and it is a world of difference. 1/2 the weight, same protection level and no worry of spalling.

[send it_hit]

Im happy with my AR500 plates due to them standing up to repeated hits, the thickness and the price point. I look at the weight as a trade-off, which isnt any more than a loadout of mags.

I bought an extra plate with my set from the same batch and use it as a target whenever I go out. It makes me feel safe knowing how much abuse I put into it and it still is holding strong. The only thing about my plates I worry about it spalling, as the line-x or whatever isn't good enough. I wrapped mine in gorilla tape, then covered that in line-x and repeated (3 total).

Ive seen a lot of videos comparing your options, and still am staying with my AR 500

that's where I'm at now... It seems like aside from weight, it can't be beat. I'm considering the spalling issue as well. I would wear soft armor behind it to eliminate the issue, but I can't justify even more weight. AR500 plates +6 mags, + IIIA armor... that's heavy. I thought Line-X performed awesome in testing?

[send it_hit]

The AR500 works, no doubt about it. The problem with heavy plates like that, is that a person is less likely to be wearing it when needed.

I have tested and handled the Point Blank hard plates and it is a world of difference. 1/2 the weight, same protection level and no worry of spalling.

How was your testing? Did you test them as stand alone? How did it perform vs XM855?

[Lifeon2whls]

Worried about spall? Check these out...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=709787

Some other options for hard armor in the thread below. Based on everything I've read, I'll be buying AR500 plates/carrier with the above mentioned spall guards.

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

[send it_hit]

Worried about spall? Check these out...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=709787

Some other options for hard armor in the thread below. Based on everything I've read, I'll be buying AR500 plates/carrier with the above mentioned spall guards.
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=498169

Ah, thanks for the reminder! I forgot all about those spall guards. I was looking at them months back.

I think I'll have to stick with the AR500... maybe I'll buy a weight vest and start exercising with it on.

[unusedusername]

If you are using soft armor underneath anyways, have you considered a set of "in-conjunction with" plates? You'll save yourself a bunch of weight that way.

[TheExiled]

that's where I'm at now... It seems like aside from weight, it can't be beat. I'm considering the spalling issue as well. I would wear soft armor behind it to eliminate the issue, but I can't justify even more weight. AR500 plates +6 mags, + IIIA armor... that's heavy. I thought Line-X performed awesome in testing?

I wouldn't be converned with the soft armor behind the plates for spalling, the soft armor I would think would be more of a failsafe in case something did fragment thru the plate, or have soft armor covering where a plate may not be. The spalling is a concern in FRONT of the plate, when it stops a round and the frags blast up into your face and neck or arms etc. The plates I got came with a coating like line-x, but I saw after firing at them that a single round chipped off about 3" circle of the coating. My wrap and coat method stopped that, and it stays on after shooting it much longer.

How was your testing? Did you test them as stand alone? How did it perform vs XM855?

I would be more concerned with bigger rounds than 855 IMO, like 308 or even x39(which isnt too much "bigger' per se)

[send it_hit]

I'm asking specifically about the XM855 because that is the one that seems (in my limited research) to be of the most penetration concern. Most testing seems to be done with 7.62x51/39 ammo, but the smaller and higher velocity penetrators seem to go through more plates than the bigger stuff.

[send it_hit]

If you are using soft armor underneath anyways, have you considered a set of "in-conjunction with" plates? You'll save yourself a bunch of weight that way.

I'm definitely not opposed to it. I was trying to avoid it cost-wise, because the IIIA soft armor I have will not fit my Mayflower APC, and I'd have to buy a new set, but they aren't terribly expensive.

Do you have experience/suggestions for in-conjunction stuff? I'm sold on the protection of AR500 but if there's something that's comparable in protection but lighter weight, I'm all about it.

[unusedusername]

I use a ceramic plate set (level IV) with a level IIIA vest under it. Level IV is 6 hits with 7.62x51 if I remember correctly.

The plates are made by these guys: http://www.ltc-ltc.com/products/defe...al-protection/

Other companies make AR500 ICW plates but I don't have links handy.

I went with ceramics because they don't get as hot when you wear them in the hot sun and they are lighter weight.

I'm not worried about being hit multiple times during a carbine class (my use case), because I'll either leave after the first one or start shooting back ...

If I did get hit I would replace the plates, even if they were steel.

[TheExiled]

I'm not worried about being hit multiple times during a carbine class (my use case), because I'll either leave after the first one or start shooting back ....

Probably a good idea LMAO