BODY ARMOR: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

[JGalt]

Ive narrowed my search down to two. Requirement to stop common rifle threats including m193, m855, 7.62x51, 7.62x39. Ideally around 5lbs. for small size SAPI. Stand alone plates are NOT a requirement.

At 4.8 lbs, the UHMWPE Venture FM3+ from Midwest Armor (NIJ 06) seems to be the best all around option, price not withstanding at $600 each:

http://www.midwestarmor.com/body-armor/venture-fm3-Plus

Is there anything else comparable? With the newer NIJ 06 protocols, concerns about heat damaging the plates seem moot now.
EDIT: After further study, the NIJ 06 conditioning test isn't hot enough to alleviate those concerns.

For a more budget option, the ICW Ceramic SAPI's from BulletProofMe (NIJ 05) can be had for about $230 each, and are 5.5lbs for a small. These are both level III/IV plates, which is cool. I havn't seen that elsewhere.

http://bulletproofme.com/RP-Level-4-With-Vest.html

I am a little concerned about the long term durability of ceramics though. Does anyone know of a similar plate, with a NIJ 06 rating? I see a lot of 10x12 plates, but not as many SAPI sized plates.

[fliparch]

I posted this under a separate thread and they pointed me to this one.

Below is my original post...Has anyone heard of this company and if they are reputable and their product does what they claim they do?

"I've been doing some research for some time now, and I think I've nailed down what plate carrier I want to buy (First Spear STT Plate Carrier).

While researching hard armor, I came across this small company in Miami and I wanted to know if anyone have heard of them and/or have any experience with their hard armor panels? I've seen their videos (not too many) and read their website but wanted to hear from other people.

Their panels are very affordable, the most affordable I've seen online without going the AR500 route.

Thanks!

http://armour-wear.com/6-hard-panels "

[d-r]

The FM3+ is pretty amazing. Yes, the price is up there, but it is top tier.

For the second option, I would go with either the Midwest Armor Proguard level IV *standalone* or the LTC level IV *standalone*. The former is $143, the latter $179:

http://store.appalachiantraining.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=LTC-26225

http://www.midwestarmor.com/body-armor/proguard-iv

Use the extra $200+ you save to get a better plate carrier, or backers, or ammo...

Weight for small size SAPI will be right around 5.5 lb for each.

Ive narrowed my search down to two. Requirement to stop common rifle threats including m193, m855, 7.62x51, 7.62x39. Ideally around 5lbs. for small size SAPI.

At 4.8 lbs, the UHMWPE Venture FM3+ from Midwest Armor (NIJ 06) seems to be the best all around option, price not withstanding at $600 each:

http://www.midwestarmor.com/body-armor/venture-fm3-Plus

Is there anything else comparable? With the newer NIJ 06 protocols, concerns about heat damaging the plates seem moot now.

For a more budget option, the ICW Ceramic SAPI's from BulletProofMe (NIJ 05) can be had for about $230 each, and are 5.5lbs for a small. These are both level III/IV plates, which is cool. I havn't seen that elsewhere.

http://bulletproofme.com/RP-Level-4-With-Vest.html

I am a little concerned about the long term durability of ceramics though. Does anyone know of a similar plate, with a NIJ 06 rating? Or would the price of the NIJ 06 testing negate any cost savings over the UHMWPE FM3+?

[JGalt]

thanks... but at ~ 10"x12" I don't think they will fit in my small plate carrier. And 8lbs seems too heavy. The budget price is nice, but comfort is worth some extra coin.

[dogabutila]

I posted this under a separate thread and they pointed me to this one.

Below is my original post...Has anyone heard of this company and if they are reputable and their product does what they claim they do?

"I've been doing some research for some time now, and I think I've nailed down what plate carrier I want to buy (First Spear STT Plate Carrier).

While researching hard armor, I came across this small company in Miami and I wanted to know if anyone have heard of them and/or have any experience with their hard armor panels? I've seen their videos (not too many) and read their website but wanted to hear from other people.

Their panels are very affordable, the most affordable I've seen online without going the AR500 route.

Thanks!

http://armour-wear.com/6-hard-panels "

Doesn't look bad but from what I understand it will not stop m855.

[dogabutila]

Re: proguards. What's the catch here? I'm not seeing a downside honestly. They only stop a single round (level 4 cert right?) and not multiple rounds?

[97F1504RAD]

d-r did the Midwest Proguard replace the Guardian Plate and is it a better plate or just new name?

[d-r]

d-r did the Midwest Proguard replace the Guardian Plate and is it a better plate or just new name?

The Proguard is, IIRC, the current release in the same class as the Guardian. I don't believe it replaced it, per-se, but Midwest is so busy making plates right now that the Guardian is not available for a time.

[Michael_Js]

i got my new vest tested!

W.H. Murphy testing out his new bulletproof vest. October 1923.

[tiechshlime]

Do any of you here have any experience or thoughts on these?

http://shop.semperfiarmor.com/AR500-ARMOR-PLATES-FULL-SET-PRO-COAT-ROTHCO-VEST-OD-GREEN-SFA-9.htm

[d-r]

Do any of you here have any experience or thoughts on these?
http://shop.semperfiarmor.com/AR500-...REEN-SFA-9.htm

Yes. Carrier is third-tier polyester (NOT NYLON), and plates are Targetman Omega. The carrier is ok for airsoft/paintball use, but you would immediately be replacing it for serious use.

http://www.rothco.com/product-details/rothco-molle-plate-carrier-vest

If you are on a budget, spring for the Beez Combat Systems Omega carrier and Omega plates:

http://www.beezcombatsystems.com/Plate-Carrier-Cumber-AR500-Omega-Armor-BCS-PC-CAR500.htm

No free lunches, sadly, but you will be glad you sprung for the extra quality.

[the86d]

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/08/170481-9-second-video-shows-cops-shooting-man-putting-gun-watch-twice-wont-believe/

Why civilians NEED body armor?

[BLACK LION]

Out of all the things that are wrong with our country they choose to go after body armor....

Right?? Why dont they ban FDA approved SSRI drugs that cause people to go ape**** and shoot up public places? Thats a start. Why dont they stop prescribing adderall to children(the youngest I heard was 6 years old). Why dont they ban the use of microwaves or ban the spraying of toxins into our atmosphere or the methane that is depleting our ozone or the benzene that is giving people leukemia?
What the **** are these morons thinking? I know, dumb question....

[d-r]

Right?? Why dont they ban FDA approved SSRI drugs that cause people to go ape**** and shoot up public places? Thats a start. Why dont they stop prescribing adderall to children(the youngest I heard was 6 years old). Why dont they ban the use of microwaves or ban the spraying of toxins into our atmosphere or the methane that is depleting our ozone or the benzene that is giving people leukemia?
What the **** are these morons thinking? I know, dumb question....

Because that would impact market share on the front AND back end (sell the problem AND the solution). And what are they thinking? How about "boy, do we have this **** figured out."

[Michael_Js]

Because that would impact market share on the front AND back end (sell the problem AND the solution). And what are they thinking? How about "boy, do we have this **** figured out."

Where's the like button? Big companies, Pharm included, run this country...they are counting on us to behave, take our drugs, and be quiet...oh, and pay them all our $$$$

I got my armor...need more