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

[TheShagg]

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.

Sorry, were you recommending the rothco? And the Beez is a bit better and a bit pricier?

Also, what do you think of the cheap Condor MOPC:

https://www.maingun.biz/Condor_Sentry_Vest_Pair_of_Patriot_Plates_p/condormopc2vest10x126x8.htm

I have a skinny frame, so I am a bit worried about the one-size-fits-all-fatties

The AWS Operators Choice looked good, and comes in multiple sizes:

http://awsin.com/proddetail.asp?prod=52813

What are your thoughts for a skinny guy who wants all around good stuff at a good price?

I think this will be going with the Patriot Plates.

[d-r]

That was a negative on the Rothco.

The Condor is a decent carrier for the price. There are better to be had, but as far as a starter package, it is hard to beat.

The Beez entry level carriers start at $69 or so, for the slick. The basic molle is about $79, and the bells and whistles molle is around $100 or so. I like them because you can specify size, which is nice if you are worried about fit.

I am not familiar with Op Choice. It "looks" decent, but not having handled one, I cannot give you a full report, positive or negative.

Hope that was helpful!

Sorry, were you recommending the rothco? And the Beez is a bit better and a bit pricier?

Also, what do you think of the cheap Condor MOPC:

https://www.maingun.biz/Condor_Sentry_Vest_Pair_of_Patriot_Plates_p/condormopc2vest10x126x8.htm

I have a skinny frame, so I am a bit worried about the one-size-fits-all-fatties

The AWS Operators Choice looked good, and comes in multiple sizes:

http://awsin.com/proddetail.asp?prod=52813

What are your thoughts for a skinny guy who wants all around good stuff at a good price?

I think this will be going with the Patriot Plates.

[Michael_Js]

Hi, I already have a full Condor vest with AR500 plates.

I was thinking about these, for a concealed vest: http://www.bulletproofme.com/ProMAX-GoldFlex.html

Thoughts on their Level IIIA Gold-flex or the Hybrid?

thank you,
Michael J.

[Darklyte27]

The goldflex IIIA is pretty nice

[d-r]

Hi, I already have a full Condor vest with AR500 plates.

I was thinking about these, for a concealed vest: http://www.bulletproofme.com/ProMAX-GoldFlex.html

Thoughts on their Level IIIA Gold-flex or the Hybrid?

thank you,
Michael J.

Avoid laminates in soft armor. Goldflex and the Hybrid are laminates. Insist on 100% woven aramid:

https://drmorgear.wordpress.com/2014/03/01/body-armor-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-part-ii/

[Michael_Js]

Avoid laminates in soft armor. Goldflex and the Hybrid are laminates. Insist on 100% woven aramid:

https://drmorgear.wordpress.com/2014...-ugly-part-ii/

Good information, thank you! Where do I find something like that, concealable?

Is this it? http://www.bulletproofme.com/ProMAX_Vests.shtml

thank you,
Michael J.

[Guerrilla Warfare]

Any less-expensive but effective alternatives to trauma pads other than the ones they sell at the AR500 store? (I have AR500 curved plates) Thanks in advance!

[d-r]

Good information, thank you! Where do I find something like that, concealable?

Is this it? http://www.bulletproofme.com/ProMAX_Vests.shtml

thank you,
Michael J.

If you can get them to guarantee it is 100% woven aramid, then yes.

[d-r]

Any less-expensive but effective alternatives to trauma pads other than the ones they sell at the AR500 store? (I have AR500 curved plates) Thanks in advance!

Closed cell foam (neoprene) is a very inexpensive alternative. The stuff they are using is a type of non-Newtonian solid. Both non-ballistic though, for the price and bulk I would go with something that adds ballistic effectiveness.

[Michael_Js]

If you can get them to guarantee it is 100% woven aramid, then yes.

Thank you. I will call and ask tomorrow. I hope you received the Money Order for the Spall Guards

Thank you!
Michael J.

[Guerrilla Warfare]

Closed cell foam (neoprene) is a very inexpensive alternative. The stuff they are using is a type of non-Newtonian solid. Both non-ballistic though, for the price and bulk I would go with something that adds ballistic effectiveness.

Aaah gotcha. Would the AR500 soft body armor double as a trauma pad if I place it behind my steel plates?

[d-r]

Aaah gotcha. Would the AR500 soft body armor double as a trauma pad if I place it behind my steel plates?

The AR500 soft armor is not recommended. It is made of Spectra laminate, which has multiple issues. I would either go with the Midwest MASS IIIA, or wait for another option.

[CrossedRifles]

Hello d-r,

I picked up two Velocity Systems P34 Triple Curve plates for ~600 because I did not see the midwest guardians you had recommended in response to my earlier post. Have you heard anything good / bad about these plates? I can't find any reviews or testing through searching online. I skipped buying the Velocity System IIIA backers at the moment because of cost reasons, but I will get them soon enough. If I include the Velocity System backers it would bring me to ICW Level IV correct?

The P34 plates do not seem to be advertised as multi-hit, but they are surely capable of them standalone?

Thanks.

[madoka]

I like the coverage of this armor. Any opinions?

http://www.phalanxsystems.com/tactical-responder-body-armor.php

[d-r]

Hello d-r,

I picked up two Velocity Systems P34 Triple Curve plates for ~600 because I did not see the midwest guardians you had recommended in response to my earlier post. Have you heard anything good / bad about these plates? I can't find any reviews or testing through searching online. I skipped buying the Velocity System IIIA backers at the moment because of cost reasons, but I will get them soon enough. If I include the Velocity System backers it would bring me to ICW Level IV correct?

The P34 plates do not seem to be advertised as multi-hit, but they are surely capable of them standalone?

Thanks.

The P34 plates are very good, and are definitely an upgrade over the Proguards and Guardians. They are multi-hit with level III threats, but unless specifically and explicitly stated, one should not presume multi-hit level IV capability. Including any good level IIIA backer will bring these to level IV standards.