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

[Inquirer]

d-r, would you mind weighing in on these? http://highcomsecurity.com/collectio...uardian-4sas-7

Thanks much for your time and efforts!

[d-r]

d-r, would you mind weighing in on these? http://highcomsecurity.com/collectio...uardian-4sas-7

Thanks much for your time and efforts!

Can't comment, as I have not handled or used these plates. Should be comparable to other level IV plates out there. But remember, for CONUS use, I generally recommend level III, since IV is one and done, III is six rounds to failure.

[Inquirer]

Thanks, D-r. Appreciate the info.

While we're on the subject, whatever happened to Dragonskin armor? How did that go under? I'd never read a single bad review/assessment.

[d-r]

Thanks, D-r. Appreciate the info.

While we're on the subject, whatever happened to Dragonskin armor? How did that go under? I'd never read a single bad review/assessment.

There was a whole can of worms regarding Dragonskin.

Allegations that the military already knew that it wanted more XSAPI plates and as a result, skewed the testing to show that Dragonskin was not suitable. There were legitimate issues with the adhesives holding the discs in place melting in high temps, resulting in shifting of the discs.

Add to that there were two creators of the armor, and that lead to legal issues that are still ongoing.

A real shame, as the design had promise.

[neomedic]

D-r glad your back posting! We missed your wealth of knowledge. I'm still in the market for some steel plates. Have you heard of Spartan Armor systems. Looking at the Level III+ AR550 plates. Would really appreciate your thoughts.

https://www.thetargetman.com/product-category/spartan-body-armor/level-iii-ar550-armor-ballistic-body-armor-ar500-spartan-omega-level-iii/

[d-r]

D-r glad your back posting! We missed your wealth of knowledge. I'm still in the market for some steel plates. Have you heard of Spartan Armor systems. Looking at the Level III+ AR550 plates. Would really appreciate your thoughts.

My pleasure!

Yes, I have seen this "AR 550" (not a real designation, nor is AR 650). The Spartan plates are definitely a step up in the right direction, and are superior to garden variety AR500 plates. However, I would recommend going with either the Armour Wear UHHS or wait for the Maingun UHHS plates.

Ultra High Hardness steel requires different processing methods in order to bend it, and if done correctly, it is far superior to AR500 or 550. Spartan's III+ plates *are* superior to the AR500 III+ plates (which are simply thicker/heavier AR500), but I would definitely wait for the Armour Wear and/or Maingun.

The one thing that Spartan does have that other plates do not is the triple curve. I must give them credit where credit is due, triple-curving steel plates is ridiculously difficult. So if you need a triple curve that will have a better chance at stopping M193 (remember, their plates stop this round at 3100 fps and below, Armour Wear and Maingun at 3300 fps and below), then yes, these are your best choice.

[neomedic]

Thanks D-r. Follow up question regarding UHHS plates via PM. Thanks.

[C.W.M.V.]

Ok, total newb to all this but bear with me
Are you guys saying that there is a steel plate that will stop M193/855 at close range that weighs nearly half of a USGI large ESAPI?
I mean for real?
Dang. Need-to-get-some-of-these-ASAP.

[Steve_In_29]

Ok, total newb to all this but bear with me
Are you guys saying that there is a steel plate that will stop M193/855 at close range that weighs nearly half of a USGI large ESAPI?
I mean for real?
Dang. Need-to-get-some-of-these-ASAP.

6.2lbs for AR680 is hardly "nearly half" of an ESAPI's 7.2lbs wieght.

[chris]

will these steel plates fit in most plate carriers such as the Banshee?I have a level III steel plate I have had for years and a level IV front ceramic plate I used in Iraq before policy change on personal IBA in 06.

[C.W.M.V.]

6.2lbs for AR680 is hardly "nearly half" of an ESAPI's 7.2lbs wieght.

Dude...3.4lbs
I was asking specifically about this...

https://drmorgear.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/ultimate-concealable-level-iii-steel-plate-coming-soon-from-maingun-surplus/

[Steve_In_29]

Dude...3.4lbs
I was asking specifically about this...

https://drmorgear.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/ultimate-concealable-level-iii-steel-plate-coming-soon-from-maingun-surplus/

Dude! Do you even post? Not a psychic and I can't read something that isn't in your post now can I.

I was referencing the plate that was actually available, not one that is so far just a promise.

[C.W.M.V.]

Dude! Do you even post? Not a psychic and I can't read something that isn't in your post now can I.

I was referencing the plate that was actually available, not one that is so far just a promise.

D-R mentioned this on his blog, 3.4 lb steel plate rated for M855, M193 and M80 ball coming soon:
https://drmorgear.wordpress.com/2015...ingun-surplus/

Can you read other posts, a whole 9 posts above mine?
-tasteless but appropriate inquiry deleted-

EDIT: OP, Moderators, et al I'm sorry for the derail here, but in my defense...come on!

[Steve_In_29]

Can you read other posts, a whole 9 posts above mine?
-tasteless but appropriate inquiry deleted-

EDIT: OP, Moderators, et al I'm sorry for the derail here, but in my defense...come on!

You post an insult and then claim victimhood, how very liberally trendy of you.

Again I had no way of knowing which exact post "somewhere else" in the thread you were choosing to comment on. Hence the "QUOTE" feature the Forum supplies.

Even so my post was not insulting in anyway, so how hard would it have been to type a civil reply simply pointing out the info (that you omitted from your op) about the other plate and leaving out the meme.

A course of action that would have resulted in my stating "Sorry, missed that one" and avoided this whole "derail" as you called it.

[Steve_In_29]

will these steel plates fit in most plate carriers such as the Banshee?I have a level III steel plate I have had for years and a level IV front ceramic plate I used in Iraq before policy change on personal IBA in 06.

The plates should fit in any carrier designed to take any other plate of the same size. They are thinner so should actually fit a little easier as it gives slightly more room in the plate pouch.