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

[TruEdge]

^^^ Easy $$$ and more $$$ for x-ray

Worth the extra imo to keep the weight down and have the stopping power. As far as x-rays go most of these guys wont even be running these PC's on a daily bases and will probably sit in a closet. As long as your not throwing your plates on the ground and using them hard everyday it shouldn't be a problem.

[cantankerous]

This stuff seems to stop M193 also. https://youtu.be/6RGdXv8YMFA

[Buffman]

I'm still waiting on my AR680 plates to test. I've proven AR500/550 will take extreme threats and not fail, but many are curious what happens to AR600+ stuff when it's subjected to something with a tad more energy than M193

[TygerAR]

Lots of useful information! Tagged

[cantankerous]

Has anyone posted a video of the new patriot 2 plate being tested? I've looked on you tube but haven't found anything.

[smeatme]

Counterfeit Point Blank Body Armor Vests

this is just pure evil...like the fake infant formula.

check out site for other fake gun related products:

https://thecounterfeitreport.com/product_results.php?page_num=1&per_page=10&sort_by=&sort_direction=&category_id=112&isAjax=true

Point Blank: Body Armor Vests




Edited: Oct 12, 2015

Product Information:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has seized counterfeit body armor bearing the label of Point Blank Enterprises.

Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. received a customer complaint. The customer indicated that he purchased Point Blank body armor at a gun show in West Palm Beach, Fla. and thought the product was counterfeit. Point Blank Enterprises, Inc. determined the armor was fake and contacted FDLE.

Several suspects sold dangerous products to unsuspecting consumers raking in large profits for themselves," said FDLE Orlando Regional Operations Center Special Agent in Charge Danny Banks.

Agents also located counterfeit body armor labeled as PACA (Protective Apparel Corporation of America), ABA (American Body Armor), Gall's, First Choice, and OM Tactical.

Additional body armor labeled as Full Dragon Armor, Coloma, Mich., which was determined to be a fictitious company.

Ballistic tests conducted on the bogus product determined it provided no ballistic protection.

https://thecounterfeitreport.com/product/567/Body-Armor-Vests.html

[Warrior30]

Has anyone gone with the AR500 taser deal? With Ar680 out now it doesn't seem so appealing

[ar15mp5]

From my earlier readings in this post I was led to believe that UHMWPE is to be avoided for soft armor purposes but, if used as a plate, is alright.



Thank you for that information, I sent an e-mail and am awaiting a response.



Thank you for bringing these to my attention, it is basically exactly what I'm looking for. That being said, I'm still searching and want to make a few more comparisons before I pull the trigger.

These were brought up earlier, but does anyone have any experience with Grey Ghost plates?

http://www.greyghostgear.com/product-p/3610.htm

Spartan has been mentioned a few times, but no talk of their III+ ceramic/polymer plates

https://www.thetargetman.com/product/level-iii-spartan-armor-defeats-m855-avanced-ceramiccomposite/

Or these offerings from Body Armor Outlet:

http://www.bodyarmoroutlet.com/bao-tactical-10-x12-sa-level-iii-06-cert-hard-armor-plate-bao-3610m.html

***One More: The Paraclete Speed Plate Plus is under 5 pounds for a 10X12, claims to stop M855, and (what I found most interesting) is only .55" thick! Just another option I came across. However, it appears they only tested it with M193, M855, and a mild steel core 7.62X39 round, with no claims of any other NIJ testing.
http://www.pointblankenterprises.com...ed-plates-plus ***

All of these offerings are made of a ceramic/composite, cost less than 500 dollars per plate, claim to be able to stop M855, and weigh less than 5 lb's per plate. My question from here is, what's the difference between them, and why are the offerings from armour-wear half the price of all the others? Why are some other plates constructed of the same materials almost 600 dollars per plate? Is it just a brand name or quality control thing? Am I a fool to think I should just buy the Armour-Wear plates, or is there something I'm missing?

Yeah this is my question also, is there anything around the same price range of the armour-wear HARD PLATE 10 X 12 PE LEVEL 3+ STAND ALONE plates that I would be better off getting for the price? Also these are a hybrid ceramic plate correct?

[penguin0123]

Looking for a hive mind recommendation for plates + carrier:

Carrier:
- Lightweight and breathable.
- No need to carry a lot of stuff. Just 6 AR mags up front.
- Front and back plates
- No cummerbund or groin area
- No side plate

Plates:
- Reputable mfg, proven stuff
- At least level 3
- Lightweight, and if I have to go to ceramic for that, ok by me.
- If ceramic, has steel substitutes for running local 2-gun matches in order to condition my fat butt

$ is no object... for now.

[Leonidimus]

Derma by Ares Armor is pretty light and is a very innovative design.

[patriot_man]

Looking for a hive mind recommendation for plates + carrier:

Carrier:
- Lightweight and breathable.
- No need to carry a lot of stuff. Just 6 AR mags up front.
- Front and back plates
- No cummerbund or groin area
- No side plate

Plates:
- Reputable mfg, proven stuff
- At least level 3
- Lightweight, and if I have to go to ceramic for that, ok by me.
- If ceramic, has steel substitutes for running local 2-gun matches in order to condition my fat butt

$ is no object... for now.

Crye JPC, get blue force gear 10 speeds in front to increase capacity to 6 mags.

[97F1504RAD]

Another choice that fits the criteria would be https://uspalm.com/product/sap-c-plate-carrier/

[Josh3239]

I'd strongly recommend the Highcom Guardian plates. I got the 3S9 plates today and they are great, ceramic LVL3. If you want LVL4, go with the 4SAS7.

For conditioning, you could steel or you can do non-ballistic training plates. Truth is there isn't a huge difference in price so you just as well go with the steel as they'll be heavier and offer ballistic protection.

Training plates: https://www.warriortrail.com/product...raining-plate/ & http://store.teamwendy.com/esapi-non...raining-plate/

Someone mentioned the Cyre JPC, great rig. I like cummerbunds. If you can get around that it is worth looking into the Shellback Banshee, SKD PIG, Warrior DCS and the Mayflower APC.

Looking for a hive mind recommendation for plates + carrier:

Carrier:
- Lightweight and breathable.
- No need to carry a lot of stuff. Just 6 AR mags up front.
- Front and back plates
- No cummerbund or groin area
- No side plate

Plates:
- Reputable mfg, proven stuff
- At least level 3
- Lightweight, and if I have to go to ceramic for that, ok by me.
- If ceramic, has steel substitutes for running local 2-gun matches in order to condition my fat butt

$ is no object... for now.

[Buffman]

The AR680 stuff I tested stopped two M80 ball rounds close to each other at 30 yards, but was unable to stop M61 AP, going 274x fps. AR500 Armor has been able to inconsistently stop M61 going about 100 fps faster.



It also stopped M855A1 from a 16" barrel @ 30 yards:


I also tested it against .338 RUM @ 30 yards. That should be live this week or so.

[neomedic]

Thanks for doing the test!! Much appreciated.
Still trying to decided between AR680 and Patriot II plates. Any opinions?