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

[d-r]

maybe a bit of a skew off topic, but I've wondered about text books being better than nothing - especially for school kids seemingly carrying multiple books these days - or any other SHTF scenario.
Bulky, yes, but better than nothing...?

https://www.concealedcarry.com/safet...-stop-bullets/

Interesting historical side note germaine to your question: The Chinese of antiquity made armor out of laminated paper. It was regarded as the most effective armor of its day. Even the half-wit numbskulls of MythBusters had to concede (after doing everything they could to F up the test...their "armor sample" was ludicrous).

To answer your question: yes, books that are thick enough will stop low- and medium velocity handgun rounds. High velocity pistol and rifle bullet won't notice them.

[TacticalChihuahua]

[TacticalChihuahua]

Also are the chase ar1000 the best steel plate available today?

[Buffman]

No Idea, i've never tested them. It looks like CT re-brands a lot of Highcom plates. Interesting that their AR1000 is NIJ certified, but since level III only consists of M80, steel stops that without issue. I'd wait for RF1/2 to come out to find the "best" steel armor.

[smashycrashy]

Are there any relatively inexpensive lightweight plates that stop both M193 and M855? Seems like you have to get pretty pricey to get both.

[Buffman]

^M193 level III poly will stop, but not steel. M855 level III steel will stop, but not poly. Almost need a lightweight ceramic strike face level III+ to guarantee a stoppage of both. Or level IV.

[d-r]

Are there any relatively inexpensive lightweight plates that stop both M193 and M855? Seems like you have to get pretty pricey to get both.

Well, all the current plates made with Armox Advance will stop both, but "inexpensive" is relative. They will be about four times the price of AR500 plates of similar size.

[d-r]

Big site update for SHOT Show:

http://www.drmorgear.com

[Neil McCauley]

Soooo I guess that plastic stuff those dudes sell outside at costamesa crossroads are a no-go then..My dad just bought a 3IIA plastic vest from them for like $160. Guess he's gonna die if he got shot at.. Me personally I got an 10 year old RBR tactical vest I bought from Botach when they were off crenshaw blvd. I also got some Israeli SAPI plates that are heavy AF. I should post pics here.

[d-r]

Soooo I guess that plastic stuff those dudes sell outside at costamesa crossroads are a no-go then..My dad just bought a 3IIA plastic vest from them for like $160. Guess he's gonna die if he got shot at.. Me personally I got an 10 year old RBR tactical vest I bought from Botach when they were off crenshaw blvd. I also got some Israeli SAPI plates that are heavy AF. I should post pics here.

Friends don't let friends wear plastic "armor."

Will your dad die if he gets shot at? Well, probably not, if the round hits the armor, and it's not a contact shot. And if the vest wasn't left in a hot car trunk that got above 180 degrees F. But the point is, armor should not have to be treated like delicate china. Aramid-based (woven or wovenate) armor can be left in a car trunk with no worries. Contact shots? No problem.

It's a much more suitable material, and it's high time UHMWPE was disqualified for use as soft armor. A good start would be changing the NIJ requirements to mandate a thermal cycle test of 195 degrees for five hours.

[Buffman]

Here's the mythical M993 vs one tough Level IV

[Neil McCauley]

Friends don't let friends wear plastic "armor."

Will your dad die if he gets shot at? Well, probably not, if the round hits the armor, and it's not a contact shot. And if the vest wasn't left in a hot car trunk that got above 180 degrees F. But the point is, armor should not have to be treated like delicate china. Aramid-based (woven or wovenate) armor can be left in a car trunk with no worries. Contact shots? No problem.

It's a much more suitable material, and it's high time UHMWPE was disqualified for use as soft armor. A good start would be changing the NIJ requirements to mandate a thermal cycle test of 195 degrees for five hours.

My dad walks early morning and wears that armor when its cold so I think it'll be ok if someone ever shot at him. He never keeps it in the car since he walks to a local track in the wee hours. But good to know I won't buy it for me then. Was going to cuz its light as hell.

[Buffman]

[mtman]

I read the original post and didn't see anything about aramid. Paraclete uses it in their level IV stand also he. Is this stuff a no go?

[DeliveryBoy]

I read the original post and didn't see anything about aramid. Paraclete uses it in their level IV stand also he. Is this stuff a no go?

Can you clarify your question? Aramid is good to go, as a plate backer.