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

[bigb0886]

[DrjonesUSA]

Anyone have any experience with compass armor?
They sell on ebay, and have the thinnest concealable armor I can find.
It's made in China, but has an NIJ rating
Doesn't seem fake as the NIJ lists the company
www.justnet.org/app/tims/CPLReport.aspx

No offense, but are you serious?

Chinese body armor?

What do YOU think people here will tell you?

Also; your question is answered just a few posts above you.....

[TFA777]

No offense, but are you serious?



Chinese body armor?



What do YOU think people here will tell you?



Also; your question is answered just a few posts above you.....

Yes I am serious. If you read my full post they are listed on the NIJ website. Not everything made in China is crap. Apple iPhones, iPads, most TVs, computers etc are made there

[vino68]

I am working on getting getting samples from Botach to provide better clarity on those plates performance. I can't assert their "where made claims" when they look like every other Chinese Armor plate made.

That is great, please let us know what you learn.

[brassburnz]

Yes I am serious. If you read my full post they are listed on the NIJ website. Not everything made in China is crap. Apple iPhones, iPads, most TVs, computers etc are made there

I also noticed that NcStar is listed, but it only has one of their products which appears to be a hard armor plate. NcStar also sells VISM soft body armor panels, but I did not see them listed.

Compass also had only one product listed. Not sure if the product you mention is the one that is listed.

Thanks for posting the link. The company that makes the panels I have is listed, but not that particular product. It may be because my panels are older.

[heyjerr]

What is the judgment on the military's Interceptor soft armor paired with plates?

[Buffman]

Finally got one in.. Just one though, so I'll have to make it count...

[Buffman]

Botach Video hopefully up within the week.

Subsonic ammo part 2:



Part 3:


.50 BMG Vs some armor plates

[d-r]

What is the judgment on the military's Interceptor soft armor paired with plates?

Aplogies for the late reply.

The IBA (Interceptor Body Armor) was revolutionary in its day, but there is much better available nowadays.

One of the biggest issues is determining the composition of the ballistic package on the soft armor portion. At least five different contractors provided the panels, and they ranged from 100% woven aramid (best, and highly recommended if you can find it), to panels comprised of Goldflex and Spectra (avoid), and I even have some ancillary panels made with Zylon (run away).

The problem with the Interceptor these days is that it's heavy, hot, and bulkier than it needs to be. If you find yourself requiring the enhanced soft armor coverage that the IBA does provide, look into the SPEAR/BALCS system, which incorporates panels that are closer to current concealable vests.

Moving on to the plates, there are three generations of SAPI issued plates: the original, the ESAPI, and the XSAPI. The Original SAPI is equivalent to a level III, or slightly higher. The ESAPI is quite good, providing level IV multi-hit (in my testing, generally about 4-5 rounds). The XSAPI is the current issue, and is equivalent to level IV+. The plates are also lighter, thinner, and more rugged as you move up from oldest to newest.

The biggest issue with any version of the SAPI is that you don't know what life-cycle treatment it was subjected to. If it was banged around going in and out of vehicles/doors, then it very likely has cracks. While still providing protection, monolithic ceramic plates such as the SAPI series loses about 15% of their ballistic protection when there are full-depth cracks in the plate (since the bullet takes energy to stop, and a great deal of that energy comes from the induction of cracks within the ceramic).

So to sum it up, if you already have this equipment, it is better than nothing (certainly better than the old PASGT frag vests). If you can find older CVC (Combat Vehicle Crewman) vests, they had 100% woven aramid panels, in a cut very similar to modern concealable vests. Testing has shown they do very well against current threats, and will be equivalent to level II. Surplus stores may still carry them, and if you can find one with a decent outer shell (which is Nomex, an added plus), they run between $70 and $150.

Hope that helped.

[Buffman]

Here is the Botach Level IV plate:

http://shrsl.com/1w21s

[Corpral_Agarn]

Anyone know if the Chase Tactical plates (shooters or swimmers cut) fit in a PIG BRIG?

Plate in mind:

https://www.chasetactical.com/product/chase-tactical-ar1000-level-iii-stand-alone-rifle-armor-plate-nij-0101-06-compliant-cordura-wrapped/

I think ive decided on the PIG BRIG from SKD:

https://www.skdtac.com/PIG-Brig-Plate-Carrier-SYSTEMA-p/pig.400.htm

But i know they are a 'snug' fit and want to make sure I get it right.

Thanks, All.

[crufflers]

Talk to them.

"We receive daily inquiries about Brig compatibility with numerous different plate brands and models. We ask that you contact the manufacturer of the plate you own to find out if their plate is the exact size and shape of one of the plates the Brig was designed for. In short, we do not know if your plate will fit the Brig, we only know that the BRIG will fit the plate it was designed for. Currently the BRIG is available for SKD Armor 10" x 12" Stand Alone Plate , ESAPI (4 sizes), the 10" x 12" Tap Gamma and the Velocity Systems 10" x 12" Plate . Other plate shapes will be offered in the future."

[Corpral_Agarn]

Talk to them.

"We receive daily inquiries about Brig compatibility with numerous different plate brands and models. We ask that you contact the manufacturer of the plate you own to find out if their plate is the exact size and shape of one of the plates the Brig was designed for. In short, we do not know if your plate will fit the Brig, we only know that the BRIG will fit the plate it was designed for. Currently the BRIG is available for SKD Armor 10" x 12" Stand Alone Plate , ESAPI (4 sizes), the 10" x 12" Tap Gamma and the Velocity Systems 10" x 12" Plate . Other plate shapes will be offered in the future."

[Corpral_Agarn]

SKD got back:
AMR.905 Measurements: [See attachment: Plate Measurement Template.jpg]
A= 11 1/2"
B= 9 5/8"
C= 6 1/2"
D= 4"

[DrjonesUSA]