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

[madoka]

Four things that come up right away:

1) That will be a very tall carrier, and may not be as comfortable as the standard PC, such as the PIG or Mayflower APC.

2) Have you verified the composition of the soft armor that is included? Is it 100% woven aramid, aramid laminate, or UHMWPE laminate?

3) Non-standard backers will be very difficult to find replacements for.

4) There does not appear to be provisions for cummerbunds.

1. I don't think it's a PC. I think it's almost all soft armor.

2. The composition is what worries me. They just refer to it being some special proprietary ballistic panel without ever giving the details. That makes me nervous/suspicious.

3. Not a PC.

4. There is a cummerbund option for their product.

[d-r]

I like the coverage of this armor. Any opinions?

http://www.phalanxsystems.com/tactic...body-armor.php

Four things that come up right away:

1) That will be a very tall carrier, and may not be as comfortable as the standard PC, such as the PIG or Mayflower APC.

2) Have you verified the composition of the soft armor that is included? Is it 100% woven aramid, aramid laminate, or UHMWPE laminate?

3) Non-standard backers will be very difficult to find replacements for.

4) There does not appear to be provisions for cummerbunds.

[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.

[madoka]

I like the coverage of this armor. Any opinions?

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

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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/

[Darklyte27]

The goldflex IIIA is pretty nice

[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.