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

[fliparch]

I posted this under a separate thread and they pointed me to this one.

Below is my original post...Has anyone heard of this company and if they are reputable and their product does what they claim they do?

"I've been doing some research for some time now, and I think I've nailed down what plate carrier I want to buy (First Spear STT Plate Carrier).

While researching hard armor, I came across this small company in Miami and I wanted to know if anyone have heard of them and/or have any experience with their hard armor panels? I've seen their videos (not too many) and read their website but wanted to hear from other people.

Their panels are very affordable, the most affordable I've seen online without going the AR500 route.

Thanks!

http://armour-wear.com/6-hard-panels "

[JGalt]

Ive narrowed my search down to two. Requirement to stop common rifle threats including m193, m855, 7.62x51, 7.62x39. Ideally around 5lbs. for small size SAPI. Stand alone plates are NOT a requirement.

At 4.8 lbs, the UHMWPE Venture FM3+ from Midwest Armor (NIJ 06) seems to be the best all around option, price not withstanding at $600 each:

http://www.midwestarmor.com/body-armor/venture-fm3-Plus

Is there anything else comparable? With the newer NIJ 06 protocols, concerns about heat damaging the plates seem moot now.
EDIT: After further study, the NIJ 06 conditioning test isn't hot enough to alleviate those concerns.

For a more budget option, the ICW Ceramic SAPI's from BulletProofMe (NIJ 05) can be had for about $230 each, and are 5.5lbs for a small. These are both level III/IV plates, which is cool. I havn't seen that elsewhere.

http://bulletproofme.com/RP-Level-4-With-Vest.html

I am a little concerned about the long term durability of ceramics though. Does anyone know of a similar plate, with a NIJ 06 rating? I see a lot of 10x12 plates, but not as many SAPI sized plates.

[neomedic]

D-R....what is your current recommendation for lvl 4 stand alone plates?

Are these any good? Midwest PROGUARD IV NIJ0

http://www.midwestarmor.com/body-armor/proguard-iv

Or something you like better?

How about stand alone lvl III or lvl IV with backers? Thanks.

[nickel_1022]

Getting pretty serious about this package.. $187 shipped for front rear and sides..41600 steal with coating. Anybody else looking at this one?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/111302634055?nav=SEARCH

[nekokoneko]

Maingun Surplus now offers curved Mil-A-46100 level III plates. I consider these to be the best practices choice in curved steel level III, from a price and durability standpoint:

http://www.maingun.biz/Body_Armor_St...12twocurve.htm

Seems like a good price. However the coating seems kind of thin. Do you think it provide enough protect from bullet fragments? In the video, the coating broke with each shot.

[d-r]

Anybody look at this guy's stuff? Considering the 1.5" taller option of 13.5" instead of the 12" tall plate. Opinions please.
Guessing I should get a package with side plates while I'm at it, instead of just front and rear?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/271469439343?nav=SEARCH

Steel is HHS, so that is a plus. Dims might prove troublesome for standard plate carriers sized for 10X12. Overall, not bad, price is a bit higher than it strictly should be.

[nickel_1022]

Anybody look at this guy's stuff? Considering the 1.5" taller option of 13.5" instead of the 12" tall plate. Opinions please.
Guessing I should get a package with side plates while I'm at it, instead of just front and rear?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/271469439343?nav=SEARCH

[the86d]

This would be a nationwide ban. No grandfathering.

Do Democrats do ANYTHING that doesn't SCREAM they want a civil war?

I swear there is going to be a shot heard round the world soon, and that is a scary thought if you have kids.

[d-r]

Typically bans in Ca. go as follows:
New sales
Private sales
(Generally does not apply if you got items ahead of bans.)

I wonder how this would apply for security officers, politicians & .gov officials, you know the same way CCWs have historically been handed out "only if we see you as important enough, because it is our decision" - "BS Democrats".

Do Democrats do ANYTHING remotely "beneficial" (you know not hindering to liberties, unless of course it is drug related, or full-pinko-commie-agenda)? Idiots keep voting them in, and apparently are not paying attention to what they do, or think they are doing a good job...

This would be a nationwide ban. No grandfathering.

[d-r]

http://www.thetargetman.com/product/...semi-flexible/ IMHO

This insert is not recommended, due to the fact that it contains laminates.

MASS IIIA from Midwest Armor is the way to go for 100% woven aramid backers:

http://www.midwestarmor.com/soft-panels/mass-iii-a-soft-panel

[arslin]

What is the best soft body armor insert around ??? Alreay have some AR500

http://www.thetargetman.com/product/...semi-flexible/ IMHO

[arslin]

Along with a lot of other laws that involve firearms, they try to ignore ex post facto part. I can not be charged with owning something that was not illegal when I purchased it.

[the86d]

Wouldn't outlawing possession by those law abiding citizens amount to an unconstitutional "taking" by the government that would require compensation?

I don't know if I have a problem with anyone unable to own a firearm also being prohibited from owning body armor. Outlawing felons from possession won't stop posession but will give prosecutors another charge /enhancement when trying to put filth away in our permissive criminal justice system.

Typically bans in Ca. go as follows:
New sales
Private sales
(Generally does not apply if you got items ahead of bans.)

I wonder how this would apply for security officers, politicians & .gov officials, you know the same way CCWs have historically been handed out "only if we see you as important enough, because it is our decision" - "BS Democrats".

Do Democrats do ANYTHING remotely "beneficial" (you know not hindering to liberties, unless of course it is drug related, or full-pinko-commie-agenda)? Idiots keep voting them in, and apparently are not paying attention to what they do, or think they are doing a good job...

[KrisDSA]

What is the best soft body armor insert around ??? Alreay have some AR500

[Ronin2]

Felons are already "prohibited persons" under 18 USC 931:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/931

This proposed legislation is arbitrary and unlawful under the public law.

I wonder who is behind the scenes pushing the legislation.... these Demcratic morons dont think most of this crap up on their own.. there are lobbyists and influence groups usually behind everything. LEO unions??