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

[d-r]

Anyone handle the stuff the target man offers from spartan armor (vendor here)

Level III. 3lbs per plate. Multi hit rated. They shot it 6 times with 308 @ 50 feet and it held up. Pricey but super light. 500 for the pair. So $250 per plate.

Made from some sorta crazy plastic. Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene that floats in water.

There's also some composite level IV stuff. But I think this stuff is as heavy as the ar500 plates.

That is a decent price for a poly plate. The Midwest FM 3 still beats it by almost 2 lb., but you do pay more for it. UHMWPE, as mentioned, has heat issues and most poly plates will not stop M855 (the FM3+ that Midwest just came out with will, however).

[d-r]

If the backers were being worn for spall protection they would be worn in front of the plate not as a backer correct?

You would simply ruin the backer and still have spall in your face. Backers in back, fronters in front.

[d-r]

Spall protection for one. Not all plates have an adequate spall liner.

Incorrect. If you put plate backers in front of your plates, you will not receive any benefit. They are designed to go behind the plates to stop projectiles traveling perpendicular to the face of the plate, not stop fragments traveling parallel to the strike face.

If you need spall protection, look into one of the three current methods (coating, slip-on guards, picture frame method).

[d-r]

hey d-r...was wondering what you thought about the Velocity Lightweight Special Threat Multi-Hit

http://store.appalachiantraining.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VS-PBZ-MED

it looks like it's ceramic, but can take multi-hit 7.62 x 39 AP. Yea, it's pretty pricey...but it seems like to be the best of both worlds? (multi-hit 7.62 AP, multi-hit M855, and LIGHT at 3.9 lbs for Medium plates)

also says you have to use "In-conjunction with soft armor model VS-13A"

Those are excellent plates, I am really liking the Midwest FM STX for similar price point and protection levels. Weight is a little higher (but not much):

http://www.midwestarmor.com/body-armor/venture-fm-stx

[xxINKxx]

Anyone handle the stuff the target man offers from spartan armor (vendor here)

Level III. 3lbs per plate. Multi hit rated. They shot it 6 times with 308 @ 50 feet and it held up. Pricey but super light. 500 for the pair. So $250 per plate.

Made from some sorta crazy plastic. Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene that floats in water.

There's also some composite level IV stuff. But I think this stuff is as heavy as the ar500 plates.

[97F1504RAD]

Spall protection for one. Not all plates have an adequate spall liner.

If the backers were being worn for spall protection they would be worn in front of the plate not as a backer correct?

[socalblue]

I have another question, I see where some guys have purchased Level IV stand alone plates yet they are also wearing level III backers with them what is the advantage to doing this, the downside is extra weight and bulk added to carrier.

Spall protection for one. Not all plates have an adequate spall liner.

[el scorcho]

hey d-r...was wondering what you thought about the Velocity Lightweight Special Threat Multi-Hit

http://store.appalachiantraining.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VS-PBZ-MED

it looks like it's ceramic, but can take multi-hit 7.62 x 39 AP. Yea, it's pretty pricey...but it seems like to be the best of both worlds? (multi-hit 7.62 AP, multi-hit M855, and LIGHT at 3.9 lbs for Medium plates)

also says you have to use "In-conjunction with soft armor model VS-13A"

[d-r]

I advocate wearing backers regardless of the plate. The extra backface deformation protection is worth it. Plus, the total package is more versatile, as you can run just the backers in a scenario where rifle rounds are not expected. The extra weight and bulk are minimal (extra couple pounds, less than half inch thickness).

I have another question, I see where some guys have purchased Level IV stand alone plates yet they are also wearing level III backers with them what is the advantage to doing this, the downside is extra weight and bulk added to carrier.

[97F1504RAD]

I have another question, I see where some guys have purchased Level IV stand alone plates yet they are also wearing level III backers with them what is the advantage to doing this, the downside is extra weight and bulk added to carrier.

[d-r]

Yep that is what I thought they were, and thank you for all the work and information as well as the links on your blog.

You are very welcome. Glad you like the links!

[97F1504RAD]

Single curve plates have only single axis curvature, usually along the vertical axis (think of a barrel). Multi-curve plates are more ergonomically shaped, and usually are curved in both horizontal and vertical axes. With steel plates, single curve is usually all that can be produced without causing cracking of the steel. UHMWPE and Ceramic plates can be shaped more easily by moulding and custom tile contours.

Hope that helped.

Yep that is what I thought they were, and thank you for all the work and information as well as the links on your blog.

[d-r]

Can someone explain to me what a single curve and multi curve in a ceramic plate are? I think I understand it but would like to be sure.

Single curve plates have only single axis curvature, usually along the vertical axis (think of a barrel). Multi-curve plates are more ergonomically shaped, and usually are curved in both horizontal and vertical axes. With steel plates, single curve is usually all that can be produced without causing cracking of the steel. UHMWPE and Ceramic plates can be shaped more easily by moulding and custom tile contours.

Hope that helped.

[97F1504RAD]

Can someone explain to me what a single curve and multi curve in a ceramic plate are? I think I understand it but would like to be sure.

[chris]

How are this side plates??

Level IV ICW 6" x 8" ballistic side plate from PPI. This puppy is a first quality ceramic plate with aramid (Kevlar) backing wrapped in a black cordura for protection from the elements. It is a svelte 3/4" thick, and weighs in at approximately 2.8 lbs.

I have those exact plates. I took them out of my IBA since it made it very heavy.