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

[d-r]

Thanks for all the kind words! I am starting a blog, and will have reviews, evals, tests, and various other tidbits regarding armor, as well as my opinions (as always). Please follow me at http://www.drmorgear.wordpress.com

[smashycrashy]

Looking forward to the new blog, thanks for the link d-r.

[DeliveryBoy]

Thanks for all the kind words! I am starting a blog, and will have reviews, evals, tests, and various other tidbits regarding armor, as well as my opinions (as always). Please follow me at http://www.drmorgear.wordpress.com

Enjoyed the first couple posts! I look forward to the rest!

[neomedic]

Trying to decide on some steel plates.

Patriot Plates vs Flash Bainite AR500 steel plates? Which is recommended and why?

And is it better to pick up plates with line-x and then use a fabric spall guard or just go unline with a fabric spall guard. For me... weight savings is more important than increased weight with minimal benefit.

And do you have link to what fabric spall guard is recommended? The old link to the calguns thread about fabric spall guard is dead.

Thanks.

EDIT: Is there a link on where to get Flash Bainite AR500 steel plates?

[d-r]

The Patriot plates are overall a better deal, and they are good folks over at Maingun Surplus.

I recommend a thin Line-X coat on all steel plates for corrosion protection, and it does not hurt to have a little extra spall mitigation. Spall guards should be worn with all steel plates, and many ceramic plates also benefit from them.

Updated links in thread for guards.

[DeliveryBoy]

Trying to decide on some steel plates.

Patriot Plates vs Flash Bainite AR500 steel plates? Which is recommended and why?

And is it better to pick up plates with line-x and then use a fabric spall guard or just go unline with a fabric spall guard. For me... weight savings is more important than increased weight with minimal benefit.

And do you have link to what fabric spall guard is recommended? The old link to the calguns thread about fabric spall guard is dead.

Thanks.

EDIT: Is there a link on where to get Flash Bainite AR500 steel plates?

Yes, is there a link to where Flash Bainite plates can be purchased? Completely MIA on the interspace.

If they are truly as good as you say... I kinda want a pair...
Flash Bainite cannot be found (purchased)...
AR500 just doesn't seem appealing any more after FlashB

[d-r]

It seems they are AWOL. And before that, they could only be purchased with the "picture frame" guards, which takes away the end user's choice.

[Blackrain7557]

d-r I'd be interested in hearing what you have to say on this particular brand:

http://www.thetargetman.com/product-category/ballistic-body-armor-ar500-omega-level-iii/level-iv-composites/

Video of testing here:

http://youtu.be/OPG4NU7hO_g

Interested mostly in what you think of a ceramic plate between "Fiberglass reinforced plastic sheets". From what I saw of the video it seemed like the plate was able to take a substantial beating and I don't expect something like that to go through much more. But I do know that there is some concern with something that is trying to save weight in the case of body armor. I'd probably pair this with a soft backer as any other plate but wanted to see your thoughts on that particular style of manufacturing.

[rero360]

When I was in Afghanistan I had a dude hitch a ride in my truck who's plate carrier looked like he didn't have any plates in it, and when I picked it up (as he was in the PHQ) it was insanely light, I squeezed it and sure enough, there were plates in it. When I asked him about it later, he said that his company bought them for him, I'm guessing they were about half an inch, not much different in thickness than my plates (.6) but much much lighter in weight.

[DeliveryBoy]

It seems they are AWOL. And before that, they could only be purchased with the "picture frame" guards, which takes away the end user's choice.

Sad to see they are confirmed AWOL. (any thoughts on why/where?)
Glad to see my Google'fu is still strong.

[wpage]

Whats a good kevlar solution good value and comfort?

[Guerrilla Warfare]

Are the curved ergonomic plates worth it when it comes to the AR500 armor? Thanks in advance!

[d-r]

Whats a good kevlar solution good value and comfort?

US Armor Enforcer Classic is still the best. Unfortunately, it seems the popularity of that model has resulted in a backlog. Two other alternatives are the Paraclete K3K3A and the CAT/DBT RVA3A. These would be the only other ballistic packages I would personally purchase if I had to go with commercial-only armor. Contact DBT and see if they can provide this package, they are very friendly folks.

Just in the interests of full disclosure, the Paraclete offering utilizes a fourth gen laminate called Kevlar XP.

Aside from those options, you have to go custom.

Sad to see they are confirmed AWOL. (any thoughts on why/where?)
Glad to see my Google'fu is still strong.

Not sure, but there are options that are as good, and very affordable. WWW.maingun.biz has the HHS plates available. Also, plates made with ARMOX 600 and ARMOX Advance promise to be superior materials for rifle plates, with the Advance able to stop M193 @ 3000 fps with 4.5mm thickness.

Are the curved ergonomic plates worth it when it comes to the AR500 armor? Thanks in advance!

Yes, if you are wearing them for any length of time. If they are to be kept as a "grab 'n go" setup, the flat plates are just fine. The curved plates also offer slightly better ballistic resistance to the the increased chance of a round yawing on impact.

When I was in Afghanistan I had a dude hitch a ride in my truck who's plate carrier looked like he didn't have any plates in it, and when I picked it up (as he was in the PHQ) it was insanely light, I squeezed it and sure enough, there were plates in it. When I asked him about it later, he said that his company bought them for him, I'm guessing they were about half an inch, not much different in thickness than my plates (.6) but much much lighter in weight.

Sounds like the very high end level IV standalones. Some of the current bleeding edge plates are as thin as .485" and stop M2AP or better. Price? Over $1K per plate. Still, if you need it, they are nice to have.

[Master Blaster]

So what should you look for when choosing a carrier? Thickness of straps , nylon, ect..

[d-r]

So what should you look for when choosing a carrier? Thickness of straps , nylon, ect..

That depends on intended role. If it is to be used only as a "bump in the night" rig, a Beez Combat Systems semi-MOLLE would be optimal. If for use concealed, their slick is good, as well as the TAG Slick carriers.

For full house plate carriers, the three I like the best currently are the Hardpoint Axis, The Mayflower APC, and the SKD PIG is still in the running.

Avoid cheap carriers made of poly, they are crap. Straps are usually able to be changed out for thicker or thinner, as your needs dictate.