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

[d-r]

The zippers are polymer not metal. I'm not using the vest anyway. The three panels are going in two backpacks and a laptop case. I may test the smallest panel, but I don't think I have to.

I did more research on the company, Aegis Engineering LTD in the UK. In 2017 it was purchased by Safariland and currently operates at Safariland UK. I remember your post about the Zylon Safariland products, but these panels are definitely woven Kevlar and not labeled Safariland.

Indeed, these were decent vests. You did well in purchasing one. Definitely post up pictures of your project.

[Buffman]

Messing around with odd stuff:

[code_blue]

Anyone "in the know" could confirm what the variances or change from Hesco 4400 to 4401? I think the 4401 was released in June, but there's not much data on them.

[brassburnz]

Back to school! Panels for backpacks. These guys test 6 NIJ IIIa panels. They say "certified" but not verified. At least these guys recognized the panel may stop bullet penetration but there will be significant impact trauma. The clay shows dynamic effect. If that was a kid....



Testing Leatherback ballistic backpacks.




Testing Ebay "body armor." This one is scary. Plate disintegrates when shot by a Ruger 10/22.

[d-r]

Three things:

First, *Never* buy body armor from Ebay. Not ever. As you can see, it is often fake crap. There is no accountability. Only companies that are either insured or indemnified (and can provide you proof of same) should get your business.

Secondly, NIJ Certified *is* verified, either through an NIJ lab, or "Bench Tested" by the company that makes or sells. Bench testing is perfectly legitimate, and often will result in a better piece of armor, as it allows for real-time testing/modification feedback loop. All of D-Rmor Gear's armor is bench tested to exceed NIJ requirements (particularly in terms of durability and temperature requirements).

Thirdly, backface deformation is, in my humble opinion, massively over-hyped. There has not been a single verified death that I have been able to find in over 40 years of body armor use from backface-deformation induced trauma. A bullet that is stopped by soft armor will have the same kinetic energy as a hard punch to a moderate blow from a baseball bat. Will it hurt? Absolutely. Will it possibly/probably break bones or cause severe bruising? Yes indeed. But compared to what a bullet will do if it penetrates, these are minor injuries. A kid that has backpack armor will be much better off than one without.

Thanks for the post of the tests.

Back to school! Panels for backpacks. These guys test 6 NIJ IIIa panels. They say "certified" but not verified. At least these guys recognized the panel may stop bullet penetration but there will be significant impact trauma. The clay shows dynamic effect. If that was a kid....



Testing Leatherback ballistic backpacks.




Testing Ebay "body armor." This one is scary. Plate disintegrates when shot by a Ruger 10/22.

[quiksilvern7]

Doctor Jones,

Correct. Steel plates are at the top of the heap when it comes to durability, and multiple hits. Back in 2006, there was a very good detailed thread (now long gone into the murky depths of the Lost Web) on 10-8 Forums showing a DBT MARS steel plate that had withstood over a hundred rounds of Green Tip without failure.

For someone looking at potential "long term" armor (whichever scenario you prefer), steel just makes sense. Is ceramic still "better" in terms of how high a threat it can be engineered to stop? Absolutely. But once ceramic takes a hit, it has a limited continued usefulness. Steel plates can continue to be used, until they crack, are penetrated, or simply erode.

I'm glad you found the information you sought! There's quite a bit here, and more on the site.

[crufflers]

a plate with long term shelf life and the 3+ rating.

What happens to steel on the shelf besides rust? What could happen to good spec plates that are Line-x coated?

[Buffman]

Sitting on a shelf in a semi stable temperature, UHMWPE/Ceramic armor would have an indefinite shelf life. The Warranty is only there because it's a PPE device, and heaven forbid something were to happen happen, manufacturers are CYA. Also could be a means of getting departments to spend $$$$. I'd agree that flexible soft armor probably has a shelf life if worn frequently, but if you aren't subjected rigid armor to extreme COLD OR HEAT, cycling that many times a day, dropping the plates, etc, they'll never "go bad" from sitting.

[DrjonesUSA]

I'm far from an expert but can share what I've learned:

- What do you perceive as being wrong with AR500 or Spartan? I believe they are both good companies that produce a fine product.

- When you say "shelf life" what exactly do you mean? Are you going to buy some armor & literally tuck it in a closet or basement & leave it? Ceramic is definitely a bit more perishable & fragile than Steel.... if you are very concerned about it, steel will probably be best, lowest maintenance, don't worry about it, etc.

- What do you mean "long term use and durability"? Do you mean plates that have the ability to stop multiple rounds, or stuff that you can wear & lug around for years?

Again; I'd steer you towards steel. I know all the cool kids think ceramic is king, but again; ceramic is literally that; ceramic, and steel is, well...steel.

Ceramic has warnings on it like not to leave it permanently packed in a hot trunk nor should you drop it or rough handle it as it can crack or otherwise become damaged.

I started out with my eye on ceramic but steel is what I ended up with.

[bigb0886]

https://www.botach.com/battle-steel-...-lbs-80-thick/

[mnichols]

[bigb0886]

[vino68]

I was going to post that and the new one about his 101 on body armor.

[Buffman]

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.

[TFA777]

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

https://www.justnet.org/app/tims/CPLReport.aspx