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

[Untamed1972]

ANY armor is going to seem heavy after you have worn it for a couple of hours. Add heat, and an hour seems like a week.

I actually seem to notice more when I first put in on. I also have a some chainmail that I wear with a Ren Fair constume sometimes. It weights about 30lbs.....my body armor weighs about 26lbs without water or mags.

After about an hour I seem to acclimate to it and don't really notice it as much. But when I first put either on, it feels like someone is sitting on my chest and making it hard to breath.

[Untamed1972]

I would recommend rattle-can Rusteoleum for bare steel. Media blast if you have the opportunity. Reason being, you can always touch up the coat wherever you are. Hot dip, while it would look really cool, would require a complete strip and recoat if it was ever chipped or compromised. Might be neat to try it though, post pics if you do. Have not heard of it being done on rifle plates before.

Since I'm not in a "hot zone" I figured it would just be good for long term protection and storage. It's pretty durable, and inside a plate carried should protect it even more. So prolly the only thing that would chip it would be taking actually rounds, in which case corrosion protection it prolly gonna be the least of my worries at that point.

They also make "cold galvanizing" spray paint for recoating compromised areas.

Dunno....it was just a thought. Might just throw them in the batch next time I send some stuff out and let y'all know.

[d-r]

Well I have had the chance to play around with the AR500 plates (front/rear and side) and carrier and all I have to say is - man are they HEAVY! If SHTF and the neighborhood was a war zone, I would want something like this, but for a bump in the night, I would still be trying to lug the thing over my head and get the carrier strapped down by the time the guy was out of the house with my TV. Take the side plates out and it would be much more manageable but I still can't imagine myself wearing this rig all day long should something happen. I will say, it's comfortable when sitting.

This is the rig...the one we are giving away at the CGSSA events.

ANY armor is going to seem heavy after you have worn it for a couple of hours. Add heat, and an hour seems like a week.

Steel is the heaviest of the "Big Three" materials. The advantages balance out some of the PITA. I would keep the side plates handy for situations that are high risk, but for a quick grab kit, even just a single front plate, and front and rear backers would be enough.

[d-r]

Question.....could you have the steel plates hot dip galvanized for corrosion protection?

I have some steel plates, and occasionally send some stuff for work out for galvanizing and thought of just including my plates in the next batch.

I would recommend rattle-can Rusteoleum for bare steel. Media blast if you have the opportunity. Reason being, you can always touch up the coat wherever you are. Hot dip, while it would look really cool, would require a complete strip and recoat if it was ever chipped or compromised. Might be neat to try it though, post pics if you do. Have not heard of it being done on rifle plates before.

[Untamed1972]

Steel- Tried and true, this material is great for stopping rounds (millions of steel targets can't all be wrong). It stops by deforming rounds. It can keep stopping them as long as the structure is uncompromised. Heat and mistreatment do not affect it. Drawbacks- it is heavy for its protective levels, it can rust if you chip the paint, and it spalls: https://drmorgear.wordpress.com/2014...e-spallsplash/

Question.....could you have the steel plates hot dip galvanized for corrosion protection?

I have some steel plates, and occasionally send some stuff for work out for galvanizing and thought of just including my plates in the next batch.

[Lifeon2whls]

Well I have had the chance to play around with the AR500 plates (front/rear and side) and carrier and all I have to say is - man are they HEAVY! If SHTF and the neighborhood was a war zone, I would want something like this, but for a bump in the night, I would still be trying to lug the thing over my head and get the carrier strapped down by the time the guy was out of the house with my TV. Take the side plates out and it would be much more manageable but I still can't imagine myself wearing this rig all day long should something happen. I will say, it's comfortable when sitting.

This is the rig...the one we are giving away at the CGSSA events.

[d-r]

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_Steel_Patriot_Plate_p/patplatepair10x12twocurve.htm

[d-r]

Seems as though the level IV standalones that bulletproofme are selling are good for more than one AP hit. Pretty impressive. Thoughts?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tt2Y1I4ZQ_A

IMHO, the test procedure was flawed- the armor was essentially free-standing, allowing it to fly backwards with each hit. Armor plates should be tested in secured plate carriers, attached to backings similar in consistency and inertia to a human body (clay or DuxSeal). In spite of this, the test was interesting.

I still would recommend the Midwest Guardian Multi-Curve plates instead, as they are still a better deal, and have shown to be just as durable to multiple hits.

[krisjon]

Seems as though the level IV standalones that bulletproofme are selling are good for more than one AP hit. Pretty impressive. Thoughts?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tt2Y1I4ZQ_A

[neomedic]

D-r....PM inbound with some questions.

[d-r]

Would you pick 8x10
or 10 x12 plates??

For light kit, 8X10. Normal use, 10X12. If you are a bigger guy, 10X12 minimum.

[Master Blaster]

Would you pick 8x10
or 10 x12 plates??

[d-r]

Apparently they are saying the FM4 is .9'' thick now. Not nearly as attractive. I'm not sure it's Ceramic either.

Correct, the initial release had incorrect info. It is a UHMWPE-focused plate with a strike face of Boron Carbide ceramic. The .90" thickness is less impressive, but overall, the plates are still quite amazing. You can think of them as more durable TAP GAMMA III+ that are level IV.

[dogabutila]

The Venture FM3 is a pretty nice UHMWPE lightweight plate. If you need positive buoyancy (they float) and protection against M80, AK, and M193, they are the cat's meow. Remember they will not stop M855

The FM4 looks like it may be the best overall plate in the sub-1K per plate range (still kissing the 1K price point) that will stop pretty much any threat. Ceramic over UHMWPE, so there are still fragility issues, but profile is .5" thick, weight per plate is sub- 6 lb! Looks good, people. Keeping my eyes on this, will try to get my pennies saved and do a review (non-destructive for now! Not a millionaire).

Overall, I really like what Midwest Armor is doing. They offer a good range of options, from affordable and effective (the Guardian series) to plates that will compete favorably with the latest and greatest Ceradyne high-speed, low drag releases. If anybody is looking for a good place to purchase their armor, head over to Appalachian Training. Mike is a great guy to deal with!

Apparently they are saying the FM4 is .9'' thick now. Not nearly as attractive. I'm not sure it's Ceramic either.

[d-r]

Oh absolutely. The TAP Gamma multi is still the best dedicated III plate on the playground IMHO. The Guardians are great because they do give you IV level protection (and will be testing them shortly to see if they provide any sort of multi-hit durability vs. the standard IV "one and done" durability) at a previously unheard-of price point.

If they prove their mettle to soak up 3 or more M80 ball rounds after a level IV event, I will be pleased as punch. The extra 5# will be a worthwhile penalty in that case for those facing the potential of AP threats.

I really like the 5 lbs saving (between two plates) that TAP G provides compared to steel/midwest guardians... But You're absolutely right about the bang for the buck. 260 per plate is a bit steep compared to what they used to go for.