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

[DeliveryBoy]

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.

[d-r]

Is MissionTactical the only place to acquire TAP gamma plates these days?

http://missiontactical.com/level-iii-gamma-plus-stand-alone-sapi-rifle-plate.html

I'm kicking myself for not picking up a pair years ago when they were on my radar!

Pretty much the only place to get them new. Ebay, they do occasionally turn up. The Midwest Guardian Multicurve may be replacing them as my top go-to recommendation, in terms of bang for buck ratio.

[DeliveryBoy]

Is MissionTactical the only place to acquire TAP gamma plates these days?

http://missiontactical.com/level-iii-gamma-plus-stand-alone-sapi-rifle-plate.html

I'm kicking myself for not picking up a pair years ago when they were on my radar!

[d-r]

Thanks again d-r. I can't tell whether you're telling me I should use both in conjunction of just run them separately. The first one you linked says standalone, but would it hurt at all to have IIIA backers?

Always run plates with backers, regardless of which plates you use. The extra thickness is minimal compared with the additional peace of mind. When you don't need the plates, the backers provide pistol protection.

[CrossedRifles]

Couple posts up, I mentioned the Midwest Level IV Guardians. $290 for a set:

http://store.appalachiantraining.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=GUARDIAN-IVTripleSet

Get a set of the MASS IIIA backers from the same place, and you are $260 under budget, with a good setup that can be used with or without plates.

Thanks again d-r. I can't tell whether you're telling me I should use both in conjunction of just run them separately. The first one you linked says standalone, but would it hurt at all to have IIIA backers?

[Ajcrash]

Excellent, thanks d-r. I'll check out a set. I've got a minimal amount of plate slop in my current PC, backers ought to solve that though. If not I' may take the plunge on SKD's PIG and run my current PC as a slick.

Thanks again for the great info you provide.

[d-r]

Couple posts up, I mentioned the Midwest Level IV Guardians. $290 for a set:

http://store.appalachiantraining.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=GUARDIAN-IVTripleSet

Get a set of the MASS IIIA backers from the same place, and you are $260 under budget, with a good setup that can be used with or without plates.

Looking to fill my Crye CPC with Level IV standalone plates.

Budget is $750 for F&R plates. Is this possible within the price range for ceramic plates? (If recommended) Made by a solid manufacturer? I quickly skimmed through this thread and most links were out of date / unavailable.

I have a high back Crye BLAST belt with it's default soft armor insert but I'm unsure what level it is to be honest. Crye doesn't specify and only says "NIJ frag and handgun protection" whatever that means. I also bought it used and I'm guessing/hoping it's kevlar since it can take a beating.

Would it be weird to run rifle plates for carrier and then soft armor in the hip area? better than no protection and the weight isn't really noticeable when the kit is comfortable. It is a world of difference between the issue IBA that's for sure.

[d-r]

The only commercial backers that I can recommend with 100% certainty as containing 100% woven Kevlar aramid would be the Midwest MASS backers. Appalachian Training has these in-stock currently:

http://store.appalachiantraining.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Midwest%2DBacker%2DMED

The Spartans contain UHMWPE, and so are no-go.

A lot of great information here. I scored a pair of TAP Gamma plus plates recently (I wish I had bought them a year or so ago when they were abundant on eBay, had them on a watch list forever just never bought them). Anyways, now that I have the hard plates, I'm looking for backers. I understand the plates themselves are standalone; I'm considering them mainly as blunt trauma protection, as well as a bit of extra insurance.

Does anyone have some good recommendations? Presently I'm looking at the Spartan IIIA from The Targetman.

http://http://www.thetargetman.com/p...semi-flexible/

Thanks

[CrossedRifles]

Looking to fill my Crye CPC with Level IV standalone plates.

Budget is $750 for F&R plates. Is this possible within the price range for ceramic plates? (If recommended) Made by a solid manufacturer? I quickly skimmed through this thread and most links were out of date / unavailable.

I have a high back Crye BLAST belt with it's default soft armor insert but I'm unsure what level it is to be honest. Crye doesn't specify and only says "NIJ frag and handgun protection" whatever that means. I also bought it used and I'm guessing/hoping it's kevlar since it can take a beating.

Would it be weird to run rifle plates for carrier and then soft armor in the hip area? better than no protection and the weight isn't really noticeable when the kit is comfortable. It is a world of difference between the issue IBA that's for sure.

[Ajcrash]

Soft armor recomendations

A lot of great information here. I scored a pair of TAP Gamma plus plates recently (I wish I had bought them a year or so ago when they were abundant on eBay, had them on a watch list forever just never bought them). Anyways, now that I have the hard plates, I'm looking for backers. I understand the plates themselves are standalone; I'm considering them mainly as blunt trauma protection, as well as a bit of extra insurance.

Does anyone have some good recommendations? Presently I'm looking at the Spartan IIIA from The Targetman.

http://http://www.thetargetman.com/p...semi-flexible/

Thanks

[d-r]

Thoughts on the Midwest Armor Venture series plates?

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!

[dogabutila]

Thoughts on the Midwest Armor Venture series plates?

[d-r]

The Banshee (made by Shellback, there are two "Banshee" PC out there) is a good piece of kit.

[crufflers]

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.

What do you think of the Shellback Banshee? It ends up at the same price as the Beez with padded options.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/shellback-banshee-rifle-platecarrier.html

[crufflers]

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.

That's good then... I got my Main Gun set tonight and it is definitely a thin coating of Line-X on the front. The back is paint. Some of the other places I looked (Cati Armor for example) have a frag coating that is very thick. At least I don't have to paint these like bare plates. I do like the cut and curve of my bare Cati Armor plates though.

Overall I think the Condor CPC with the Main Gun plates will be a good backup carrier with spall liners added.