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

[LCU1670]

Don't forget: bulletproofme.com. and their police surplus, good deals!

[lostfish]

Has anyone had experience with these? If so, thoughts?

http://www.victorytacticalgear.com/shop/level-iv-10x12-stand-alone/

With carrier...

http://www.victorytacticalgear.com/shop/banshee-defender-system/

[d-r]

Answered this on another forum. I am not particularly impressed by DKX Max armor, for the reasons you mentioned- it is an expensive, thick, rigid plate that only gives soft armor protection. If you are going to run rigid plates, they should definitely be rifle rated, or run for a very specific mission (need to move fast, expect blunt objects to be used against you, etc.) If the areal density is below .98 lb.sq. ft. for level IIIA it would be worth considering, but if not, it is a solution in search of a problem. If you are going to spend the money, get a 2.1mm thick curved 10x12 Titanium plate, will accomplish the same thing and be much lighter and thinner.

[Edwood]

Anyone try out DKX Max Armor? I like that the IIIA Pistol Armor is only 1/4" thick and is very light weight. Downside is cost and being a rigid plate.

But seems to be a nice Home Defense possibility. Lightweight will be easier to throw on quickly.

The DKX Max Level III Rifle Armor plate is hilariously thick. But at less than 3 lbs. Wow.

[JaMail]

ive been looking at various armor and carrier combo's for a while now, i have a condor plate carrier i really dont like and wanted to thank some of you here, especially D-R for the great write up. I picked up the beeze BALCS and the flash bainite yesterday.

[hermosabeach]

another thing to consider

Vest-Guard Body Armor Deodorizer

http://www.galls.com/cgi/CGBCSTYL?PMSTYL=BP076

Armorpur Body Armor Deodorizer

http://www.galls.com/cgi/CGBCSTYL?PMSTYL=BP754

[sixoclockhold]

"armor is one of those things that should be in everyone's kit bag."

I have mixed feelings about armor. If Im getting shot at and get hit in the hand and there is no medical attention available I'll probably die of infection or bleeding. If I get hit in the leg same thing as before. If I get hit in the arm also same thing.

My feeling is best to not get into a fight or avoid one at ALL costs. But if you are getting shot at and you are lucky enough to have soft vests and hard plates and the magic bullets hits that plate then its your lucky day. If the shooter has AP 308 then its game over probably.

So my question is do I spend $2,000 dollars on something that protects half my body?

Great write up and thanks for the info.

This ^^^

As a civilian I think you become a target of $2k if morality is lost. Anyone who practices should be able to take your head off at 250 yards. Thank you, ba bye, come again.

Police and military don't leave home without it.

[1snakedoc]

wash them with mean green and paint no rust

[d-r]

My favorite is actually Rustoleum flat brown. Best if you can give the plates a quick blast and wash, dry in an oven, and then hit with 3-4 light coats. Lasts a LONG time, and no problem with rust, even with hard use.

[Aufdrahtsein]

Auf,

Check the link posted right above yours. The Flash Bainite AR500 steel plates are the current best and least expensive plates I am aware of. I have been eagerly awaiting this steel for about a year and a half.

They will also do custom stuff at some point, you just need to ask them, assuming you need the 8" X 10" REC cut plates for a size small FAPC? Good piece of kit, get in touch with the seller and request a price quote for curved 8X10 (trace your carrier so you get precisely the size you need) plates. You will need to paint these yourself to prevent corrosion, but for what you get, the price is amazing.

What are people using to paint their plates with to enhance the longevity/prevent corrosion, D-r?

[1snakedoc]

i bought a banshee and it looks great the quality is good but the shoulder pads are not that great. if i put the plates where they need to be the pads are split so far that there is no padding on the top only one the front and back. if i put the pads where they are close enough to fill ok the carrier is less than 1.5" from my face, im a thick guy so maybe that is the problem?

also the banshee will not hold plates on the side in the cummerbund, you have to hang them in a pouch that cost $25 for the set. this was a disappointment as i called and the guy told me they would, now they tell me i have to buy more to hold them. more weight more bulk!

[d-r]

Auf,

Check the link posted right above yours. The Flash Bainite AR500 steel plates are the current best and least expensive plates I am aware of. I have been eagerly awaiting this steel for about a year and a half.

They will also do custom stuff at some point, you just need to ask them, assuming you need the 8" X 10" REC cut plates for a size small FAPC? Good piece of kit, get in touch with the seller and request a price quote for curved 8X10 (trace your carrier so you get precisely the size you need) plates. You will need to paint these yourself to prevent corrosion, but for what you get, the price is amazing.

[Aufdrahtsein]

I was looking at AR500's plates for my plate-carrier ( FAPC made by Diamond Back Tactical ), but none of them are the right size; any suggestions about where to go to get plates made or what type of steel is best for the job so I can attempt to make them myself?

[d-r]

If you are going with steel, use the most up to date technology, which is flash Bainite:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Best-AR500-CURVED-Body-Armor-Flash-Bainite-Record-Results-US-Army-/261172729317?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ccf1b95e5

Not associated with this company either.

[Opticalabyss]

Hi all I am not associated with this company but I have seen some youtube videos on their armor and it is really good stuff for a very low price.

They sell Steel plates as low as $65

http://www.ar500armor.com/index.php