Body Armor?

[tomrkba]

This one kind of trips me out, why would any civilian want body armor.
Do you really think you will ever use it and if so how and in what conditions?

Security personnel use armor and obviously, for personal home defense. As in...throw it on when one hears that noise at night.

Nothing says you can't keep a set in the trunk for an emergency situation.

 

[axhoaxho]

I read (or heard) somewhere, I can't remember exactly where, that due to the proliferation of (relatively) affordable lvl 4 body armor, they're beginning to teach people (soldiers, police, private military) to aim for the pelvic bowl now after center mass shots.

Head shots under stress are hard, especially with a target that's not static. The area just beneath most 10"x12" plates is mostly intestine and you can stay in the fight for quite a while after being shot there. A shot or two to the pelvic bowl, however, will F- you up fast, you'll bleed out quickly, and 95% of the time is relatively unprotected.

Just something to consider while training for various scenarios.

Yes, even in our last CCW class; the instructors had us to practice drawing, and placing rounds to the pelvic area of the paper target (in case the bad guys were wearing body armors.)

 

[OpusX]

Mmhmmmm….
Have you seen exactly what happens to your ceramics after they take even one round? They turn to literal dust - as they’re supposed to, but still; dust.
You’ll be replacing them each & every time they take a round, or hard fall.
If things truly go south in this country, do you actually think you’ll be able to buy body armor from anywhere to replace your busted plates?

Meanwhile, my steel will be humming along just fine, laughing at you.

Yes, they actually save your life like they're supposed to, unlike steel which will cause ammo impacts to spall and now you're blinded with your blown off by shrapnel. Not a great plan, and if the bad guy is using any kind of AP or high velocity ammo it's gonna pass through those steel plates like they're butter compared to ceramics that can be rated for a range of special threat ammo.

And if ever does truly hit the fan, your best bet is to find shelter and stay there - not expose yourself to the open where you're likely to be robbed, beaten, or killed. The real world isn't a game and you aren't gonna be getting into gun battles or wandering the wilderness in 20lbs of steel body armor, or likely ANY body armor for that matter. You're gonna be staying hidden, with every ounce of weight dedicated to gear that actually helps you survive like clothing, food, water, shelter, fire starting, medical, etc.

Use your steel plates for working out, get ceramics because you actually value your life.

 

[OpusX]

It should be duly noted that shotgun rounds, say 2.75-3" 1-oz (minimum) rifled slugs may or may not penetrate hard body armor, but even if it doesn't, that back face deformation and/or impact will be enough to seriously wound, incapacitate, or permanently neutralize the subject.

You don't need rifled slugs. Regular ol' buckshot would do just fine. Too many people here watching too many movies because a center mass load of 00 is gonna put someone on their ass regardless if they're wearing armor or not. It might not be lethal, but that person will definitely be out of the fight for the immediate moment, if not seriously wounded from either broken bones or a random pellet that hit them in the gut, pelvis, leg, arm. All that ft/lbs of energy has to get dumped somewhere so even if the armor isn't penetrated, it's still gonna be a major owie.

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

IMO, 3A soft armor is adequate in civy world. Light for ease of mobility, and comfort for long duration of wear. If anything 3A front, Steel Back. Why Steel, not Ceramic? Longetivity, durability, and less chance of the need to replace, but only if you think or plan to get shot from behind, i.e. in-retreat.

 

[-D.M.-]

If I were to have a "bump in the night" setup with a basic plate carrier and plates, I'd be fine with, say, 1165's from RMA, front & back, maybe even sides. For the 20-30 minutes I might be "engaged" with a bad guy, basic 1155's would be fine, because I'd probably only notice the extra 20lbs of weight after the adrenaline wore off from the engagement. And let's not forget the pelvic "flap". Gotta protect the jewels.

If I were still engaged in a business, where the ventures took me to sketchy parts of town or carrying cash or valuables... Then I'd want something like soft IIIA, with a discreet PC or vest, or rigid polyethylene IIIA for colder weather. Knowing full well I'd either need a trauma pad beneath or be ready for 6-8 weeks of misery afterwards.

And being as the commie s running this state have already tried once, I'd grab what I could afford before they decide us plebs and peons can't have body armor.

 

[AngryPanda]

My view of armor is just like have insurance or having a condom.
It's better to have it, and not need it, rather when you need it, and not have it.

Currently, I have 2 soft armor vests and 2 sets of rifle rated plates.
I carry one set of soft armor and rifle plates in whatever car I'll be driving that day, and the other set of soft and hard armor I leave in home in my bedroom for the unlucky day/night that I might need to wear it for.

 

[W.H.O.]

I read (or heard) somewhere, I can't remember exactly where, that due to the proliferation of (relatively) affordable lvl 4 body armor, they're beginning to teach people (soldiers, police, private military) to aim for the pelvic bowl now after center mass shots.

Head shots under stress are hard, especially with a target that's not static. The area just beneath most 10"x12" plates is mostly intestine and you can stay in the fight for quite a while after being shot there. A shot or two to the pelvic bowl, however, will F- you up fast, you'll bleed out quickly, and 95% of the time is relatively unprotected.

Just something to consider while training for various scenarios.

Pelvic vulnerability will definitely wreck shop. It's not AS big of a focus since pelvic exposure should be minimal in the case of a hypothetical situation. Of course it should go without saying, but hypothetical situations hardly ever compare to real situations. Best bet is to factor in that you can't preeminently prepare for an unexpected altercation.

They make groin plates, as well as addon on plate bags you can put a swimmer cut plate in upside down. I would hardly call it ideal though.

Instead you should just....focus on improving reaction time to unexpected shots fired, focusing on tucking your junk and scuttling to cover as fast as you can

 

[W.H.O.]

My view of armor is just like have insurance or having a condom.
It's better to have it, and not need it, rather when you need it, and not have it.

Currently, I have 2 soft armor vests and 2 sets of rifle rated plates.
I carry one set of soft armor and rifle plates in whatever car I'll be driving that day, and the other set of soft and hard armor I leave in home in my bedroom for the unlucky day/night that I might need to wear it for.

Having condoms hoping to not need them is an odd thought. I get what you mean by it though.

Just imagining someone carrying around a condom, ready to use it if necessary but praying that such a disaster would never occur.
Lmfao

 

[basedgulagnate]

Crye Precision + RMA 1155s

 

[H. Bowman]

Having condoms hoping to not need them is an odd thought. I get what you mean by it though.

Just imagining someone carrying around a condom, ready to use it if necessary but praying that such a disaster would never occur.
Lmfao

 

[AngryPanda]

Having condoms hoping to not need them is an odd thought. I get what you mean by it though.

Just imagining someone carrying around a condom, ready to use it if necessary but praying that such a disaster would never occur.
Lmfao

What can I say? I rather save the rubber and go all natural, but if she asks for one, its there when I need it.

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

I've never used a condom in my life. So that means..

 

[xrMike]

hello friends,

Last year I made the decision to trust my life on the street to Second Chance body armor. I got the level IIa because it stops the most rounds. plus I got the Trauma Plate for the front.

What scares me is that, although I can fit an extra trauma plate in the front, I cannot fit a second one in back. As of late I have taken to duct-taping a second trauma plate to the area of my back where the heart and vital organs are located. Then I put my vest on.

Here is the questions. The ducttape solution, although tactically sound, is hot and painful to remove. I would like to go to the single-plate solution in back. What I am worried about is repeated hits to that area with .308 ammunition. I have a high-risk security job and I fear that I would be the target for repeated long-distance shots to my back.

Are any of you aware of a thicker plate that could stop, say, .338 Lapua or something like that? Is there a better way to do the second plate?

BTW, I am, of course, usually carrying a pair of ceramic plates in my briefcase so that I can shield my head. My SO (we work as a team when necessary) has a similar accessory containing a breakdown NEF single-shot 300 WinMag with an 18″ bbl. The plan is that I shield us with my body and “catch the rounds” while she assembles the NEF. I lay down covering fire with my 23 (Bar-Sto .357 Sig barrel) and she makes the long shots. I will then throw smoke grenades to obscure the area while continuing to lay covering fire. The problem, of course, is when I have to turn my back to run, and then the problem crops up.

Thanks!

 

[OpusX]

hello friends,

Last year I made the decision to trust my life on the street to Second Chance body armor. I got the level IIa because it stops the most rounds. plus I got the Trauma Plate for the front.

What scares me is that, although I can fit an extra trauma plate in the front, I cannot fit a second one in back. As of late I have taken to duct-taping a second trauma plate to the area of my back where the heart and vital organs are located. Then I put my vest on.

Here is the questions. The ducttape solution, although tactically sound, is hot and painful to remove. I would like to go to the single-plate solution in back. What I am worried about is repeated hits to that area with .308 ammunition. I have a high-risk security job and I fear that I would be the target for repeated long-distance shots to my back.

Are any of you aware of a thicker plate that could stop, say, .338 Lapua or something like that? Is there a better way to do the second plate?

BTW, I am, of course, usually carrying a pair of ceramic plates in my briefcase so that I can shield my head. My SO (we work as a team when necessary) has a similar accessory containing a breakdown NEF single-shot 300 WinMag with an 18″ bbl. The plan is that I shield us with my body and “catch the rounds” while she assembles the NEF. I lay down covering fire with my 23 (Bar-Sto .357 Sig barrel) and she makes the long shots. I will then throw smoke grenades to obscure the area while continuing to lay covering fire. The problem, of course, is when I have to turn my back to run, and then the problem crops up.

Thanks!

Holy crap it's the ghost of Gecko45! I thought you died in a terrorist mall attack.

 

[H. Bowman]

hello friends,

Last year I made the decision to trust my life on the street to Second Chance body armor. I got the level IIa because it stops the most rounds. plus I got the Trauma Plate for the front.

What scares me is that, although I can fit an extra trauma plate in the front, I cannot fit a second one in back. As of late I have taken to duct-taping a second trauma plate to the area of my back where the heart and vital organs are located. Then I put my vest on.

Here is the questions. The ducttape solution, although tactically sound, is hot and painful to remove. I would like to go to the single-plate solution in back. What I am worried about is repeated hits to that area with .308 ammunition. I have a high-risk security job and I fear that I would be the target for repeated long-distance shots to my back.

Are any of you aware of a thicker plate that could stop, say, .338 Lapua or something like that? Is there a better way to do the second plate?

BTW, I am, of course, usually carrying a pair of ceramic plates in my briefcase so that I can shield my head. My SO (we work as a team when necessary) has a similar accessory containing a breakdown NEF single-shot 300 WinMag with an 18″ bbl. The plan is that I shield us with my body and “catch the rounds” while she assembles the NEF. I lay down covering fire with my 23 (Bar-Sto .357 Sig barrel) and she makes the long shots. I will then throw smoke grenades to obscure the area while continuing to lay covering fire. The problem, of course, is when I have to turn my back to run, and then the problem crops up.

Thanks!

 

[Dvrjon]

hello friends,

The problem, of course, is when I have to turn my back to run, and then the problem crops up.

Thanks!

Run backwards. Watch NFL D-Backs and Corners. Study the style.

 

[357man]

Hey all!
Has anyone here seen the DIY body armor/bulletproof plate videos on YT?

 

[TheAverageShooter]

Circling back to the OP's post. For home defense purposes soft armor may be the way to go, you even get soft armor with ceramic outside that will absorb a few rifle rounds. I have been looking at this (but it is very pricey) as it provides great coverage and also looks to be the most comfortable option for easily putting on and wearing. https://safelifedefense.com/shop/concealable-fras-flexible-rifle-armor/

For SHTF a kevlar vest with plate carriers fitted with coated plates are likely the way to go. There are plates out there that can take multiple rifle shots without spalling all over the wearer. These are heavy, bulky, hard to wear and also sometimes slow to fit. But probably the best option for heavy duty action, don't see if realistically for home defense unless things get way out of hand.

 

[colossians323]

I went with the Level III+ RMA Armament 1091-1094 Multicurve ceramic plate that sits nearby. They're lightweight enough. I'm not a fan of steel because of the frag risk and weight.

These days i mainly use it for a weighted vest to walk/exercise with.

Level III+ Body Armor Archives

Lightweight and Affordable Level III+ ceramic body armor starting at $284.99 per plate. Body armor that defeats m855a1 and is made 100% in the USA!

rmadefense.com

The injury from ceramics will be greater Due to the impact as far as steel fragmenting you should look at your ar500 targets. You be the judge.
I also have trauma plates with the steel.
I do have ceramic for the lighter weight.
The most valuable thing, is do you train with them?
IF you are not training with them, you won't understand if your radio, mags, first aid kit, and knife are where you actually want them.