Pros and cons of body armor. Is it even needed for your prep kit?

[carpediem]

A question I have asked and been asked. Do you need it? I realize there are different scenarios we all prepare for, but do you forsee the need for body armor in some/any of your possible scenarios? Is the cost worth the benefit? What about the sheer weight of carrying around ballistic plates? Anyone have a favorite plate/carrier manufacturer?

 

[dsdmmat]

Body armor is the first thing I would ditch in a crash scenario when deployed. I am trying to move as fast as I can to get to friendly forces. In SHTF body armor is not something I would consider having if moving out. A static location guard mount maybe but, on the move no way. It is just weight to can do without unless you are looking for a fight. In that case the next guy may like it assuming it fits them.

 

[carpediem]

I wondered about the military and if they used it or left it behind. My cousin didn't use his in Afghanistan, he's a smallish guy and carried the SAW. Weight is a real concern. But the military has air support, medics, heavy weapons. If you have none of that, you want to avoid being wounded. Even trying to avoid an encounter with armed people can draw fire. It seems like, to me, it might be a good thing to have available at the very least.

 

[dsdmmat]

I wondered about the military and if they used it or left it behind. My cousin didn't use his in Afghanistan, he's a smallish guy and carried the SAW. Weight is a real concern. But the military has air support, medics, heavy weapons. If you have none of that, you want to avoid being wounded. Even trying to avoid an encounter with armed people can draw fire. It seems like, to me, it might be a good thing to have available at the very least.

If I believe you are wearing body armor I am not going to be aiming at that spot.

 

[Marine Cpl]

My opinion.

At home. Yes. Why not.

On the move on foot. No. It's too heavy to move fast with your family in tow. Your job in that case is to avoid contact just like a Special Forces Operator on Recon Missions.

They don't wear armor for mobility. Armor rated for rifles weights about 25 lbs. Add another 25 lbs at a minimum for your rifle and ammo. Add another 25 lbs at a minimum for your supplies. It adds up fast.

 

[carpediem]

If I believe you are wearing body armor I am not going to be aiming at that spot.

True. Head shots and the hips negate the effectiveness of armor and are/can be quite fatal.
I watched an episode of some prepper show where some clown was making home made body armor out of bathroom tiles. His plan was to hit other people and steal their supplies. He had a little band of "marauders" that he had teamed up with for his plan. Then they aired the show and he got arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
@Willjr75 I agree with that. Plates and carriers do add up pretty fast. Probably in a static defense, defense of your home scenario is where it would be the best utilized.
I remember the fiasco in Somalia and how some guys supposedly left out their back plate, and there were reports of AK rounds entering the back of a soldier, hitting the front plate and re-entering the soldier. Don't know if that really happened, but it seems like a huge con to wearing plates.

 

[Airborneguy]

I have a plate carrier in my trunk. I considered leaving it in my office at work, but decided instead that my car is almost always within close proximity to me so I prefer it there for when I am out and about and/or not at work.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I was totally against them in the past because when we finally got them in the military, I hated them due to the weight and the heat they held in.

However, good points were made in other threads over there and I am now reconsidering getting one for home defense.

 

[Celt]

On the topic like this trust the guys who wore it day in and day out.

this is a topic Ive researched a lot on before making my purchase. It does have its place and it does have its uses.

Ive found a great retailer for plates, and depending on budget ive researched many of the carriers. If anyone is looking to buy a set i can help guide you.

 

[carpediem]

I was totally against them in the past because when we finally got them in the military, I hated them due to the weight and the heat they held in.

However, good points were made in other threads over there and I am now reconsidering getting one for home defense.

There is a plate carrier made by Warrior, the DCS, which is supposed to allow air to get under it and keep the wearer more dry. AR500 the company has crazy long lead times, months in some cases. Spartan Armor seems to make good plates.

 

[carpediem]

On the topic like this trust the guys who wore it day in and day out.

this is a topic Ive researched a lot on before making my purchase. It does have its place and it does have its uses.

Ive found a great retailer for plates, and depending on budget ive researched many of the carriers. If anyone is looking to buy a set i can help guide you.

What did you get for plates and carrier?

 

[MilesTeg]

Well first post here. Howdy friends!

I think body armor depends on your situation.

If you have piece of property your trying to protect/defend it has some real merits. It's not only effective as a round stopped but also for moral and tactics. Say your defending a property and you have built a fortification for defense. Let's say the bottom 4 ft is made out of sand bags and is impenetrable for almost all rounds. If body armor gives the guy in the fortification the sense of security to stand up and stay in the fight longer and more engaged than without. You have just gained a huge tactical advantage. Is the guy still vulnerable? Yes. Is he more protected? Yes. Will he have more confidence to fight when he would otherwise cower or flee. My opinion is yes, but not absolute it depends on the individual.

Let's talk about using body armor in a mobil fashion. Say your property is over run and you have to go. Well I can tell you I will be wearing body armor until I'm far enough away from the threat that I doubt any more engagements will happen. At that point I will stop people and gear consolidate. This is where I would shed my armor and hopefully be able to retrieve at a latter date. I also think there's merit keeping a set in the car. Say your leaving a city and your stuck in car jam and can't get out. There's active fire around you. I would very much want armor and a capable rifle. I think this is a very unlikely scenario but if you believe this is likely for you then, I would keep armor and a rifle.

If your planing on wearing your armor and hiking around the country side, then you my friend will be supplying someone else your armor and supplies. If your mobil then the only way to survive is to become the grey man.

 

[Celt]

Mayflower apc carrier, its pricey, but shoulder straps are more inboard to give more clearance to should my rifles. Its not a big deal with adjustable stocks though.

I also like the paraclete carrier (mid range ).

Plates i got from ebay from seller cati-armor. They are curved, and coated ar500 plates, and i paid about 135 for 4 plates.

He has the best prices on ar500 plates out there.

 

[dsdmmat]

I have a TAG plate carrier with ceramic plates which I wear overseas.

 

[Aimtite]

Are you guys planned to be on a fight?
100% of the people survive the fights they avoid.
I think the main goal is to get away from any trouble and thrive where others have trouble or cannot even survive.

 

[carpediem]

@Celt That is a good price on the plates!
@dsdmmat Government issue?
@Aimtite In some cases there will be no choice but to make contact on some level.

 

[dsdmmat]

@Celt That is a good price on the plates!
@dsdmmat Government issue?
@Aimtite In some cases there will be no choice but to make contact on some level.

Yes

 

[carpediem]

Yes

Do you have gear attached to it? I see some guys say you shouldn't put mag pouches and the like on it.

 

[dsdmmat]

Do you have gear attached to it? I see some guys say you shouldn't put mag pouches and the like on it.

Yes, my mag pouches, IFAK, and holster are attached to it.

 

[Airborneguy]

Are you guys planned to be on a fight?
100% of the people survive the fights they avoid.
I think the main goal is to get away from any trouble and thrive where others have trouble or cannot even survive.

My plate carrier wasn't purchased so I could go looking for trouble. It was bought due to the increasingly deadly, coordinated and frequent attacks on police officers nationwide.

While I don't wear it daily at work, it is available quickly should the need arise in a manner that is not immediate.

 

[MilesTeg]

Are you guys planned to be on a fight?
100% of the people survive the fights they avoid.
I think the main goal is to get away from any trouble and thrive where others have trouble or cannot even survive.

Nope but if a fight comes my way I want every advantage possible. If you think SHTF people won't try to take what you have then I have some nice ocean front property in Arizona I'll sell you.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I've been eyeballing the cati armor "jumpable style" or "sentry style" set up. Its a high speed style carrier that only has room for a chest and back plate with exposed sides. It seems like a reasonable compromise between added protection and weight. I think the set with anti spall coating is around 219.

I want it, but I want and have prioritized other things first.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Not to hijack this thread but MilesTeg makes a good point about being the Grey Man.

If days and weeks after the SHTF, when you walk around, you have to appear dirty and hungry like everyone else.

Going into town with that brand new multicam plate carrier can get you killed.

All it takes is one hungry man out of a hundred to be bold enough to shoot you in the head with that one .308 with 4 bullets left to take your plate carrier, weapons, and food or follow you home.

 

[MilesTeg]

If your going to town you need too look and be armed like everyone else. My region means you bring your hunting rifle and conceal your pistol. Or bring your shotgun. But don't go in there with 3K battle rifle decked out in modern camouflage and body armor. Your going to get your throat slit in your sleep.

 

[carpediem]

@Willjr75 and @MilesTeg make a very good point. In my area, there isn't much of a "town" to go into. The one store and restaurant would be stripped pretty quick. The next nearest town is larger, but mainly college kids. I couldn't imagine that lasting more than a day or two into an extended situation. The population is heavily slanted to the left, so guns probably aren't as prolific. To some, that 3K battle rifle may actually be all they need to see to keep them away because of their fear and lack of knowledge about firearms. I think in any scenario where firearms may need to be used, recon will be a valuable friend. This also dovetails into the groups discussion, as there is an advantage with numbers.

 

[Aimtite]

Perhaps in certain environments like jungles or impenetrable places but as soon as there is someone after you and specially an sky above you,
you are done. I guess it depends on what shtf means for you and and if you are part of, and in communication with, an army that has the air supremacy.
Or we hope an Army doesn't go after us, or they know who we are. Because if we follow the folks preaching the weekend guerrilla type of scenario, we are cooked.

IMO the goal in "shtf" is survival unharmed and any kind of running around with guns and body armor might get you killed pretty quickly.

Look at these guys running around with guns in their own 'shtf' event..


The humans prevail with intelligence not brute force.

 

[speedkills27]

I used Spartan Armor Systems. Ar550 plates rated at levelIII+ in a Shellback Banshee plate carrier.

 

[Celt]

Picture this. Economical collapse and you are in the suburbs or in a rural area where you team up with neighbors. You share duties to protect your small community which include security detail. It would make sense to wear it.


Or, you got stuck at home with wife and kids and a gang of thugs is raiding a house across the street from you. Throw on your armor and make sure you have spare mags.

There are countless scenarios where it would be useful.

 

[carpediem]

Perhaps in certain environments like jungles or impenetrable places but as soon as there is someone after you and specially an sky above you,
you are done. I guess it depends on what shtf means for you and and if you are part of, and in communication with, an army that has the air supremacy.
Or we hope an Army doesn't go after us, or they know who we are. Because if we follow the folks preaching the weekend guerrilla type of scenario, we are cooked.

IMO the goal in "shtf" is survival unharmed and any kind of running around with guns and body armor might get you killed pretty quickly.

Look at these guys running around with guns in their own 'shtf' event..


The humans prevail with intelligence not brute force.

I agree with that. If you are facing some type of military, body armor and rifles is going to get you killed. In a Carrington event, or nuke induced emp, large scale natural disaster or other scenario where there is no organized military or air assets to worry about, you will need to be able to give yourself an advantage over the next guy.

 

[carpediem]

I used Spartan Armor Systems. Ar550 plates rated at levelIII+ in a Shellback Banshee plate carrier.

Me too, with the Warrior DCS though. Trauma pads too.