the Responsible Body Armor Possession Act

[spat]

They can just keep making it and call it target steel. It just happens to be shaped to fit into carriers. What a coincidence.

I always wondered why they do the spall coatings rather than just a pouch that's level 2 or 3a on it's own, but has a slot to insert a piece of AR500.

Surely the level 2 pouch would trap the spall after the round penetrated and hit the plate.

 

[Blimey]

Shit. I just don't even have to look to assume it's all sold out everywhere, right?

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Shit. I just don't even have to look to assume it's all sold out everywhere, right?

I'm sure you can find it some places.

I'm considering picking up more if it looks like this is gaining momentum. At least if you have it then it will be grandfathered in.

If I get another set I'll go for level 4 ceramic

I found level 4 ceramic plates (currently on backorder) manufactured by hesco for very good price and sold at body armor outlet as their label.

All

Body Armor Outlet offers high quality Body Armor, Tactical Gear, and Uniforms at affordable prices.

www.bodyarmoroutlet.com

BAO Tactical 4401SH Level IV 10x12 Plate, Standalone, Shooters Cut, Single Curve

The BAO4401L hard armor plate is certified to the NIJ .06 Level IV Stand Alone standard specifications. It has been made in the form of a single curve shooter's cut style which works great as either a front or back plate, allowing for a good range of motion while in a shooters stance. Finished...

www.bodyarmoroutlet.com

There are other off brand label level 4, ceramic plates as well (I don't believe these are actually certified by the NIJ, just claim that they meet their testing) so keep that in mind.

Here are 2 examples

BattleSteel Level 4 10x12 Armor Plates Shooters Cut Single-Curve

BattleSteel offers the BattleSteel Level 4 10x12 Armor Plates Shooters Cut Single-Curve. Tested to NIJ 0101.06 level 4 Standards, it provides ultimate protection against armor-piercing rounds. Only 5.5 lbs and 0.8" thick, it comes with a 5-year warranty. Please note: certain restrictions apply.

botach.com

LAPG 10" x 12" Level IV Ceramic Ballistic Armor Rifle Plate

Looking for the most comfortable and high-performing ballistic armor rifle plate capable of taking multiple .308 rounds? Order our level 4 IV body armor plate!

lapolicegear.com

There are the steel ar500 plate companies as well. Spartan, ar500, cati etc...

 

[Blimey]

I'm sure you can find it some places.

I'm considering picking up more if it looks like this is gaining momentum. At least if you have it then it will be grandfathered in.

Yep. I'm reading about it again.

Based on 15 min research looks like level ii is used by around half police departments and level iiiA is the notch up used by another half.

Beyond that you need a plate carrier. Level III for 5.56/223 or Level III+ for green tip 5.56. I can't even find anywhere that sells level II, so IIIA seems to be commonly sold and can be bought new for $300-350.

Looks like a plate carrier combo with plates is not that much pricier...?

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Yep. I'm reading about it again.

Based on 15 min research looks like level ii is used by around half police departments and level iiiA is the notch up used by another half.

Beyond that you need a plate carrier. I can't even find anywhere that sells level II, so IIIA seems to be commonly sold and can be bought new for $300-350.

If you are looking at steel plates and you are comparing prices just add in the "build up coating cost" because you definitely need it. The basic plates are always really cheap but they add up when you get the build up coating and curve

 

[GOPerfect]

AR500 Body Armor Level III | Spartan Shooters Package

Spartan Armor Systems® Entry Level Body Armor Package includes our Spartan™ Omega™ AR500 Steel Plates that provide Level III protection, along with our Spartan Shooters Cut Plate Carrier.

www.spartanarmorsystems.com

This is what I have been looking at as of late...

 

[Blimey]

AR500 Body Armor Level III | Spartan Shooters Package

Spartan Armor Systems® Entry Level Body Armor Package includes our Spartan™ Omega™ AR500 Steel Plates that provide Level III protection, along with our Spartan Shooters Cut Plate Carrier.

www.spartanarmorsystems.com

This is what I have been looking at as of late...

Okay $219 looks like a great price. That's Level III, right--nothing else needed...?

This site has 1-2 week lead times. AR500 Armor® Veritas General Issue Package - Carrier & Plates

 

[Blimey]

Reading more it looks like people don't like steel plates without spall protection, so to get a coated set from spartan is over $300 anyway. $350 will get one with coated front/back and also raised protection to III+ so better rifle protection. That one has no sides. Seems like a four sided steel plate carrier is very heavy.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Reading more it looks like people don't like steel plates without spall protection, so to get a coated set from spartan is over $300 anyway. $350 will get one with coated front/back and also raised protection to III+ so better rifle protection. That one has no sides. Seems like a four sided steel plate carrier is very heavy.

If you get steel you need the full build up coating

 

[spat]

Reading more it looks like people don't like steel plates without spall protection, so to get a coated set from spartan is over $300 anyway. $350 will get one with coated front/back and also raised protection to III+ so better rifle protection. That one has no sides. Seems like a four sided steel plate carrier is very heavy.

A hit on a steel plate without some spall mitiation strategy is nearly as dangerous as getting hit without plates.

I would really like to see the plates stored in kevlar pouches instead of covered in polymer for spall protection

A plate carrier that's level 2 on it's own (with the plate pocket *behind* the kevlar) should work, but I haven't seen anyone selling them like that. I assume there is a reason and I just don't know it.

Still, that would allow cheap uncoated steel to be safe.

 

[GOPerfect]

Duct tape. You can wrap the plates in duct tape.

 

[FrankenCub]

Just something else I can't afford yet scum in gov want to take out of my reach.

 

[MothMan]

This was my Xmas present to myself last year. Level iiia+ concealable soft armor with strike and slash protection and side protection also.

Safe Life Defense has plates that fit which when used ICW this vest increases its rating to protect against a 30.06.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Duct tape. You can wrap the plates in duct tape.

This is the problem with steel

It's a cheesy video but you'll get the idea



If you go with steel you really need to spend the extra $50 to buy their stupid full build up coating to contain the fragmentation.

With the extra coating no fragmenting

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Reading more it looks like people don't like steel plates without spall protection, so to get a coated set from spartan is over $300 anyway. $350 will get one with coated front/back and also raised protection to III+ so better rifle protection. That one has no sides. Seems like a four sided steel plate carrier is very heavy.

From what I've learned about body armor is that Everything is a compromise. Price, protection, weight, comfort, mobility etc.

I bought a set of plates last year when Schumer started his bullshit. I found a deal with ar500.com where they were running a promotion to buy one flat plate get one free. Sweet. So for like 49$ I had 2 level 3 flat (non curved) 10x12 plates. I bought the extra build up coating which added up to I think an extra $40 per plate but was well worth it. Then I bought their cheap plate carrier they call the veritas and a couple pouches. I found a coupon code online that I think gave me 10% off and free shipping.

The whole kit was somewhere around $220 so I couldn't go wrong.

Again, it does not side plates and it's only level 3. So its not the best protection but it's better than nothing. It's also not too heavy and I can still be pretty agile while wearing it. It's a compromise. The plate carrier is pretty minimalist so I don't have a ton of molle real estate to go crazy (still trying to decide the best place to attach my IFAK) but it's enough for what I would need and it prevents it from getting too heavy and bulky.

This is my current setup. I even like the color it's like actual coyote brown not that weird half tan half brown color I put my IFAK next to it to compare color shades

I know it's nothing special or worth showing off but felt it was relevant here and like many I'm on a budget but I wanted something for the interim. If I need it, I'll be glad to have it. (I definitely felt better with all the rioting knowing I had it)

Also, another thing I did was I didn't buy their trauma plates instead I cut out a 10x12 section of carpet padding to put on the back side of the plates. It's much more comfortable and hopefully would absorb some impact if it ever had to be used.

I will probably buy another set of plates if this bill starts getting some traction. I'll look at getting cheaper level 4 ceramic plates and I'll get a larger plate carrier with a wrap around cumberbund. That will give me more flexibility and Molle space to change up gear as I want. And I want to get more armor for kids/wife if it gets banned. Once you have it, you have it.

 

[Blimey]

This is the problem with steel

It's a cheesy video but you'll get the idea



If you go with steel you really need to spend the extra $50 to buy their stupid full build up coating to contain the fragmentation.

With the extra coating no fragmenting

That first video is quite cool. Can definitely see how a base coated plate is a bad idea. Each one had massive fragmentation.

My main worry would be as far as I know steel plates are fairly new, so these anti-spalling compounds are not really proven out over a long period. I guess if I had any real sense I'd ever need this I'd buy level iv ceramic, but expectation is I get it, get it fitted, it looks cool, then hangs on shelf as a conversation piece in the basement (which of course is preferable to a live-fire scenario).

 

[Edwardteach72]

That first video is quite cool. Can definitely see how a base coated plate is a bad idea. Each one had massive fragmentation.

My main worry would be as far as I know steel plates are fairly new, so these anti-spalling compounds are not really proven out over a long period. I guess if I had any real sense I'd ever need this I'd buy level iv ceramic, but expectation is I get it, get it fitted, it looks cool, then hangs on shelf as a conversation piece in the basement (which of course is preferable to a live-fire scenario).

Other thing to consider if you buy rifle targets for body armor is they are generally much thinner than real body armor and so it wont fit correctly in a PC. (Yes it will slide right in but plate carriers are designed to carry plates and so the rifle targets being thin will flop around because of the extra room)

 

[Elwood]

AR500 Body Armor Level III | Spartan Shooters Package

Spartan Armor Systems® Entry Level Body Armor Package includes our Spartan™ Omega™ AR500 Steel Plates that provide Level III protection, along with our Spartan Shooters Cut Plate Carrier.

www.spartanarmorsystems.com

This is what I have been looking at as of late...

Jumped on that deal this morning

 

[GOPerfect]

Jumped on that deal this morning

Spartan™ Omega™ AR500 Body Armor and Spartan Swimmers Cut Plate Carrier Entry Level Package

Spartan Armor Systems® Entry Level Body Armor Package includes our Spartan™ Omega™ AR500 Steel Plates that provide Level III protection, along with our mobile Spartan Swimmers Cut Plate Carrier.

www.spartanarmorsystems.com

I am debating between the full and the swimmers cut.

Leaning more towards the swimmers....

 

[Elwood]

Spartan™ Omega™ AR500 Body Armor and Spartan Swimmers Cut Plate Carrier Entry Level Package

Spartan Armor Systems® Entry Level Body Armor Package includes our Spartan™ Omega™ AR500 Steel Plates that provide Level III protection, along with our mobile Spartan Swimmers Cut Plate Carrier.

www.spartanarmorsystems.com

I am debating between the full and the swimmers cut.

Leaning more towards the swimmers....

I went with the full cut for coverage based on my torso size, looks as if the swimmer cut leaves the lungs a bit exposed

 

[spat]

If there's laws against shooting people, this law doesn't need to exist.

This law is literally about making sure it's easier for the government to shoot you.

 

[GOPerfect]

I went with the full cut for coverage based on my torso size, looks as if the swimmer cut leaves the lungs a bit exposed

Just found they have a LE discount, not huge, but... Just waiting for them to update my account. Going to pass on the swimmers cut. I'm going with the shooters cut.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

This law is literally about making sure it's easier for the government to shoot you.

Precisely. All the better reason to get it ASAP while you can still get it.

Sooner or later it will be banned.

 

[Vapor]

RMA offers nij certified level 4 cermaic plates for $135 each.

No reason to go with steel unless you want some back up plates for the apocalypse.

 

[Blimey]

This law is literally about making sure it's easier for the government to shoot you.

That is quite literally exactly what it is.

Just found they have a LE discount, not huge, but... Just waiting for them to update my account. Going to pass on the swimmers cut. I'm going with the shooters cut.

Can you deputize me real quick?

RMA offers nij certified level 4 cermaic plates for $135 each.

No reason to go with steel unless you want some back up plates for the apocalypse.

The RMA $135 plates appear to be steel.

 

[Vapor]

That is quite literally exactly what it is.
Can you deputize me real quick?
The RMA $135 plates appear to be steel.

Level IV Hard Armor Plate (Model #1155) NIJ .06 Certified - RMA Armament - The King of Armor

RMA manufactures the most rugged & affordable NIJ Certified Level IV armor on the market. Defeats 7.62x63 M2AP, 7.62x54r, M855 and more!

rmadefense.com

 

[Vapor]

I like Spartan armor if you want to go steel. I have a set.

3+ steel is probably the way to go if you want to defeat high velocity.

Small diameter and high velocity defeats steel. The 3+ does at least seem to defeat 5.56 out of longer barrels.

 

[Blimey]

Level IV Hard Armor Plate (Model #1155) NIJ .06 Certified - RMA Armament - The King of Armor

RMA manufactures the most rugged & affordable NIJ Certified Level IV armor on the market. Defeats 7.62x63 M2AP, 7.62x54r, M855 and more!

rmadefense.com

View attachment 75432

My bad. It's heavy, though--as heavy as the AR500 stuff or very close to it, for some reason.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I like Spartan armor if you want to go steel. I have a set.

3+ steel is probably the way to go if you want to defeat high velocity.

Small diameter and high velocity defeats steel. The 3+ does at least seem to defeat 5.56 out of longer barrels.

I want to like the UHMWPE plates because they are so light but AP rounds seem to be their kryptonite.

So that's why I'm leaning towards my next set being some sort of ceramic composite plate. I like this plate and it's manufactured by hesco $120 each. Hesco is a well known manufacturer and NIJ certified. It's actually cheaper cost than a level3+ steel plate with a build up coating.

BAO Tactical 4401SH Level IV 10x12 Plate, Standalone, Shooters Cut, Single Curve

The BAO4401L hard armor plate is certified to the NIJ .06 Level IV Stand Alone standard specifications. It has been made in the form of a single curve shooter's cut style which works great as either a front or back plate, allowing for a good range of motion while in a shooters stance. Finished...

www.bodyarmoroutlet.com

 

[Blimey]

I want to like the UHMWPE plates because they are so light but AP rounds seem to be their kryptonite.

So that's why I'm leaning towards my next set being some sort of ceramic composite plate. I like this plate and it's manufactured by hesco $120 each. Hesco is a well known manufacturer and NIJ certified. It's actually cheaper cost than a level3+ steel plate with a build up coating.

BAO Tactical 4401SH Level IV 10x12 Plate, Standalone, Shooters Cut, Single Curve

The BAO4401L hard armor plate is certified to the NIJ .06 Level IV Stand Alone standard specifications. It has been made in the form of a single curve shooter's cut style which works great as either a front or back plate, allowing for a good range of motion while in a shooters stance. Finished...

www.bodyarmoroutlet.com

Based on your reading is the expiry date of ceramic mostly (or entirely) bullshit? And recognize at least in my case this stuff is sitting on a dark shelf or something so I'm not out on tour for five years knocking it around.