quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
Don't forget your helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, combat boots, wrap around eye pro, and gloves with hard plastic knuckles with the trigger finger cut off.

And the beard, too. Gotta look like an operator if you're gonna operate.

Bite my ass! I already have a magnificent beard!

Yeah, thanks for all the comments. I never intended for you to think I was turning into Tommy Tactical. At 67 years old, I will be largely a stationary target.

But, I also have auto, home, and life insurance, so there!

RMD

I have a plate carrier. and 2 curved polys. the steel is too heavy. heck the synthetic is pretty heavy as well.

waiting to lose weight before I get some safelite from LV NV. I think the soft would be more comfortable and usable!!!

quote:

Originally posted by rduckwor:


Bite my ass! I already have a magnificent beard!



RMD

It's beard thread time again!

After looking for a long time for the perfect bag/bandolier/sling pack/chest rig to grab for home defense I ended up with a plate carrier and ceramic plates. It's easy to throw over your head, holds anything you need, and provides cover to your organs. I don't know about the rest of you guys, but not much in my place gives real cover.

I'm also considering getting some. At 60 years old with bad knees I'm not going to be running anywhere no matter what happens, and with really nowhere to bug out to I figure I'll be hunkering down in place and defending. Level 4 ceramic isn't all that much lighter than level 3+ steel unless you go for the high tech ceramics that are waaaayyyyyy too expensive for my budget. They're also prone to breakage, which would be a Bad Thing when you don't have a gov't supply train to hand you a replacement.

I took a look at the basic model (link), but didn't see any spall coating mentioned, is that already on there? If not maybe add a spall cover? I went with ceramic, but they are not designed for multiple-use, they start falling apart after the rounds hit.

I have had a really nice one for a few years now.
For the SHTF day. Gas mask is nice too.

Mine is 32 pounds. Front, back, and side plates.

Did you armor up the rest of the family?

I'm work on figuring what my wife would actually use.

I have a set from CATI Armor, and one from Spartan Armor. Both level 3+ curved at the 11x14 and 6x8. One weights 37, and the others... 34? The CATI is lighter as it is a swimmers front, which was suppose to be a shooters cut. Most people will find swimmers cut to work best. Only those of us who need hard steel armor will get why you want normal plates.

Also I'm 6'2 and 390. Trust me, when your in shape, you dont notice them. But then again, I havent been to the range yet with them. And when I go, I'mma take off my patches. Because no one at a public range needs to know. Those who know know.

I just got some rifle plates. Tactical Scorpion Gear III+ steel. At 6.5 lbs each not to bad.

They have some hybrid PE hard plates, that they list as III+ EXTREME, which covers most threats just under level IV, .30-06AP.

It covers the 5.56X45mm M193, M855 and M855A1. That's what I plan on getting it in the not too distant future, the steel armor will be then riding in the trunk of my car.

This is for SHTF and bump in the night. An insurance policy that I hope is never need.

I'm not tactcool, I'm a almost 50 year old dude that tries to be prepared. I have a modest stockpile of ammo, some emergency food and I train for self defense as best as I can on a budget.

The steel armor I have with carrier and all is 16 lbs., I have wore it around, and walked with it, I have even made a range trip with it. All doable even for a modestly in shape 50 year old dude.

ARman

AR500's level 3 plates in 10x12 are about 8 lbs.

their 3+LW plates are about 5.5lbs.


each

I don't own any but I noticed a spike in sales on my Web store of these https://www.ncstar.com/perform...rigs/plate-carriers/

and I think it relates to the antifa type violence that continues to rise.
Until a few dead kids start hitting the pavement it will only escalate.

https://www.ncstar.com/search/%20plates/0/10/1

and student backpacks.

https://www.ncstar.com/perform...ith-ballistic-panel/

I sell them below MAP to members.

Not that it’s limited to this thread, but one of the things I’ve identified as a result of reading it and similar discussions is a new type of logical fallacy: The I don’t want to do it, so no one else should do it either argument. The argument is usually made by someone who (obviously) down deep recognizes the validity of a course of action, but because of the expense, the trouble, the fact that they aren’t physically capable of doing it themselves, or—the most horrifying thought of all—because someone might make fun of them on the playground about being “tacticool,” they decide it’s not for them. Rather than just being content—and self-confident—with their decision that it’s not for them, however, they can’t resist mocking those who propose it.

Steel AR500 Armor is heavy, but it’s relatively inexpensive and effective against most threats anyone is likely to encounter. A couple of plates won’t break most people’s bank accounts, and if it turns out that they don’t use it as much as they originally envisioned, so what? How many of us here don’t have guns that we never shoot that cost far more than a couple of steel armor plates?

It’s good to know the disadvantages and other factors to consider about body armor, but another thing that always amuses me are the assumptions some people make about others. I suppose if someone himself is 150 pounds overweight and lives on a diet of sweet tea and bacon that he can’t imagine ever loading himself down with an extra 20 pounds and trying to walk across the street. But not everyone is like that.

I’m 72 years old and last week I ran a drill twice that I developed for my agency that required running 50+ yards before engaging small rifle targets, and then running from station to station another 70 yards while engaging handgun targets. All that was at an elevation of nearly 10,000 feet and while wearing armor and other gear weighing over 40 pounds (yes, I just weighed it all now). I was breathing very heavily when I finished, but so were most of the other participants in their 30s and 40s.

So, if I make assumptions about other people whom I’ve never met, much less know anything about their physical condition, it’s that they will make use of something like body armor to the best of their abilities. If it gives them a little extra peace of mind like the water filter they’ll never need or the MREs they’ll never eat, why would anyone else care?

And who knows? Maybe having some heavy armor themselves will motivate them to get into a bit better shape, or at least have more respect for those who wear it for a living.

It's relatively inexpensive and takes seconds to slip on. After a 4am home invasion, I bought some too.

Whatever their $89 deal was, I bought that years ago when my department was not buying us stuff. I used it and trained with it alot. This sunmer our department finally got us lightweight armor and there’s a big difference. But I’m used to the heavier plates and I will keep it for home use.

Sigfreund, thank you for your rational reply.

To those taking potshots: shut up & grow up.

Maybe the only person getting armor is me. Maybe I can't run a 4.4 second 40 yard dash in it.

But maybe, just maybe, it will buy me enough time for my family to get to safety. If it also helps me get to safety a little bit later, great. But if it doesn't, I'm ok knowing my family is safe. Whatever else happens, happens.

You guys taking potshots sound like the snowflakes we laugh at all the time here. So smug sitting there in your basement pounding on the keyboard. You are the same type of people that would make fun of a person who buys a 22 rifle or pistol to provide defense for their family. Maybe they didn't grow up with guns. Maybe that was the initial compromise with a spouse that is extremely anti gun. Maybe that was just all they could freaking afford. At least they did something. For some that first step is pretty damn scary. But they did it.

Wouldn't it be nice if they stumbled into this mostly incredible online family and instead of snarky superiority they were welcomed with open arms and told: NO, you aren't crazy. There are a whole bunch of us here. Welcome...

99% of the time that is what happens here. But, all it takes is one snarky asshole to drive a person away. Who knows, if that person had stayed he/she might have been directly and indirectly responsible for hundreds of new enthusiasts. We need new blood today more than ever. A lot of that new blood needs to be converts or we truly will lose the battle in the long run...

Mark

One other use I have thought about is tornados, we live just below Tornado alley. I have vests with plates as well as lots for my family, they stop flying objects from entering the body...where it is a 9mm or glass shards or a 2x4....

Yes, when the sirens go off the armor goes on, we don't have a basement...most don't in NTX so it adds an additional layer of protection.

And yes, I have lived in armor enough to realize its limitations...carry a full sized pistol is not comfy all the time either but we do it.

Oh yeah, I also have numerous fire extinguishers, an alarm a sprinkler system...multiple stock FAK Kitsap it the house.

Are they overkill as well...maybe

Most likely it's the same group of gray haired fudds who shun weapon mounted lights and refuse to take lessons from military/leo on what works in combat/gunfight.