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Who else? |
Compromise being the operative word. III+, whatever that is (it's much like tread wear ratings on tires - subject only to the individual manufacturers proprietary ratings and no industry standard) is great at providing positive hit feedback. Tink. Tink. Tink.  Body armor is also like motorcycle helmets. If you have a $500 head, get a $500 helmet. If you have a $50 head, get a $50 helmet. If you're limited by budget - then steel is your afforded level of protection. | |||
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| Member |
Well it sounds like everyone hates steel. Heavy doesn’t bother me because I’m not planning on doing a Mad Max in it. I like the basically no lifespan element. I like the price point. It sounds like you guys are saying steel is a bad choice. Which if that’s true then I will save my money. I get the no industry standard but I’ve seen them shoot it with the stated ammo and it appears to stop the stated rounds and the lining seems to work. So based on the comments, steel armor sucks. Use it only if that’s all you can afford. Sound about right? | |||
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I have steel armor. I got it because of budget constraints, though I would love to have something better/lighter. What I have is Tactical Scorpion Gear, Level III+ lightweight steel. One plate weights 6.5 lbs, for just over 13 lbs for both and carrier. I really want their Level III+ Extreme PE armor. The whole rig would weight just over 9 lbs., that's light, it's multiple hit capabile. https://tacticalscorpiongear.c...mor-10x12-plate.html Is where I want to be. And use what I have is a loner/ keep in the car so I won't damage the expensive armor. The set up I got is this one. https://tacticalscorpiongear.c...t-vest-multicam.html. I'm happy with the value it offers, and at least I have something if the SHTF. And everything goes to hell. ARman | |||
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There are tradeoff's on everything. Its not a bad choice. It just trades cost for the rest of the operative stuff. I'd rather have steel than nothing all day every day. “So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.” | |||
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Bolt Thrower |
Perhaps it’s silly, but the effectiveness of fast varmint rounds on steel made me discount it. Any bubba with a 22-250 will punch straight through. | |||
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| Member |
No idea on L3+ since that's just whatever the person mfg. decides. but it will not penetrate a ceramic L4 plate. FWIW> “So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.” | |||
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| Who else? |
Steel is fine if it suits your purposes. If your purposes don't align with your financial constraints, then steel becomes a stopgap item. As stated, it's better than nothing. Outline what it is you need it (your body armor) to do. Then look at the offerings to see what will fulfill those criteria. | |||
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Nullus Anxietas |
I, too, have been re-thinking the priority of armor of late. I am going to be exceedingly budget-constrained (TBH: mostly because SWMBO is probably going to freak out if I tell her I want to purchase body armor) and, being an Official Old Guy, weight and anything that further decreases my already somewhat impaired mobility are concerns. But I'm thinking if things ever get to the point I feel it necessary to get the AR out of the safe for anything other than a range trip, some armor with some mag pouches would be a good idea. Since I'm talking about using a vest in conjunction with an AR, concealment is not a consideration. All that being said...
And maybe "reasonable stop-gap" is what I need. You say the Level III plates in that package can be penetrated by M193, but will it reduce the level of damage appreciably? I could always upgrade the plates, later, if I wanted, no? WRT that particular package:
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher | |||
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| Go ahead punk, make my day |
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I have a steel plate set up. I am considering picking up a second set. https://www.hoplitearmor.com/c...level-iv-stand-alone Some silly plate covers https://www.hoplitearmor.com/c...riant=30290722783301 Or do I save up and go for flexible rifle armor and ad a trauma plate? https://safelifedefense.com/pr...le-rifle-armor-fras/ | |||
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| Middle children of history  |
For $335 (only $128 more than that Level III AR500 kit) you can get this Chase kit that includes Level IV ceramic plates. These are standalone (meaning no backer required) NIJ certified Chase 4S17 Level IV 10 x 12 Shooter Cut Plates which are rebranded HighCom 4S17 plates. The HighCom Level IV plates are known to be high quality and will stop any rifle round you would normally encounter up to 30-06 armor piercing. The pair of Chase Level IV plates will weigh 14lbs, which is a couple pounds less than those AR500 Level III plates. https://www.chasetactical.com/...vel-iv-armor-plates/ I posted about the Chase plates that I purchased back on page 9 of this thread which are similar performance but are multi-curve (more comfortable but more expensive). In my opinion this Chase 4S17 package is the best bang for your buck for certified ballistic performance, spall safety, quality, and weight. | |||
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| Member |
I would second this zombie post. I contacted these guys in 2013 after the previous administration won a second term, about filling a Shellback Banshee with rifle plates and they were very helpful. They were busy at the time but returned my voice mail in short order with answers to all questions I had plus made a few suggestions. The plates they suggested and I ordered were from a DoD contractor, https://ltc-ltc.com/personal-protection/ some high quality ceramic stuff. I looked at the website this morning, http://www.bulletproofme.com/index.shtml, in regards to upgrading my current system and they are extremely busy. I sent a still unanswered email so I suspect the same will happen as last time, wait a day or so, call and leave a voicemail, wait a few hours and they will call back. It may be after hours but they will call back and answer any questions you have. Probably not the cheapest but I tend to go with the premise of what am I willing to pay to prevent a sucking chest wound. | |||
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| Member |
Thanks for your affirmation and feedback, I was thinking about getting plates from them as well. Just not sure which to get for balance of adequate protection and weight savings, etc. | |||
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| Member |
Call them and get in the queue, from my experience the person on the phone can tailor something to your specifications. | |||
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| Member |
Thanks so much Alpine..will do, really appreciate your feedback and help. | |||
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| Nullus Anxietas |
Thanks for the pointer, Brett B. I do like the idea of the improved performance and reduced weight. I'll take a closer look. "America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher | |||
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| Nullus Anxietas |
They sure do have a lot of information on their site, and they sure do seem to want to make sure you'll end up with something that works for you, but their product pages are exceedingly confusing in many respects. In the end I think I'm probably not going to buy armor. I really don't see myself hauling around 15 lbs. or better of steel. Never mind plus weight of carrier + mags + whatever other cruft. Plus weapons. And anything that would likely be light enough to be considered will be well outside my budget, even were I to drop down to Level III+. Was an interesting exercise in body armor research and education, though  "America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher | |||
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posting without pants |
I'm still using the Steel i bought in the OG riots in 2014. It is strong, held up well, and still heavy as shit. I've used it as my work plate carrier for 6 years now. I still suggest it if price is an issue. If/when, i have hte spare cash, I'll spend a few hundred more for ceramic plates or composite plates. Until then, the steel while heavy, will work just fine. Strive to live your life so when you wake up in the morning and your feet hit the floor, the devil says "Oh crap, he's up." | |||
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| Bunch of savages in this town  |
The carrier can make all the difference. I bought steel plates and a carrier specifically for working out, I wanted everything to weigh about 20 lbs. It is barely noticeable, “breaths” very well, and has many adjustment options. Don’t buy $500 plates and a $50 carrier. I’ve seen multiple videos of steel plates being hit numerous times without compromising them. There are many variables involved in getting shot at, especially shot placement: head/neck shot, side of torso, appendix and below. All vests will have weaknesses no matter the level of protection offered by the plates. ----------------- I apologize now... | |||
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Alienator |
The only thing I will say about those plates is that they are under sized about an inch. SIG556 Classic P220 Carry SAS Gen 2 SAO SP2022 9mm German Triple Serial P938 SAS P365 FDE Psalm 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it" | |||
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