Body Armor Thread

[AncientPhosphur]

As far as body armor goes, level 3 is enough imo. Not many people walking around with black tips and if you're in a situation where people are firing shit at you level 3 won't stop you're pretty much fucked. I don't think level 4 is worth the extra cost.

If you’re going to get body armor you’re relying it for your life, best not skip out and get lvl iv.

Having said that my plates just collect dust. I might toss them on for calisthenics or hill sprints, maybe a 2 gun competition if I hate myself that day, but other than that they just sit in my closet. When I hear a bump in the night I’ll grab my helmet which has nods and ear pro with my rifle and shoulder sling a chest rig (has extra mags and medical) to check it out. Even with the tube system it’s still cumbersome to get on in a hurry and that time could be spent on other things like setting up angles down a hallway for an ambush if I think it’s serious.

It’s nice to have plates in theory but honestly it would not be my go to purchase on a hierarchy of gear needs.

 

[Procrastinhater]

Not all level III armor is created equal. Just because it is rated to stop 7.62×51 doesn't mean it can stop the most common rifle round in America 5.56. Make sure to get armor rated for stopping 5.56 above all else for rifle rated threats.

Absolutely. 5.56 (and 9mm I guess) are the most likely things to be flying at you.
If it won't stop 5.56 you might as well not be wearing it (obviously anything is better than nothing).

If you’re going to get body armor you’re relying it for your life, best not skip out and get lvl iv.

Having said that my plates just collect dust. I might toss them on for calisthenics or hill sprints, maybe a 2 gun competition if I hate myself that day, but other than that they just sit in my closet. When I hear a bump in the night I’ll grab my helmet which has nods and ear pro with my rifle and shoulder sling a chest rig (has extra mags and medical) to check it out. Even with the tube system it’s still cumbersome to get on in a hurry and that time could be spent on other things like setting up angles down a hallway for an ambush if I think it’s serious.

It’s nice to have plates in theory but honestly it would not be my go to purchase on a hierarchy of gear needs.

Lol I felt that about trying to run competitions in summer carrying that shit.

And yeah, I mean people fought WWI without any body armor at all, its nice to have but in an emergency you're better being ready than getting killed trying to stuff plates in. Its nice to have but its bottom of the list. Making sure you have lead going back the other way is a priority.

 

[VorpalAnvil-]

Remember when Hoplite Armor sold those based UN helmet targets...

 

[VorpalAnvil-]

Regarding the purchase of armor, as sexy as it is, I think its one of those areas people really think they need to get into, without realising it should really be one of the last purchases you make if youre concerned with prepping/shtf scenarios. Youre far more likely to need food, water, meds, spare parts, navigation equipment, ammo etc etc before you go and dump 500+ shekels on a plate carrier and LV4s. All the time I see guys wanting to get armor for their 5 foot 3 wife and 3 year old, bruh, if they are in a situation where they are taking gunfire youve already lost. Armor should be a consideration for sure, but one of latter ones after alot of other bases are covered imo. I would put it into the same category as thermals/NVGs, a kestrel, SPR rifle build, etc.

 

[Stackbodiesbro]

Regarding the purchase of armor, as sexy as it is, I think its one of those areas people really think they need to get into, without realising it should really be one of the last purchases you make if youre concerned with prepping/shtf scenarios. Youre far more likely to need food, water, meds, spare parts, navigation equipment, ammo etc etc before you go and dump 500+ shekels on a plate carrier and LV4s. All the time I see guys wanting to get armor for their 5 foot 3 wife and 3 year old, bruh, if they are in a situation where they are taking gunfire youve already lost. Armor should be a consideration for sure, but one of latter ones after alot of other bases are covered imo. I would put it into the same category as thermals/NVGs, a kestrel, SPR rifle build, etc.

You are prepping to survive societal collapse, I'm prepping to last a little bit longer from a government raid. We are not the same.

 

[VorpalAnvil-]

You are prepping to survive societal collapse, I'm prepping to last a little bit longer from a government raid. We are not the same.

I mean, if they kick my door in Im planning on taking as many of them with me as I can, while wearing my LV4's, in Meinkraft...

 

[Badungus Kabungus]

A thing to consider about the whole fed raid scenario is that if the feds really want to take out some high value target, they're just going to bomb, burn down, or gas the whole place rather than send a team into a possible trap. Or track the target using a loitering observation drone and nab them outside.

My recommendation is to get a sturdy soft armor carrier with good level IIIA armor coverage first, then add plates later. Bonus points if it's covert enough to be worn under clothes slick. Even in Ukraine now they're prioritizing more soft armor coverage and lighter UHMWPE level III plates over heavier level IV plates. Their threat profile is drones and artillery, but for civilians it would mostly be against pistol-toting urbanites and methhead IEDs, so it works either way. Don't forget the cock flap, bros.

 

[Doctor Love]

I plan to get cheap and effective plates that will cover most of my body in case I'm ever in a home invasion or similar situation. Something I can put on in a couple minutes that will provide me with a lot of protection.

Get a onesie of some kind, or a jumpsuit. Replace, or add kevlar and standard shapes (you can probably use A3 or A4 paper as a basis) - then keep it in some kind of brace, so you can hop into your little battlesuit in less than 30 seconds.

 

[Lead Lizard]

Remember when Hoplite Armor sold those based UN helmet targets...

View attachment 6158765

I got one of those for free when I bought plates from them. Can't find it anymore.

 

[Clostridium Botulinum]

Does anyone here run a plate carrier and a chest rig or just put everything on the PC? I already have a rig I like (condor recon with camelbak) and I'm about to get a plate carrier. I was considering a low vis carrier so I can just wear the rig over it.

Also while I'm here is ar500 armor really that bad after a spall guard and trauma pad?

 

[Troon_Patrol]

I've done some done some beaching work for law enforcement, Really small time stuff. I felt 2A with a actinium trauma plate would realistically accomplish anything any other armor would. If they have a carbine 5.56 nd a 30 round Pmag I don't think body armor is going to do much good. Impact to the face or femoral artery and my chances of survival are low. Unless I'm breaching doors once a week I never saw a point to going heavier than the most common pistol cartridge.

 

[Samhain]

Does anyone here run a plate carrier and a chest rig or just put everything on the PC? I already have a rig I like (condor recon with camelbak) and I'm about to get a plate carrier. I was considering a low vis carrier so I can just wear the rig over it.

It's definitely doable. Maybe not a comfy as just having everything on the carrier. However, if you're going to wear that rig over a carrier, I'd seriously consider getting an H-harness, because an X-harness over a carrier very likely isn't going to be comfortable.

Also while I'm here is ar500 armor really that bad after a spall guard and trauma pad?

Don't get steel armor. It's heavy and those spall coatings are trash. Get ceramic plates.

 

[Stackbodiesbro]

Does anyone here run a plate carrier and a chest rig or just put everything on the PC? I already have a rig I like (condor recon with camelbak) and I'm about to get a plate carrier. I was considering a low vis carrier so I can just wear the rig over it.

Also while I'm here is ar500 armor really that bad after a spall guard and trauma pad?

Yes I have in the past it's annoying and often done as a option to quickly don or doff your rug while maintaining your armor. Unless you have a specific need for such a thing I'd highly recommend against doing it. Now adays you can easily get a plate carrier that can quickly accept panels and chest rigs that integrate directly into the carrier. So they concept of rig over slick is kinda a dead one.

Also condor gear is airsoft tier trash. And read my OP about AR500 armor.

Also should I make an OP and thread for nylon gear? There is a ton of shit gear flying around these days.

 

[Samhain]

Also should I make an OP and thread for nylon gear? There is a ton of shit gear flying around these days.

Might as well, if for no other reason than to have discussion of plate carriers, chest rigs, belts, packs, pouches, etc. centralized in one thread.

 

[northstar747]

saw this and thought of you guys

 

[Stackbodiesbro]

I forgot this thread exists. Shame the OP of the nylon thread sucks.

 

[888Flux]

Remember when Hoplite Armor sold those based UN helmet targets...

Did this company just get bought by someone?

WTF is half this shit?

I don't ever remember "GOV QUOTES" being a part of their site, ever.

And the rest of it looks like junk from the clearance section of Infowars

 

[Boney]

Copy/pasting a post that belonged here from the gun thread.

Reading through here I'm seeing a lot of people approaching body armor with the wrong thought process. If you are getting shot, at all, you are already losing the gunfight. Duh. Your armor should be non-steel Level 4 plates, front and back. Do not think about them making you bullet proof, or even as a force multiplier or capability enabler. Put decent plates in your carrier and don't think about them at all after that unless you are looking to upgrade them.

All plates do is increase your probability of survival. Full stop. Don't game it any more then that. Optional kevlar for shrapnel on the cumberbund. Very few posters here are at a level in training or experiencre to be diving deeper then that. The vast majority of the kiwis here are a far cry from having a mission set where they need an assualter's rig or the team and know how to utilize it.

Instead, focus on rigging your plate carrier to be a mission enabler. Your mission might range in requirement from home defense or protection from a public ambush to small unit tactics for reconassiance and patroling in a disaster scenario. Focus on covering the "walk" phase before you try to "run" for protracted missions or thick combat.

Generally there are 3 plate carrier set ups to plan around.

1. Tactical: Plate carrier to protect you and carry some spare mags. Small first aid kit and TQs are welcome but if we have an admin pouch it is small and essentials focused, just enough to fit a resees fastbreak, spare batteries, Leatherman, and your nightvision kit in. Its light on sustainment and is probably used in conjunction with a battlebelt or warbelt. This is your kit for rapid deployment and skirmish. Most people can stop here.

2. Assualter: Sustainment heavy, plenty of ammo at the ready with a heavy focus on direct action. Direct action ironically often means hours of shooting at people who you can't see and are too far away to lay effective lethal fires on. It has an admin pouch with anything ranging from NVG kit, to maps, to communication gear, maybe an optic magnifier or binoculars, even snacks. It goes without saying divy this stuff up among friends and in your pack, these are examples. A dump pouch I personally see as essential but they are somehow less popular these days. You certainly have an IFAK either on your belt or on your carrier. This is the kit for looking for a fight or holding a position. Some side soft armor to protect from frag completes this rig for its mission set.

3. Low profile: You wear it under your shirt. Its not a load bearing, it maybe has a mag or two carefully placed for accessibility if the weather appropriate clothing permits. This is nice for not getting shwacked. A little drawstring backpack with essentials (like snacks!) and an IFAK is all you get.