Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

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bagman45
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#46

Post by bagman45 »

Thanks again for keeping this thread alive guys!! I've been busy with work, broken down cars, dog surgery, and the other incessant life events - 2020 can't possibly END FAST ENOUGH FOR ME... But I've continued to research as time allows.

First of all, TAM, SO SORRY to hear about your back issues. One of dear friends has lived in the ABSOLUTE HELL of degenerative back/spine pain, surgeries, misery, etc. My dad, may he rest in peace, had disc problems that would literally floor him from time to time. I'm an old dude like you, but luckily, once I had both of my hips replaced, all is good now. NO WAY I could have carried armor back then. Hell, I could barely walk or get into my car. You have my prayers and hopes for a better tomorrow my man...

As to my current thinking; I'm leaning to the Shellback kit for plates, and a recycled soft armor kit from the outfit down in Austin. The Ferro Slickster looks really good, but it's seldom in stock, so damn expensive when it is.

Still trying to sort this out and looking to buy soon, so please keep the suggestions and experiences coming. If the Communists win tonight, we're ALL gonna need a way to protect ourselves and our Republic against the coming dark days.

Thanks again; keep your prayers that Trump, our Republic, and WE THE PEOPLE win out over EVIL tonight!!

jb2012
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#47

Post by jb2012 »

Late to the party here....

I’m going with Hescos, RMA, or Battle Steel. I would prefer level IV but may settle for level III. For a carrier I’m going Crye JPC.
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PriestTheRunner
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#48

Post by PriestTheRunner »

jb2012 wrote: Wed Nov 04, 2020 3:19 am Late to the party here....

I’m going with Hescos, RMA, or Battle Steel. I would prefer level IV but may settle for level III. For a carrier I’m going Crye JPC.
You should consider Hoplite Armor as well. Good prices and very 2A friendly.

Tex1961
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#49

Post by Tex1961 »

Finally broke down and got a set... AR500 Spartan Omega AR500 body armor.... I know it's just a starter set, but I figured something was a whole lot better than nothing.. Front, back curved plates and 2 side plates with carrier all for $199.00. At some point down the road I will replace the front plate with one that has the frag coating....
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#50

Post by Beiruty »

I got the AR500 Level 3 coated plate at 10lbs each, it is very heavy, but it is rifle rated.
Last edited by Beiruty on Tue Dec 22, 2020 10:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Tex1961
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#51

Post by Tex1961 »

Beiruty wrote: Tue Dec 22, 2020 10:17 am I got the AR500 Level 3 coated plate at 10lbs each, it is very heavy, but is it rifle rated.
I was wafting back and forth on which level to get.

I do student qualifications at an outdoor range when the weather is nice and it's a pistol range only, so I figured regular L3 would get the job done...
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Beiruty
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#52

Post by Beiruty »

Tex1961 wrote: Tue Dec 22, 2020 10:25 am
Beiruty wrote: Tue Dec 22, 2020 10:17 am I got the AR500 Level 3 coated plate at 10lbs each, it is very heavy, but is it rifle rated.
I was wafting back and forth on which level to get.

I do student qualifications at an outdoor range when the weather is nice and it's a pistol range only, so I figured regular L3 would get the job done...
More than enough. Nex order, I would go with lightweight ones.
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philip964
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#53

Post by philip964 »

New York lawmaker seeks to ban bulletproof vests for law-abiding citizens

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-yo ... roof-vests

Explore the Fox News apps that are right for you at http://www.foxnews.com/apps-products/index.html.
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Paladin
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#54

Post by Paladin »

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RoyGBiv
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#55

Post by RoyGBiv »

Doubled.
Last edited by RoyGBiv on Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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RoyGBiv
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#56

Post by RoyGBiv »

Paladin wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 4:31 pm Ceramic NIJ 0101.06 level IV Rifle Protection Plate Insert

Weight 6.3 lbs each
That's seems like a hella good price....
Why was I expecting ceramic to be lighter? ... Some quick checking says I had a bad assumption.

I picked up this vest in November... Like it a lot.. Need plates though.
https://www.skarrarmor.com/product-page ... st-spv-06b
I am not a lawyer. This is NOT legal advice.!
Nothing tempers idealism quite like the cold bath of reality.... SQLGeek
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Paladin
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#57

Post by Paladin »

RoyGBiv wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 5:19 pm
Paladin wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 4:31 pm Ceramic NIJ 0101.06 level IV Rifle Protection Plate Insert

Weight 6.3 lbs each
That's seems like a hella good price....
Why was I expecting ceramic to be lighter? ... Some quick checking says I had a bad assumption.
The video demonstrates the ability to take multiple hits as well. They are thicker, but way lighter than Level III steel plates.
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Tex1961
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#58

Post by Tex1961 »

Beiruty wrote: Tue Dec 22, 2020 10:30 am
Tex1961 wrote: Tue Dec 22, 2020 10:25 am
Beiruty wrote: Tue Dec 22, 2020 10:17 am I got the AR500 Level 3 coated plate at 10lbs each, it is very heavy, but is it rifle rated.
I was wafting back and forth on which level to get.

I do student qualifications at an outdoor range when the weather is nice and it's a pistol range only, so I figured regular L3 would get the job done...
More than enough. Nex order, I would go with lightweight ones.
LOL. when you’re right you’re right. Got the set in and immediately put it up for sale. Sold the next day. Going with Kevlar this time.
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74novaman
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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#59

Post by 74novaman »

Tex1961 wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 6:53 pm
Beiruty wrote: Tue Dec 22, 2020 10:30 am More than enough. Nex order, I would go with lightweight ones.
LOL. when you’re right you’re right. Got the set in and immediately put it up for sale. Sold the next day. Going with Kevlar this time.
It's a real shame no one offered yall advice to avoid steel armor earlier in the thread.
TANSTAAFL

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Re: Anybody bought body armor? Thinking about it....

#60

Post by MaduroBU »

I got a set of Shellback IV ceramic/UHMWPE plates and a banshee 2.0 carrier. I weigh 150 lbs, and had to do a LOT of surgery on the carrier straps to get it to fit me (basically cut off the QD buckles and sewed the straps together on the top). Unless you're a big (in girth) person, the deluxe cummberbund will be too big. I found that by ordering the regular cummerbund and adding side plates, it fit my frame perfectly when the back was laced tightly together with shock cord. After getting a PASGT helmet, I found that the MCH cut feels a LOT better. YMMV, but I suggest trying one on before ordering.
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