Shawnmoore81 623 Posted July 12, 2016 I talked armor over with my friend today and shelf life came up. He told me they brought a vest out that was well past expiration and it held up fine to the departments .40's. He thinks it's just an insurance thing Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackDaWack 2,895 Posted July 12, 2016 Wear and moisture will destroy armor over time, even sunlight. New soft armor even seems to come in sealed liners. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indianajonze 379 Posted July 12, 2016 yeah i thought the level 3 stuff stops anything. the only reason 3+ and 4 are more expensive is because of the weight savings. not sure you're going cheap by getting level 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackDaWack 2,895 Posted July 12, 2016 yeah i thought the level 3 stuff stops anything. the only reason 3+ and 4 are more expensive is because of the weight savings. not sure you're going cheap by getting level 3 The threat level has nothing to do with weight or material. It's a standard for the tested bullets and velocity the level can stop. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n4p226r 105 Posted July 13, 2016 Heres the way i look at it. I have a set of level 4 in a carrier for whatever. Mostly what i need it for is handgun, ak and maybe carbine length ar's for work. That is my most likely threat. My level 4 carrier is heavy as shit for everyday. This will be a little better for weight . If i need to worry about high velocity sniper speed rounds i probably will be dead or incapacitated before i can do anything anyway. You aren't worried about sniper rounds but you bought a plate that's rated for one round of 30-06 armor piercing? That's literally all level IV plates are tested against. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n4p226r 105 Posted July 13, 2016 yeah i thought the level 3 stuff stops anything. the only reason 3+ and 4 are more expensive is because of the weight savings. not sure you're going cheap by getting level 3 Let's III stops 6 rounds of milspec 7.62 ball. Level IV stops one round of 30-06 armor piercing. Both based on certain velocities. Level III+ is a marketing term. It doesn't mean anything. Level IV plates are not > level III. That doesn't mean level IV plates won't stop 7.62 ball. It just means if it's not level III tested as well they haven't tested it. There is currently no standard public test for m193, m855 or popular AK rounds. Some manufacturers will test for those rounds specifically and note that, but you need to look at the velocities they are claiming Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
checko 180 Posted July 13, 2016 Having listened to enough people who wear armor while in harm's way, I won't be wearing steel plates which is why I have ceramic level 4 standalones.This Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackDaWack 2,895 Posted July 13, 2016 This Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk Why? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deerpark 83 Posted July 16, 2016 Which is the best kind of armor (regardless of weight)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DirtyDigz 1,812 Posted July 16, 2016 Which is the best kind of armor (regardless of weight)? You need to define what "best" means for you. My best armor, regardless of weight, is a hardened concrete and lead-lined bunker 200 feet underground. On steel plates - I think they have their place for "casual" use. They are definitely heavy, so not a good choice if you're wanting to run around, stand at a post for 8 hours or go walking/hiking for miles. However I think they're good enough for "bug-in" scenarios. Keep a carrier with steel plates at home if you're in an urban area - is a riot going on downtown? Are you starting to hear lots and lots of shots? Throw the armor on and hunker down, or get to your car and de-ass out of town. Or keep a set in the car in case you're trapped in traffic and an attack/gunfight takes place near you. Throw the armor on and get clear of the area. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MidwestPX 172 Posted July 16, 2016 Or keep a set in the car in case you're trapped in traffic and an attack/gunfight takes place near you. Throw the armor on and get clear of the area. This is the only situation in which I have even considered using steel plates. The vibration and jostling of ceramic plates kept in a vehicle are rather concerning to me. But I did away with the thought of having any plates in my car. I don't condition with them so putting them on when I'm mobile would likely hinder me more than help. I carry a SBR when I'm in the woods and not carrying a 10mm or .45 Super pistol and that weighs 8lbs. After walking a couple miles with some elevation changes, I'm sweating and breathing heavy because I'm out of shape. Now imagine three times that weight in the form of a PC with plates, mags, and support gear. I have a SCAR 17 in the car with mags of AMAX and AP with a med kit and that's enough peace of mind for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawnmoore81 623 Posted July 29, 2016 Got it and loaded it out. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawnmoore81 623 Posted July 29, 2016 If you lived in free America you could hold 120 rounds of 5.56 45 rounds of 9mm on the vest Add 30 in your ar So 195 rounds on you Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DirtyDigz 1,812 Posted July 30, 2016 Did a 4.2 mile walk including some major hills yesterday in ~1:08 while wearing a weighted vest with 20 lbs of iron bars in it. I was sweating by the time I got back home but I wasn't exhausted. I think it's feasible that you can 'bug out' for short distances while wearing a carrier with 2 AR500 steel plates. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawnmoore81 623 Posted July 30, 2016 The shipping weight was 22 pounds. Take away box and packing material. Then add whatever you add Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueLineFish 615 Posted July 30, 2016 Check your plates. https://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/AR500-Armor-Recalls-Level-III-Body-Armor/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatty 241 Posted July 30, 2016 Damn I'll have to call them on Monday to see if affects 3+ plates Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackDaWack 2,895 Posted July 31, 2016 Damn I'll have to call them on Monday to see if affects 3+ plates "This recall involves AR500 Armor Level III body armor, including chest plates, side plates and ABS panels. The black, steel-core body armor is rated for protection against rifle calibers up to 7.62X51 M80 Ball (.308) at 2,800 feet per second. AR500 Armor is printed on a white label on the back side of the armor. Only AR500 Level III body armor with the manufacture date code of February 2016 and March 2016 are included in the recall." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites