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

 

 

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Wear and moisture will destroy armor over time, even sunlight. New soft armor even seems to come in sealed liners.

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

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.

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.

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

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

 

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This

 

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Why?

Which is the best kind of armor (regardless of weight)?

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.

 

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.

 

Got it and loaded it out.

 

 

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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

 

 

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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. 

The shipping weight was 22 pounds. Take away box and packing material. Then add whatever you add

 

 

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Check your plates.

 

 

https://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/AR500-Armor-Recalls-Level-III-Body-Armor/

Damn I'll have to call them on Monday to see if affects 3+ plates

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."