Hard and Soft armor questions

General Firearms Terminal Ballistic Information
1

Well I’ve been researching for the past few weeks and found an enormous wealth of information here on M4C and have a few lingering questions as well as get some feedback from you all. I’m a civilian with a valid carry license and this is my first set of armor. So far I’ve only purchased the SKD PIG

Training/SHTF Plate Carrier:
SKD PIG Plate Carrier
AMI SAPI3 10x12 front/11x14 back (will add TAC3S plates when money permits a second set. I’m 6’0" 155lbs so I’m concerned about the weight for a course I have coming up).
Velocity Systems Plate backers and soft armor in the cummerbund.

Concealment
Mayflower Low Profile Carrier with Velocity Systems IIIa soft armor

It seems like SKD and several other retailers push the velocity systems soft armor but the only info I’ve been able to find and an email to Velocity reveals they are only NIJ .04 certified. Should I skip these in favor of something NIJ .06? I haven’t been able to find soft inserts for the pig that is .06. If I’m not wearing side plates can I feel confident that the velocity systems soft armor in the cummerbund would stop a wide range of common handgun rounds?

Same question with the mayflower. I’m pretty happy with its features and love the ability to put in plates and still have a degree of concealability should the need arise. That said I’ve only been able to find the Velocity Systems and MSA Paraclete in concealment cut but again it appears they are the older .04 standard. Diamond Back Tactical has some concealable options that are .06 certified but there’s not many reviews about their gear online and everyone seems to universally approve of the mayflower. What do you guys think? Am I headed in the right direction?

2

Neither the AMI SAPI3 or Tac3S need plate backers–they work fine as stand alone plates without underlying soft armor.

Why run a plate carrier and a low pro carrier? Both hold plates and do the same thing. Pick one and drive on.

MSA/Paraclete does not exist anymore. Paraclete is now part of Point Blank/PPE/Paraclete/PACA–they have some of the best soft armor solutions currently available, as noted here: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19912

3

Thank you for your time and your thoughts, Dr. Roberts.

The reason I chose two different carriers is I wanted a system with MOLLE that I could attach hydration packs, side plates and other kit for training courses. I also needed a slicker system for concealability for every day wear under button up shirts.

May I ask your thoughts on the .04 versus .06 question for the Velocity Systems armor? I see the VS-13A is mentioned in your post as OK for contact shots but its not on the FBI list. Should I scrap my plans for the mayflower carrier and pick something else for concealment? (http://www.mayflower-rc.org/store/7016/23/Low-Profile-Armor-Carrier-with-Lvl-IIIA-Soft-Armor.html)

I certainly don’t intend to be argumentative in the least, just a little confused. I was looking at AMI’s website and it says they recommend SAPI3 be worn in conjunction with soft armor (http://www.armoredmobility.com/products_sapi3.php) versus the TAC3S that specifically state they are stand alone (http://www.armoredmobility.com/products_tac3s.php).

Thanks again.