I’m looking to pick up my first armor rig. I’m very budget-oriented for this, so cheaper is better, but without using anything I wouldn’t want to trust my life on of course. I’m looking for something as reasonably light weight within budget parameters as possible. Not looking at spending more than $500 on the whole rig. I’m also slender, bust size around 35", so I don’t need anything huge, per se.
After all of my research, the firs thought was to go with the AR500 III+ Lightweight. Seems very attractive for the price and seems to have a decent reputation from all of the independent reviews I’ve seen. If I go that route, I’m truly tied between the Advanced Lightweight Shooter’s Cut and the Advanced Shooter’s Cut… but the ALSC does kind of terrify me if it means sacrificing coverage for my lungs, which it looks like it very well should (correct me if I’m wrong). In my research in general, I’m having a really hard time coming across objective and comparative reviews, which is why I’m here now.
Even if it’s Level IV NIJ rated/tested with good reviews? I get the hesitation, but I also don’t want to care where something comes from, so long as it’s objectively a good product.
General SHTF stateside-prep. Nothing in particular, no threats in particular. Nothing I’d wear regularly.
I would suggest looking at your plan and seeing why you would want budget armor in such a scenario. Without a good PC, with multicurve, lightweight plates, you’re gonna hate being in the armor, which means you won’t wear it. Either way, it’ll limit mobility, wear you out faster, and make you an overt target usually, for minimal gain for most situations. Your money is probably better spent elsewhere, whether it be magnified optics, water filters, running shoes, etc.
If you must have cheap armor, first note that there is a difference between NIJ certified, and simply being tested to NIJ standards. The former is maintained in a list on the NIJ website, while the latter is you taking the word of the marketing team that the manufacturer did in fact do proper testing.
Next is to note that the NIJ standards are extremely specific. The obvious one is how an NIJ Level 4 plate does not necessarily pass NIJ Level 3 ratings, as NIJ Level 4 does not need to be multihit capable. The other big one is that NIJ Level 3 is concerned only with M80 ball; this in no way means it’ll defeat common .223 threats. UHMWPE level 3s are defeated by M855 (or other rounds with steel penetrator cores), while steel level 3s are defeated by M193 (or other high velocity rounds).
Note how the AR500 Level IIII+ only defeats M193 up to 3100 FPS, while the Level III+ Lightweight only to 3000 FPS. M193 out a 16" barrel is generally considered to leave the muzzle at 3100 FPS, while 18" will hit 3200 FPS, and 20" will hit 3300 FPS.
Armor from China= Run away! Run away! You have literally NO guarantee what you’re getting.
If you have no idea what role the armor is going to fill, or what it needs to do for you, than how can you be looking for armor?
But since this is stateside, your major rifle threats are going to be 5.56 M193/M855, 7.62x39, .308, 7.62x54R (because everyone and their goddamn uncle with a Mosin for their SHTF rifle) and 5.45, probably in that order.
If whatever plates you want are not gonna stop 193, 855, x39 and .308, IMHO, there’s really no point in buying it.
And yes, you want triple curve. Trust me.
After those considerations, it’s merely a consideration of the weight and thickness Vs Price ratio. Short answer, the heavier and fatter the plates are, the less they cost, the thinner and lighter you go, the more they cost. Yes, life sucks. :laugh:
After that, Get a GOOD PC (not some other chinese ripoff), and do NOT overload it. If you need help picking one out, I have owned (or handled/borrowed) most of the major market options, and also have a worm-like physique. :laugh:
Unfortunately, I assure you this will likely cost you more than the $500 you want to spend.
I’m not sure why people keep coming up with this number as their “all-in-one” price tag, but you’re not the first I’ve seen ask this same question in the last month alone… I think most folks are spending to much time looking at AR500 or Chicom offbrand “plates+carrier” options and think they can get something better for a similar price point…
Let me put this in perspective- you’re looking at around $2-300 for a decent PC alone, likely $4-500 PER plate minimum, if you want something multicurve with reasonable stopping properties and doesn’t weigh 9 lbs each.
That’s just how it is.
Currently my plate carrier is loaded with 2 AR1000 spall coated plates, around 6 lbs apiece. I taught a carbine class loaded out with it and after about 6 hours my 50+ year old back was not happy. I knew the distributer , so I bought the plates for dirt cheap. But lighter plates are the way to go, and that means more $…
Your best price on ceramic level IV plates will be about $250 then a good plate carrier will run about $250. If you wait until a holiday London Bridge usually has their carriers on sale or you can check out their eBay store and they sometimes have deals. http://www.ebaystores.com/legitkit/_i.html?_fsub=1310758016&
Granted I don’t have the experience others have but I do have to slightly disagree.
If your ok with the plate carrier not being covered in molle etc etc you can get a quality one from skd pig, first spear, and grey ghost for $90-$120
And if you don’t mind the plates not being tested by nij but being independently tested to compete with their standards then skd tactical has a sub 7lb level 4 stand alone ceramic for $190 per plate
Honestly… if budget is an issue for you… just skip the plates and spend more on training and ammo.
Shoot faster and more accurately. Plates are heavy and you must train in them to make them work in serious usage. You will not attain the same positions and do what you normally do. There is a learning curve with them. They protect a limited but important part of your body. If you’re not going to train with them regularly you’re better off without them.
If you are going to get plates, skip the AR500 and make sure you go with quality like the ones mentioned above.
I’d like to add that regardless of what armor you get, you need to be sure that you’re in good enough shape to wear it, specifically your lower back. It’s extremely easy to twist the wrong way or bend/run during a drill and throw your back out. You’re adding a lot of weight to your upper body and expecting it to perform as usual. This is how you pull a muscle or herniate a disc.
I recommend deadlifts and squats to strengthen your core and back muscles.
I’d like to add that there is an ergonomic factor to “thin plates”. Once you start to exceed the ~1" mark, you run into extra bulk and decreased range of motion in some cases.
Personally, I’d go thinner with less protection within reason of course.
So I was re reading your post and thought to address your concerns with the size of the alcs design.
Pretty standard swimmers I believe 10x12 lvl 4 from skdtac in grey on the bottom with the AR500 alcs plate in black on top.
There’s not really a big difference in coverage.
