I’m retired from the Army (non-Combat Arms) and drive a desk at a defense contractor in a pretty calm part of the South.
Am I crazy/in a Walter Mitty fantasy for thinking I should buy a plate carrier and rifle plates to prepare for the remote chance we have a social break down in the next 10 years?
If buying plates is a reasonable thing to do, are Linexed steel front/rear Level III+ plates sufficient for a purely civilian threat?
I have a concealable soft armor vest now.
Thank you
Andy
Friends don’t let friends wear steel plates, especially when there is ceramic composite lvl IV plates for around $200.
Velocity STOP plates are what you seek
Steel ONLY belongs in spare carrier for PT
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LA Police Gear has level IV plates for $119 each and have plenty in stock.
https://lapolicegear.com/la-police-gear-level-iv-ballistic-armor-plate.html
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Yes you should have armor and a carrier, why? Because why not. Same as stored food, ammo, tools, multiple guns. Better to have and not need, than…you know.
Don’t cheap out on the carrier, and don’t get steel, it’s not ideal. Those 2 things are noob mistake #1. So many good options out there for good ceramic/PE plates out there. All about how much you can spend.
They say light weight, good protection, low cost–you can only have 2 of those 3.
RMA Armament has good stuff, and alot of options, as does LAPG. Also bulletproofme.com.
Decide on plates first, then a carrier to fit them.
10 years? More like the next 10 days.
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When they say 5 yr shelf life, what’s that mean?
Thank you for the great replies and the source links.
Andy
Depends on what he’s most likely to get shot by. A level IV plate doesn’t do me much good stopping an AP round if M193 penetrates. Maybe AP rounds are a bigger threat to him than the most common AR rounds, but I’d look at those plates (or any plates you’re plates you’re considering) specific “shot sheet” before buying them.
IMHO M193, M855, and 7.62x39 ball are far more likely to be encountered than any AP round. The Body Armor Outlet plates linked above show they protect against multiple M193/M855 rounds and are made in the USA. They are a pound heavier per plate than the LA Police Gear plates though.
Andy
The level IV will stop M193 and AP rounds, while NIJ standard is 1 AP round from a 30.06 it can take multi hit M855, M193 and 7.62x39.
They also have a level III that had impressive results.
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Don’t bother with steel.
Lightweight Duritium plates like the new GT2 plates are comfortable, thin and level III+. 15 year warranty, made in the US unlike some of the chin-wa-choo knockoff stuff with dubious ballistic capability.
Be sure to check for NIJ ratings.
I would say yes. Just like you don’t plan on getting in a car wreck, but seat belts are a great idea.
The big debate is Composite or Steel. It really depends on qhat you want. If you are going to build a full plate carrier with all of the gear on it then Composite is the way to go as tney are generally much lighter.
If you want as low viz as possible then I would use steel. They are heavier, but are traditionally up to 1 /5th as thick.
I have both. My low viz set up is steel and I can wear level 3 plates and soft armor under a normal shirt. I also have my full on Eagle PLate Carrier that has a few months in Afghanistan that has great light weight composite armor.
If you listen to the internet and fear steel plates, simply do what I do. Buy steel plates and get some side plates with it. Then take the side plates to the range and blast the hell out of them. I just did this last month and shot the crap out of them. Used 5.56 (55, 62, and 77) 308 (147 , 168), and 9mm (pistol and from an SMG) at ranges from 50 yards as close as 10 feet. The plates took over 200 rounds and don’t show any signs of wear. I also taped balloons to the back side to show the people I was with that the rumors of spall are total BS. Couldn’t get te balloons to pop with shooting the plates.
Should you get plates?
That’s kinda up to you. If you believe in the 2A, then yes. If you live in a built up area with a possibility of political or civil unrest? Probably not a bad idea.
Steel plates are not the best plates in the world, but they WILL stop a round. When one of my buddies got new ESAPI’s we turned one of his steel plates into a “target” and it stopped HUNDREDS of rounds of 556. All M855 and M193. I’ll even sell you my 3+ set for cheap, hit the PM’s.
Really you should ask yourself what you actually plan on doing while wearing the armor, and then select gear accordingly. If you just want to be hardened while moving to a safer area in a vehicle: a set of steel plates in a low vis carrier is NOT bad kit. If you wanted to patrol long distances, around water, or wear your armor for very long periods of time: then a steel kit isn’t so hot.
Doc and Turnburglar make excellent points. I wish to be hardened during travel and for short time periods. I do not anticipate moving long distances on foot wearing armor.
My biggest worry with steel armor is projectile fragment/splash/ricochet.
The only hard armor I have experience with is Interceptor with SAPI.
I appreciate the offer. If I decide I need $$$ plates down the road, the steel armor would just get passed to a family member.
Andy
One of the things to consider is availability. I’m not sure if any vendors have steel plates in stock.
AR500 has a 6 week backlog as do other plate manufacturers.
Depending on what happens on Tuesday things may get worse for availability.
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I have RMA level 4 and LA police gear level 3s… The biggest issue is weight… My SKD Paraclete has the RMA, but also mag pouches, IFAK, knife, pistol mags, TQ. I also have soft armor for the cummerbunds. This is more of a home defense set up.
My Level 3s are in a Condor MOPC, which isn’t bad, and an almost identical set up as my SKD…it is lighter and a lot more mobile…
I am a big believer in side armor, at least 3A, but I have RMA Level 4 side plates just in case…
Yes. Haven’t carried AR500 in years but they were always 8-10 weeks out even a decade ago now.
I think that’s a liability thing for police departments to worry about being sued over a failure- most of this armor will sit in a closet, or be lightly worn. Don’t leave it in the car and take care of it, and it will be effective for your grandkids.
That is BS Internet information. It is designed to not effect you like that. It is not a slab of steel that you simply strap to your chest.