Ar500 vs Spartan body armor

[burt gummer]

So my next purchase is gonna be some body armor and Iv looked on both sites and maybe besides pricing for individual plates and the fact that Spartan has a multi hit plates I would like to know if there is any difference between the two brands, any help much appreciated thanks

 

[Vigilant]

What plates are you looking at? AR500 has quite a few different makes and models. Shy away from the actual AR500 steel plates as they are entirely too heavy.

 

[JollyMon]

Hesco 3810 is what you want. I know its not on your list but it should be.

 

[MCgrease08]

Hesco 3810 is what you want. I know its not on your list but it should be.

Holy moly those are salty!

 

[JollyMon]

Holy moly those are salty!

Well, I rather invest money in life saving equipment instead of cheaping out.. and they are also light weight compared to the others (for a set probably 10 lbs lighter then ar500)... but yes 1200 for a pair is in the higher range....

 

[burt gummer]

Not the steel target plates, I was wanting to get the level IV ceramic,

 

[10-32]

Not the steel target plates, I was wanting to get the level IV ceramic,

I'm not sure about the Ceramic but AR500 supplies the steel plates to Spartan. Ceramic plates are also more fragile. Drop one or let it fall too far and the Ceramic will break making it useless. The only way to make sure the Ceramic is still intact is have it checked with an x-ray. I have access to an x-ray but I really wouldn't know what I was looking for when it comes to plates.

 

[sheepdog697]

I have ar500 plates and they are super heavy. If you do end up going with them make sure you get the anti Spalling option.

 

[freekforge]

I've worn rma armor plates before I think they are right at 100 each for lvl4

 

[stormryder]

I have ar500 plates and they are super heavy. If you do end up going with them make sure you get the anti Spalling option.

Rhino Liner, or Fiberglass wrap works, if you are a do it yourselfer.

 

[JollyMon]

I have ar500 plates and they are super heavy. If you do end up going with them make sure you get the anti Spalling option.

Ar500 Steel are about 20 lbs in a plate carrier, ar500 ceramic are about 17 ... Not enough to make a difference, in my book. I have steel plates in my carrier by my treadmill for runs they should be named the punishers, cause it sucks.

Weight is a killer. Get the lightest that you can afford. Hesco are about 9 in a carrier. That's like wearing a jacket.

 

[SmileDocHill]

Ar500 Steel are about 20 lbs in a plate carrier, ar500 ceramic are about 17 ... Not enough to make a difference, in my book. I have steel plates in my carrier by my treadmill for runs they should be named the punishers, cause it sucks.

Weight is a killer. Get the lightest that you can afford. Hesco are about 9 in a carrier. That's like wearing a jacket.

Not to thread jack but that is a brilliant idea. The plate carrier as added weight is a great additional reason to justify its purchase. If I had a place in my house for a treadmill I would love to have one. I sold mine due to a lack of space years ago. My lungs don't do cold weather exercise without fighting issues for a week afterwards.

 

[10-32]

Rhino Liner, or Fiberglass wrap works, if you are a do it yourselfer.

I'm really tempted to coat one of my steel targets and see how well that works now.

 

[stormryder]

I'm really tempted to coat one of my steel targets and see how well that works now.

There is a Youtube video of a guy making body armor out of fiberglass. Just search fiberglass body armor.

 

[10-32]

There is a Youtube video of a guy making body armor out of fiberglass. Just search fiberglass body armor.

I was more curious to see how well the coating stops spalling. I bought the plates I wanted (11x14 III+ w/build up coating) and a black carrier for one of my side jobs. As we all know, black blends in with nothing in nature but the company said it had to be black so that's what I bought. Several months later I caught one of AR500's sales, buy a carrier get a free set of plates (10x12 base coat). I really didn't need another set of plates so I just bought the carrier in the color I wanted and figured I'd just set the plates aside. Now I'm wishing I would of paid the extra to upgrade the plates to 11X14 with the build up coating. I can't do anything about the size but there's gotta be something that will help catch the spalling. For now I have some of my old soft III armor stuffed in the carrier in front of the plates and trauma pad behind the plates.

 

[stormryder]

I was more curious to see how well the coating stops spalling. I bought the plates I wanted (11x14 III+ w/build up coating) and a black carrier for one of my side jobs. As we all know, black blends in with nothing in nature but the company said it had to be black so that's what I bought. Several months later I caught one of AR500's sales, buy a carrier get a free set of plates (10x12 base coat). I really didn't need another set of plates so I just bought the carrier in the color I wanted and figured I'd just set the plates aside. Now I'm wishing I would of paid the extra to upgrade the plates to 11X14 with the build up coating. I can't do anything about the size but there's gotta be something that will help catch the spalling. For now I have some of my old soft III armor stuffed in the carrier in front of the plates and trauma pad behind the plates.

i was using that as a reference on how to wrap the plates for an anti-spalling layer.

 

[JollyMon]

There is a Youtube video of a guy making body armor out of fiberglass. Just search fiberglass body armor.

there was also a guy on YouTube telling people that you can make ceramic body armor by gluing kitchen tile together.

i wouldn’t trust my life on YouTube personalities

 

[sell33]

The Swimmer cut plates from Spartan are pretty comfortable. As had already been said, I would hate to find out my ceramic plates were cracked the hard way. Steel is worth the weight. Of course the light weight options are great if you can afford it.


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[dudley0]

The set of steel plates I got just sit on a shelf. They are heavy for sure. My plan for them now is to put them in a carrier and have them for back up in the shelter at the new place.

 

[sheepdog697]

Hesco 3810 is what you want. I know its not on your list but it should be.

Where did you pick up your hescos from? I see Trex arms is carrying them. Any other vendors you suggest?