Got to keep my IBA from the Army, have 2 full size AR1500 plates front and back that cover my whole torso.
Heavy, but is better to sweat than bleed IMHO.
We wore full vests in the Army, and they had trauma plates that went in them as well. Guess what, the plates were about that size. Just big enough to cover the vitals. The rest of the vest was only rated to stop fragments. It would only protect you from flying debris, and maybe some grenade fragments... if you weren't too close to the blast. The price you pay for that is weight, and worse... HEAT. You get hotter than hell wearing a full vest. I just ordered my first civilian body armor tonight.
Plate carrier only. Vest will NOT stop bullets, so I'm not gonna get heat stroke again wearing one. Now I have to save up for the plates to go in the carrier...
Probably nothing I can do to prevent myself from getting hurt, (other than to stay out of the fight altogether) but if I can prevent from getting dead... that's good enough.
I just picked up an IOTV vest. Should be 3A, had the soft armor inside and the groin protector and one for the rear. Was not familiar with it but didn't want to pass it up. The carrier I had was too small and plates were very heavy.Yeah I mean everything is a compromise at the end of the day.
I opted for vests with more coverage and pockets for the heavier plates. The vests are 3A which will stop pretty much every handgun round and buckshot outside of 5.7x28 I think. The level 4 plates are there if god forbid I'm taking rifle rounds, but honestly at that point I'm probably screwed anyway but /shrug.
I just picked up an IOTV vest. Should be 3A, had the soft armor inside and the groin protector and one for the rear. Was not familiar with it but didn't want to pass it up. The carrier I had was too small and plates were very heavy.
Not sure what I have but hope I did ok.
Any input? Gem or junk?
Got to keep my IBA from the Army, have 2 full size AR1500 plates front and back that cover my whole torso.
Heavy, but is better to sweat than bleed IMHO.
$400, and there is MOLLE all over it.It's all relative. What did you pay for it and does it fit your "need?"
I paid $300 for my Level 3A vests but wish I would have got the ones with MOLLE system. I can sew on a MOLLE attachment so it's not a big deal but in hindsight it would be more useful. They cover the majority of the chest area. I mean plates are great because the cover the "vitals" but I also don't want to take a bullet period. There's some side coverage too which plates don't offer and you can easily die from getting shot in the side.
Try here. Owner (Josh) is a great guy. Website is usually good about up to date in stock inventory.Any suggestions for brands that are currently available (meaning not a 2-3 month wait)?
For $300 or less, are you looking at the heavier hard plates?
Can anyone recommend a company that sells ballistic helmets preferred rifle rated Iv seen IIIA rated only, is that as high as they go??
Don’t think they go higher...too heavy...