Posted: 1/18/2010 5:44:41 PM EDT
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Normally I post my tests in tech forums, but I thought GD might like to see this one.
http://vuurwapenblog.com/2010/01/18/bulletproofme-com-level-iv-armor-plate-test/ Forgot to add - should have some interesting news on my blog tomorrow morning...7am... |
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Now that was impressive. I was sitting there watching the video thinking what would M193 would do to it. Last shot  Glad you tested it. Too many make the assumption that if it will stop the big stuff it will stop the little stuff. BTW there are easier way to shred things LOL |
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Now that was impressive. I was sitting there watching the video thinking what would M193 would do to it. Last shot
Glad you tested it. Too many make the assumption that if it will stop the big stuff it will stop the little stuff. BTW there are easier way to shred things LOL I tried to cover all the bases...as you can see, there's one 4" square portion that remains relatively undamaged, so if anyone can come up with a good idea for what I should put there, I'll do it. If no one has any ideas, I'll shoot it with a 55gr sabot out of my 30-06, at 4000+ fps. |
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I know the plate stopped the -06, but holy crap would that hurt. It threw that plate around like it was nothing. Watching the M855 hit it was sort of disappointing compared to the 06 and 308.
BTW, thanks for creamin that plate. That can't be cheap. Neat to know and see what shooting stuff does to things. |
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I realize it's "only" 308 in the video but does anyone know what type of armor is in the Second Chance Hardcore 3? Rich Davis claims it will handle 458 Win mag.
Video - Shot with 308 wearing rifle vest |
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thoughts on 5.45x39? Does this also zip right through LVLIII? I am fairly certain that the 5.45x39 only penetrated because I placed the rounds where the plate was already damaged. This was the opinion of Dr. Gary Roberts (DocGKR) after I emailed him the video. I did get some good advice from him prior to the test, but any technical errors are my fault, not his. |
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Very well done my friend!
Having shot some of those projectiles at various 'hard' targets I'm impressed the plate works that well. I have shot some into flagstone and the AP core will often go 3 in into the stone with the core left embedded in a crater. On removal the steel core is still sharp! Did you find any of the cores? Would like to see if they are still in one piece and sharp. |
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My ceramic Bulletproof Me plates claim they do not offer level IV protection unless used with a level 3A vest. Is that the same plate used for this test or a different one? I don't recall seeing any other plates offered on their website, except steel plates. This is a different one, stand alone Level IV. |
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Quoted: Great review, good to see someone independently test this gear.Quoted: My ceramic Bulletproof Me plates claim they do not offer level IV protection unless used with a level 3A vest. Is that the same plate used for this test or a different one? I don't recall seeing any other plates offered on their website, except steel plates. This is a different one, stand alone Level IV. Looks like Bulletproofme has relabeled some Max Pro armor. For you LEO and .mil types US Cav will sell it to you for $175.99 with credentials, Galls has it in their catalog but it's web page seems to have been hidden. Gall's did not ask for credentials when I've ordered from them in the past. http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&cat=0&style=TE770 http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&cat=0&style=TE897 Both places seem to have the back plate on back order. Company test video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnRVHk2tcBY |
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Great review, good to see someone independently test this gear.
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My ceramic Bulletproof Me plates claim they do not offer level IV protection unless used with a level 3A vest. Is that the same plate used for this test or a different one? I don't recall seeing any other plates offered on their website, except steel plates. This is a different one, stand alone Level IV. Looks like Bulletproofme has relabeled some Max Pro armor. For you LEO and .mil types US Cav will sell it to you for $175.99 with credentials, Galls has it in their catalog but it's web page seems to have been hidden. Gall's did not ask for credentials when I've ordered from them in the past. http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&cat=0&style=TE770 http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&cat=0&style=TE897 Both places seem to have the back plate on back order. Company test video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnRVHk2tcBY Those are the same plates shown in the OP's video? |
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There you have it folks.....5.45x39 is superior to 5.56x45
The plate did indeed stop 3 shots of .30-06 AP (163gr hardened steel penetrator projectiles courtesy of Rich_V on AR15.com), as well as many other rounds. The plate allowed part of one .308 projectile, as well as 4 5.45×39mm projectiles, to penetrate. However, these hits were in rather close proximity to other impacts. Because this was a ceramic plate, the initial impacts fractured the plate (it’s designed to absorb the impact this way) and the later projectiles “slipped through” the cracks. Even after it had been shot over a dozen times, and it had literally come apart, it still stopped XM193 5.56×45 and a 12ga slug. Overall, I’m very impressed with the performance of this plate, especially considering the cost ($270). I’d still probably wear soft armor underneath the plates, given the chance, but at least I know that the plate exceeds the manufacturer’s claims. |
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do plates have a life span? To my knowledge, plates of this type do not "expire". Poly-whatever plates apparently don't do well in high heat. Ceramic plates such as the ones in my video should be x-rayed on an annual basis - assuming you use/wear them and don't just store them in a safe place for a rainy day. |
Wow, I'm glad I bought myself a set of these plates last year, makes me feel my money was well spent. Thanks for your time and money, job well done.
Edited to add: BPM has no problem selling to law abiding citizens and has excellent customer service. A topped notch bunch to say the least! |
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Nice test. Thanks for giving up your time/money for the betterment of the community. I could not say it any better.....  You're welcome. After the plate, the 30-06 rifle, the scope, dies, shellholder, powder, etc was tallied up, I am invested...heavily in this test. BPM - who I did not contact prior to the test and did not ask for a replacement plate, or hint for asking for a replacement - said they want to send me a replacement plate as a thank-you. So if I can find another use for the rifle  then I won't really be "out" anything any more.
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Very well done my friend! Having shot some of those projectiles at various 'hard' targets I'm impressed the plate works that well. I have shot some into flagstone and the AP core will often go 3 in into the stone with the core left embedded in a crater. On removal the steel core is still sharp! Did you find any of the cores? Would like to see if they are still in one piece and sharp. I haven't torn into the plate yet to look for the AP steel cores. I found the shotgun slug, about 8 feet away from the plate. |
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Great review, good to see someone independently test this gear.
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My ceramic Bulletproof Me plates claim they do not offer level IV protection unless used with a level 3A vest. Is that the same plate used for this test or a different one? I don't recall seeing any other plates offered on their website, except steel plates. This is a different one, stand alone Level IV. Looks like Bulletproofme has relabeled some Max Pro armor. For you LEO and .mil types US Cav will sell it to you for $175.99 with credentials, Galls has it in their catalog but it's web page seems to have been hidden. Gall's did not ask for credentials when I've ordered from them in the past. http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&cat=0&style=TE770 http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&cat=0&style=TE897 Both places seem to have the back plate on back order. Company test video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnRVHk2tcBY I plan to buy those plates from Max Pro. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Great review, good to see someone independently test this gear.Quoted: My ceramic Bulletproof Me plates claim they do not offer level IV protection unless used with a level 3A vest. Is that the same plate used for this test or a different one? I don't recall seeing any other plates offered on their website, except steel plates. This is a different one, stand alone Level IV. Looks like Bulletproofme has relabeled some Max Pro armor. For you LEO and .mil types US Cav will sell it to you for $175.99 with credentials, Galls has it in their catalog but it's web page seems to have been hidden. Gall's did not ask for credentials when I've ordered from them in the past. http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&cat=0&style=TE770 http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&cat=0&style=TE897 Both places seem to have the back plate on back order. Company test video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnRVHk2tcBY Those are the same plates shown in the OP's video? I'm 99.9% sure. If you pause the OP's video at 36 seconds or 1:41 and compare to the plates pictured below it looks like a match.    |
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I tried to cover all the bases...as you can see, there's one 4" square portion that remains relatively undamaged, so if anyone can come up with a good idea for what I should put there, I'll do it. If no one has any ideas, I'll shoot it with a 55gr sabot out of my 30-06, at 4000+ fps. Great job 87 very good information! How about shooting that remaining piece of plate with an M885/ss109 round and give us an idea of how well the plate stands up to the ammo and an idea if the ammo will penetrate a plate. |
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I tried to cover all the bases...as you can see, there's one 4" square portion that remains relatively undamaged, so if anyone can come up with a good idea for what I should put there, I'll do it. If no one has any ideas, I'll shoot it with a 55gr sabot out of my 30-06, at 4000+ fps. Great job 87 very good information! How about shooting that remaining piece of plate with an M885/ss109 round and give us an idea of how well the plate stands up to the ammo and an idea if the ammo will penetrate a plate. Thanks! Actually I shot it 3 times with M855/SS109, those are shots 3, 4, and 5. 4, 5, and 6. |
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These appear to be one of the more affordable Level IV stand alone options out there today. Despite being a bit on the heavy side at 7.5 lbs per plate, that is still lighter than the next cheapest option (bulletproofme.com 9 lb steel Level III plates). But it also offers a much greater level of protection.
I'm seriously thinking about ordering a set of these plates from Galls for use in an Eagle PC w/ cummerbund. Again, they are a bit lighter than steel Level III plates, yet offer a greater degree of protection. Whereas no steel only Level III plate will protect against M193 and other fast, light 5.56mm loads, these plates will. And they'll also protect against .30 cal AP. Not bad. Not bad at all. |
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In this months Wired magazine they had bulletproof vest test, lemme see if I can find it. http://www.wired.com/reviews/product/pr_extremetest_bulletproofvests |