Posted: 5/6/2009 8:53:34 AM EDT
| School me on modern body armor ARFCOM. Do all level IV plates need to be backed by a level III soft armor vest? What are the legalities of buying it as a civilian? Are the plates difficult to care for? Do they have a shelf life? Are those expensive plate carriers usually worn with mag pouches attached, or can a chest rig be worn over them? Are there any disreputable manufacturers or vendors to avoid? |
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Level IV stand alone plates are rated at Level IV rates on their own. Some people will still back these with soft armor anyways for the spall protection (from fragmentation, pistol rounds, etc. not covered by the plates).
Level IV plates are rated at Level IV when backed with the listed soft armor (almost always soft IIIA). Legal as long as you aren't a felon. Not difficult to care for. Not sure on shelf life. They have the date they were made on them, I've never heard of hard plates wearing out from just sitting (hard use, however, can weaken/break them). The more expensive plate carriers (CIRAS, etc.) generally have MOLLE webbing on them, so you can attach whatever MOLLE gear you want. |
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Quoted:
Level IV stand alone plates are rated at Level IV rates on their own. Some people will still back these with soft armor anyways for the spall protection (from fragmentation, pistol rounds, etc. not covered by the plates). Level IV plates are rated at Level IV when backed with the listed soft armor (almost always soft IIIA). Legal as long as you aren't a felon. Not difficult to care for. Not sure on shelf life. They have the date they were made on them, I've never heard of hard plates wearing out from just sitting (hard use, however, can weaken/break them). The more expensive plate carriers (CIRAS, etc.) generally have MOLLE webbing on them, so you can attach whatever MOLLE gear you want. If you can get your hands on the Crye Precision Armor Chassis then dooooooo it. |
| On the plus side, armor does work with limitations. Those ceramic plates are one use wonders. You have to replace them. On the down side, body armor is heavy and limits your mobility. Sadly I can see a generation of warriors who will be dealing with debilitating spinal issues later in life. |
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Level IV Stand Alone plates are pretty heavy. Do they make lightweight ones now?
You can wear an LBV of whatever design you want over your armor and I know some guys who do. It makes it easier getting in and out of vehicles, you always have your armor on for security, and/or you can use the vest without the armor for some types of ops. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Level IV stand alone plates are rated at Level IV rates on their own. Some people will still back these with soft armor anyways for the spall protection (from fragmentation, pistol rounds, etc. not covered by the plates). Level IV plates are rated at Level IV when backed with the listed soft armor (almost always soft IIIA). Legal as long as you aren't a felon. Not difficult to care for. Not sure on shelf life. They have the date they were made on them, I've never heard of hard plates wearing out from just sitting (hard use, however, can weaken/break them). The more expensive plate carriers (CIRAS, etc.) generally have MOLLE webbing on them, so you can attach whatever MOLLE gear you want. If you can get your hands on the Crye Precision Armor Chassis then dooooooo it. $1900 MSRP. Hot damn. |
