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You actually appear to have a decent grasp of the basics.

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You got a good grasp.  Just realize that they may work to stop the bullet from penetrating, but you will still feel it.

http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/external/1563718_1169560_5845298_Web_3/0_0_30b0edd3216b7407606e96b0d84cee83_1

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You missed the closeout sale from Galls a couple of months back. I got a level IIIA, wrap around, two carriers and a trauma plate for $350. A bunch of members bought the other level IIIA vest for $299.

The soft armor goes on then  a plate carrier vest on the outside for a level IV protection.

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Do they sell to 'civilians'?

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I don't get it.

Did that kid get shot in the head with a vest on or something?

2005- A maker of body armor said Wednesday that nearly 100,000 of its vests may not be bullet-resistant and urged police departments nationwide to replace them.

Second Chance Body Armor said it issued the safety notices after research "showed that protective vests constructed only partially from Zylon may fail to perform and result in serious injury or death."

The company has received no reports of field failures, but "we felt it was our obligation to report these new research findings immediately," said Matt Davis, vice president of sales and marketing.

Zylon was introduced in body armor in the late 1990s as a lighter alternative to fabrics such as Kevlar. Second Chance introduced its products with Zylon in 1998.

The notices apply to about 58,000 Tri-Flex vests and another 40,000 Ultima and Ultimax vests with Performance Pacs and recommended they be replaced with products that do not contain Zylon.

But, the company added in a statement posted on its Web site, some protection is better than none, and "until the affected vests are replaced, officers should continue to wear" them.

Second Chance, which filed last year for bankruptcy, plans "to petition the bankruptcy court for a procedure for police departments and safety officers to present claims that may result from this new information."

The company, based in Central Lake, Michigan, describes itself as "the nation's largest manufacturer of modern, wearable, concealable body armor."

"The safety and well-being of all the officers who wear our body armor is of primary importance to Second Chance and we strongly encourage all officers to replace ballistic vests that contain Zylon as quickly as possible," the statement said.

The problems are industry-wide, he said, adding that the company is "aggressively pursuing litigation" against the fiber's maker, Toyobo Co., Ltd., based in Osaka, Japan.

Toyobo officials did not immediately return an e-mail message or a phone call seeking comment.

In September 2003, testing of used vests containing only Zylon "showed degradation problems with the fiber that potentially shortened the wearable life of the vest," Second Chance said.

The company filed for bankruptcy in October 2004 after recalling more than 130,000 vests made wholly of Zylon, but it did not recall vests made of Zylon blended with other protective fibers.

But further investigation by a polymer chemist found the material contained up to eight times the desired level of acids that can result in the rapid and dramatic loss of strength in the clothing, the company said.

"These test results lead us to believe that even products that contain relatively low percentages of Zylon by weight may fail to perform as expected," Davis said.

"In our line of business, any potential failure is unacceptable, and we moved immediately to alert our customers –– and others within our industry –– of this problem."

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Get 3A 100% aramid weave type armour, then if you want plates dont be cheap and get some ceramic (ceradyne) level 4 plates. For the soft armour Spears/BALC is a popular cut pattern.  If you buy it like this you will need a carrier for the soft armour and either a second carrier for the plates or one that will carry both. Plates are heavy though.

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Unless true armor-piercing ammo is a realistic threat I would prefer the multi-hit protection provided by type III armor.  Type IV armor is only rated for ONE hit (although particular plates may take more).

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+1

Since I'm non-LEO or .mil my need for body armor is very low, however, I do like the idea of being able to throw something over my head if I hear something go "bump" in the night.  Based on what I thought my needs would be in a home invasion scenario (pistol caliber rounds, 7.62X39, .223) I went with Level III plates in an Eagle plate carrier.  While these will not stop XM-193 it should stop most commercial .223 rounds along with M855.  I would rather have multi-hit protection from buckshot or 9mm than single-hit protection from a .30-06 AP round, but YMMV.

A good place for Level III stand-alone plates is here... and they do sell to civilians.
 

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I had the same idea.  Standalone type III plates in a simple carrier to throw on quickly.  I went with polyethylene though, because m193 is what my/the lady's rifles are loaded with.

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100% PE plates have problems stopping m193...

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I was under the impression that most PE plates will stop m193.   It's the m855 that gets through.

When looking at hard body armor, end-users need to assess what threats they anticipate, their operational environment, as well as mobility needs.

For OCONUS military and para-military settings, level IV plates capable of stopping AP rounds may be a critical requirement. For the typical LE officer within CONUS, it is highly unusual to be confronted by opponents using AP ammo; it is much more likely to be hit with FMJ and hunting rounds from rifles in calibers from .223 to .30-06, as well as 12 ga. shotguns. Thus, multi-hit capable level III plates are a good choice for CONUS LE use.

Currently there are four common options for level III plates:

5-6 mm AR500/R50c steel plates: Level III steel plates offer a very thin profile, but are a bit heavier (6.5-7.5 lbs for a 10x12 plate) than some other options. They are very durable and offer inexpensive closely spaced multi-hit capability against non-AP 7.62 x 39 mm and 7.62 x 51 mm, as well as for slower 5.56 mm loads. Many of the lightweight (55 gr or less), hot loaded 5.56 mm loads will zip right through steel plates. It is a VERY good idea to wear level IIIa soft armor underneath steel plates.

Hard compressed polyethelene (Dyneema/Spectra/Gold Shield) plates: These are very lightweight (3-4 lbs for a 10 x 12 plate) multi-hit capable level III plates that will stop the hot loaded, lightweight 5.56 mm ammo that defeats steel, along with the 7.62 mm threats stopped by steel. Unfortunately, they are often perforated by current military issue 5.56 mm 62 gr M855 FMJ “green-tip” ammunition. Most compressed polyethelene plates are best worn in conjunction with soft level IIIa armor underneath.

Non-Ceramic Hybrid plates: These combine several non-ceramic materials, for example both steel or titanium and compressed polyethelene layers, and appear to offer the best protection of any current level III plates. They are very durable and stop multiple closely spaced hits of almost all non-AP ammo, including high velocity 5.56 mm threats, as well as M855; however they are a bit heavier (7.5 lbs for a 10 x 12 plate) than some plates. These are NIJ stand-alone capable, so soft armor is not required underneath.

Ceramic plates: These plates are relatively lightweight (4-6 lbs for a 10 x 12 plate) for the protection provided, but are often more expensive, can be more susceptible to damage in day-to-day use, and usually cannot withstand as many closely spaced hits as other plate types. Ceramic plates need to be x-rayed each year to ensure that hidden cracks are not present. Ceramic plates are available in both in-conjunction and stand-alone configurations. Note that almost all level IV plates use ceramic elements in order to stop AP rounds.

Ceramic Hybrid plates: Most ceramic hybrid plates combine ceramic materials like Silicone Carbide, Aluminum Oxide, or Boron Carbide along with various other materials, including steel, compressed polyethelene, etc... These plates are often heavier than pure ceramic plates, but are a bit more robust, with potentially better multi-hit protection . Nonetheless, yearly radiographic analysis is necessary because of the ceramic elements. These are frequently stand-alone level IV plates designed to stop AP projectiles.

For test data, read: http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=32839

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Unless true armor-piercing ammo is a realistic threat I would prefer the multi-hit protection provided by type III armor.  Type IV armor is only rated for ONE hit (although particular plates may take more).

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I wore level 2 for years.  For me, the best compromise between comfort and protection.  Remember, it does not work if you don't wear it.

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Yep. A thread in team. The membership bought a bunch of vests. My vest was made by point blank with a galls tag, regular retail was something along the lines of $600, point blank version $800. It was a deal. Was wearing it an hour ago.

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I know the sale is over, but do you have a link in Team or what the general title was?

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I don't know much about body armor.



I know that there is soft armor, like level II and level III which is designed to stop handgun and 12 gauge rounds, as well as stabbings.

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So level IV offers single hit protection against AP but not multiple hit protection for non-AP like level III? Or did I read the thread wrong?

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I went with the Ceradyne because I got a good deal on them from a friend who used them for only a month as a PMC in Iraq. Otherwise its almost impossible to buy them up here. Besides even with good plates stopping the rounds multiple hits could still kill you if the spall deflects up into your head, neck, face or whatever area upon impact.  You guys have more options down there then us.

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You missed the closeout sale from Galls a couple of months back. I got a level IIIA, wrap around, two carriers and a trauma plate for $350. A bunch of members bought the other level IIIA vest for $299.

The soft armor goes on then  a plate carrier vest on the outside for a level IV protection.

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Fudge!