Posted: 10/25/2004 12:46:55 PM EDT
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What is the best, and how/where can I buy it? I have worn IBA in Iraq, but can't buy that. Interested in protection from rifle (5.56mm down), but please mention any other vests as mobility and weight is an issue and I would like a lot of options. |
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try this thread: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=76&t=279126 What do you want it for? Daily duty wear level III and IV don't exist yet (they technically DO, but only after add-on plates that only marginally add any real rifle rated protection), so if it's for any kind of daily wear, forget rifle protection. If you want some robocop stuff... Level III and Level IV are rated for rifle rounds (check specific velocity ratings per manufacturers.) If you can hump around a steel and ceramic rig, and have a few $$$ to spend, go for it. 1. Try before you buy/get one professionally fitted. 2. To each his own preference. |
| There is bulletproofme.com, among others. They make an IBA copy, but its gonna cost you a grand. They do offer shoulder armor for about 250, too. Got everything else under the sun armor wise, like level III and IV side plates. Got them in both steel and ceramic, but steel is a backup. Twelve pounds a plate at least! |
| I am disabled now but I still have my original vest from the 70's and the subsequent ones after. As stated you need to say what the parameters are. For daily patrol use a threat level II or IIA is sufficient(rifle threats are almost non-existent) and the weight is easy to carry all day. Trauma Plates are adaptable for them. Also larger outside entry vests more like the military vests are available too. Try Second Chance or Safariland. Both have web sites. |
There is a new armor coming out that is going to end up changing the way we look at vests. However, it is a long way out, and I doubt it is going to get public for a couple years. Mobility and protection from rifle fire make for an ugly pair, it might be worth reassessing which is the higher of priorities. Whats the possibility of standard armor, but using inserts for higher threat times? Just throwing it out there as an option. |
| If your working patrol general rule of thumb is get at least the protection of what you carry in case your firearm is used against you. Like to say it never happens but the FBI statistics say otherwise. Anything for rifle protection right now would not be very useful for regular patrol. Like others said need more info for what you want it for. RnR |
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At my department we just went to Second Chance Level III vests with a titanium trauma plate. The plate is supposed to be able to stop a rifle round if it is not fired point blank or directly at you. Better than nothing I guess. Of course the vests a quite a bit stiffer than our previous vests. |
What is this new wonder suit? If you don't post a link, or at least a company name, AFAIK the armor you describe is from PULLEDOUTOFMYASS.com . Do a google search for IBA. There are quite a few competitors for Point Blank's Armor systems. Some include the plates. None will be cheap. Or light. There's a guy selling a RAV copy from just such a company. They offer other designs of interest to you. IBA isn't bad. Wished it covered a little more around the armpit/shoulder w/o addons. Try hsarmor.com. |
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YOU may want to try these guys for your amrmor needs. www.rbrtactical.com/ Echo the new armor statement. As per the norm, new developments are being field tested a we speak. |
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You can get level IIIA PACA from Hoplite, Inc. $369.00 502-955-5014 comes with a trauma plate steel. If you add an in-cunjunction plate you can get level IV with out the weight of a stand alone rifle plate. We have done business with them allot for vests. Paca And Point Blank are sister companies owned by the same guy in FL. Check Hoplite's adds in Shotgun News. The new super vest is made from spider silk. Spider Silk Its Called Biosteel |
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Plenty of us carry Plate Carriers in the trunk I also drive my car alot off duty so I have a couple rigsset up inside my vehicle interior in case of an off duty incident, (1) plain vest, (2)vest w/large don't shoot tabs front n rear (3) tact vest with soft armor inserts which carries all my duty gear in the vest pockets, custom made by my mommie. I keep these behind my seat back and behind my head so I have a slightly armored vehicle and a wall of kevlar to fight behind if a traffic stop goes bad. A lot of Chicago Police seem to wear that vest uniform shirt thing it's pretty damn cool you can't tell what it is till you are right on top of them. It's issued to them, talked to a few while on vacation. |
I found an area tailor shop that does them up for an area PD at $60 per copy; I'm going to get a couple and try them out. |