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9/15/2002 11:47:37 AM EDT
Will the highest level Kevlar vest with a trauma plate stop a .223, .308, & .30-06 round?
Just curious because I hear conflicting answers on the question and of course in the movies, the ones wearing the Kevlar alway get up and walk away. I don't believe the movies.
9/15/2002 12:10:02 PM EDT
[#1]
Yes.  Level III can handle multiple hits of 7.62 NATO, and Level IV can handle a single hit (usually no more because the plate fractures) of 30-06 AP (M2AP).
9/16/2002 12:48:39 PM EDT
[#2]
But it should be noted that Level III vests are very thick and heavy, and could not be concealed under normal clothing like you often see in the movies, where the actor isn't even wearing a vest until he's on the floor and pulls open his shirt to reveal what is likely either a fake vest, or some Level IIA pistol vest.

Level III vests are more of what you'd see a SWAT team wear, or like what the cops in Robocop were wearing.  They don't bend or flex much and usually need to be worn on the outside.

-Troy
9/16/2002 1:10:44 PM EDT
[#3]
And there aren't any "kevlar" devices that will really stop 5.56 or 7.62.  They use "trauma plates" which are made of material like ceramic or steel or SpectraShield.
9/16/2002 6:12:56 PM EDT
[#4]
Fallen- Bullet construction will have a lot to do with weither a round penetrates or not. A projectile intended to fragment, such as a Glaser, or a Velet will not perform as well as a ball round..Conversely, a ball round probably won't perform as well as a dedicated "AP" load..

I have seen a vest that would stop standard 9X19 ball, and +p 9X19 dead, be penetrated by a certian Czech 9X19 load, merely because of the round's unique projectile..

Some of the best ballistically I ever saw (And this is an opinion) was the "chicken plate" used for aircrew armor..Looked like a catcher's vest, was very thick, and very rigid.. For comfort? Second Chance "Deep Cover"..

Meplat-
9/17/2002 12:41:55 PM EDT
[#5]
Someone had one of those Vietnam-era "chicken plates" and shot it with a FAL at 100 yards with standard M80-type FMJ.  The armor stopped all shots.  Of course, the thing is totally rigid and heavy, and would be horribly uncomfortable...

-Troy
9/17/2002 12:47:11 PM EDT
[#6]
Probably not as uncomfortable as getting shot without having it on...
9/17/2002 6:05:28 PM EDT
[#7]
Troy- No kidding.. The worst part? Wear one, then bend over to pick something up.. The lower part will snag a bit of you between the pistol belt..

Like I said, I bought a SC/DC..Fits like a T-shirt basically..

Meplat-
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