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Posted: 11/18/2009 12:13:10 PM EDT
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Will this allow me to wear side plates? http://www.skdtac.com/Eagle_LE_Plate_Carrier_Cummerbund_p/eag.571.htm
Do i need to back it with another vest for pistol protection or are there "pistol plates." Thanks |
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Yes, you can wear side plates. If you look at the pictures from that link, the last one shows an outside view of the side plate pocket.
Plates are primarily intended for rifle threats. Handgun bullets will be stopped by hard armor intended for rifles, and should not need to be worn in conjunction with soft armor. If you're looking for something for just pistols, why are you weighing yourself down with hard armor? If I'm misinterpreting it, pistol only threats are stopped with soft armor panels, not plates. You're adding way more weight than needed. |
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Quoted:
Sorry if i was unclear im trying to get maximum protection from both. You're already covered for handgun just by using the plates. It's not a very efficient method in terms of weight and coverage if you're primarily looking at handgun threats though. If you also need rifle protection, then you need to look into the rifle threats themselves, the hard armor plates and ratings, and if they require soft armor backing worn in conjunction with (at the same time) or are stand alone. Stand alone does not necessarily mean it meets your threat needs. If you need soft armor in conjunction, you can do that by using soft armor panels like a concealable vest that your plate carrier goes over, armor backers that are the same except just cut to be the size of your plates, or through an armor carrier that uses larger soft armor panels and also holds your plates. There are a lot of different variables involved. It's not just like buy plate, insert it in carrier. |
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Like others have said if you are only looking for pistol protection soft armor panels will cover more of your torso than using rifle plates(a be a hell of alot lighter). They are slipped inside the some plate carriers. Some carriers do not have pockets for soft panels though. You could wear a Level 3A vest under the carrier. If you also want a "pistol plate" to use alone in the carrier you could get a Protec Impact ST insert. Unlike other "trauma" plates that are made to stop knives the ST is ballistic. Second Chance makes a pistol rated insert IIRC but its made of steel.
They come in 5"x8", 7"x9", 10"x12". The insert is made of ~1/4" polyethylene sheet. Its VERY light and somewhat flexable. Its Level 3A stand alone and has some other "special threat" ratings shown below. 
The actual 'plate' inside its tight fitting nylon cover. 
*Last pic was taken before I figured out how to use macro mode. 
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