where to find "affordable" flak vests for civilians?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - where to find "affordable" flak vests for civilians?

Posted: 1/30/2006 8:30:52 PM EDT

I know to use the term lightly, as you cant put a price on your life.... But as a civilian, and probably never ever having to rely on a vest, what are some options? I just thought it might be a wise thing to have in a B.O.B.

Or maybe not. How about your input?

Posted: 1/30/2006 9:47:21 PM EDT

[#1]

If you want to get armor, get real armor...start with a IIIA vest. Getting cheap armor is kind of like asking for a bargain parachute.

Having armor is never a bad thing...you might want to keep it with your home defense firearm to throw on when you hear a bump in the night. Go to "fun shoots" where they blow up tannerite and such? Wearing armor isn't such a bad idea.

The only question is a concealable vest more useful for you, or is a outer tactical vest more useful?

Posted: 1/31/2006 4:34:00 AM EDT

[#2]

I am thinking concealable. Just bascially for what you said: bumps in the night, if the SHTF, and for just having at the range for a little more of a feeling of protection, when I am around people who I dont necessarily "trust"

Posted: 1/31/2006 5:51:40 AM EDT

[#3]

Are paltes and armor available to civilians? I though most companies sell only to LE and military...or is this another one of those myths.

Posted: 1/31/2006 5:54:15 AM EDT

[#4]

Most of the finer vests are sold at the local Police Supply, and yes here in Texas, (houston in particular) they sell to civies.

Mike

Posted: 1/31/2006 6:04:32 AM EDT

[#5]

Anyone can legally buy armor as long as you have legal intentions for it. Many (most) companies seem to have a policy to only sell to Mil/LEO in order to legally cover their butts.

Check in the EE. There's almost always some for sale in there.

Posted: 2/1/2006 7:07:55 AM EDT

[#6]

Just be careful about buying used vests. They deteriorate over time and have an "expiration date".

Posted: 2/1/2006 8:42:17 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Just be careful about buying used vests. They deteriorate over time and have an "expiration date".

good point

heat and humidty/moisture degrade the armor over time. Average life span for a regular use police concealable vest is 5 years. In humid environments some departments replace them more often than that.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - where to find "affordable" flak vests for civilians?

Armory » Tactical Gear

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