Hi, I'm interested in buying a body armor.  Can someone make a recommendation?  About 6-7 yrs ago Second Chance body armors used to cost ~$600.  I've just received their latest catalog and their prices range from $1384 - $3280 (???).  Is that how much body armors cost these days or did I make a mistake reading their price sheet??  Please help!  TIA!

I havent ever seen body armour for less than $900. Try looking for some milsurp. Try a post in EE.

A question tho. Why do you need body armour?

Try www.galls.com.  They sell brand new, NIJ 0101.04 rated IIA vests for $239.  Second Chance vests are probably the most comfortable (depending on model purchased) but they also tend to be the most expensive as in the Ultima 9th Gen.  If you're not going to be wearing the vest day in and day out, you might not need to spend the money on the most comfortable vest.  Many of the big name companies sell good quality vests for under $600.  Soft body armor is like motorcycle helmets, they all protect the same at a given rated level, but the increased cost usually translates into improved comfort/wear ability (the theory that a thin IIA vest on the body protects better than a stiffer IIIA vest in the locker or trunk).

In my opinion, the best light/comfortable vests under $600 include: the Second Chance Superfeatherlite, Safariland Zero G, PACA KGS, etc.  Just make sure to get one that fits.

Hope that helps some.

Thanks ZRH and BMANSAR15 for the reply.  I'm looking for a quality body armour.  I don't mind paying $1000 for one.  I was just surprised that they are as high as $3000?

Why not? I have a happy amount of firearms collection.  I figure I'd get myself a body armor to go w/ it.  There might come a time where I might need it.  

Neutrino45, if you have and are willing to spend a grand or so on body armor, I'd recommend the following:


Concealable - Second Chance Ultima IIIA, w/Second Chance T-15 Titanium trauma plate

-OR-

Non-concealable (outerwear) - Point Blank Interceptor OTV vest w/SAPI rifle inserts (best current US military issue)


Hopefully you'll never need it but if you do, the you can't beat the above models at this time.

Thanks so much for the recommendation BMANSAR15.  I do plan to buy from Second Chance.  I've read a few positive reviews about them.  I had called Second Chance today and the lady told me that they do not sell direct and that I should contact the master dealer for Texas.  She also said the price would be cheaper then what is advertised on the catalog.  I called the master dealer and he gave me the dealer for Houston.  I then called the Houston dealer but never received a call back.  I'll try again tomorrow.