Want to know what other brand of body armor is trusted by law enforcement? Body armor absorbs the ballistic energy of a bullet to some extent, but youre still going to feel pretty dang sore afterward. Smoke and Mirrors don't make purchases on the basis of marketing and price!
Whats your take on the AR500 Armor Level III+ Lightweight? The mesh design also offers superior breathability. Now that I'm retired from that profession, I have carriers and plates for homestead protection. I'm looking for something similar. But if youre looking for a little more protectioncheck out.
Hey crew, Its also harder to conceal but it offers far more protection. Can't really wear ceramic plates to the store and not be noticed, lol. Maybe extra side protection? We do an in-depth review here that includes a video. Live action role playinguh, yeawe dont do thiswe swear . These are from well-known companies that sell exclusively to police and military. Personalize your experience. Hi Allison! Type your new password and hit button below to confirm it. Its a small holebut it went right on through. One more time for our video! 
Stay tuned for our shooting tests! Were big fans of AR500 Armor (yes, confusing name) who is likely the largest player in AR500-based armor. This soft armor is rated Level II, which means it protects against stabs and most pistol caliber threats. IMO steel armor is on the way out, and there are better ceramic plate makers like hesco. For the rear/back the closest i have found is a 11x14 or 11x15. AR500 armor blows, where is Velocity systems on here? Its steel armor, its archaic. Its less than a quarter of an inch thick, and its ergonomic design makes it much more comfortable to wear on duty or for long periods of time. While US Armor does offer standard sizing, theyre best known for their custom fittings so your armor can be tailor-made to fit your form. I'm still very confused. Next upthe ability to defeat rifle rounds! Best soft armor protection? I know what youre thinking, and of course, we have a video for it also! Their plates look better and they have more movement-inducing cuts compared to AR500 Armor. Their Level IVs come in at a super hefty 8 pounds per plate and are 1 inch thick. They are usually custom fit since they are meant to be worn all day long. Good review, but seems a little biased. Well start with the AR500 Testudo Gen 2 Plate Carrier, which is sized for AR500s larger plate offerings. It caught the first one which tied it with the previous ceramic plates. The next M80 shot took out another chunk of ceramic but had no rear exit hole. We reached out to RMA and weve gotten you a 5% discount with code PEWPEWTACTICAL5. But AR500 are great for backup plates, training and for people who just can't or won't drop $800 - $1,000 on a set that rarely gets used. Onto four rounds of .223only the last one got through after the previous three seriously compromised the area. Choosing your plate carrier will depend on the type of plates or panels you buy. Wont even approve comments lmao. These plates only come in a 1012 inch traditional cut size, but theyre tripled curved to hug the contour of your body and are 0.60 inches thick. Plates can curve from top to bottom, or from your chest to your belly, but they can also curve from side to side, or shoulder to shoulder. 
The Safe Life Multi-Threat Vest in Level 3A gives you a lot of coverage on your torso and sides. Choosing body armor isnt something that should be taken lightly. Learn the 3 most popular shooting stances & more. Weve been wearing it around the office and so far its very comfortable as advertised. Lesson here isif Level 3 is all you needthis will do it. I was hoping you'd cover some of the abdominal carriers and plate options. My whole rig right now is 30lb, which I can't wear for very long. The plates move around in their pockets which makes it feel even heavier. If youre going the affordable routecheck out their plate/carrier combos so you can be sure it will fit. Check out the standalone Best Ceramic & UHMWPE Plates and Best Battle Belt & Armor Carriers articles. Good for a SHTF situation? We'll send you the latest guides and training tips geared There may be some local regulations, so you should check out your local laws to make sure youre in the clear. pistol calibers. With all the stuff going on in public spaces, something to slip on and head to the office or walmart is going to become more in demand and certainly something I am interested in. Soft armor and polymer/ceramic have something like 5 years shelf life. But damn, every five years would get spendy. Also I've heard nothing but bad things about it (AR500), You do know that AR500 is the name of the company, right? Any other brands we should check out and test in the future? However, additional hits from M80 ball caused severe damage and effectively put the plate out of the running. Maybe IIIA with front and rear pockets? Its going to look a lot higher than you think. And stay in touch with newsletters of our best articles on techniques, guns, & gear. Their 3+ plate is multi curved, and is rated for m193!! They also come with a 10-year manufacturers warranty and have a 10-year shelf-life. The world of body armor is confusingwith misinformation abound and tons of technical stuff. Besides - why not use both at the same time? Choose what fits your body best. Stopping Wolf .223 was easy and we actually had a difficult time finding the impact. Pay attention to the manufacturers sizing charts, and get a little help measuring yourself if you need it. How does it stack up? Their original vests were stamped, "Shanghai", but that has now been taken off. Take off when at the office, put on when leaving office. Its available in a variety of colors, including tan, olive drab, navy, black, and white. Heres what to look at when it comes to choosing the right size of armor. Armor made from material such as AR500 steel is the most affordable hard armor on the market at around $70-100 a plate (youll want a front and back). We hope weve helped you find some great options, but be sure to do a little research into what threat protection level suits your needs and take time to measure yourself, so you can find the right armor plates. Check out more details on body armor levels, common threats, and a huge list of body armor at The Prepared. Spartan Armor Elaphros Level III UHMWPE Body Armor, Set of 2. Now lets squash some misconceptions on body armor legality. It has 2 front zip up pockets to fit 8x12 plates to either front side and a 15 x 20 in back. The black, steel-core body armor is rated for protection against rifle calibers up to 7.62X51 M80 Ball (.308) at 2,800 feet per second. Weve got a few recommendationsstarting with soft armor, moving into hard plates, and then ceramic. AR500 uses independent testing and is very clear about what their armor can and cannot handle. And thats a bummer. Who says Im not Wonder Woman! If you want ultra-light protection that still will defend you against rifle-rated threats, check out Spartan Armor Elaphros Lightweight Level III UHMWPE body armor. Most manufacturers produce armor in just a handful of shapes, but youll choose depending on the type of coverage youre looking for and your bodys unique shape and motions. They offer steel, but they also offer ceramics. And nowtheres new competitions called Tactical Games which mixes CrossFit and shootingwhere you gotta wear a 15+ pound rig. Spartan Armor Body Armor Single Plate Level III+. We recommend upgrading to the Full Coat Frag Mitigation Coating for additional protection from shrapnel. guns & anything extra and your And dont think you can simply get up after getting shot while in body armorchances are youre going to be in a world of pain with possible broken ribs and internal bleeding. I recommend a Tough Hook system. But one threat to keep in mind are very high-velocity rounds such as the 5.56 M193 which can still zip on through Level 3 armor. The Velocity Systems Special Threat Ceramic Plates are multi-strike rated and tested against 7.6239 Mild Steel Core, 7.6251 M80 Ball, 5.5645 M855, and 5.5645 M193, which puts this armor at around a level III+ (though Velocity doesnt specify). Were going to break down the details a bit for you. Youll also want the width to cover your nipples. Nowtime for the best carriers and accessories! I have a IIIA+ by Safe Life, and bought my son an FRAS. Would you consider also testing with the ammunition that may be used against them in battle, such as 5.45x39, 7.62x54R, and other adversarial rounds? Its thin and lightweight so it can be concealed under clothing or uniforms, but offers a significant amount of coverage and protection. Theres a myth that its illegal for civilians to own body armor, and it certainly seems true when youre shopping around. It gives you a workout, an excuse for why you were slower than your buddy, and protects against potential negligent discharges. Well report back with some testing but this is really cool if it can replace plates in certain situations. Should check into RMA Defense. Steel plate are 20+. But it is a great deal thicker than its steel counterparts. It stands up to repeated shots, but only about as well as ceramic. Any information about the difference between MILA 46100 armor and AR500? Considering these sizes, it looks to me that a plate to carry in either does not exist. Ok lets get this one out of the waytheres some pretty inexpensive (and long lasting) hard plate body armor packages if youre planning on protecting your home or roaming for supplies. Just know that this rating isnt made by the NIJ and it can differ between companies. Get Our Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets ($47 value - but FREE for a limited time). The best body armor is a big bullet coming at ya. Is there soft armor with pockets for plates for added protection? It helps keep in the spallingbut weve found you want the build-up layer for it to be truly effective. Reading Johnny's feedback, I think he has it right. One way of mitigating the soreness is by wearing a trauma pad, like the AR500 Trauma Pad under your armor. It seems as thick as some of my targets I shoot w my ar15 193 and they dont go through so Im confused why they wont Stop it-if any one has input-thanks.
What about HESCO and DFNDR plates? The Level II panels are 0.17 inches thick, while the Level IIIA panels are 0.26 inches thickmaking this an extraordinarily comfortable covert armor to wear. These ballistic panels cover threat levels at either Level II or Level IIIA, depending on which model you select. Their body armor is top-of-the-line and trusted by law enforcement and military personnel, and its for a good reason. That being said, lets look at some of our favorites! The downside iscustom-fitted armor requires a bit more work, a bit more time, and, of course, a bit more money as well. It doesnt. Like the AR500 steel plates, you can find their ceramic plates in a variety of cuts and sizes. And although the Elaphros technically isnt rated for the faster M193it survived that as well. An 8x 10 in both fronts may work but leaves a lot of gap up the chest area. Thats why when you dig down into the weedsthe ratings are set for certain calibers AND velocity. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. They are NIJ certified and well be bringing their plates out to the desert soon for our own testing! They offer affordable level III, III+ & IV plates ($99 - $189). Second is because youll look cool. Common rounds, like the M855 green tip, may punch through plastic, but it offers protection from pretty much all
Theyre bullet-resistant, meaning that they increase the rates of survival, decrease the severity of injuries that occur, and give you a better chance. We've hands-on tested the most popular options out there and cut through the misinformation. RTS Tactical is a relative newcomer but theyve made a name for themselves with ultra-affordable ceramic level IV armor at ~$150 a plate. Check out US Armors Master Product Catalog and get in touch with their sales team to place your order. Looking to prevent extra holes in your body? These include but are not limited to bullet material, bullet mass, and especially velocity. These are non-ballistic pads, which means that they dont provide additional protection. take care! We go super in-depth Testing Ceramic and UHMWPE Armor here. Or are we just talking about internal bad guys? I may earn a small part of the sale from links to any products or services on this site.
At this point we were afraid the plate was not going to survive any M2AP Black Tip rounds. Keep those in mind as we dive deeper into the world of body armor. US Armor creates custom-fitted armor solutions, like their Enforcer 6000 soft body armor. It pairs with a covert carrier, which will allow you to wear this armor under your clothing. I called them and they said they passed all NIJ tests but are waiting for certification. Is there casual jackets with a level II or better protection? But firstwhats the two biggest types of body armor? Scaryhaving affordable and level IV in the same sentence. But if you shoot in the open (or go to terrible ranges)it doesnt seem that bad of an idea. Even if the round doesnt penetrate your armoryoure going to have a bad day if sharp metal hits your throat and face. This recall involves AR500 Armor Level III body armor, including chest plates, side plates and ABS panels. Now how about something for our boys in blue? Intestines and a surviving stomach matter. Thanks! However, it did get stopped by M855 Green Tip. Our M80 7.6251 shots managed to sneak one round through when it was very close to a previous hole. The password should contain at least 8 characters with at least one number and one capital letter. Cati for sure. Thanks! Its a little heavier but rear deformation is almost nonexistent for the shots it stopped. The Pew Pew Tactical team and network has been wearing all different types of armor for years. Weve gone through all our civilian options. Some armor systems work best when all parts are from the same manufacturer. Thank you, as it helped me determine what I needed at that time. Plusno backface deformation that we could tell. So, even reading (or trying to) all of this still leaves me intensely confused. Very helpful article. The weight is around the same as going with a super light carrier and plates (small is around 15 lbs). The price is good at ~$160 a plate for certified Level 4 protection. gear. There's a lot to take in here. But how does their armor fare? Watched a plate take 6 5.56 green tips at 20yards at the range this spring and bought a pair the next week. What are you suggestions for our build and needs? At 6'3" and with a longer torso, even the largest carriers and plates I have leave a lot exposed. While I didn't go with the recommendations here, I did observe my local shop test on the set of level IV and carrier that I did acquire. They've been waiting for NIJ certification for about 3-4 years, on all of their products. They held up to our mags of 9mm and revolvers full of .357 Magnum. Velocity Systems Special Threat Ceramic Plates. We both could fit into a womens small. The point of armor is to protect your heart and lungs, not your guts. Most civilians arent going to be able to carry steel plates with a full load out. US Armor also uses Outlast Fabric technology, which helps keep the wearer cool and dissipates heat handily. and body armor models. These plates run about an inch thick, and weighs about 8.3 pounds a plate. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I bought the testudo gen two but it is way too large. I got a good deal buying my whole rig through ar500 and they don't "suck" but I would research and buy each part. But if youre looking for good multi-hit protection you might want to move on. She also has a soft spot for survivalism and loves learning new prepping skills. Thoughts on Safe Life iii+? Curved and flat plates both existbut each has different uses. It took Tula 7.6239 strong and had some more extensive rear deformation from M80 (7.6251). Copyright 2022 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Any suggestions? Im a retired cop and I can tell you I have and do trust my life to AR500 armor. Theres a staggering variety of body armor types and rating codes, so dont feel bad if youre left scratching your head. Another big player in the AR500-based steel armor space is Spartan Armor. Maybe not an issue for those willing to drop some bills every 5 years. After all, its your life youre entrusting to a few inches of steel, ceramic, or plastic, so you want to feel confident in your decision. Check out Miguel Caballero. Too large or too small plates may not cover you properly, and poorly cut shapes can restrict your movement or leave uncomfortable pressure points. Wed also recommend going with their curve for comfort and build-up layer of Paxcon to mitigate spalling. Just because it's branded AR500 armor doesn't mean it isn't level iv ceramic.
Allison is got a taste of sport shooting in 4-H Club and has been shooting most of her life. Select what level shooter you are! Nice article, but what about CATI ARMOR? Youll probably look more like a goober if youre donning plates at the local range. You do not pay Want the best body armor for your purpose and budget? For most civilianswe highly recommend AR500 Armors Level III+ Lightweight as the way to go. Safariland designs their ballistic panel with comfort and ergonomics in mind. Check this video out for all their offerings: As well as our full review of all their products.
Trusted by law enforcement, Safariland offers a variety of soft ballistic panels, including the Matrix Ballistic Panel. I wore vietnam-era flak vests in Iraq in '91 with a 2nd Chance underneath that to provide at least a semblance of protection. Wait 6 more months, call again and you'll hear the same thing. But for right now highly recommended for an all-in-one handgun rated low-profile vest. Check out the amount of plates a single FRAS replaces. We love our Mira gas masks as reviewed in our Best Gas Masks article.
The second M80 shot somehow got deflected upwards. We finally got the chance to test them in our Ceramic & UHMWPE series. Body armor levels are yet another confusing aspect of shopping for armor. Type your email address and well send Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>, Decent weight at 6 pounds and .9 inch thick, Only failed on the 4th shot of .223 in a compromised area.
I've heard that steel plates can cause fragmentation of the bullet sending shrapnel up into yours, and people around you faces. Oh yeaand they stopped a couple shots of 30.06 M2AP armor piercing rounds. We'll look into it and get it fixed. Try doing that with hard armor and a plate carrier. Unfortunately our sequence of rounds didnt lend the plate well to a direct Black Tip hit to start off withbut for the price it did really well against 7.6239. Curved plates are contoured to the natural shape of your body, so they often have the best fit. In actual combat (not that I'd be in one), I'd prefer ceramic, which AR500 has, but they're from Hesco anyway. This system covers much more of your torso compared with plates. Keep in mind before this if you wanted rifle rated armor youd have to go hard plates. So, for the more casual and not expecting trouble everyday wear, what is on the market that can be trusted? The carrier is decently built but a little cumbersome by todays standards. For sure, we're already working on an update list! Were going to train with this one soon but one possible drawback is that the cumberbund isnt too stretchy and might inhibit heavy breathing. Not only is it low-profile and highly durable, but its easily washable, which is a big plus for people wearing protection every day. you a link to reset your password. If money is no object, ceramic armor can stop some pretty extreme bullets, like the fast M193 and M2AP (30.06 armor-piercing). I see a lot of links for "ballistic clothing" and "bullet proof clothing" but I wouldn't trust any of that. If youre looking for no-frills, low-profile approach of the original Slickster, but looking for some high-speed quality of life improvements the Advanced Slickster might be exactly what you want. Im looking for something simple for my daughter (10) and myself. Go with Level IIIA soft armor if you only think youll have handgun threatsor if concealment is the priority. Mostly for range safety and just in case. Each plate weighs 6 pounds, which does put them on the heavierbut more protectiveend of things. They also use a nicer feeling/looking coating comparatively and a rubbery material on the backif that matters. There isnt really an industry standard when it comes to sizing plates, and wrong-sized plates usually cant be returned for safety reasons, so you want to get it right the first time. Let us know. The same thing occurred with Wolf .223 as the end of the strings got through as the plate got more and more damaged. You can get it in ranger green, multi-cam, black, and coyote. Both the Testudo and Veritas carriers are available in coyote, olive drab, multi-cam, and black. I love my AR500 Armor!! The body armor industry has stepped up with their own III+ rating, which falls somewhere between the to NIJ Level III and Level IV ratings. Spartan offers a 5-year warranty, and these plates have a 5-year shelf life. The entire system weighs just over one pound, so you can cut the weight without sacrificing your protection. Called them direct and they had great customer service. I have a leather riding vest. Ceramic armor isnt the most durableso if you drop it or fall on something while wearing ityou will likely have to replace it. Commendable in stopping two 7.6251 rounds when others failed. Does the Safe Life FRAS actually work or is it BS like Dragon Skin turned out to be? Question, I see AR500 has a special Anniversary concealed ultra package a IIIA soft armor for $175, seems to fit the bill, except lead time is 3-4 months. 
Best bang for the buck? But youd probably surive. Even with these ratings, its important to keep in mind that a combination of factors can affect the effectiveness of a vest. And before we run through our recommendationswell walk you through the important technical aspects so you can choose the best armor for your end-use and budget. You can hope your carrier catches the majority of itor suck it up and get the build-up. After allyou dont want to feel miserable wearing it. We already have an account registered for email address There are many other brands out there, offering protection and I dont think Im alone in wanting to know more about PE plates and who makes them than two options from your Avant Link partners. Plus it comes in other variants such as First Response, Level 3A+, High-Vis, and Tactical Molle. Much improved protection, but brutal on an already abused body. Fast forward 15 years in my career and good old SAAPI plates. Something new that we saw at SHOT Show 2020flexible rifle armor!
Hey, ya, that's not good! We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. You may not realize it, but body armor plates are only designed to stop a bulletnot make it comfortable. Its hilarious how hard you guys shill for AR500.