Body Armor
- Thread starter JoshB
- Start date
UniversalFrost
New member
black armor vests
I actually wore the black/under armor vest vests in iraq the first tour (the body armor was back ordered and they were issuing us flak jackets). Myself and a bunch of guys went in on an order of their concealed and tactical vest. I wore the concealed vests under and on top of my blouse (double layered) while many guys wore one of the tacticals. The black armor works! It saved my hide when I took an AK round (7.62X39) at about 75 yards in the chest. The new models offer better side protection (see attached pic of me in 03 wearing) and are very comfortable. You used to be able to get them in black or white. A good buy and it saved my life and a couple of buddies that had the tactical models.
I actually wore the black/under armor vest vests in iraq the first tour (the body armor was back ordered and they were issuing us flak jackets). Myself and a bunch of guys went in on an order of their concealed and tactical vest. I wore the concealed vests under and on top of my blouse (double layered) while many guys wore one of the tacticals. The black armor works! It saved my hide when I took an AK round (7.62X39) at about 75 yards in the chest. The new models offer better side protection (see attached pic of me in 03 wearing) and are very comfortable. You used to be able to get them in black or white. A good buy and it saved my life and a couple of buddies that had the tactical models.
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combatpreacher
New member
Always...always when on duty...but I dont work the road now.
so...whenever possible.
so...whenever possible.
leadcounsel
Moderator
I voted "sometimes". Whenever possible would mean sitting around my house like today... which I certainly don't wear. But it's available if necessary.
I wear it to my office, and generally when I am going out in public when it won't be inconvenient (like going to the gym for instance).
I also have it available at home for near instant access to body armor.
It's good piece of mind.
I wear it to my office, and generally when I am going out in public when it won't be inconvenient (like going to the gym for instance).
I also have it available at home for near instant access to body armor.
It's good piece of mind.
Lycanthrope
New member
I don't have any or think I'd wear it for normal use.......but I'd sure like to have some.
Mannlicher
New member
you left out the choice for me
which is no, and I have no intention of ever buying any. Carrying a gun, and being very alert to what is happening around me seems to be exercising enough caution. Since I am not a cop, and my daily affairs do not take me to places that are any more dangerous than the Supermarket, I think I can skate on this accessory.
which is no, and I have no intention of ever buying any. Carrying a gun, and being very alert to what is happening around me seems to be exercising enough caution. Since I am not a cop, and my daily affairs do not take me to places that are any more dangerous than the Supermarket, I think I can skate on this accessory.
I have "concealable" body armor from a couple of different manufacturers; but the only times I wear it is on high-risk warrants, high-threat protective operations, etc. I'm in plain clothes - so "concealable" armor just isn't in the cards most of the time. It's 90-110 here every day, and high humidity; wearing body armor off-duty just isn't feasible, from a comfort perspective...
Regards,
Kevin
Regards,
Kevin
hoghunting
New member
Josh,
Where are you hanging out that you need to worry about body armor? I don't know any officers that wear armor outside their work. Are you getting into something that you shouldn't?
Where are you hanging out that you need to worry about body armor? I don't know any officers that wear armor outside their work. Are you getting into something that you shouldn't?
I'm interested in it because it only seems like the logical end to carrying a firearm. I would imagine that most encounters where deadly force would be an option, you would have a gun pointed at you. I would certainly feel safer knowing that I have some sort of protection. These are only thoughts though and I have no real immediate need for body armour.
The concept is not altogether foreign to me either. My father worked in LE and usually wore body armour off duty. Granted, my occupation doesn't call for it off duty, but I'm not against the idea. I started this thread just to get a feel for what everyone's thoughts on the subject was. Why do people assume that if an average guy wants to wear body armor, that he's up to something? Why not say the same thing for everyone who carries?
The concept is not altogether foreign to me either. My father worked in LE and usually wore body armour off duty. Granted, my occupation doesn't call for it off duty, but I'm not against the idea. I started this thread just to get a feel for what everyone's thoughts on the subject was. Why do people assume that if an average guy wants to wear body armor, that he's up to something? Why not say the same thing for everyone who carries?
Because that would make us liberal-minded and put us in the mindset of the anti-gunners out there.
I think hoghunting was just expressing concern for a fellow TFLer..
..Weren't you hoghunting?
Personally, I think if the price were right I would want some just because!
Well, that and it would make me feel alot better about hunting on public land...something I don't currently do.
leadcounsel
Moderator
+1 Josh on your thinking. If you're in a situation where you need to use your gun, it's quite likely that you have a deadly weapon -- a gun -- (granted, could be any thing) drawn on you.
As far as wearing the concealable armor hunting, it can't harm, but likely would be a waste of effort for most hunting activities. Concealable armor generally covers handgun calibers but not rifle calibers.
If you wanted rifle caliber protection, you'd need a bigger vest and ceramic plates.
For an example of what rifle and pistol rounds to do a vest, check out www.theboxotruth.com
Rifle rounds rip right through concealable vests like they were butter. Of course, in a fluke situation it may deflect it and I'd rather have it than not, but I wouldn't count on it at all.
That said, I do wear it to the handgun range. Never can tell what's gonna happen...
As far as wearing the concealable armor hunting, it can't harm, but likely would be a waste of effort for most hunting activities. Concealable armor generally covers handgun calibers but not rifle calibers.
If you wanted rifle caliber protection, you'd need a bigger vest and ceramic plates.
For an example of what rifle and pistol rounds to do a vest, check out www.theboxotruth.com
Rifle rounds rip right through concealable vests like they were butter. Of course, in a fluke situation it may deflect it and I'd rather have it than not, but I wouldn't count on it at all.
That said, I do wear it to the handgun range. Never can tell what's gonna happen...
UniversalFrost
New member
bullet proof vest ballistic charts
Also, not all vests will stop a knife (also a deadly weapon). Check out McCalls for those that will offer protection from both a knife and bullet. I answered somtimes, because I would wear one when in a bad neighbor hood or state (CAli, NJ, NYC, etc.. lol), otherwise don't see the need to wear one most of the time. See my other post, because I can honestly say that when you are wearing one it may save your life.
Also, not all vests will stop a knife (also a deadly weapon). Check out McCalls for those that will offer protection from both a knife and bullet. I answered somtimes, because I would wear one when in a bad neighbor hood or state (CAli, NJ, NYC, etc.. lol), otherwise don't see the need to wear one most of the time. See my other post, because I can honestly say that when you are wearing one it may save your life.
FTGB-I have a friend who is a repoman and the first requirement of the job is to own and wear body armor. He does this six days a week without fail. So it is not really that much of a stretch to wear 7/365. My point being that LEO's are the only people with justified reasons for wearing.
oldbillthundercheif
Moderator
Two nights ago my friend Al had a .38 snubby stuck against his chest for refusing to give a random stranger a ride home at 3am. He would have liked to have been wearing some armor, I think. Ballistic Protection- It's not just for cops anymore. I would like a vest, but don't have the cash. Anyone know where a civilian can pick up a concealable IIIa vest without breaking the bank? The US Calvalry website has some nice ones but sell them to active millitary / LEOs only.
UniversalFrost
New member
black armor
Go to http://www.blackarmor.com/Vest/Ultima1.htm and they run from 605 - 730 for the concealed models. Check McCalls (but you run into the leo/mil issue a lot) . If you are retired mil (as your call sign suggest with the thundercheif and all) then try passing off you retiree card on them when they ask for id. Otherwise I would google it and see if you find some used models for sale (a lot of GI's are selling theirs that they personally bought) I sold the 2 I had (one with a hole and one without) to a buddy who was "normal" air force and rotating in country and the Air Force was only issuing flak jackets (still is to some AFSC's).
Also check out http://www.americasecured.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/16672 about 200 cheaper and still good (plus mil/ leo discount).
Go to http://www.blackarmor.com/Vest/Ultima1.htm and they run from 605 - 730 for the concealed models. Check McCalls (but you run into the leo/mil issue a lot) . If you are retired mil (as your call sign suggest with the thundercheif and all) then try passing off you retiree card on them when they ask for id. Otherwise I would google it and see if you find some used models for sale (a lot of GI's are selling theirs that they personally bought) I sold the 2 I had (one with a hole and one without) to a buddy who was "normal" air force and rotating in country and the Air Force was only issuing flak jackets (still is to some AFSC's).
Also check out http://www.americasecured.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/16672 about 200 cheaper and still good (plus mil/ leo discount).
oldbillthundercheif
Moderator
Nice. I have seen other vests in that same price / protection range but not for civilian purchase. My only issue with this one is the alarming gap in the lower-body extension. If I get a vest with protection down there it will be for the benefit of a few body parts that this one leaves exposed. I guess it's for bathroom convenience.
So these guys sell to anyone, eh? I'm not sure I would really want to try to fool anyone about my current millitary status.
So these guys sell to anyone, eh? I'm not sure I would really want to try to fool anyone about my current millitary status.