Why do people own plate carriers?

What odes SHTF stand for?
Click to expand...
It stands for "Crap Hits The Fan" and describes a scenario generally involving a major breakdown (whether temporary or permanent) of civilization and law enforcement due to a natural or manmade disaster. It is, in general, is off topic for TFL. It's fine to mention it in passing, but when it becomes the focus/topic of a thread the thread will get locked.
 
Range safety. I like to introduce new people to shooting as often as possible, and while most of them are completely safe, you do get the occasional newbie who has a gun jam on them and says "Hey, something happened" while turning around to face you with the gun pointed right at chest level.
 
I own an internal IIA vest and and an external IIIa vest. The external vest is used for the firing ranges where I visit. I dont trust the people at the range. Im sure no bad guys at the range...what I dont trust is there are stupid people and accidents at the range. Accidents happen so best to be safe.

The internal IIA vest is never used. Its just in case I might need it one day. There has been a few incidents around here like huge storms. You never know when you might need it just like the gas cans and flashlights...the prepared mind.

Vests are actually cheap. I know a place which has Armor Express on sale for 200 to 300 dollars every so often. At that price, everyone should get one for the range or just to have on hand. Certainly when you go out to the desert shooting there are guys just like you out there doing the same. You need some protection.

Keep in mind the airsoft guys will dress up or guys like NutNFancy do the dress up routine. Nothing wrong with re-enactment and make believe if that floats your boat.
 
Last edited:
Lets say you are dead set on getting body armor. You might have a good reason to get it. My suggestion is a front opening vest.

http://m.galls.com/galls-nij-06-smg-front-opening-iiia-vest?PMWTNO=000000000002277

Lets say you are an executive at an office who has received threats. Lets say you are a reporter who goes to risky areas...etc. The front opening vest can be donned very quickly in an emergency whereas the usual vests need to be thrown over the head and take much longer.

The above link is to an expensive model IMHO. If you shop around probably can get it cheaper. Of course, this would be for emergencies or like the reporter where you can throw it on in risky areas.
 
Seriously, If your wanting a vest to keep all your home protection equipment handy and easy to grab.
Why would you not have Armor in it? Chances are as you investigate that crashing sound that you wife said " Go see what that is"

You gona give up some of your tactical advantage, just insuring there is a threat.

I have lev2A Kevlar front and back and also a Lev 3A hard plate in the front.
Cheap enough, $140 total.

Sitting next to the bed I am armored and armed up in 3 seconds.

I actually started my search after one of my wife nudges and I could not find my flash light. " I need to keep every thing in one spot"

100_9797_zpspt2hbhfy.jpg
 
Last edited:
I would think that if most modern Military and Police force's think it wise to have body armor then I should too . Not for the bump in the night but in my opinion if there is a reason to think I may need it . I still check out bump in the night situations with firearm of choice and light .
 
I was just on Body Armor Outlet and there were sets there for 150 dollars. Email the guy and tell him what you want and he will get it for you at a fair price.

I would say you are crazy spending a grand for a set just to have, but 200 dollars is different. Probably you wont use it and when you do you will be so uncomfortable you will be thankful you only paid 200.

Wearing it at the range with others wearing it being tacti-cool you will fit right in.

I sometimes wonder how an officer in 95 degree heat takes it. I couldnt...
 
I don't see why not if you buy guns for purposes of self defense, SHTF preparedness, or for second amendment militia/communal defense purposes.

If I remember correctly, you can get a front and black plate that will stop up to .308 caliber rifle rounds for $150 from AR500, plus $100 or so for a plate carrier.

I don't have one yet because I'm on a low income and can't justify it yet. At least guns and ammo I can shoot and tinker with and at this point actually get paid to write about. Body armor just sits there until it's needed. But it's definitely on the list.
 
I have one we keep in the safe room. I've taught my daughter to hide behind it if there is an intruder. That's all it's ever been used for. It's just an extra piece of insurance.
 
Lets say you are dead set on getting body armor. You might have a good reason to get it. My suggestion is a front opening vest.

http://m.galls.com/galls-nij-06-smg-...00000000002277

Lets say you are an executive at an office who has received threats. Lets say you are a reporter who goes to risky areas...etc. The front opening vest can be donned very quickly in an emergency whereas the usual vests need to be thrown over the head and take much longer.
Click to expand...

The ones that open in the front, in my view, is the weak link. The better method are the ones that open on the sides. The technique is to leave your non-forward side open, and the other sided closed. You simple slip into it from the side - very quick. When you have a moment, you can velco the open side closed.
 
I can't believe no one has said it. I'm getting old.

So I won't have to tape boiler plate to my back with duct tape while holding my Kevlar briefcase over my head, to shield my wife who's manning the sniper rifle from our tactical assault wheelbarrow.

(Google "Gecko45")
 
It's going too take me a week to google all the new acronyms I've learned in this thread!!:eek:
I get worn out wearing a long sleeve T-shirt...:D
 
The front opening ones are weaker versus side opening, but when you really need to put it on fast the front opening is the no brainer. For example, school administrator or corporrate executive when armed suspicious person is seen. You can throw it on fast. The method you described requires a small bit of thought, but when things are happening quickly thought goes out the window and the brain stops working.

One range where I most certainly wear armor is the skeet range. I do see quite a few other guys there with it on. Its been my experience that many skeet shooters are not that experienced and go to the range for the fun of it. The skeet range I visit is well controlled by a no nonsense rangemaster. Still I dont trust that type of range. The main rule at any range is to keep it pointed down range. Its amazing at how that one rule is so often violated.
 
I actually found the side opening variety is super easy to get on.

I set mine on the back of a chair next to the bed. Front of the vest on the back side of the chair.
Left side open.

As I sit up, I grab the left shoulder of the vest with my left hand. Slide my right hand inside along the back of the chair and out the right arm hole.
Lift up and over my head and its on.

Not even out of bed yet and I have every thing I need.
Well except my slippers. dont know where they went.:D

One interesting thing I have noticed since I became interested in adding body armor to the mix.
You ask a question about it on a prepper site and you will get a 100 positive responses.
You ask that same question on a regular gun forum. The same guys who think nothing about sticking guns in every conceivable location, so as to never be out of reach of a fire arm.
Will call you all kinds of crazy because you feel return fire may be a slight possibility in a home defense situation.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top