low cost body armor

[opksrj]

I snagged one of these recently as a sample from the manufacturer and I really like it, I got the black vest - low profile and light

http://www.ebay.com/sch/natmilusa/m.htm ... ksid=p3686

[Caenus]

What makes the stab resistant ones...stab resistant?

[opksrj]

just the type of material used - the weave is designed to resist penetration with a blade

[joekaveh]

Not trying to knock your purchase, but the idea of "low cost" and "body armor" or anything that has to do with me putting my life in the hands of gear/equipment....Scares me. Same concept as people looking for something quality, lightweight, and cheap. Usually you end up with something that's the latter.

[Boondock]

Not trying to knock your purchase, but the idea of "low cost" and "body armor" or anything that has to do with me putting my life in the hands of gear/equipment....Scares me. Same concept as people looking for something quality, lightweight, and cheap. Usually you end up with something that's the latter.

Yup.

[AKFTW]

Good price, but the company looks super fishy. No legitimate product links, no results for them in the googlebox, and their body armor testing is done by an "independent 3rd party". Smells like a front corporation for selling off some cheap crap.

[by-the-throat]

The thing about body armor is, by the time you find out the quality isn't up to snuff, you usually have holes in you.

Spend the money on a decent chest rig that can be worn over body armor and save up until you can afford the good stuf.

[BigEd]

I would have more confidence in the product if there would photos/videos of testing and possible customer reviews.

If you are not going to rely on the body armor on daily basis (military, leo, guard, etc..) and you purchased it for that "just in case" or "what if" situation. I see nothing wrong with purchasing something you can afford. If your needs change and you are going to rely on it, you can sell it, and upgrade it later.

[NamelessStain]

If you are not going to rely on the body armor on daily basis (military, leo, guard, etc..) and you purchased it for that "just in case" or "what if" situation. I see nothing wrong with purchasing something you can afford. If your needs change and you are going to rely on it, you can sell it, and upgrade it later.

+1

I'm going to have to agree with this point. We all can't afford rigs worth several thousands of dollars. If he's in a high risk occupation, yea spend the money.

[Projo]

You definately get what you pay for. You certainly don't want to bet your life on something cheap. In my civilian cop days we had Safariland Zero-G. Great body armor but I think they have replaced it with Prism.
http://secondchance.com/EcommerceProduct.aspx?ProductID=47&ProductCategoryID=1&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

[BigDaddyTX]

The price is cheap, but for not a whole lot more you can get armor from bulletproofme.com that is sized for you and pick from a lot of different options, and they're a known quantity.

[JesterODX]

The deal with this body armor is that its most likely Chinese in origin. Most of the low cost ones on Ebay are. It says the seller is in the US not the manufacturer. Not being chinese made doesnt always mean its crap. a lot of these are sold. And they do have the proper ratings.

[congochris]

And they do have the proper ratings.

To be correct "They claim the proper ratings." You can't always trust things to be what they are claimed to be.

[AKFTW]

And they do have the proper ratings.

To be correct "They claim the proper ratings." You can't always trust things to be what they are claimed to be.

True of body armor and parachutes- if it doesn't work as advertised, the customer usually isn't around to complain

[Kutter_0311]

If you are not going to rely on the body armor on daily basis (military, leo, guard, etc..) and you purchased it for that "just in case" or "what if" situation. I see nothing wrong with purchasing something you can afford. If your needs change and you are going to rely on it, you can sell it, and upgrade it later.

Indubitably, my good sir and/or madam. I'm going to have to agree with this point. We all can't afford rigs worth several thousands of dollars. If he's in a high risk occupation, yea spend the money.

I'm sorry, but I must disaggree.

Any body armor you own will be "relied upon" when you use it. In your mind, the comforting protection of armor is an excuse not to push as hard, run as fast, find more solid cover, or embrace Mother Terra's blessed microterrain as closely as you would without armor. It will also wear on you not only with its weight, but with its heat, making you sweat more, hastening dehydration.

A man fighting without armor is not only not slowwed down by its weight, but his actions will more thoroughly prevent being punctured. He will sprint instead of running. He will take cover behind cement and brick rather than wood and siding. His body will fill in the small gaps in the Earth, allowing her to shield him from harm.

[AKFTW]

If you are not going to rely on the body armor on daily basis (military, leo, guard, etc..) and you purchased it for that "just in case" or "what if" situation. I see nothing wrong with purchasing something you can afford. If your needs change and you are going to rely on it, you can sell it, and upgrade it later.

Indubitably, my good sir and/or madam. I'm going to have to agree with this point. We all can't afford rigs worth several thousands of dollars. If he's in a high risk occupation, yea spend the money.

I'm sorry, but I must disaggree.

Any body armor you own will be "relied upon" when you use it. In your mind, the comforting protection of armor is an excuse not to push as hard, run as fast, find more solid cover, or embrace Mother Terra's blessed microterrain as closely as you would without armor. It will also wear on you not only with its weight, but with its heat, making you sweat more, hastening dehydration.

A man fighting without armor is not only not slowwed down by its weight, but his actions will more thoroughly prevent being punctured. He will sprint instead of running. He will take cover behind cement and brick rather than wood and siding. His body will fill in the small gaps in the Earth, allowing her to shield him from harm.

Kutter is right on again- Shitty armor is WORSE than no armor. It will slow you down and give you a false sense of protection which may cause you to be tactically stupid. Personally, aside from police and others where handguns are the primary thread, I think if the situation warrants armor, you need lightweight rifle plates in a slick carrier that isn't going to get in your way.

[BigEd]

Any body armor you own will be "relied upon" when you use it. In your mind, the comforting protection of armor is an excuse not to push as hard, run as fast, find more solid cover, or embrace Mother Terra's blessed microterrain as closely as you would without armor. It will also wear on you not only with its weight, but with its heat, making you sweat more, hastening dehydration.

A man fighting without armor is not only not slowwed down by its weight, but his actions will more thoroughly prevent being punctured. He will sprint instead of running. He will take cover behind cement and brick rather than wood and siding. His body will fill in the small gaps in the Earth, allowing her to shield him from harm.

I see your point, but depending on the situation some armor is better than none. I believe it is the false sense of security it gives the person wearing it that can lead to their demise. For the majority of amateurs (myself included) the need should fit the situation. For those who have trained with it and have experience, usually means they would own the best.

I would not don a PASGT flak vest and go for a walk in hostile territory. But I would wear one, if I were making a last stand in a basement safe room. If you are not going anywhere it's better than nothing.

[azrael99]

i know my leather jacket would resist bite, because...............well let's say, my friend had a "mad dog" moment and wanted to bit me. he bitten my arm and i felt the pressure of his biting but left no trace on my arm but a light trace on my coat. i felt a little bit of pain but nothing i couldn't endure.

if i would like something a little bit more light i would take one of those

[AKFTW]

i know my leather jacket would resist bite, because...............well let's say, my friend had a "mad dog" moment and wanted to bit me. he bitten my arm and i felt the pressure of his biting but left no trace on my arm but a light trace on my coat. i felt a little bit of pain but nothing i couldn't endure.

if i would like something a little bit more light i would take one of those

Won't be stopping any bullets with that. This thread is not in Zombie Combat Tactics.

[azrael99]

well in that case, i saw Israelite body armor that was interesting

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Bulletproof-Leve ... 500wt_1413

[NamelessStain]

Well I guess this is where we disagree. I look at the military body armor and see only chest and groin protection. Why not the legs and arms? I mean really, you have major arteries in them. Oh, because the torso and groin are "good enough". Also the helmet won't stop a rifle round according to several shows I've seen on the testing of military gear. Face? LOL WIDE OPEN.

Now he's looking at this piece of "chinese" armor. In a PAW, everyone agrees that .22LR will be the undisputed champion of rounds being used due to their size, weight, and usefulness. If this vest he's looking at stops a .22LR, he's already taken out the most popular round. So it's better than nothing and it looks lightweight which won't restrict his movement as badly as a fully geared suit of Interceptor body armor.

Do I think he should get something better? Sure. Do I think he needs wrap himself in a Striker? No.

Now even if I had a cheap suit of body armor I would still hide behind concrete and hope the other guy isn't packing a 50 cal. I'm not in a combat zone, nor do I plan to be in the future. I will avoid it as much as possible. But I'd like to have something. I'm just not ready to drop the $$ to get it.

"Hit, run, hide. The highland way"

[Rev]

Well I guess this is where we disagree. I look at the military body armor and see only chest and groin protection. Why not the legs and arms? I mean really, you have major arteries in them. Oh, because the torso and groin are "good enough". Also the helmet won't stop a rifle round according to several shows I've seen on the testing of military gear. Face? LOL WIDE OPEN.

They have medics. Their armor is designed around the idea there will be someone nearby to stabilize you and get you out. I'd also like to think that armor on the legs and arms would have a good chance of doing more harm than god.


EDIT: http://bulletproofme.com/Bullet_proof_Vests_Catalog.shtml

[AKFTW]

Well I guess this is where we disagree. I look at the military body armor and see only chest and groin protection. Why not the legs and arms? I mean really, you have major arteries in them. Oh, because the torso and groin are "good enough". Also the helmet won't stop a rifle round according to several shows I've seen on the testing of military gear. Face? LOL WIDE OPEN.

Now he's looking at this piece of "chinese" armor. In a PAW, everyone agrees that .22LR will be the undisputed champion of rounds being used due to their size, weight, and usefulness. If this vest he's looking at stops a .22LR, he's already taken out the most popular round. So it's better than nothing and it looks lightweight which won't restrict his movement as badly as a fully geared suit of Interceptor body armor.

Do I think he should get something better? Sure. Do I think he needs wrap himself in a Striker? No.

Now even if I had a cheap suit of body armor I would still hide behind concrete and hope the other guy isn't packing a 50 cal. I'm not in a combat zone, nor do I plan to be in the future. I will avoid it as much as possible. But I'd like to have something. I'm just not ready to drop the $$ to get it.

"Hit, run, hide. The highland way"

Concrete walls are not the cover you think they are. Many common rifle rounds can go through cinderblocks, 7.62x39 and .308 included.

[Kutter_0311]

armor on the legs and arms would have a good chance of doing more harm than good.

Yup. You have to balance armor, mobility, and sweating your frakkin ass off...

Lead or frag to the torso has a really, really good chance of ruinning your whole day. Limb wounds may, but you can TQ them pretty quick, and still fight/walk out of battle in many cases. Head wounds are pretty iffy. Any direct hit to the head you stop will likely break your neck, but lots of ricochets are stopped by helmets without slowwing a guy down too much. Other bumps and head trauma are also negated by helmets, and some units prefer non-ballistic helmets that give better bump protection with less weight. The face has to be open to function with a gas mask.

Concrete walls are not the cover you think they are. Many common rifle rounds can go through cinderblocks, 7.62x39 and .308 included.

This is true. Glad 5.56 and 5.45 are so common!