My observations & opinion: Plate carrier use skyrocketed post 9-11. That requires a bit of thought and flexibility as well. Do your homework, and do a lot.
The Ranger tactical outer carrier is the most universal piece of equipment an officer can own in this post-9/11 environment. Detergents and solvents should also be avoided when cleaning the armor panels. Steel plates alone are not effective. It can be done. FragLock helps solve both these problems, protecting the plate from the elements as well as protecting you from fragmentation by directing those fragments away from your body. Their materials and process might not the best available, but could be the best budget choice for you: Tier 2 brands: AR500, Bulletsafe, Spartan Armor Systems, Top Choices: Armor Express Razor, Armor Express Women's Razor.
When cleaning armor panels remove the plates from the carrier and gently wipe the outer panel with cold water using a damp cloth or sponge, then lay them flat to air-dry indoors. This vest comes with a multitude of options and has lots of accessories. Going from one part of the world to another and not being acclimated can do this to the human component. They require a carrier to hold them. All armor worn by officers is compliant with NIJ (National Institute of Justice) standard 0101.06 and requires the manufacturer to provide recommended care instructions on the back of the armor panel. Most of the time, body armor was required unless we were going to the Jungle. When you purchase one of our carriers for your non U.S. Armor ballistic panels, we will make your new carrier to fit your existing panels based on measurements and ballistic panel tracings you provide for an additional fee. Here is a quick list of the types of armor a public safety professional may wear based on their role. I hear complaints about not being able to shoot in heavy body armor. There are quite a few products out there made from steel, and they have some beneficial specs: they aren't expensive, they have good ballistic stopping power, and many have a 20 year warranty. Only one thing, they are heavy. This site requires you to register or login to post a comment. You are wearing your protection. This choice is driven by our threat matrix in our operational area and the shooting statistics in our area. BTW If you buy anything with the links we provide on this page we might get a small percentage of the sale. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. In America, most houses are made of sticks and chalkboard.
We publish thorough reviews and useful content all the time so if youd like to be notified when we do, please sign up below. Keep it under or around 3-4 lbs a plate if you can, most people can handle that amount of weight. Also, check the condition of the plate label for any signs of excessive wear or illegible writing. Lauren Hoyt is a marketing specialist for Galls, LLC, a leading provider of police and public safety uniforms. There are two common armor types: Soft & Hard. We discussed this with the folks at RMA and they told us that shelf life and warranty aren't the same thing: as long as a plate is taken care of, shelf life can last decades. The problem is, you cannot fight in it. The area in which an officer is patrolling will largely determine what level of protection is needed. Body armor typically refers to a type of vest that protects the torsos vital organs. You can always pee. Full body armor can be a heat containment issue and drain you of needed water. Court Docs: Gun Failed for Alaska Trooper Shot Several Times, Body Armor Carriers as Load Bearing Vests, Executive Defense International | EDI-USA, stab armor with some level of spike resistance, Lt. Frank Borelli (ret), Editorial Director. Conclusion. The ultimate urban survival kit and gear. Made in U.S.A. III+ plates have the ability to defeat m855, xm193, 7.6239 MSC and .308 M80 NATO. The problem you run into in the southern states is the heat. We will discuss threat types in the next section. Below is from a Law Enforcement friend who I have the utmost respect for. We've been asked about it, and feel like there is a lot of confusion around the subject so we've decided to put together this explainer of what is available and what you need to know before buying any. We did over 40 hits in a week without and no one to my knowledge became a heat casualty. AR500 Armor Level IIIA Slim Panel Soft Body Armor, Hesco L210 Special Threat Stand Alone Plate, Level III+ Multi-Curve SM-XL (Models #1091-1094), RTS Ultimate Tactical Bundle Level IV Ceramic, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) for Civilians, Yeti 150 Battery Upgrade + Anderson Powerpole Add. When storing armor, its important to lay it flat in a dry, shaded area at room temperature.
Really heavy in some cases. A doctor would like to cover you from head to toe in body armor.
Most of the time we forget to when things start happening I had to move that weight and also be able to drag people/teammates/prisoners, etc. Very lightweight and concealable. Were I Special Ops today, I would wear a plate carrier as I know the mobility required for single and multiple urban combat ops. In the end, your physical shape is the variable where you can have the most impact. These are neither a Level 3 or Level 4 plates, but are hybrids. The front plate pocket also has a 6x8 trauma plate pocket than not only allows the wearing of a trauma plate, but also gives you a pocket to secure your patrol camera magnet. If you are in very good shape and train then bump it up as you see fit, but don't go overboard. Crye Precision is an amazing company, with some of the best products you can get, all made in Brooklyn, NY. Its important to note that body armor is not bulletproof. Its bullet-resistant. For maximum protection against a high-grade military threat, the AR500 C2 body armor is the best option the market can provide: This Armored Republic Level IV rated plate is tested to the NIJs proposed 0101.07 standard as an RF3 plate, which is the highest protection listed. If you are physically or mentally degraded when it is time to press the threat, problems can arise. These instructions must be followed to maintain the vests maximum ballistic performance, as well as regularly inspecting, cleaning and storing the armor properly. Shooting Stay hydrated at all times as you never know when the next mission will come. Each level stops a certain range of threats. If you cannot train for those periods, get in shape. As a historical note, a friend and officer who spent five years overseas with chest plates and was never shot. Inspection. He came back to Chicago as a police officer and was saved by soft body armor and what would have been an under the chest plate hit. My preference is for everyone to come home at the end of the day. Also, they dont have to wear it nor do they understand the ramifications of its long-term wear. Depending on the job, the threat level protection of body armor will vary.
Our suggestion for your next consideration: focus on Weight before Ballistics. When we discuss Ballistics in the Threat Consideration section below you'll see what compromises you'll have to decide on when considering Weight. If you need more information about a specific threat you are trying to counter, try to go directly to any manufacturer and ask them. Get all the gear you need in one fell swoop at a reasonable price. Some is designed to stop pistol rounds only, some are designed to stop pistol and rifle. For more info click here. Not only are you moving your body weight, but you are also moving another package. Never dry clean, machine wash or machine dry the plate carrier and panels unless instructed by the manufacturer. Not being able to move is more dangerous than you might think, and makes it more likely you will take a round. This is one of the lightest options out there for Level IIIA+ / SRT plates. You don't want to get hit with frag or spall, and although this type of coating isn't the best in the world at stopping that, it does a good enough job in most cases. Plate carriers should be hand washed once a week to ensure that the panels wont fail if theyre ever struck. This plate is the best of all worlds, it combines relatively light weight along with a favorable price to performance ratio. endstream
endobj
1753 0 obj
<>/Metadata 229 0 R/Outlines 340 0 R/Pages 1750 0 R/StructTreeRoot 414 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences 1769 0 R>>
endobj
1754 0 obj
<>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 1750 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 88/Tabs/S/Type/Page>>
endobj
1755 0 obj
<>stream
Any Design variations from the standard Ranger 100 G3 carrier will require a nominal change of design fee. Tested beyond to perform past its NIJ 0101.06 Certification. I weighed 230 pounds in the day and with light body armor and my rifle/equipment, I was 310 pounds for urban combat operations. A buyers guide to the best gas masks and respirators that offer military grade protection and support during emergencies. Top Choices: Hesco 3810, Hesco 3611C, Armor Express Delta III+, Typical Price: $275-375 Weight: 5.16 lbs Large (multiple sizes avail.). This is not a decision to take lightly, and it might take you a week or more of research to get what will be best for you, especially if you aren't in a profession which allows you to try different kinds or get first hand experience with it. Some armor types have 10 - 20 years warranties but now you are getting into the heavy weight stuff like steel plates.
In addition to the higher protection level, this ceramic C2 plate has several other advantages: Its shape and backface deformation resistance, patented ergonomic cut, and proprietary FragLock coating. For the height measure from the sternal notch to the belly button. For example, an AR which shoots 5.56 can shoot M193 and M855 rounds (among others). Other types of plates are too heavy/expensive for most civilians. Body armor is designed to be a life saving device, be serious, do your homework and make your decisions carefully, and don't just jump to the cheapest option. Front 6x8 and 8x10 externally accessible plate pockets. This causes them to stretch out over time and sit incorrectly on the user. Check them out, i think you'll be impressed. %PDF-1.7
%
If you want steel plates, look to AR500 Amored Republic, Spartan Armor Systems or Premier Body Armor. History: Lastly - we can't overlook the "cool guy factor" when having this discussion - but no one wants to go there Soft Armor is made of multiple layers of ballistic fibers, from woven or laminated aramid materials such as Kevlar or Twaron, or from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWP) like Dyneema & Spectra. Its also important that the level of protection an officers armor provides can withstand the caliber of their own handgun in the case that theyre disarmed by their assailant. Body Armor is regulated by Federal Law. We hate spam with the passion of a thousand suns, so we wont email you junk or ever sell your information, we swears! The most important being what threats youre likely to face in your specific department. When choosing the right equipment police officers and others must follow department requirements, as well as consider the threats they may encounter. NIJ 0101.07 Tested. Our 60 day Fit Guarantee will not apply and any further modifications to your carrier will require an alteration fee. But police officers arent the only public safety professionals that need body armor. At a minimum, soft body armor with a threat level of IIA, II or IIIA should be worn. Between 2009-2018 there were over half a million assaults on law enforcement officials, according to data from the FBIs LEOKA (Law Enforcement Officers Killed & Assaulted). Also, avoid storing the armor in a low airflow area or extremely hot/cold environment. Typical Price: $235 each Weight: 2.53 lbs. Built to protect from common 5.56 threats (M855, M193) as well as 7.62 x 39 protection (API-BZ included). Your physical training program should sustain your ability to wear body armor for 8 hours. They don't have M80 ball protection, but stop several armor-penetrating rounds. We would suggest staying away from Swimmers Cuts, as these typically require custom carriers and are not really designed for civilian use. Blank outer surface cover, no pockets or pouches, Threat Level II, or IIIA ballistic panels. If this occurs, its time for a replacement plate. When cleaning plate carriers, the detachable straps and fasteners must first be removed before cleaning (if not removable, lay them in a secure position). 1752 0 obj
<>
endobj
So, we did what they did in Vietnam and did not wear it. The plates will sit about 4 - 5" above the belly button. 1.2 thick so might not fit all carriers. RHl6N HG
It depends on the threat you are seeking to protect against and whether or not you want to advertise whether you are wearing it or not. The LVS armor is NIJ IIIA Certified. There is good news however, some of them are: Tier 1 brands: Hesco, RMA Armament, Tencate, HighCom, Tyr Tactical, Armor Express, Crye Precision, There are many re-sellers in the industry but only a few US manufacturers of ceramic/poly plates: RMA, Hesco, Tencate, & LTC. My PT program consisted of balanced cardio and weight routine. With high-caliber weapons and unknown assailants involved, SWAT teams are required to wear hard armor with a protection level of III or IV. You aren't likely getting back up and into the fight right away. However we cannot guarantee the proper fit and proper positioning of the ballistic panels, since all manufactures have differences in their patterns and suspension systems. Not all armor is created equal. Adapt new gear as it proves itself worthy. When the spec op veterans started to get out and join swat teams, they pushed for what they know and are comfortable with - plate carriers - natural progression.
Physical Fitness Average people will have a hard enough time carrying the lighter ceramic plates. Super lightweight and our top choice for most people, given that low weight and that it will stop all threats but M855 armor piercing rounds. Air-conditioned vehicles are available, water is available, food, etc. For example, an officer working in a big city is more likely to face an assailant with a handgun (typically a 9mm), than an officer in a small town. I did not want to blow out knees because I did too much weight training and not enough leg cardio. ), Protection from street threats like knives, clubs, Generally not rifle round defeating, with exceptions being expensive, Easier to store, can last longer than soft. You can get high ballistic rated armor that can stop nearly everything, but it will either be heavy or very expensive (or both. Front and rear external plate pockets that allow the ability to add rifle plates when an incident occurs requiring fast armoring up. I also watched them come back and one or two would crumble to the ground requiring an IV to get their fluids back to normal levels. Below is from a Law Enforcement friend who I have the utmost respect for. endstream
endobj
startxref
It's tough to find Tier 1 Level II armor available to the general public. They need to carry a lot of gear and ammo so they need the extra carry space the carriers provide. Over 500 of these attacks resulted in felonious deaths. This protection rating means the plate can stop a .30 caliber Armor Piercing bullet, with a mass of 10.8g, at speeds of up to 2,880 ft/s. SWAT and tactical operations teams are sent into extreme situations where the chances of coming under attack are high. If you are not in shape to carry the weight, up your physical training program.
Keep a bottle or two of water with your body armor and throw it down when the armor goes on. Let's clear up some myths about body armor right out of the gate cause there's a lot of bad information out there in the prepping community: There are three factors that apply to all armor products: Ballistics, Cost, Weight. I get numerous questions to reference heavy or light body armor, or should I say Heavy Vest or Plate Carrier. Here are a few thoughts. Most of the time we forget to when things start happening Some armor cannot defeat the M855 round, because it has a steel core designed to penetrate armor. 2022 U.S. ARMOR CORPORATION. Stops nearly everything short of a RPG, that's hyperbole of course, but this is the best protection you can get in a plate right now. But protection is available for the head, legs, arms, groin and more. How the impact is absorbed depends on the threat level (IIA, II, IIIA, III or IV) and type of armor worn: soft or hard armor. The best way to ensure this is by wearing a light-colored convert vest that blends in underneath plain clothing. They may need to tailor the gear for the multiple mission requirements they have. Just my 2 cents When choosing the right equipment police officers and others must follow department requirements, as well as consider the threats they may encounter. You'll have a budget you'll need to stick to, and here's an important point: a lot of the armor out there has a 5 year warranty. There is a huge variety of price ranges, features, materials and quality out there. The need to balance armor and surface area protection will always be changing with advances in technology. 1767 0 obj
<>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<4D9AA6975C9A6B4096100ED4B476C131>]/Index[1752 36]/Info 1751 0 R/Length 93/Prev 1151036/Root 1753 0 R/Size 1788/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream
I started wearing body armor in special ops in 1986. If you decide to go try it out, we suggest the AR500 Armor A2 Level III+with the build-up coat This would weight about 13 lbs in total and run around $378.
We got into a couple of small shootings outside of targets, but not much to talk about. Wrapped in a water repellent polyurethane coated, CORDURA fabric finish. (Our readers ages and physical capabilities cover a huge range, not all of you are young folks in good health.). There are Ballistic Armor Levels, and you should familiarize yourself with each, the names are a little confusing at first. Its unlikely a prisoner will get their hands on a firearm.
Hard Armor consists of plates, and they arewait for ithard. Really hurt: broken ribs, internal bleeding, bruising, passing out, even a heart attack are all possible, even if a round is successfully defeated by the armor. I use a slightly bladed stance and I can lock my arms with shoulder pads and hit all my reference points. Garand Thumb has a good video on positioning and carrier setup, back from his serious days: You will see a bunch of different plate styles out there, we would recommend either the SAPI or Shooters Cuts. Most police departments require their officers to wear body armor for one big reason the equipment saves lives. In most cases, its recommended to go with a level IIIA covert vest for protection not only against 9mm bullets, but specific rounds at close range as well. Drywall is the only thing stopping a bullet from reaching them in another room. The U.S. Military designation for this is an M2 AP. TL;DR: Go with lightweight UHMWP Level III or Ceramic Special Threat (if you want to defeat M855.)
Body armor in one environment might help mission success and save lives, in others, it might cause mission failure as it degrades the human component. So which is right for you? Not rated to protect against green-tip armor piercing 5.56 m855. Plate Carriers vs. 1787 0 obj
<>stream
Many times, they are engaged on the outside and need the ability to fire and maneuver. hb```]ll Rear 8x10 externally accessible plate pocket. We were supposed to go anywhere, anytime, and do anything. Copyright 1995-2022 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. Most have customer service reps that will answer emails within a day or two. Look at your missions and pick the best armor that will apply to them all. Top Choices: Hesco U210, Tencate Cratus CR6450, Velocity Systems Special Threat Ceramic, Typical Price: $170 each Weight: 5.5 lbs. Armor is often liable to both eroding from the elements and fragmentation when hit by a bullet. Felons are not generally eligible to own body armor. They typically aren't getting into rifle fights. Read the ballistic performance test here. Get prepared and save some loot! You can always pee. The symmetrical design of our Slim armor gives it a bidirectional capability, meaning it's perfect for use in a backpack, where you might use it on your back, or in front of you as a shield. Overseas, they make walls of brick and mortar which keeps bad guys from shooting through them. Clearly you are of superior intellect. There are many factors to consider when picking the best body armor for the job. All armor eventually breaks down, but the speed at which it does will depend on the way its being used, stored and maintained by the officer. Not all armor can stop everything, and it isn't designed to. Want to start the conversation? Our group decided not to wear body armor and preferred to be fast and mobile. There's a reason Police generally wear soft armor, it protects them from the random threats the come up against when dealing with arresting criminals. This list is by no means extensive, that's the point. There are some reasons to go with steel: you can leave it in your truck as a backup and not really worry about it getting damaged from heat or cold (unlike the other materials above.) That's an oversimplification but roll with it for now.
That could mean you are replacing the armor every 5 years.
But an attack from a blunt or sharp object poses significant risks. You've also got that 20 year warranty, so the stuffs good to go for a long time. Sometimes in the mountains and in the jungle. You cannot put enough water into your body during a long term or multiple ops to keep a human being going. You cannot always drink. Some models can be concealed under a shirt or jacket, put into a backpack, or worn in a carrier. Multi-shot rated on selected threats. Top Choices: Hesco 4800, Armor Express Delta, Secondary Option: AR500 Level IV, BulletsafeLevel IV, Spartan Level IV. There are many fantastic companies out there that make body armor, however many of them are not available to civilians. Oh, and we get special deals for our readers too, we will pass them along when we feel they are worthy. Sorry Clint You can get inexpensive armor, but it either won't have the ballistics (defeat many types of rounds) or will be too heavy. Hard armor is designed to protect against rifle rounds and consists of threat levels IIIA (.357 SIG FMJ & .44 Magnum SJHP), III (7.62mm, (M80)) and IV (.30 caliber Armor Piercing Rifle Round (M2 AP)). hmo6 Even rounds out of the same rifle can be different. The types of threats a corrections officer faces will differ from a police officer working in the field. LE vs. Mil If theres a chance armor-piercing rifle rounds are involved, a level IV vest may be more suitable, but thats situation dependent. The Ranger 100 G3 Carrier is sized to fit your new or existing U.S. Armor concealable ballistic panels. Always check for cuts, tears, separation in the stitching, sealing problems and cracks in hard armor plates. 2022 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. Jungle operations made it too hot to wear, killing mobility and increasing water intake to unsustainable levels. You cannot always drink. Here is the area you want to cover. Law Enforcement Body Armor: Heavy or Light?
Armor is designed to defeat specific rounds and calibers, it is not meant to stop everything. 2FM!Ix,7216LhFOn020p|`hDUA# H_c3' https://www.linkedin.com/company/officer-com.
Training Secondary Options: Spartan Armor Systems, BulletSafe, AR500 Hybrid. The wall is not your protection. If I was a Law Enforcement or SWAT Type, I would layer up heavier as I know the shot would be up close a majority of the time. Stay hydrated at all times as you never know when the next mission will come.
Pardon the interruption, but it appears you are enjoying Bug Out Bag Builder. For width you measure between the nipples from the center of each. Armor saves lives.. Ceramic/Polyethylene composite. If you are going to spend this kind of money I would just go with the Crye LVS below or just get Level IIIA soft armor, which is better rated. Accepts all U.S. Armor concealable ballistic panels. We have had gunfire hit our big rolling shields - two of our armored vehicles and our hand-held shields. Go modular if you can during the heat. Of these deaths, 93 percent involved firearms, making the need for ballistic protection imperative. All rights reserved. You can only get 2 out of the 3. If you get shot in the armor you will get hurt. These types of vests are bulkier and much heavier than lower-level vests, but provide the necessary protection needed in a hostile environment.
Heavy armor will slow you down, a LOT. Top Choices: Hesco 3800, Hesco 3600, Armor Express Aries III ICW, Secondary Options: AR500 Armor Level III, Spartan Armor Systems Level III Elaphros. Many float too, so won't pull you into the water if you wind up swimming. View cart for details. As a side note, plate carriers were not out there yet. Keep a bottle or two of water with your body armor and throw it down when the armor goes on. Please note customization work will extend delivery time. 100% aramid Slim armor is designed to defeat pistol caliber threats up to .44 magnum and .357 SIG at 1,430 feet per second or lower, as well as lesser pistol calibers. Only some armor can withstand multiple hits, and all armor will fail at some point if repeatedly shot, especially in the same location. Military folks wear hard armor because they are expecting to be shot at by rifles. Never hang the carrier by the straps. We had soft body armor with insertable plates. We mandate a full vest plus shoulder pads and a level IV front plate - but not the neck ring, throat triangle, nor groin protection - those are optional.
facebook comments: