[cajun47]

what kind? what brand?

i want a light vest thats not very noticeable to stop handgun rounds.

[Avenger29]

You want to get in touch with Correia- he sells body armor and fits it, if I am not mistaken.

There are quite a few people on this board that deal with armor. I am not one of them, though. I do know that you have to pay for quality and have it properly fitted.

[hankdatank1362]

I'm not gonna question your rationale behind wanting body armor.


But others here will. And that's because wearing it sucks. Big time.

[mtnmedic11]

I ordered some paraclete level IIIA RAV cut body armor a few years back with a concealment vest and I loved it. I wore it in Iraq for 6 months with a plate carrier and it was the most comfortable, most protective cut Ive ever used. With the concealment vest you can wear it underneath a loose dress shirt and its barely visible. Or you can wear it outside with a carrier and hard armor. The guys at Paraclete were great, and they have a few different types and cuts of armor to choose from.

Its the same kit that a lot of USMC and Army SF use, great stuff. Expensive though. Im 6'3, 220 lbs. and the Medium long fits perfect.

[Dumpster Baby]

Years ago I wore a Second Chance Level III vest for nine months on a temporary security job. It wasn't a living hell by any means but it did get to be a drag in hot weather. The main inconvenience was in not having spare covers for it. With a limited number of uniforms and only one vest cover I had to drag myself to the laundry room more often than I wanted to.

:)

[Nate C.]

Why?

Ask any patrol officer what he thinks of body armor. For best results, ask one
from the South. In the summer time. Find a guy working a foot beat, not sitting in an air-conditioned squad car.

[simmonsguns]

And there is that special type of funky smell that builds up in them.
A good hunting sent killer will take care of that but if there is none to be found for months on end it gets unbearable.

[wally]

I've Second Chance vests with trauma plates for me and the misses. Hers is behind the bedroom bathroom door, mine behind the bedroom door.

If the alarm ever goes off, I grab my nightstand pistol and we don the vests, she's ready to call 911 while I check the video to verify if we really have intruders.

Like the fire extinguishers also behind the doors, hope to never use them.

Wearing them in our heat, you gotta be kidding!

--wally.

[coloradokevin]

Why?

Ask any patrol officer what he thinks of body armor. For best results, ask one
from the South. In the summer time. Find a guy working a foot beat, not sitting in an air-conditioned squad car.

No kidding.

The warmest temperature we have had for this year was 82 degrees, and most of our nice days have been in the high 60's to low 70's (so far). I am already dreading wearing my vest, and I absolutely can't stand the thing in summer.

I can't possibly imagine why anyone who wasn't doing work that necessitated it would want to wear this stuff! In the summer it feels like wearing a wet dish rag, and it breathes about as well as a garbage bag. Like the others have mentioned, I can't even begin to describe the vest "funk" you get during the warmer seasons... The smell could kill death.

[Chipperman]

I have a Safariland IIIa vest. It's a combo of Kevlar and Spectra.

I would not want to wear it all the time, but its suits my purposes.

[Sato Ord]

I've worn body armor, you can have it.

If things get bad enough I feel I can't leave my house without a bullet proof vest I'll move.

That being said, if I did buy some it would have to be Dragon Skin, just to say I own a set.:neener:

[JCMAG]

Now where can a civilian get a vest?

Every manufacturer I've looked at has said LE and MIL only.

I can't find any laws against civilians owning armor...

[glocker82]

got mall ninja?

[ClickClickD'oh]

Ask any patrol officer what he thinks of body armor. For best results, ask one
from the South. In the summer time. Find a guy working a foot beat, not sitting in an air-conditioned squad car.

That air conditioned squad car isn't a party either during a good Dallas summer.

I think right around the middle of June I start becoming the poster child for Gatorade. Drink the stuff by the gallon during the summer.

[doc2rn]

I am holding out for dragon skin armor. I have old class 2 vest from working armored a couple of summers ago, got it out of Gals magazine.

[PavePusher]

If you must wear it, use a snug-fitting, low friction, wicking under shirt such as Under Armor or similar product. Cuts down on blisters, chaffing, and body odor.

[coloradokevin]

If you must wear it, use a snug-fitting, low friction, wicking under shirt such as Under Armor or similar product. Cuts down on blisters, chaffing, and body odor

I partially agree with you on that... I swear by the sweat-wicking synthetic shirts (under armor, or knock offs) in warm weather, though I use a combination of those and cotton shirts in milder weather.

Still, my synthetics hold stink so much more than the cotton does! I just took my vest off when I got home ten minutes ago (it was maybe 70 degrees today), and it still stinks like someone died on me.

[peyton]

Just think of all of us in the sandbox wearing the IBA's it is good to know it slows down most stuff. Point Blank makes it, it has saved many a life. You are not allowed to travel around without some kind of body armor. I also think the type of job you have determines if you really need it. For me, anything dealing with money or highly traveled businesses (7-11) it would be protecting my assets. They are expensive though and have a shelf life.

[p2000sk]

"Now where can a civilian get a vest?

Every manufacturer I've looked at has said LE and MIL only.

I can't find any laws against civilians owning armor..."


You should research your state statutes to determine legality.
In some areas, a citizen may not be able to ledally have it.
In some areas, the combination of certain illicit activities and the posession
of body armor can have a multiplier effect for crime and punishment
(I do not intend to imply that you would partake in illicit activity.) .

A local oil truck driver has stated that he wears the armor during the winter
and it is nice and toasty.

[Killermonkey21]

Peyton is correct. The IBA's are truly a dis/comfort. The new ones they have out (Improved Outer Tactical Vest) is supposed to be more comfortable, offer more protection to the lower back, have built in side plate holders, and a quick release. Although, they take a LOT longer to put on from what I've seen. "Supposably" they are supposed to be issuing them to units already in theater before others, but I've been here for 11 months and havn't seen them on a single paratrooper here.

On-Topic: While it might offer you a feeling of comfort knowing you have it on, you really don't want to where it 24/7. A light vest (kevlar only) would be light and most likely be able to stop 9mm FMJ (thats the standard, right?), while a plate would offer more protection. I guess it really boils down to cost/benefit for yourself and the legality of such.

But its the US. If its legal, and you want to, you can do it. Freedom. Its an amazing thing, isn't it?

God Bless America.

[JCMAG]

Now I definitely want some! Not that I'll probably ever need it, but it would be a damned fine thing to have it ever I do. There is more to fighting tyranny than a good rifle, after all. It would be pretty nice if we could survive to see democracy re-instated.

Someday... :D

[Gunnerpalace]

I am holding out for dragon skin armor

That stuff is $5000 a pop,

But I saw that stuff on MC,FW,ect 50rds of 9mm pretty awesome stuff.

[glocker82]

skip the body armor and just build a panic room.

[buck00]

I'm not gonna question your rationale behind wanting body armor.


But others here will. .

Yes, I will. Let's bring the concept to the table. As a normal civilian (non-LEO), unless you are being stalked, or the mafia put a contract on your life..... why would you get body armor?

I guess I could see if you had it in your house for an emergency (hanging on the wall as someone mentioned)... that may make sense. Not something I'd do or invest in, but ok I follow the rationale.

But if its a "I'm going to wear body armor every day of the week to be safe", then we have some paranoia issues to sort out. If this is the way you live, you may as well start stacking sand bags along your windows too. :rolleyes:

* Police and military do it as part of the job hazards. Until this country degenerates into a state of security like Sarajevo 1993, or Grozny 1999 I think you can hold off on the daily use of body armor. JMO


http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=76856&stc=1&d=1208706067

[frogomatic]

As a normal civilian (non-LEO), unless you are being stalked, or the mafia put a contract on your life..... why would you get body armor?


this irritates me. In a free state, 'why?' is just not a valid question. The same rehtoric gets used to attack our right to bear arms. 'Why?' do you need that AR-15/WASR/1911/29/ect... RIGHTS ARE NOT ABOUT 'WHY'! We have the right to do, say, possess, ect... anything we want, up to the point where it violates the rights of another. If we want to go down the 'why/need' road, I can take it to places you won't like. Cars, planes, internet, TV, movies, knick-knacks, kitchen sinks, soft drinks, scopes, body armor, ect... There are a million and one things that we do not 'need' so 'why' should we be allowed to have them? Because it is our god given right as a free willed people. And being, or not being LEO/MIL is irrelevant. LEO/MIL do have a greater need of such things, but DO NOT HAVE AN EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO IT. They are citizens just the same as the rest of us, and have exactly the same rights and freedoms as everyone else.

rant off...

[armoredman]

I wore a concealable vest for several years with ATS, first a Point Blank IIIA, and the a Safarilan Hyperlite IIIA - the differance was huge. Go with the lightest advertised weight you can that is still IIIA or better.
BTW, I wore that vest for 6+ years in AZ summers. I went without ONCE, felt naked all day long. I usedto pull the top back and forth to ventilate, likea bellows. Worked pretty good. Get multiple carriers, cheap stuff, and the funky stink DOES get FUNKY.

[woodybrighton]

I think the why comes from experience yes free feel to wear it if you want but most btdt users will say unless you have to don't:D
When we had ecba we just hoped the milita we were fighting had really good shots as those trauma plates were a touch little:D
bit like the poster who was worrying about defeating multiple heavily armed home invaders with body armour and training in that situation if you are on your own you die:mad:

[sandcast69]

I use a Point Blank Legacy 3A+ with trauma insert when catching skips.
I don't mind wearing it too much, though it can get pretty hot in august.
But I'd rather sweat than bleed!



sandcast69

[glockman19]

I am holding out for dragon skin armor
Me too. :D

[armoredman]

sandcast, what I used to tell new crewmembers, "Better hot and alive than cold and dead." I also drank about 2 gallons of water daily.

[Feanaro]

In a free state, 'why?' is just not a valid question.

Buck didn't say that people shouldn't be able to have body armor. In that case, "why?" is a perfectly valid question. Sometimes, there's no good reason for doing something. It doesn't mean you can't do it, it just means it's not necessary or even stupid.

[M47 Dragon]

...you may as well start stacking sand bags along your windows too.

Hey, what's wrong with that? :evil:

[LawofThirds]

Nothing, as long as they match the drapes.

I personally think that bulletproof vests should be tax exempt and be able to be written off in the hellholes in this country that don't allow carry *cough DC, Chicago, LA cough*

I mean honestly, it's a completely defensive device. What was the last time you heard of a gang banger pulling off his vest and vest whipping somebody?

[JCMAG]

What was the last time you heard of a gang banger pulling off his vest and vest whipping somebody?

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Seriously, I'm not going to wear it unless I feel strongly compelled to.

Now, under normal circumstances, it won't do me much good unless the magic 8-ball sends me a little prophesy before I leave for work in the morning.

But turn on the news... people all around the world find themselves in situations where they know damn well in advance that things are about to get awful...

This may be the greatest country in the history of the human race, but it ain't perfect, it ain't infallible, and it certainly ain't indestructible...

So I'm going to find me a ways to get some body armor one of these days when I have some cash to burn... I just hope that isn't never... :o

[30 cal slob]

http://www.bulletproofme.com

unless you're a Connecticut resident, in which face-to-face transaction are mandatory to comply with state law.

[rc109a]

I wear the second chance at work. My department bought us two carriers and you better believe those get rotated every day. In the summer it gets rather ripe fast. My wife found out that Fabreeze is great especially if I take my vest off and throw it on the bed after a 12 hour shift (she threatens to shoot me the next time I do it...lol). We had to get ours fitted so it does not bunch up when you sit down. If you buy one off the shelf it might not cover you correctly or leave gaps in the sides. I do beleeive the shelf life for most concelable armor is only 5 years, but I might be wrong. I know we replace ours every 4 years (takes 2-6 months to get them in). In VA the only law I seen was 18.2-287.2 which states it is just illegal to wear it while comitting a crime. Look up your state to make sure it is legal, each state will vary. Good luck...

[armoredman]

I mean honestly, it's a completely defensive device. What was the last time you heard of a gang banger pulling off his vest and vest whipping somebody?
No, but oddly enough I do know a LT who took off his stab vest and used it as an impact weapon to disable an inmate who was attempting to kill a staff member. Got a life saving award for that. Good man.

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

I have a Point Blank in level 2 for when I go to the range (Im an RO, believe me, you correct someone or tell them to keep it pointed down range, they get that look in their eye, no matter how nicely you ask them to). There are just some folks who would rather shoot you than keep something pointed downrange. "How dare you correct me infront of my girlfriend/family?!"

That being said, I love it for the colder months (outdoor range). Light jacket so I can still get to my sidearm and that vest keeps you nice and WARM! Heck, I could have worn a turtle neck and that darn vest and been just fine with a hat and longjohn pants.

The wicking shirt idea is a lifesaver (thanks for reminding me I have to get another one, old one is worn out) in the summer. No tjust the stink, but the wet. Yuck! :D

[cassandrasdaddy]

get it sized right. father in law number one retired after 20 years a dc cop not a scratch went to work on a purolator truck and got shot 3 times by a guy from dc who was robbing a sears in allentown. he was a big guy vest was a lil small one round went just over it into his shoulder almost killed him

[Geno]

BPC:

It's like this:

What did you say?! :scrutiny: Are you talkin' to me? :fire: Are YOU talking to ME?!?!?! :what: :cuss: and then they start to really get mad.

I seriously have seen some people at the range who freighten me. I don't know if they dress up, make with the scary look intentionally, but they have that crazed, Satanic/psychotic look like nobody's home. It's like they are lookin' through the RO's body, talkin' to the wall behind them.

The one shooter was told, single-round-only. He sat down, loaded a 30-round magazine and popped them of as fast as he could. That's when I get packin' and trackin' outta there. The man just was not right in the head. The RO had called the police while I was packing, but I don't know how that one played out.

All the same, in such cases, body gear would not have made any difference.

[Bix]

Yes, I will. Let's bring the concept to the table. As a normal civilian (non-LEO), unless you are being stalked, or the mafia put a contract on your life..... why would you get body armor?


Range requirement? I've seen open enrollment (i.e. non-LEO only) classes that require students to wear armor. If one wants to take such classes, it seems perfectly sensible for that person to get body armor.

I've also attended basic/introductory classes where the (non-LEO) instructors were wearing soft armor. This, again, strikes me as awfully sensible - can't say I wouldn't be inclined to do the same if I were to spend several days working with novice gunhandlers on a hot range.

I also know of non-LEO inividuals who've purchased armor to provide a portable backstop for dryfire practice. Certainly more expensive than a bucket of sand, but arguably better suited for the purpose. Again, this strikes me as not only sensible, but downright prudent :)

Just a couple ideas off the top of my head. I'm sure there are a lot more out there.....

[Zangetsu]

+1 Frogomatic :)

[CAPTAIN MIKE]

I have two sets - for when TSHTF. I use it occasionally when instructing but mainly keep it stowed for That Bad Day, along with some 'Ammunition Futures'.