Body Armor - Rifle Protection

Um... why???

Um... why???

Like he said, a SHTF situation.

Right, we don't do SHTF here (High Road)

Armor is uncomfortable. I wear it as little as possible.

I don't think I'd ever spend my own money on any, especially as a blue-moon precaution?

No thanks.

By the time you get to your car, put on your armor plate, get back to the SHTF location the ball will be over, and your dance card will be empty. Although it may come in handy when the cops come and see this dude walking around in body armor and holding a gun.
GO FOR IT!!!!

Shadow 7D said:

Right, we don't do SHTF here (High Road)

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Okay, no SHTF, I can accept that. But, then again, it might be nice on a really really bad day.

Ceramic protects against one hit, I believe, then it is broken. Steel doesn't break. The link you provide shows the plates you use to be 7.5 pounds each - the same weight of the steel AR 500 plates from http://www.ar500armor.com/index.php .

I have this setup, the "Urban Go", pretty close to what you have with a cheaper carrier, (I think), and pouches/holster that came with it. It is on sale for $210 right now, complete with everything shown

http://www.ar500armor.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29906

From the website,

Rating: AR500 Armor Trauma Plates are stand alone, multi-hit capable, and bench tested to the same armor rating as Type III. Type III Armor will defeat rifles rounds up to 7.62x51/.308 @ 2780 ft/s.

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OK, if THR doesn't do SHTF, why is this continuing?

(I mean, if this is Gecko45 resurfacing after all these years, it will at least be amusing. But if it isn't, it's kind of going down the wrong path...?)

And as Shadow7 posted, Why??? A meteorite might hit the world next week, but I'm not going out back and dig a hole. Good grief Louise. ah, Now I remember, Gecko45, the mall ninja, yes he was funny, but also scary, I always wonder if he was serious.

"What do ya'll think?"

It doesn't protect your head from a guy with a scoped rifle.

Ceramic protects against one hit, I believe, then it is broken. Steel doesn't break.

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Your assertion is incorrect. Ceramic plates are multi-shot rated. Also, steel does break, but probably not in the time frame you are referencing. Level IV ceramic plates are AP rated and the steel is not.

The problem with steel plates is the spall. I can't tell from the description just how much their steel plates are covered in much spall absorbing material, but it doesn't look like much. Ceramic plates trap the spall from the impacting bullets, but AR500 steel defects it. Got to about 1:05 in the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfDoQwIAaXg

However, for the price difference, between what you showed and what was in the OP, you could add the spall protection and still be way out ahead in terms of cost and in thickness.
Also see... http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/13...or__pics_of_final_test_in_the_OP_.html&page=1

It doesn't protect your head from a guy with a scoped rifle.

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Really? LOL. It doesn't protect the head from a guy with an iron-sighted rifle either.

Both the OP's and Armoredman's suggestions but fail pretty miserably on side protection as well. That is typical for most hard body armor packages.

Discussion of body armor is fine. Discussion of SHTF scenarios is not, so let's stick to discussing the technical merits of body armor, mmmkkay?

Yes, the one I have has no side protection, but it is available,

http://www.ar500armor.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29907

I have no direct experience with ceramic plates, as the only armor I was issued in the military was Vietnam era flak vests for shipboard security. I can only relate what I have been told by some people who have had direct experience, which is why I said "I believe".

Here is one answer to your spall question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfVAnU8SabY

I would love to see even more testing done on that with more video, but that does give a rough idea. I think I'd rather have some spall in my arms and legs than a rifle bullet in my heart...just sayin'. I'm thinking I might survive the spall, especially after I upgrade to the coated stuff.
I will say the USE of such armor may be difficult, as I certainly wouldn't wear this around all day, unless part of an exercise regimen.
On the side, I HAVE worked a job where I wore steel armor all day, 8-12 hours a day, for several years.

Could put it around the back of your car seat so you dont get shot in the back.

for that price gab it.point blank plates are like 5-600 each

If you live in a border town like I do body armor would be nice, if it were law enforcement or military grade. There is alot of spill over violence and people do alot of home invasions with this type of body armor bought from crooked cops or from crooked mexican military, but a good shot with a 12ga will knock the wind out of them and send them running. So if SHTF I dont think that will help very much, just worry about the neck shots, and upper back if you have actual body armor.

I have an IBA and have Ceramic level IV multi hit plates in it, they are triple curve and comfy, and fairly decent for the price. Although cheap, steel plates are heavy, deform after hit and spall.

http://www.galls.com/CGBCSTYL?PMSTYL=TE770

Yep, flat steel target. Mine throws stuff all over the plce - fun to watch the line of dust puff up in the dirt under the target when it gets hit.
The newest panels from AR500.com have a thick anti=spall coating on them, plus the plates are inside a tough cordura nylon carrier.
Id have to say I hope I take little damage to my arms and neck area as possible, so as to return fire, but I'd rather have some minor holes bleeding in my arms than one BIG one in my chest.
Of course, this presupposes I can get this thing on when I really need it - it is fast to get on.

If it will do better than 1" steel plate, it would weigh a lot less, with the added benefit of not being a really heavy dead guy.

I'd rather have some minor holes bleeding in my arms than one BIG one in my chest

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True, but the fragments don't just go out and down - they go up as well. Up is important - it's where my eyes, carotid, jugular, and airway are. Not to mention my handsome face None of those things needs to have even a small hole in it.