Class IV Body Armor - Good deal?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Blain

member
Joined
Jan 17, 2003
Messages
993
I have a "contact" who buys huge batches of stuff from miltary auctions. He gets lots of gun stuff for very cheap prices as a result. I have mainly bought M14 mags from him in the past (NIW for $30) but he sells a wide assortment of parts and accessories.

One of the things he was telling me of which perked my interest quite a bit was class IV body armor. Now I have heard that this is the highest rated defense armor one can wear. It can take multiple .30-06 AP hits from what I have heard. He tells me he is selling it in a package which includes an Alice pack, a tactical vest with mag pouches, and the Class IV body armor with both trauma plates (one for front, one for back) all for $500 shipping included (which is around $50 in it's own right I believe).

Now my question is, what is the usual price of class IV armor with the trauma plates and is this a good deal? Is it worth it to even have body armor? How many of you have/use body armor and think it's a good idea? Who thinks it's a waste of money? Thanks!
 
Blain, I think the deal is good, but the more important thing to consider (IMHO) is its value. I know I don't have folks trying to snipe me, so a Level 4 would be way overkill and I would most likely not wear it often because of the bulk and weight. However, I would likely wear a level 2 and more likely than not that is the "threat" that I may meet more often anyway. As the owner if Second Chance says (paraphrasing), it is better to have a lighter vest that you will always wear, rather than a heavy vest that will stay in your car because its too hot and heavy.
 
Waste.

Where do you live? What opportunity will you have to wear full combat armor? This isn't for daily wear. Do you really need to worry about .30 cal weaponry, or do you have concern about street-level crimes by handguns?

If you lived/worked in an environment where you really needed LvL-IV, you wouldn't need to ask about it since you'd already have some.

Another thing to think about is the age of the material, kevlar, spectra, etc. degrades over time. Are you buying old stuff that isn't as protective as you think it is?
 
I figure this vest would be a good thing to have once the raids come, a 2nd American revolution happens, or a UN/alien invasion of sometype happens. Since I believe that any of the above is at the very least, possible, if not certain at the ate we are going, I think it might be a good idea to have such a vest in case SHTF. I like to think of it as an investment. I hope to god I'll never have to wear it....but when the chips are down, and there comes a time where it would be useful, it would be an invaluble thing to have... This is not intended for daily wear....
 
Level IV armor is either going to be steel (0.5" thick) or ceramic plates. I think the military uses steel, since it's not as fragile as ceramic. It won't degrade over time, so you might as well buy now while it's still legal for civilians. The price sounds reasonable if you want all the other gear that comes with it.

I own Level IV armor, but I never wear it, because it's heavy (even though it's ceramic) and "concealable" only under a heavy coat. My soft Level IIIA vest is much more practical (wearing it to the range today). However, you never know when someone like the D.C. "snipers" will start shooting up your neighborhood, so it's nice to have the heavy-duty stuff on hand. :uhoh:
 
Just what do the trauma plates consist of, anyway? Reinforced hardened armor?
 
I'd say it's a pretty good deal if the trauma plates are ceramic. I have an Interceptor OTV and the ceramic SAPI plates for it cost $500 each. Basically you're getting the whole thing for 1/3 the cost. If you don't like it you can probably ebay the parts seperately for a tidy profit.

Some trauma plates are made of steel, others are steel with a layer of rubber and then ceramic. Depends on the manufacturer. The steel ones aren't very expensive, but ceramic+steel ones cost an arm and a leg.

The USMC Interceptor with SAPI plates is only rated at NIJ Level III, so if that one really is level IV then you might be getting something special. Like everyone else said, it probably wouldn't be used much because it'd make you look like the Michelin tire man. :neener:
 
It sounds like you may be getting the old Ranger Body Armor. A lot heavier then the new Interceptor. Very good price if it's Interceptor. Tell your friend to be careful about his sources. Interceptor is in short supply. I haven't seen any listed by DRMO.

Jeff
 
Moved to accessories.

pax

Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone? -- James Thurber
 
He says he is getting the intercepters in and when he does I can choose between the old one or the interceptor for the same price. I suppose the old ones come with a backpack, a vest, pouches and some other stuff that the new ones don't have. Or something, when he gets them in he will show me pics of each.
 
Is there an extra incentive, IE, a gift or some such for doing so?
 
David Park,

Your post,
.
Level IV armor is either going to be steel (0.5" thick) or ceramic plates. I think the military uses steel, since it's not as fragile as ceramic. It won't degrade over time, so you might as well buy now while it's still legal for civilians. The price sounds reasonable if you want all the other gear that comes with it.

All of the current Military Level IV SAPI Plates that I have encountered are all Ceramic due to weight. Those are the Israeli, British, Spear Balcs & Point Blank Interceptor. There are some "Level IVa" Plates also with a lesser rating than that of Level IV.

IMO,...Best Plates to look for have a minimum "Multi-Hit" rating of 6-10 rounds of 30 Cal Rifle AP or API.

I believe the "Point Blank Interceptor" has a Level III rating with no SAPI Plates.

LG1
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top