Level II Vest w/ .223 Plate Inserts?

[BerettaNut92]

Been thinking about my quest for body armor.

I think what I'll go with is a Level II concealable type vest when out and about while packing my pistol. I'll layer up by inserting plates on range days when I'll be with long gun shooters--3 gun match, rifle range, carbine class, etc.

I want the plates to be able to stop .223 (is that Level III or IV?). Less concealability isn't a concern as I'll be carrying a rifle. The only catch is I want to put it in my concealable vest.

Does such a thing exist? I know Point Blank's vests take a plate that is supposed to stop a 7.62x39, but Second Chance's doesnt' say anything about their concealables taking plates at all.

Safariland's website doesn't really tell me much about their armor other than it's light, flexy and has funny colors.

Does what I'm looking for exist, or will I have to get the not-so-concealable tactical armor?

 

[Mute]

Here are a couple of links for the specific ratings:

http://www.nlectc.org/pdffiles/0101.04RevA.pdf
http://www.galls.com/banijspecs.html

I think you need a level IV plate to be able to stop .223 FMJs. For some mroe body armor info:

http://www.galls.com/baintro.html

 

[Kevlarman]

A level III plate is NIJ certified to stop 6 rounds .308 FMJ, and lesser threats. That includes 7.62x39 and .223 FMJ. SS109 (steel core .223) would be stopped as well.

Level IV plates are certified to stop 1 (and only 1) round of .30-06 AP. Even so, most companies tout that their plates can stop multiple hits of these.

http://www.bulletproofme.com/Body_Armor_Accessories_RIFLE_Protection.shtml

My Second Chance carries has two plate pockets. The outside one measures 7x10", and on the inside of this pocket is another pocket that measures 5x8", which is the most common size for trauma plates. Most rifle plates I've seen measure 10x12". You'll probably need an external carrier to use these big plates.

 

[rebbryan]

so does that mean IV won't stop multiple hits of .223 or .308 even though level III does?

 

[Kevlarman]

Higher levels supercede the lower ones. Therefore, a level IV plate will stop everything a level III plate does, in addition to .30-'06AP.