Cannonball888
Member
When things go bump in the night do you grab your weapon and throw on a vest instead of a robe?
Who has body armor for HD?
- Thread starter Cannonball888
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Deer Hunter
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Honestly, who would have time?
Cannonball888
Member
Thank you to whatever modertor unlocked this thread. I didn't appreciate the INSULTS by the mod who originally closed this down.
Same guy reopened it that closed it down, that's all water under the bridge. Let's talk about body armor.
I have some, but had never thought about throwing it on to investigate bumps in the night. I suppose it is becuase I have never investigated a bump I was certain was an intruder. We have an old house, it makes noises. I investigate because I'd rather be safe than sorry. I don't actually expect to find anybody.
If ever i heard glass breaking or something, sure, I'd throw it on...
I have some, but had never thought about throwing it on to investigate bumps in the night. I suppose it is becuase I have never investigated a bump I was certain was an intruder. We have an old house, it makes noises. I investigate because I'd rather be safe than sorry. I don't actually expect to find anybody.
If ever i heard glass breaking or something, sure, I'd throw it on...
Cannonball888
Member
Yeah, I should have rephrased it to a crash or something that indicates a definite break in. Thanks for the reply. I guess the idea is not so childish afterall.
Bobo
Member
It is just one more layer of safety or protection to add to the defense plan that would provide an additional edge.
I don't have armor, but if I did I'd use it any time I felt threatened and was able to. Why not?
I don't have armor, but if I did I'd use it any time I felt threatened and was able to. Why not?
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
I have body armor. I simply don't have it in my plan to deal with problems that might happen at home. Things happen far too fast, and by the time we realize something is going down, we often don't have the time it takes to put that stuff on. Its a little more involved than putting on a robe.
If you want it, go get it. Why let our choices affect yours?
If you want it, go get it. Why let our choices affect yours?
I'll just buy more dog food with the money I save by not having body armor. Unless it is the critter from 'Alien' or a SWAT team at the wrong address, there is little 2 large dogs (plus an emergency back-up dog), a shotgun full of 00, a .45 with JHP, and a son with a high-cap 9mm can't handle.
GigaBuist
Member
How long does it take to get that stuff on?
kahrcarry
Member
GigaBuist, it usually takes me 30-60 seconds to strap on my vest, and I've been doing it for many years. In a groggy state, I imagine that time would at least double. I suppose you could just throw it over your head without tightening the straps, but I don't see any reason to delay reaction time by a minute or so. It just doesn't seem practical.
leadcounsel
member
I have my own personal level IIA vest and the Army Issued IBA. Both are actually in the safe b/c of their value. I sometimes keep them in my bedroom. My plan for investigating bumps would probably require putting on one of them, depending on my level of 'curiousity.' In all honesty though if I truly thought someone was in my house (e.g. the two dogs barking hysterically), I'd announce that the cops have been called and I'm heavily armed and tell the intruder to leave before he gets shot or arrested.
Clearing a house is not a good idea. A barricaded position behind a locked door is the best bet.
Clearing a house is not a good idea. A barricaded position behind a locked door is the best bet.
El Tejon
Member
Yes. If you are in a fight, you will not be the only one shooting. Just because you do not go looking for them, does not mean that they will not find you. Your bedroom door is not likely bullet resistant. Bad guys harbor no qualms about Rule #4.
Are you looking to buy a vest, Cannon?
Are you looking to buy a vest, Cannon?
Alphazulu6
member
I definitely have a set of 7.62mm Military Ballistic Plates to go inside a Blackhawk vest that I keep very very handy. I wouldnt mess around with the Kevlar weave that cops wear as they will not stop anything larger than a .357 mag.
You can leverage the time factor to an advantage if the vest has a light, cell phone and spare mag already attached. Have one side attached too. Just grab gun and throw the vest over head with other hand. Not my idea, Ayoob wrote something similar once.
Right now I just have bulky military body armor. For the set I personally own, I am going to have a carrier custom made and throw the panels in that and keep it handy. I don't know about 30-60 seconds...I can get an interceptor IBA on in about 3-4.
Right now I just have bulky military body armor. For the set I personally own, I am going to have a carrier custom made and throw the panels in that and keep it handy. I don't know about 30-60 seconds...I can get an interceptor IBA on in about 3-4.
El Tejon
Member
Oh, I forgot, if you have the vest, might as well stick a IBD (Israeli Battle Dressing) in it. When you do get hit or I guess you can keep Kotex by the bed or have something to stuff in the wounds.
Lot of guys think their guns are magic and will somehow protect them against the bad guys shooting back. I wish I had magic guns!
Lot of guys think their guns are magic and will somehow protect them against the bad guys shooting back. I wish I had magic guns!
Alphazulu6
member
That blood coagulating material is expensive and expires.
But good idea to keep a tourniquet handy as you can easily self administer that if you do get hit. I just kept my mini CLS first aid kit on the blackhawk vest. (My personal protection plate vest is put together and looks like something any Blackwater operator would use so nothing too fancy)brownie0486
Member
I have body armor. I simply don't have it in my plan to deal with problems that might happen at home. Things happen far too fast, and by the time we realize something is going down, we often don't have the time it takes to put that stuff on. Its a little more involved than putting on a robe.
My sentiments exactly. You saved me from typing that thought process Ken.
Brownie
My sentiments exactly. You saved me from typing that thought process Ken.
Brownie
GigaBuist
Member
I made a similiar comment the other day: Why do I have $XX,000 in things that send bullets forward but nothing to keep them from hitting my important bits?
telomerase
Member
(?) The surplus Army kevlar vests you see at gun shows are easier to put on than a robe.... they use Velcro fasteners, for pete's sake.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Well see, the problem isn't putting it on. Its having it handy when the stuff goes down.
You've got to become aware of a problem.
Then you've got to arrive at the decision the problem needs such a response.
If you've got it right next to you, then you've got to put it on. If not, you've got to go get it.
That's a lot of time. It could be too long.
Storing body armor so its handy may, or may not, be an issue for you. Mine's on a shelf in my closet. Often things get placed on top of it. Its not a good idea to hang it on a hanger; the proper way to store it is to lay it flat. If you've got a place to do that, then do it. But you might not be next to it when you need it. In fact, that's probably more of a likelihood than the scenario that you'll have it next to you. Then what?
When I was in Cuba, we went on week long "react force" assignments. Even with that assignment, we stowed our gear someplace to go get it when we needed it. When we had a defector cross the fence or swim onto base, we were often doing some kind of work when the call came in. Most often, it was at night and we were sleeping. It takes time to gear up. There are some measures that we can take, but in the end they are uncomfortable and inconvenient to implement during our daily activities.
Like I mentioned. I have it, and if time provides me that option I can get it. But its not in my plan. In the end, its your life, and only you can make the decision appropriate to your lifestyle. If you want to do it, it really doesn't matter what we do. Nor should what we do make much difference in your decision.
You've got to become aware of a problem.
Then you've got to arrive at the decision the problem needs such a response.
If you've got it right next to you, then you've got to put it on. If not, you've got to go get it.
That's a lot of time. It could be too long.
Storing body armor so its handy may, or may not, be an issue for you. Mine's on a shelf in my closet. Often things get placed on top of it. Its not a good idea to hang it on a hanger; the proper way to store it is to lay it flat. If you've got a place to do that, then do it. But you might not be next to it when you need it. In fact, that's probably more of a likelihood than the scenario that you'll have it next to you. Then what?
When I was in Cuba, we went on week long "react force" assignments. Even with that assignment, we stowed our gear someplace to go get it when we needed it. When we had a defector cross the fence or swim onto base, we were often doing some kind of work when the call came in. Most often, it was at night and we were sleeping. It takes time to gear up. There are some measures that we can take, but in the end they are uncomfortable and inconvenient to implement during our daily activities.
Like I mentioned. I have it, and if time provides me that option I can get it. But its not in my plan. In the end, its your life, and only you can make the decision appropriate to your lifestyle. If you want to do it, it really doesn't matter what we do. Nor should what we do make much difference in your decision.
R127
Member
My LVL IIIA vest with LVL III rifle plate takes about 3 or 4 seconds to put on. I also buckle my seatbelt when I'm in a car, lock the door to my house, put the chickens in the coop at night, etc.
BullfrogKen
Moderator Emeritus
Those surplus Kelvar army vests at gun shows aren't bullet resistant vests. They are flak vests, and provide nearly zero protection against small arms fire. They're meant for protection against shrapnel.
Any vest that opens in the front is going to have a weak spot at the front. The type of body armor that provides a good level of protection against small arms needs to go on over the head, or attach at the sides. And it needs to be fastened to work properly. Place a standard soft armor vest on a coat hanger and shoot it. It might penetrate. They're designed to work worn on a body, attached securely to the body. They need that mass directly behind them to offer the protection its designed to provide.
Any vest that opens in the front is going to have a weak spot at the front. The type of body armor that provides a good level of protection against small arms needs to go on over the head, or attach at the sides. And it needs to be fastened to work properly. Place a standard soft armor vest on a coat hanger and shoot it. It might penetrate. They're designed to work worn on a body, attached securely to the body. They need that mass directly behind them to offer the protection its designed to provide.
Alphazulu6
member
Exactly why you need the 7.62 ball ammo plates inside a blackhawk gear vest you just throw over your head. No need to worry about the fasteners. The plates will work against everything up to a .30-06. Hell I have personally seen a Soldier's plate work against a 12 gauge slug at point blank range. (I am giving away the unit that I was in during OIF I) haha.
Anyway the ballistic plates that the military issues is the only way to go even if they are a tad bit heavier than the kevlar weave that only provide limited protection. Two extra pounds isnt going to matter when SHTF as long as it saves your A$$.
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