Bullet Proof Vest

[Knotwild]

As crazy as the world is getting, I'm contemplating buying a bullet proof vest and if it is resistant to knives - even better. I'm thinking low key, wear it under a shirt or coat. But I don't know one thing about them, what brands are good, what type, or where to buy. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[LVLAaron]

"bulletproof vest" is kind of a Hollywood nomenclature.

You want a plate carrier and plates.


Spiritus Covert is probably the best low profile carrier... Most guys can wear it under a flannel or jacket and not be obvious.

SHOP - PLATE CARRIERS - Spiritus Systems

Spiritus Systems Plate Carrier Shop Page

www.spiritussystems.com

TREX Arms makes a solid system as well:

T.REX AC1 – T.REX ARMS

Minimalist plate carrier with elastic cummerbund and low-profile shoulder pads. Includes buckles for placards. Compatible with SAPI and Hesco plates. Made in USA.

www.trex-arms.com

There are a million kinds of plates. Soft armor = handgun, heavy ass plates = rifle.

I'd go Spiritus covert and soft plates for your around town business.

rifle plates and a chest rig for pending WW3



as an aside... don't get the "cool" color patterns. Get black or gray. Blend in.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Bullet proof zone has clothes,vest,plates. Their hoodie is cool.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Up to you - but from someone that wore one, on occasion in part of the world where it was ...well, advised...they are a pita on a warm day!

The better undershirt US ones used to come from 2nd Chance. A "basic" Kevlar only model should stop a 9mm or a 45. Kinda level 1. After that they get bulky. Ensure a good fit under the armpits. Too high and you wont wear it. Too low and you may as well not bother. Mine was from Highmark in Northern Ireland and had a washable outer (good plan) and a thin layer of polycarbonate sewn in with the Kevlar. It was reputed to stop the odd spear. To be honest - I only wore it on visits to dodgy rural areas or out in the city at night.

 

[Knotwild]

Thanks very much - I am watching and taking notes. I live in a hot humid area and my idea is that I want something to add to my ability to survive situations that could pop up around town. I feel sure we will have unrest and problems around election time based on the last presidential election. Not so much surviving an apocalypse. This day and time, they'll just send a missile.

 

[LiveFire]

Youve been given great advice so far. I will echo the statements about comfort. Get as comfortable as you can. I watched a lot of my co workers wear their issued armor to the transport vehicle then strip it off because it didnt fit right or was too hot or whatever. I might of been assigned 16hrs wearing one sitting on a convict at a hot stuffy hospital or sitting in the court room for a trial or driving for 3hrs straight. Comfort is key. Washable is another thing I would suggest. Make sure you can clean it or its going to stink in short order. Especially in the climate you mention.

 

[ken158]

I was forced to wear ballistic armor for years as a LEO and real world experience is king on this topic. I went through maybe four vests as all had a “life” span printed within for manufacturers purposes so we used that date for replacement hoping something newer on the market would be more comfortable. Regardless of brand, they are HOT, bulky and uncomfortable. Plates and pads are inserted in a front pocket as needed which only add to the bulk and weight. In a vehicle, they will ride up on you and the bottom cut is critical so it stops above the belt but not too high to make your belly area vulnerable. For an individual that is not required to be in an area where criminal activity could be expected, I would recommend avoiding such places instead of wearing a vest that I guarantee you will consider a waste of money when you quickly stop wearing it.

 

[jepp2]

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

If you are considering plates, do yourself a favor and watch one of the videos that shows the damage the spall does after the bullet strikes the plate. Might make you choose one that contains the spall.

 

[Mastershot]

If you are considering plates, do yourself a favor and watch one of the videos that shows the damage the spall does after the bullet strikes the plate. Might make you choose one that contains the spall.

Wear lots of clothes, that is what I have. It will save you from the metal spray.

 

[jpjulian]

Soft body armor will not stop a knife. A trauma plate only covers so much of the chest area. My agency issued 2nd Chance at first and thereafter low bid vests that didn't fit worth a damn. The 2nd Chance had, at that time, a soft trauma plate rather than a had plate so spall wasn't an issue. The soft plate was much more comfortable than the hard plates as it could bend slightly with you. As said by others, fit is everything. If it doesn't fit right it won't be comfortable and will likely chafe. Then you won't wear it and wasted your money. Get custom fit if you can.

 

[Knotwild]

Thanks very much. All of these answers gave me information that is useful. Jpjulian might be right in that what I am considering could have me wind up with something that's uncomfortable and it ends up staying in a closet. The heat does get unbearable where I live. Thanks also to those who posted links so I can begin to dig for the final decision.

Jim

 

[jeffh364]

I have been wearing a ballistics vest for 34 years now and honestly if you want something that will stop hand gun rounds of any caliber then you will need a level 3A. to stop a rifle round you will need a level 3 but forget about wearing it under clothing really. Its very thick and bulky and very hot. No to mention heavier than you think. A 3A is also very bulky and thick and your going to sweat your ass off. I just dont see the value of wearing one except under some circumstances. But just because? No not really. Plus you would need to get it custom fitted to you so that it would fit correctly. Not worth it. Better situational awareness is, to me a higher priority in the situation you are describing. Life span under a warranty is 5 years of regular use and God forbid you got shot, then the warranty would be void for wear after that. Not to say that it wouldn't still work because it almost certainly would but thats a manufacturer thing. And yes they will still work years after the 5 year period as well.

 

[troupe]

28 years as a LEO, a knife attack with a good blade, the vest can be penetrated. Stopping bullets, you have received very good advise. Don't buy used because it will most likely be expired on it's life and they do have a life period. As for the heat issue, they are hot, no way around it. And I can tell you as other LEO can, you will know when the vest need cleaning. You and your people around you will smell you from 2 counties away.

The best advise was given, keep your head on a swivel and stay in condition yellow/orange when you are out of your safe place.

 

[BigBolt]

My wife and I purchased Bulletsafe vests model Ace Link Armor Leve IIIA Primer bullet and stab proof. It was recommended by a LEO friend as that is what he uses and saved his life from a 12 gauge round

https://bulletproofzone.com/collections/bulletproof-vests/products/ace-link-armor-level-iiia-primer-bullet-and-stab-proof-vest.

 

[6fatrat]

My old 2nd chance Y9 deep cover was comforable to wear and easily concealable, but not outside in the summer heat.
Steve Bair

 

[outasite`08]

My old 2nd chance Y9 deep cover was comforable to wear and easily concealable, but not outside in the summer heat.
Steve Bair

I miss the Second Chance bowling pin matches. Jeff

 

[K9TXS]

Before making your purchase, check the law in your state on wearing one. When I lived in Texas, there was a law where only a LEO could wear a vest.

 

[rwj]

Before making your purchase, check the law in your state on wearing one. When I lived in Texas, there was a law where only a LEO could wear a vest.

Good advice… but it’s hard to ask for forgiveness if you’re dead!

 

[Camper]

I have a couple sets. One is AR550 from spartan. No expiration, no xrays every year. They gave it a 20 year shelf life, just cause they had to give it a shelf life. I keep this in the house. The other is soft armor I ride with (not worn) in the car or truck. People have their opinions on steel, but I think every comparison video I have seen has the plate with no spall guard out in the open or inside some cardboard box, or a plate with no spall guard inside a plate carrier. The videos I have seen with steel with a spall guard and carrier have all contained the spall. Is it 100% safe... nothing is. I've worn body armor most of my adult life and I can honestly say my days of fast roping on rooftops is over but my rig with the steel is still less weight than the lightest load I carried on a mission.... but that doesn't mean it is light. Since Jan 2021, I've been doing a lot of training with my civilian rig and running with weighted vests... Biden has really been a great inspiration for me... he has inspired me to NEVER allow myself to get out of fighting shape.