Poor people body armor thread for Berncly

**Berncly** · November 27th, 2017, 08:52 PM

Thanks again Rax for that very informed and comprehensive post.
I generally don't throw money around (usually cause I don't have any), but armor is one of the areas where I try to do it right.
I hear what you guys are saying about armor longevity, but I have been switching out my rig every 5 years for as long as I've had rigs.
So I'm not really comfortable doing it differently or relying on used stuff, but again, I hear what you're saying.

Up till today my armor has always been a IIIA vest under IV 10"x12" front and back plates, and always in a good carrier.
When you add it all up, and pay reputable police supply prices, my average rig is about $1200 give or take.
I had to give this stuff a try, and I got the full enchilada for about $550.
That's the rig maxed out with the IV plates, side plates, abdominal plate, and all the fixins to make it a practical rig.

When it comes in I will put it all together and report back how it compares to my traditional rig.
I'm also going to do some looking around for some fatties I can hang out with.
Thanks again for all the info.

**ExFlyinguy** · November 27th, 2017, 09:27 PM

I bought a IIIA panel of this stuff

*My apologies, aparently Nutsrfancy disabled links

**Delkal** · November 27th, 2017, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by unclejumbo

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...used?a=2109035

Up armor it with some Kevlar.

Ebay is also filled with armor.

Does anyone know if they sell the removable groin pad separately? That is really all you need.

**unclejumbo** · November 27th, 2017, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by Delkal

Does anyone know if they sell the removable groin pad separately? That is really all you need.

I have an LE vest that is very similar to the above. It's nice having some IIIA armor over the jewels.

**Walleye Hunter** · November 27th, 2017, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Delkal

Does anyone know if they sell the removable groin pad separately? That is really all you need.

That's so funny it should be illegal.

**Nopetrol** · November 28th, 2017, 12:37 PM

Most body armor has an expiration date on it because older studies showed that temperature changes, going from hot to cold, IE summer to winter, and daily wear with sweat soaking in, along with constant flexing, was shown to break down the fibers of most vests. So depending on the construction, most manufacturers and lawyers agreed on 3 or 5 years. We have shot old vests, and they have held up just the same as new ones. If you're looking for armor just as part of a protection package at home, or a SHTF situation, purchase whatever you can afford right now. Something, is better than nothing. There are quite a few very affordable retailers these days, and there's no reason you couldn't upgrade a little later. Bullet proof me dot com, highcom security, SKD, infidel body armor dot com, to name a few good places.

**raxar** · November 28th, 2017, 12:52 PM

I had forgotten about this video

With all the risks associated with doing such a thing of course. I want to try making this stuff at some point, if those panels work there are a few applications for them

**Parrisk** · November 28th, 2017, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Berncly

Thanks again Rax for that very informed and comprehensive post.
I generally don't throw money around (usually cause I don't have any), but armor is one of the areas where I try to do it right.
I hear what you guys are saying about armor longevity, but I have been switching out my rig every 5 years for as long as I've had rigs.

Yes thanks Rax.. great info.. but what about DragonSkin or is that too high priced for your review?

Berncly so exactly what do you do with your rigs after 5 years??? you seem to have more money that I do and a used rig would be better than no rig ;-)

**olderguy** · November 28th, 2017, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by JenniferG

The AR500 soft panel (polyethelene UMHWPE) in a decent carrier are probably the best price to coverage ratio of anything on the market right now. I have an 11x15 backpack IIIA panel in a backpack that I carry when traveling around, especially gun free zones. The 11x14 Rimelig IIIA panels are $90 a piece in a Beez extreme lightweight carrier. Good quality and decent protection. Not the top of the line but somewhere in the middle of quality and price.

https://www.ar500armor.com/ar500-arm...500-armor.html

http://www.beezcombatsystems.com/Ext...r-BCS-ELPC.htm

What is the thickness of the UHMW panel?

**Berncly** · November 28th, 2017, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Parrisk

Berncly so exactly what do you do with your rigs after 5 years??? you seem to have more money that I do and a used rig would be better than no rig ;-)

I pull them apart and duct tape the panels to my chest when I work at the mall.
I thought everybody did that...