Body Armor For When The SHTF

Body Armor For When The SHTF
For a little back ground I’ve been a prepper for almost a year now and I’m fully convinced we are close to a full scale economic collapse in the next 3 months to 1-1/2 years away. We have a retreat with supplies for long term survival and everything you need to defend it. I’m now at a cross roads on pulling the trigger to buy a level III tactical body armor vest for pretection from looters.

Body armor comes down to categories. Light and concealed, only able to stop hand gun rounds, or heavy and exposed, able to stop rifle rounds. So far its not illegal to own body armor but only in one state.
Here is the rating system below

Levels for cancelled armor

Type I
(.22 LR; .380 ACP)
This armor would protect against 2.6 g (40 gr) .22 Long Rifle Lead Round Nose (LR LRN) bullets at a velocity of 329 m/s (1080 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and 6.2 g (95 gr) .380 ACP Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets at a velocity of 322 m/s (1055 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). It is no longer part of the standard.

Type IIA
(9 mm; .40 S&W; .45 ACP)
New armor protects against 8 g (124 gr) 9x19mm Parabellum Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets at a velocity of 373 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1225 ft/s ± 30 ft/s); 11.7 g (180 gr) .40 S&W Full Metal Jacketed (FMJ) bullets at a velocity of 352 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1155 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and 14.9 g (230 gr) .45 ACP Full Metal Jacketed (FMJ) bullets at a velocity of 275 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (900 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). Conditioned armor protects against 8 g (124 gr) 9 mm FMJ RN bullets at a velocity of 355 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1165 ft/s ± 30 ft/s); 11.7 g (180 gr) .40 S&W FMJ bullets at a velocity of 325 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1065 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and 14.9 g (230 gr) .45 ACP Full Metal Jacketed (FMJ) bullets at a velocity of 259 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (850 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). It also provides protection against the threats mentioned in [Type I].

Type II
(9 mm; .357 Magnum)
New armor protects against 8 g (124 gr) 9 mm FMJ RN bullets at a velocity of 398 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1305 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and 10.2 g (158 gr) .357 Magnum Jacketed Soft Point bullets at a velocity of 436 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). Conditioned armor protects against 8 g (124 gr) 9 mm FMJ RN bullets at a velocity of 379 m/s ±9.1 m/s (1245 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and 10.2 g (158 gr) .357 Magnum Jacketed Soft Point bullets at a velocity of 408 m/s ±9.1 m/s (1340 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). It also provides protection against the threats mentioned in [Types I and IIA].

Type IIIA
(.357 SIG; .44 Magnum)
New armor protects against 8.1 g (125 gr) .357 SIG FMJ Flat Nose (FN) bullets at a velocity of 448 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1470 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and 15.6 g (240 gr) .44 Magnum Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) bullets at a velocity of 436 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). Conditioned armor protects against 8.1 g (125 gr) .357 SIG FMJ Flat Nose (FN) bullets at a velocity of 430 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1410 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and 15.6 g (240 gr) .44 Magnum Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) bullets at a velocity of 408 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1340 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). It also provides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the threats mentioned in [Types I, IIA, and II].

Levels for exposed Hard plated Armor

Type III
(Rifles) Conditioned armor protects against 9.6 g (148 gr) 7.62x51mm NATO M80 ball bullets at a velocity of 847 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (2780 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). It also provides protection against the threats mentioned in [Types I, IIA, II, and IIIA].

Type IV
(Armor Piercing Rifle) Conditioned armor protects against 10.8 g (166 gr) .30-06 Springfield M2 armor-piercing (AP) bullets at a velocity of 878 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (2880 ft/s ± 30 ft/s). It also provides at least single hit protection against the threats mentioned in [Types I, IIA, II, IIIA, and III].

en.wikipedia.org...

does anyone on ATS have body armor in there list of SHTF supplys to get? I want to get a tatical vest that supports type III level or protection. but the higher the level of protection, the more pounds and cost you.

Lets face it, if your stocking up on ammo and are thinking your going to be getting in fire fights when the SHTF, dont you want to have body armor to put the odds on your side?

Never thought about it much. Figured it was a black market thing you could trade for on the cheap once it started dropping.

Its not in my plans at all. I dont aim COM so its a moot point. Top center of the target is the way. Besides there are enough .50 and similar out there its hardly worth the burden when you think about it.

I'd sure like to hear others chime in here. I was at a tactical supply store looking at Level III armor a few months ago and was about ready to buy myself some until they dropped the hammer on it. That little gotcha, according to them, was the fact that the Kevlar vest is better than nothing..but not by much.

The Ceramic trauma plates were required to make it effective and that took not only weight but cost from reasonable to....how badly did I really think I'd need that again? Maybe a vet from the wars can explain better just what the real world protection IS and how those Ceramic plates figure in for a vest with and without them inserted? I'll check back in hopes you get some solid responses on this..... Inquiring minds out here definitely want to know.

reply to post by camaro68ss


I am going to say if you have the money to buy the best armor you can buy (even if that means two sets, one light and concealed and one heavy and exposed) you may as well go ahead and buy it.

You will gain peace of mind at the least, and at the most be able to protect yourself if a situation arises. Also, armor is like guns, well kept items will not ever devalue! If at some point you no longer feel it necessary to own such a thing, resell it for your money back or a profit.

Good luck sir!

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


From what i read, your looking at 22 pounds to have a lvl III vest able to stop .308 rounds. That not including your mags, water, and gun. But for my use I'm sure we will be doing 8 hour trips at the most to patrol the property thats on slopping hills.

I once put on a 15 pound vest and had it on all day and had no problem. Think of our kids back packs now a days with all the book they have to lug around. thats an easy 15-20 pounds. If you gave yourself some time to train with it on im sure you will get use to the extra pounds

I have a IIIA vest with level IV ceramic inserts. It can handle a hit from a .308 at close range, not that I would not walk away injured, but it's better than being able to see through me. If you have the spare coin having body armor doesn't hurt a thing. I like second chance armor myself, but there are many comparable brands out there.

I always thought body armor in such a situation would be an unnecessary luxury. Especially considering the damage done to your innards if hit while wearin it. Getting by with bruised organs, broken ribs and possible internal bleeding in a less than ideal situation coils be a death sentence in it's own right.

But I guess it, like so many other things, has its place given a set scenario.

Would I go out of my way to get some and wear it? Probably not. Would I take it if you offered it to me? Sure I would.

I could see the benefit of wearing a concealable vest when approaching a stranger or something. Safe enough and more friendly than doing so with your hand on your gun. If your goig to try to squeeze one off on your way down be prepared to draw point and fire while in excruciating pain.


Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

Well personally no I would not pay for it, but I have experience with the stuff. Keep in mind I don't worry enough to get into 'TSHTF' generally speaking but I like the concept of preparedness and thinking outside the box like this.

If I were the type to be concerned enough to invest in it, I would go straight for the type III and above with sapi plates - And the newer ACH (advanced combat helmet) our military uses, in fact I would purchase an ACH before a vest, they run about $350 if I recall. I suppose one could get a vest with the Kevlar inserts, and then later go for the plates to upgrade it. There are all sorts of attachments for the vests these days, it's just silly. They are very modular.

One thing I'd like to point out is that the average person will find wearing a full set of this stuff for any length of time will be extremely sore for the first few days, up to a few weeks. It takes a bit of conditioning to wear it comfortably - it will absolutely kill your shoulders at first.

Originally posted by SpaDe_
I have a IIIA vest with level IV ceramic inserts. It can handle a hit from a .308 at close range, not that I would not walk away injured, but it's better than being able to see through me.

If you have the spare coin having body armor doesn't hurt a thing.

I like second chance armor myself, but there are many comparable brands out there.

Is it like a tatical vest? how much does it weigh?

reply to post by camaro68ss


I will link a picture of what mine looks like. It looks like this. There are insert panels in the front and back for extra trauma panels or upgraded ceramic panels. Weighs about 8-10lbs with the panels inserted and about 2-3lbs without.

ETA: I picked mine up used from a guy who was doing security for a side job and decided it wasn't for him. The money I saved buying used allowed me the extra to afford the upgraded inserts.

personally on my wishlist for shtf is chain mail, preferably titanium. as well as a heavy silk shirt/pants. i already have a suit of armor that is 14 gauge helm,breast and back plates. probably won't stop a bullet, but in all honesty i suspect that people will run out of ammo rather quickly. in which case things like swords, machetes and bows will become the prime weapons. but even so the armour would slow a bullet down, and the silk will help trap it. for those who don't know silk was used by both the Chinese and Mongols as protection under their armour. it was apparently effective at reducing the damage from arrows. want even better put that bullet proof vest between the armour and silk, since the vests are apparently useless against things like knives, and very possibly arrows as well (i'd love to check that one out). layered protection.

now you might be asking why i'd want chain mail when i already have plate armour. the answer is simple. plate takes time to put on. you have to strap it on piece by piece especially the legs and arms. i can slip the torso armour on pretty quick, but chain is just like putting on a shirt and pants. seconds instead of minutes. not to mention that with chain you have your full range of motion since the connected rings act like fabric. in plate you have some slight restriction on movement. not to mention the weight difference (especially if i can get titanium). i'd still wear my plate gauntlets and possibly helm with it. chain is also a bit quieter than plate, a minor jingling compared to the squeaks and clacking of plate.

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


If you ever get body armor and are scared of internal damage, opt for the extra trauma plate inserts. The trauma plates disperse the hit from the projectile over the entire area of the panel, so it doesn't do so much felt damage.

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
I always thought body armor in such a situation would be an unnecessary luxury. Especially considering the damage done to your innards if hit while wearin it. Getting by with bruised organs, broken ribs and possible internal bleeding in a less than ideal situation coils be a death sentence in it's own right.

But I guess it, like so many other things, has its place given a set scenario.

Would I go out of my way to get some and wear it? Probably not. Would I take it if you offered it to me? Sure I would.

I could see the benefit of wearing a concealable vest when approaching a stranger or something. Safe enough and more friendly than doing so with your hand on your gun. If your goig to try to squeeze one off on your way down be prepared to draw point and fire while in excruciating pain.

 

Posted Via ATS Mobile: m.abovetopsecret.com

 

Its not something i would wear every day but would like to have and pull out of the storage bin when SHTF. I fully belive this countrys in trouble the next few year so i want to get one just in case. I just wanted to see what others had to say about the idea.

Body Armor is a must seriously too many idiots will be out and about and looking to shoot whoever looks at them wrong.

Going to need more than one in fact several Level IIIA with Level 4 strike plate inserts according to a lot of keyboard commando's who act all GI Joe and then just for the simple fact of a gun fight can break out anywhere near you.

Some say is overkill i say no its not a true "prepper" or "survivalist" prepares for the worst and hopes for the best or in those immortal words of Burt Gummer " It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."

Anything can happen live by the Boyscout credo "BE PREPARED".

Originally posted by SpaDe_
reply to post by camaro68ss

 

I will link a picture of what mine looks like. It looks like this. There are insert panels in the front and back for extra trauma panels or upgraded ceramic panels. Weighs about 8-10lbs with the panels inserted and about 2-3lbs without.

ETA: I picked mine up used from a guy who was doing security for a side job and decided it wasn't for him. The money I saved buying used allowed me the extra to afford the upgraded inserts.

edit on 11/14/2011 by SpaDe_ because: (no reason given)

do these guys sale to the public? Im having a hard time find shops that sale to the public

Body Armor For When The SHTF,

IMHO any armor is could as long that it has full plate on the back. There is no shame in being a coward

Originally posted by ga-`tv-gi

Body Armor For When The SHTF,

IMHO any armor is could as long that it has full plate on the back. There is no shame in being a coward

how is having body armor being a coward? it only puts the odds on your side that you will walk out alive. I take it all armed forces are cowards as well, they use body armor. I take it my uncle who is a major in the army and fought in Fallujah is a coward to because he wear body armor huh

reply to post by camaro68ss


I was considering it, but came to the conclusion that in the case of home invasion I would not have time to put it on without giving away the fact that I was awake, to an intruder. I also decided that in a shtf situation, my best defense would be to avoid confrontation to begin with, or if need be, retreat and engage an unfriendly target at range rather than in a direct fire fight.

reply to post by camaro68ss


Checkout Galls they have a website.

Originally posted by Evolutionsend
reply to post by camaro68ss

 

I was considering it, but came to the conclusion that in the case of home invasion I would not have time to put it on without giving away the fact that I was awake, to an intruder. I also decided that in a shtf situation, my best defense would be to avoid confrontation to begin with, or if need be, retreat and engage an unfriendly target at range rather than in a direct fire fight.

It really comes down to what you think you will be doing in the SHTF world. for me it will be arm guards and patrols close to the property with rotations. thats where we would run into trouble.

for home invasion im with you. your not going to have time to get your vest on, get your gun, and be ready to fire before the bad guy gets you.