[AK_Stick]

It says that the separate plates are rated for .308 🤷‍♂️

the armor or set up itself is rated for pistol, and the plates are needed for rifle protection. Kinda standard. I didn’t look up the weight, but those are supposed to be notably lighter than a soft armor kit w/ plates in it. So if one is older and has the $ I’d say go for it. I’m sure on YT you can find someone doing reviews to see who has the better of the new lightweight stuff

I think you're looking at the wrong panels. He's talking about their flexible line of rifle armor which uses hexagonal tiles

FRAS® Panels - Safe Life Defense

These flexible rifle body armor panels ensure a comfortable fit, while defending against rifle threats. They are a lightweight body armor product.

safelifedefense.com

FRAS® Rifle Plates - Safe Life Defense

The FRAS® Plates are a seamless replacement for uncomfortable hard plates. It can be used in combination with IIIA+ soft armor, in a plate carrier, or backpack.

safelifedefense.com

Its rated (by the manufacturer not NIJ) to stop 223/7.62x39 stand alone, or 7.62x51 when worn ICW soft armor

 

[Rotn1]

I think you're looking at the wrong panels. He's talking about their flexible line of rifle armor which uses hexagonal tiles

FRAS® Panels - Safe Life Defense

These flexible rifle body armor panels ensure a comfortable fit, while defending against rifle threats. They are a lightweight body armor product.

safelifedefense.com

FRAS® Rifle Plates - Safe Life Defense

The FRAS® Plates are a seamless replacement for uncomfortable hard plates. It can be used in combination with IIIA+ soft armor, in a plate carrier, or backpack.

safelifedefense.com

Its rated (by the manufacturer not NIJ) to stop 223/7.62x39 stand alone, or 7.62x51 when worn ICW soft armor

Yes, that was the one I was referring to…….

 

[AK_Stick]

Thank you….. very helpful!

Compliant Products List: Ballistic Resistant Body Armor

NIJ has updated the ballistic resistant body armor standard.

nij.ojp.gov

If you're looking at body armor, I would suggest you only buy something that you can find on that table. Its all of the currently active NIJ certified products.

There's a lot of double talk and salesmenship in the body armor world. They'll say things like "tested to NIJ standard" but that doesn't mean its actually NIJ certified. I'm sure there's some quality armor out there that isn't NIJ certified, but there's a lot of junk too.

 

[Rotn1]

Compliant Products List: Ballistic Resistant Body Armor

NIJ has updated the ballistic resistant body armor standard.

nij.ojp.gov

If you're looking at body armor, I would suggest you only buy something that you can find on that table. Its all of the currently active NIJ certified products.

There's a lot of double talk and salesmenship in the body armor world. They'll say things like "tested to NIJ standard" but that doesn't mean its actually NIJ certified. I'm sure there's some quality armor out there that isn't NIJ certified, but there's a lot of junk too.

Good advice …. Which I will follow ( I was originally intrigued it’s weight).

 

[G29guy06]

I think you're looking at the wrong panels. He's talking about their flexible line of rifle armor which uses hexagonal tiles

FRAS® Panels - Safe Life Defense

These flexible rifle body armor panels ensure a comfortable fit, while defending against rifle threats. They are a lightweight body armor product.

safelifedefense.com

FRAS® Rifle Plates - Safe Life Defense

The FRAS® Plates are a seamless replacement for uncomfortable hard plates. It can be used in combination with IIIA+ soft armor, in a plate carrier, or backpack.

safelifedefense.com

Its rated (by the manufacturer not NIJ) to stop 223/7.62x39 stand alone, or 7.62x51 when worn ICW soft armor

Yes, that was the one I was referring to…….

From what I was seeing, it looked that the rig/ vest/ kit was rated to pistol specs while requiring the separate flexible rifle plates to be rated to rifles/ .308.

correct or no?

but yes, @Rotn1 it is lighter than traditional armor. And there are a few places that make that.

 

[AK_Stick]

Good advice …. Which I will follow ( I was originally intrigued it’s weight).

Don't take that to mean its trash. I'm just pointing out that it isn't certified by the NIJ.

I know people who have and wear, and have shot FRAS armor, and it apparently works well, at least when new. I have debated putting their cummerbund armor in the sides of one of my plate carriers as it covers more area than the plates, and because the ESAPI side plates are awkwardly sized, and it offers atleast as much protection as the soft armor curranty there.

That said, its still not NIJ certified, so buyer beware, and educated.

 

[Rotn1]

From what I was seeing, it looked that the rig/ vest/ kit was rated to pistol specs while requiring the separate flexible rifle plates to be rated to rifles/ .308.

correct or no?

but yes, @Rotn1 it is lighter than traditional armor. And there are a few places that make that.

If I ever strap on armor, it will be rifle rated.

 

[AK_Stick]

From what I was seeing, it looked that the rig/ vest/ kit was rated to pistol specs while requiring the separate flexible rifle plates to be rated to rifles/ .308.

correct or no?

but yes, @Rotn1 it is lighter than traditional armor. And there are a few places that make that.

They make both traditional soft armor, as well as flexible rifle armor. Can you link which one you're looking at? Because the FRAS panel I linked shows 223/556/7.62x39

 

[G29guy06]

They make both traditional soft armor, as well as flexible rifle armor. Can you link which one you're looking at? Because the FRAS panel I linked shows 223/556/7.62x39

The Hyperline™ + FRAS® Bundle - Safe Life Defense

The Hyperline™ + FRAS® bundle features a wide variety of body armor gear, including Hyperline™ Level IIIA armor panels, FRAS® rifle plates, carriers, and more.

safelifedefense.com

There’s where I was

this is what I read

 

[Rotn1]

Don't take that to mean its trash. I'm just pointing out that it isn't certified by the NIJ.

I know people who have and wear, and have shot FRAS armor, and it apparently works well, at least when new. I have debated putting their cummerbund armor in the sides of one of my plate carriers as it covers more area than the plates, and because the ESAPI side plates are awkwardly sized, and it offers atleast as much protection as the soft armor curranty there.

That said, its still not NIJ certified, so buyer beware, and educated.

My problem is I am a total newb in regards to armor.
I took your good point as “buyer beware” .
I have seen it tested and they got me nodding my head but given my lack of knowledge I think sticking with something “certified” is a better way to go for me,

 

[AK_Stick]

The Hyperline™ + FRAS® Bundle - Safe Life Defense

The Hyperline™ + FRAS® bundle features a wide variety of body armor gear, including Hyperline™ Level IIIA armor panels, FRAS® rifle plates, carriers, and more.

safelifedefense.com

There’s where I was

this is what I read
View attachment 1118163

Yeah that’s what happened the set you were looking at the hyperline is standard IIIa soft armor , with FRAS plates.

the first link I posted is FRAS armor in BALCS soft armor cut, and the second is the same FRAS plates you in the package you saw.

 

[AK_Stick]

My problem is I am a total newb in regards to armor.
I took your good point as “buyer beware” .
I have seen it tested and they got me nodding my head but given my lack of knowledge I think sticking with something “certified” is a better way to go for me,

If you ever decide to buy some, feel free to PM me. I’ve helped a couple of GT’ers get armor, and I’ve worn or own just about every combination from soft armor with plates in a vest over top to full IBA/IOTV with DAPS and side plates to minimalist ultra low vis PC’s with stand alone plates.

 

[Rotn1]

If you ever decide to buy some, feel free to PM me. I’ve helped a couple of GT’ers get armor, and I’ve worn or own just about every combination from soft armor with plates in a vest over top to full IBA/IOTV with DAPS and side plates to minimalist ultra low vis PC’s with stand alone plates.

Thank you!

 

[RWBlue]

I can usually wear a plate carrier and be relatively unnoticed…some people kinda do that for work…

but I’m failing to get a valid point from your argument…. If society collapses and you need armor….who’s picking up 911 when it’s called??? I think that’s kinda what’s missing…

There is a lot of time between the time running around without armor and TEOTWAWKI. Soft concealable is what people ARE wearing.

Then in TEOTWAWKI, there is a need for something that isn't concealed.

 

[AK_Stick]

There is a lot of time between the time running around without armor and TEOTWAWKI. Soft concealable is what people ARE wearing.

Then in TEOTWAWKI, there is a need for something that isn't concealed.

There are a lot of people who wear concealed hard armor right now. Including in your list of people who you think you see wearing concealed soft armor.

Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it’s overt.

 

[fasteddie565]

Enough ceramic plates have been shot long after their expiration dates and still performed that we can consider that debunked.

Steel plates had their day, and have been replaced. Unless you just wante a set for training, or to lay in the closet without costing much, there's really no point to them.

I never really worried about the date, just a point of discussion. Its the rims that worry me.

 

[AK_Stick]

I never really worried about the date, just a point of discussion. Its the rims that worry me.

That’s not a fear with a certified plate

 

[fasteddie565]

That’s not a fear with a certified plate

Its a fact of physics or chemistry. Take what you think is a certified plate and shoot it within the outer 1.5 - 2 inches. I am trainable.

 

[Crimson Ghost]

Enough ceramic plates have been shot long after their expiration dates and still performed that we can consider that debunked.

Steel plates had their day, and have been replaced. Unless you just wante a set for training, or to lay in the closet without costing much, there's really no point to them.

Expiration dates for armor is just manufacturers liability expiration. Even NIJ said so.

 

[Crimson Ghost]

Its a fact of physics or chemistry. Take what you think is a certified plate and shoot it within the outer 1.5 - 2 inches. I am trainable.

Edge to edge protection is a pretty common goal among quality makers. Though that isn't the point of armor. The point is to protect vital organs, not make you bullet proof.