I don't see this talked about a whole lot and if it is, I must just always miss it. Who here has body plate carriers, plates, soft armor for their preps? It seems to me like this would be invaluable in a SHTF scenario. I'm not really well versed in armor so, if anyone has any input on good value plates and such please share!
Body armor for SHTF
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I have several pieces of armor. I got them for work, not specifically for preps but I supposed now that I have them, why not.
HOWEVER, I can think of very few reasons that one would need body armor. The idea is to stay low and unnoticed, not to be running around with full plates.
If you feel you need it, just think of what you want it to do. Rifle plates are expensive and heavy. Pistol armor can easily be concealed and might serve a puropse if you feel you have to deal with unsavory characters.
HOWEVER, I can think of very few reasons that one would need body armor. The idea is to stay low and unnoticed, not to be running around with full plates.
If you feel you need it, just think of what you want it to do. Rifle plates are expensive and heavy. Pistol armor can easily be concealed and might serve a puropse if you feel you have to deal with unsavory characters.
Staying low and unnoticed is the goal. But, being low, unnoticed, and being protected would be even better. I'm not getting armor to go "running around."
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A basic well concealed vest seems like a good idea for the prepper who has everything.
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Fair enough, but I guess my question would be, when are you going to wear it then? When you are planning to get shot at?
Ummm, yeah, right. Let's see how you feel about armor when you have to stack sand bags to keep your house from flooding in a hurricane and clear out the 15 downed trees across your driveway. THAT is SHTF and you ain't going to be doing it in armor with your tricked out uber black rifle on a single point sling.
Body armor comments:
1. never gain weight;
2. at least do your practice shooting wearing the body armor.
3. buy a helmet first and retrofit with Oregon Aero helmet inserts as your head will normally present itself rather than your torso.
4. be prepared to redistribute your equipment because the combination of armor and equipment will hinder your movement;
5. avoid getting shot where you are not covered with body armor (like a classmate who died on a dynamic entry and the following officer as well).
Understand that if you are fortunate and the round hits the body armor, it doesn't necessarily prevent the impact from driving a piece of bone from a rib into a vital body location.
Understand that body armor will not defeat a sharpened screwdriver or a knife.
1. never gain weight;
2. at least do your practice shooting wearing the body armor.
3. buy a helmet first and retrofit with Oregon Aero helmet inserts as your head will normally present itself rather than your torso.
4. be prepared to redistribute your equipment because the combination of armor and equipment will hinder your movement;
5. avoid getting shot where you are not covered with body armor (like a classmate who died on a dynamic entry and the following officer as well).
Understand that if you are fortunate and the round hits the body armor, it doesn't necessarily prevent the impact from driving a piece of bone from a rib into a vital body location.
Understand that body armor will not defeat a sharpened screwdriver or a knife.
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I have soft body armor, a set by second chance and a military surplus set that is a chest piece, a gorget, and a crotch protector only. They are both rated to stop 357mag. If need be, I can and am comfortable wearing soft body armor through the day but I wouldn't wear it unless I deemed it absolutely necessary...as in the SHTF in a serious, serious manner and I'm on patrol or expecting to run into other folks.
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So a hurricane is the only SHTF scenario one should plan for?
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I have quite a few sets.... I think (7 or 8)?, along with one or two armored belts, and the full gammut of side plates, arm protection plate carriers, and plates.
Really, what you have depends upon the use you're expecting. For civilian use, I think the very rare case where body armor is needed, would often be ok with a concealable level IIIa vest.
However, when you need it, nothing else will suffice.
Biggest thing with body armor, do your homework, know what threats you face, what type of armor suits your needs best, and what to avoid. There are plenty of Gimmicks out there like Dragon Skin that can cost you lots of money, and then get you killed by something a comparable vest would stop. And lastly, be realistic. At work I may wear a level IV+ vest, with side plates, and an armored belt with plates. As a civilian, you'd just be wasting money to buy what I carry. Get what you need instead.
Really, what you have depends upon the use you're expecting. For civilian use, I think the very rare case where body armor is needed, would often be ok with a concealable level IIIa vest.
However, when you need it, nothing else will suffice.
Biggest thing with body armor, do your homework, know what threats you face, what type of armor suits your needs best, and what to avoid. There are plenty of Gimmicks out there like Dragon Skin that can cost you lots of money, and then get you killed by something a comparable vest would stop. And lastly, be realistic. At work I may wear a level IV+ vest, with side plates, and an armored belt with plates. As a civilian, you'd just be wasting money to buy what I carry. Get what you need instead.
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I use a Diamond Back Advanced Warrior Fast Attack plate carrier with level 4 plates. I have the optional cumberbund for soft armor side protection but do not put it on there very often. I also have a modified CVC helmet with the Oregon Aero inserts with a Surefire helmet light attatched.
As others have said, figure out what the threat is in your AO and the most likely situations you would wear body armor. Again, it is hot, heavy and difficult to do work in. Can be done, but not easy. I imagine most in the US would get by just fine with none at all, or a soft armor concealable vest.
As others have said, figure out what the threat is in your AO and the most likely situations you would wear body armor. Again, it is hot, heavy and difficult to do work in. Can be done, but not easy. I imagine most in the US would get by just fine with none at all, or a soft armor concealable vest.
You are destroying the dreams of all the internet warriors out there who aspire to great heights as they charge around their suburban neighborhood all armored up in anticipation of the next disaster, which could probably just be something like a storm drain backing up.
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I agree cowboy. I try to be prepared for any situation (which is impossible, but I try anyway). I have a Point Blank vest with two sets of plates, for which I paid nothing for. I may never have to use them (hopefully) but I have them if need be. Not that I would run around the neighborhood like Rambo either.
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I expect that what we will see is an ECONOMIC collapse SHTF so I prep a little more for that than I do for other threats. When the economy collapses people tend to do the same things, they involve stealing from people, and not rich people but just normal people. In that situation a light vest would be very good for some city travel.
Well, I think I found what I want. It's seems to be the best value for what I'm looking for. Check it out and let me know what you think.
http://sgcusa.com/us-palm/armor/us-palm-as-plate-carrier.html
http://sgcusa.com/us-palm/armor/us-palm-as-plate-carrier.html
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+1...That is an excellent armor system. I have the same thing with the QVA rated soft armor and level IV plates. I use this for work and have run it in a "concealed" mode with an oversized shirt. Of course working in a nonpermissive enviornment like Iraq it seems to work OK. State side it would be much harder to conceal. I will admit though, with the oversized shirt it pretty much just makes me look like I am fat. An unaware person may assume just that. Others may just not notice because they are not looking for someone outfitted like that.
Right now I am looking for a concealable armor carrier for my extra IBA kevlar soft panels from an older woodland camo IBA. Anybody have any ideas for that? Sorry if this side tracks the thread.
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