Ballistic vest

[CAL]

Since I will be a reserve when I get out of the academy I will be buying all of my duty gear. As such I will need to buy my own body armor but don't really know much about vests for under the duty shirt. Since I'm starting to begin my research I was hoping you guys can help me out. I know it's going to be expensive but this is something I'm not going to pinch pennies over.

[Feet]

I have only used department issued stuff. We use Second Chance and Point Blankbut guys can buy Safariland or whatever floats their boat. As long as it is Level II minimum, (you have to sign a waiver since standard issue is Level III) you are GTG.

[CAL]

Level III no doubt, but I'm not sure of the differences between III, IIIA, etc. I'm mainly concerned about getting a good manufactured vest since I've read there are several shitty companies. I'd rather not find that out via field testing, ya know...

[DD78]

Level III no doubt, but I'm not sure of the differences between III, IIIA, etc. I'm mainly concerned about getting a good manufactured vest since I've read there are several shitty companies. I'd rather not find that out via field testing, ya know...

Level III is designed to stop just about all pistol rounds and is about as heavy as you can wear in concealed armor. IIIA stops rifle rounds. IBA that the boys are wearing in Iraq is IIIA. The plates on IIIA are too heavy and bulky to conceal.

I wear a PACA Level III. Department issued. They give us a new one every 5 years. I think mine retails somewhere around $700.

[Reno911]

Just got this message from our supply lady...

I just had a call from Glen Leonard, the rep for Hawk Protection, and he said that regretfully effective 2010 Hawk will not be providing services in the US market. This decision was made by the Board in the UK due to the US economy, importation taxes, etc. He said he was certain they would honor any warranty issues (which I will confirm with Hawk), but will not be selling any new vests in the United States.
Thanks, Debbie

Don't buy Hawk.

[CAL]

What are some good manufacturers?

[cherokeegunsmith]

If I may offer a correction, the armor level ratings start at IIA, II, IIIA, III, and IV, with the IIA being the lightest and least protection, and going up to the Level IV. Level IV is the "rifle resistant" vest, and is basically a Level III augmented with Ceramic Plates. The Ceramic plates break up the rifle round(s) and the fragments are caught in the vest underneath. The rating system is confusing. Richard C. Davis, who was the founder of Second Chance Body armor once remarked that the NIJ couldn't count to 4 without using letters to make it confusing. I don't know if any companies are still making vests using a material called "Spectrashield", but if you find one pass on it. When I was a Police Officer, our dept. bought us Spectrashield vests. They were liking wearing a sandwich board of two sheets of plywood. We called them "turtle shells" and the joke was, don't get knocked on your back in an altercation, because you might not be able to get back up (just like a turtle on it's back). You'll want something made of Kevlar or Twaron, or some other FLEXIBLE protective fiber. Most of us put our issued vests in our lockers and went out and bought our own vest. As to brand, I personally like Point Blank or Second Chance. Gall's also sells some good vests.

[CAL]

I will be purchasing my ballistic armor in the next month or two in preparation for hitting the streets. I'm familiar with armor from the military standpoint but need some help figuring out what I should be looking at for the LE side. Obviously this is something I won't be skimping on so without saying money is no object, I'm ready to drop some dough to make sure I'm properly protected. Help me out here...

[CAL]

How much of a difference is there between level IIA and IIIA? Is it worth it? Does IIIA stop rifle rounds?

[AggiePhil]

These are the standard vest ratings that you'll see. I'd get a Level III-A if you choose one of the standard offerings.

Level II-A might be the best choice if thinness, comfort and concealability are the most important factors, e.g., if wearing for long periods, or with a lot of movement. (Note: no cops that I know of use Level II-A)

Level II is often worn by police officers. A great balance between blunt trauma protection, versus cost, and thickness/concealability/comfort.

Level III-A is a little thicker, stiffer, heavier and more expensive, but will stop more of the uncommon pistol threats, for example, it is tested for 9mm sub-machine-gun and .44 Magnum. Plus it gives you more blunt trauma impact protection--possibly better to return fire in a gunfight.

Now... If money is truly no object, I would recommend one of the new super high-speed vests with boron carbide rifle plates made for plainclothes contractors overseas. They're extremely thin, relatively lightweight, and will stop a 7.62 rifle round. Some might think it's overkill but think about the cops who have been killed by a rifle while still seated behind the steering wheel. These things will conceal under a standard uniform shirt just fine. Only downside is that they cost about $2000 for a full setup with dual boron carbide plates. But it's worth it! And if money isn't an object, I'd look into it!

http://www.omega-global.com/images/stories/omega-nitro.jpg

http://www.omega-global.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=60&category_id=7&vmcchk=1

[Feet]

I like LEVEL IIIA because it helps against SMG and higher caliber pistols.
Will it stop a rifle bullet? Methinks not. I do carry the hard plate though and you can buy some pretty good add on plates for your chest.

The higher the level, the better protection but as stated above, heavier, thicker, stiffer, and more expensive.
Kinda like me.
http://www.google.com/products?q=police+body+armor+plates&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=1507TIvdO4P88Aa0mMGnBg&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CEEQrQQwAg

[CAL]

Although I will be working as a city cop, I will be working in a predominantly rural county and will be working in some of the outlying areas of the county (with the S.O.). My thought is that the odds of getting smoked by a rifle are a lot higher in this environment since I would think that it would be more likely that folks would have a rifle. That is why I am investigating the feasibility of a vest that can stop rifle rounds.

[AggiePhil]

That is why I am investigating the feasibility of a vest that can stop rifle rounds.

Then I'd consider the Omega Global offering along with the offerings from Mayflower (Google it). Both are concealable rifle-rated armor systems.

[tdavis204]

the only vest that will stop rifle rounds are the military grade.....le vests will not

[AggiePhil]

the only vest that will stop rifle rounds are the military grade.....le vests will not

Welcome to TexasCops. Your first post needs to be in the Welcome Center per the site rules you agreed to during registration.

With that out of the way, there is nothing magical about "military" vests or "LE" vests. Armor is armor. There are different types of armor, but in general it is all designed to stop bullets. I think the safer statement would be that no SOFT armor alone will stop rifle rounds. Adding ballistic plates to soft armor though, can. Ballistic plate armor has traditionally been very bulky, requiring that it be worn on the outside of your clothing. Some of the newest rifle-rated systems though (which I referenced above--Omega Global, Mayflower, etc.) are designed to be concealable, thanks to technological improvements. These systems aren't really "military" or "LE" but are rather just "for whoever needs a concealable system that will stop bullets".

[CAL]

Today I did the nasty at GTs and dropped $1100 on a sweet level IIIA vest. I pick it up in about 4 weeks - just in time for me to hit the streets. :rock:

[Cinch1152]

CAL, Next time your at GT's would ya mind getting me one too? I see you are fixing to grad, which BPOC are you in?

[CAL]

CAL, Next time your at GT's would ya mind getting me one too? I see you are fixing to grad, which BPOC are you in?
San Antonio College.

[Reno911]

2nd chance is the way to go!

[HPSHOOTER]

Cal...brother...$1100 that is large coin...and a butt load...hate to hear you spent that much; because that is pricey.

If its not too late...look around you should be able to find a better prcie on a vest than that...

Bear in mind for the most part IIIAs are not very comfy. Unless you are carrying a 38 Super or 10mm..a IIA should do you well.

[CAL]

Cal...brother...$1100 that is large coin...and a butt load...hate to hear you spent that much; because that is pricey.

If its not too late...look around you should be able to find a better prcie on a vest than that...

Bear in mind for the most part IIIAs are not very comfy. Unless you are carrying a 38 Super or 10mm..a IIA should do you well.
For the vest I got it seems to be about the going rate. One of the reasons it cost so much is because of the lightweight nature - to get a lightweight vest rated for IIIA is tough without spending some moolah.