What brand and why did you pick that brand of plate carrier do you use for Level IV body armor?

I see an upgrade in plate carrier/vest in my future due to current events.

Velocity systems or Crye Precision

I went with a Combat Vet owned company called Tacticon. The price for the carrier and AR500 plates was unbeatable so I bought 2 sets. They had a 4th of July special on AR600 plates so I bought another set. For what it’s being used for it more than satisfies my needs. I’ve been extremely happy with their products and their customer service.

I also found a steal of a deal on level IV FAST helmets from a different company that offers incredible protection for the price. (Under $300 for the 1 I bought). Rated for 7.62x51 147gr FMJ at PBR.

If I were wearing it daily and humping the hills I might choose different but for the intended use they are MORE than adequate and the prices can’t be beat.

I can see why someone would have armor handy, & not trying to knock it if you do. Maybe I'm stupid , but if someone were wearing armor & I wanted to hurt them I'd shoot for the legs, pelvis or neck. All easy shots with a rifle. Wouldn't you agree?

I'd shoot them right between the eyes.. but that's just me..

So would I

But most people are not smart

Laffin’. Think I’d go for the testicular gap. If you miss to the 4 corners you still catch meat!

RMA Armor

I didn't think it was all that easy to shoot specific parts or extremeties, but I got out and became a nurse.

Oh, and I've got a few carriers, but my light level 4 plates are in an LBT carrier.

I've only used what's issued, and they haven't been great.

Extremities are very survivable, the neck is hard to hit, and the pelvis is a small target that's not always reliable. Armor protects the largest parts of you, that move the least, that are the most dangerous.

It's like wearing a motorcycle helmet.

That is a great theory.

In reality there are a whole lot of combat vets that are alive today because they wore armor and that armor saved them from death or serious injury. Also sometimes the chest plates do things like save you from major injuries when you start playing "Lets ram the shidt out of each other with our vehicles to get this party started!".

Speaking of vehicles. It is pretty easy to get shredded into hamburger if you are in an effective attack.

See a picture of my vehicle below.

It is very easy to get have your lungs deflated when they have chunks of flying metal rip them apart.





People can choose to go without armor if they want, relying on "Hope" as their strategy, or they think they are so high speed that they will shoot every single opponent first that they encounter (often simultaneously, and at different ranges, elevations and angles) , and come through without a scratch, due to their obviously incredible skill sets.

Personally when in environments where the threat posture dictates a heightened response, I will take the added personal protection equipment.

What do you suggest? From where / who?

Thanks.

MM

Body armor is like a seatbelt. Most of the time my seatbelt is just there. But the one time I needed it, in a head-on collision with a drunk driver at 85 MPH, it was the most important piece if kit I owned.

To Mack's point,

When I was in Iraq, I saw lots and lots of shot up Soldiers and Airmen (I commanded an AF EOD flight) return to their family with really bad injuries, as long as their core was intact, or as long as their body armor held their injured core in place.

Gunshots, IEDs, vehicle mishaps, you name it.

Body armor is cheap, and I have a drawer in the truck for that and a carbine and enough ammo to get some distance between me and a threat.

Heightened awareness or (something) diligence is what the VA calls it.

Not wanting to die for stupid reasons when the idiots (Antifa, et al) are using kinetic means to their end is what I call it.

You were shot through the lung? Where did this take place?

I am very much a civilian but carry body armor in my truck.

A couple of notes from a first time user regardless of which one you buy.

1--Learn how to wear it. Make certain the front plate is high enough. Plenty of videos out there.
2) Learn how to put it on quickly. Every so often I grab mine and put it on quickly to stay in practice. If you ever need it you will be under pressure and more than likely fall back to training instead of rising to the occasion.
3) Wear it. I walk on paths through the woods behind my house and will wear my vest with the plates. After three or four miles you will find out how comfortable it is and what needs to be adjusted.
4) I do not have a ton of crap on mine. One thing I need to add is a tourniquet. I carry one in a backpack in my truck but having one on the vest is important to me.

This is the one I have, remember I have nothing to compare it to but I am happy with it so far.

Plate Carrier

One other thing, I have never been in a firefight, but would be willing to bet a head shot is pretty difficult with somebody shooting at you.

Bageezzzus, where do you guys live that you have to wear body armor?

I bet for the price of armor, you could buy a tank of fuel and get out of there.

see the seatbelt comment.

It's like saying, for the price of a seatbelt, I could drive to where there are less accidents.

Mike I wouldn't try a headshot under stress I'd shoot for torso which would make armor effective. I'm thinking along the lines of the other poster, where do yall live that you need body armor? I can see me mowing my yard in body armor with a pistol on my hip & my AR mounted on a swivel on hood of lawn tractor. You folks must live in some dangerous areas.

I knew this thread would turn out the way it’s going. The seatbelt analogy is an excellent one and one that I was going to bring up before deciding that I’m not interested in convincing anyone or justifying my reasons for owning body armor. I will say that I’m comfortable having the same mindset as those brave guys that have BTDT like Mackay and DW. Their reasons mirror mine and the situations they describe are EXACTLY the situations where I believe body armor is extremely useful.

I also have an extensive first aid kit in every vehicle as well as an IFAK on every vest. Quick clot, tourniquets, SCW HyFin vents, pneumothorax decompression needles, etc are part of every kit with O2 and IV therapy in my big bag. I’m responsible for mine and my family’s safety and since I’m trained in the proper use of such equipment I would be irresponsible to not avail myself of every advantage.ymmv

Fair question. It is unlikely I will ever use my cc pistol in self defense and even less likely I will use a vest in any situation. I definitely avoid stupid places at stupid times with stupid people.

Three years ago I also thought it was unlikely a presidential election would likely be stolen, city blocks would be ruled by anarchists, freedom of movement restricted by racist groups like BLM, our elected officials becoming openly communist, or that China would release a deadly virus and our government use it to further control its citizens.

I try not be paranoid, but it does not hurt to be a little prepared.

I agree. My family thinks I'm a little paranoid, but I'm not. Just somewhat prepared.

Man, you live in a rough neighborhood! South side of Chicago on a friday or saturday night?

Waffle House on coupon night.

Need to dial in the O2 and IV part, but we have IFAKs and full kits in every vehicle.

When I was in Iraq, the lead for one of the USAF units with frequent outside the wire adventures had two tourniquets on his vest and an extra in his IFAK for four total on his person.

When I asked him why, he said, "I'm wearing the armor because I expect incoming fire. I have the tourniquets because some dumb a$$ might actually hit me and I don't want to bleed out.

We carry lots of those, too.

I find this thread interesting. I understand being prepared; however, no amount of ammo, guns, or body armor will protect you from your most likely demise: heart disease or a pandemic or other health issues. What is everyone doing to over prepare for the more likely scenarios such as these? Or are we just trying to control what we can control?

Smitten2,

Interesting thought, not mildly relevant to this thread.

I’m in fantastic health. My last checkup the doctor said my labs and vitals were “abnormally normal”…..inow, I’m an incredible physical specimen.

David, I too carry 2 tourniquets. 1 on the vest and 1 in my IFAK and I have several in the main bag.

PS…I bought another fire extinguisher today. I suppose applying that by extension I must live in a very fire prone house. 😂

I've got nothing against armor & wouldn't mind having some. Just giving you folks a hard time.
What about a gas mask? I see surplus ones with the cartridge filters on sale sometimes.

David,

The vast majority of guys that wear level IV armor on a regular basis are going to wear whatever is issued with the plates. I've never met a person that has bought and tried multiple types of carriers and worn them extensively in an effort to determine which brand is best.

If I were having to purchase one I'd pick any decent brand that has the capabilities you're looking for. I prefer next to nothing on my armor. Two M4 mags and a sharpie is about my limit. I also have a flapped pouch for throwing schit in. Namely my cell phone. MOLLE would be essential of course.

Outside of that I wouldn't want anything. I also prefer a totally separate armor to belt system. Not an LBV type that is assembled as one.

Garand Thumb has some good reviews if your'e so inclined.

I use a Ferro Concepts Slickster. I chose Hesco L210 "Special Threat" plates to save weight and bulk over NIJ IV plates.

It's a decently comfortable setup but to be honest I don't use it very much. A small chest rig with a couple magazines, a secure UHF radio, laser rangefinder, maps, compass, notepad, and a snack or two is more practical for what I actually do. I often wear it on its own in camp or for quick jaunts; if out for more than an hour or so I'll wear a small hydration pack and sometimes a padded MOLLE belt as well.

Personally I sweat buckets with a plate carrier even in mild weather. Covering up that much of the upper body traps a lot of heat, particularly in a desert where summer temperatures in the 110s are not unheard of. A small chest rig is better, and belt/suspender LBE like ALICE is better still.

To those who don't see the point of body armor: it protects the largest part of your body from wounds that would otherwise cause immediate death or incapacitation. It's not a panacea and it doesn't make you Iron Man but that extra 10-15lbs is sometimes worth it. Remember that your intended usage should drive your gear selection.

This. Battle Belt and not a ton on the front of the carrier.

I have steel and light plates. Light level IV is worth the cash

What are you guys recommending for lightweight level IV armor?
Picked up a Crye lightweight SPC on sale from BCM.

Already have a small chest rig.

Crye lightweight carrier I picked up. .

Crye Airlite SPC on sale


Looking for recommendations on lightweight level IV plates


Not trying to hijack thread. Trying to embellish.

While I can understand your thoughts, I don't think anyone is going to all of a sudden prepare for heart disease, unless that preparation is to draw up a will.

Heart disease is something you are either preventing or not.

The "pandemic" is a contrived political move.

The only things you can prepare for health wise is to try to have meds on hand enough to last a little longer. Diabetic people in particular need to get insulin and test supplies ahead of need.

To the OP, I liked the Shellback Banshee PC, and I bought Hesco special threat plates. There are several good PC out there though. Shoulder straps angled a little, and adjustable fit will help it be more comfortable. Less crap hanging off it is a good thing as well. I've seen some guys carrying almost twice the load out I'd consider.

I’ve had a few different setups through work. My favorite/lightest/most comfortable was the armor express lighthawk 3.0XT IIIA Not a plate carrier per se but i could easily slide them in. I’d definitely like a personal carrier.