So I’ve been thinking for a while, do I and my family need body armor for SHTF scenario?
Here is my main question, plate carrier, soft body armor, or other?
Do I need body armor at all?
Is it a bigger hindrance than benefit when bugging out, or in?
I’m not worried about carrying mags, I have a tactical vest in the worst-case scenario.
I don’t plan to LARP, I need a setup for SHTF and I will train with it if I need to to get used to the weight. But the question is, what do I really need? Also, what does my family need, Wife and 2 adult kids, who most likely will not train.
What threats do you think you’ll be engaging. Soft armor is lighter but can only stop pistol based threats, and you will definitely feel it. However, Hard armor is going to be significantly heavier.
Personally - I have 2 plate carriers (one with mag pouches for me), and another “slick” one for the wifey. Both have hard plates (Ceramic). I may need to revisit for my daughter - she likely won’t be able to handle the weight so she may get soft armor plates…
I’m of the mindset it’s better to have and not need, than to need and not have.
Level 3A soft armor is about the practical limit for a realistic prepper. If you need anything more than that, you are likely facing a threat that body armor will not save u from. 3A will stop knives, handguns and shotgun.
If the armor is too heavy, it becomes a liability.
Along those lines, what do most LEOs wear for a vest.It looks flexible and soft, and maybe not a hard plate. Maybe it is. Also, since they wear it all shift, I can’t believe it’s all that heavy, as many officers don’t seem to be in the peak of health.
Is is some sort of flexible Kevlar or something similar?
Does it make sense to get a plate carrier and soft IIIA inserts? I know it might be overkill but it gives more options. Maybe i’m just overthinking it.
PC with soft plates may be overkill, unless you’re using that for mags, etc. It all depends on your budget and plan. If you would run the same setup with hard or soft plates, you can do that - and possibly get Hard plates later on - you can use the IIIAs as backers for comfort too.
Spalling and penetration. Even a “Level III+” (not an actual NIJ rating - it’s a made up term by the steel armor industry) steel armor plate can be penetrated by M193 out of a 20” barrel - I’ve tested this personally and seen the results.
Anti-spall coating is useless - and “it’ll be in a plate carrier” still won’t protect you.
I know their made in China but get good reviews. Check out YouTube for Battle Steel.
I have the level IV. Just run a slick PC, like a Ferro slickster or similar with ceramic plates. You can put your vest or chest rig over top if needed. At a minimum get the single curve. Multi-curve even better. Flat Plates are not very comfortable. I’m in more of a Bug-in situation for my area if things go totally go south. More of a defensive posture.
Yeah, i’m not gambling my life on Chinese made plates. I have been researching HRT and Agilite in the last few days. The Agilite K-Zero SF with their Level 3ST Protector plates looks promising.
You could get lead poisoning, not the ha ha getting shot kind, just the regular, you are now brain damaged kind. The Chinese are NOTORIOUS for incorporating lead into stuff just to get rid of it.
One of the things you have to think about is quick deployment. Depending on the situation you may not have time.
What I did and have is a messenger bag in my truck. With a lever 3 plate in it. If I need to deploy I can hang it over my shoulders towards the front (or rear). It also a large access where I have additional magazines and other necessary equipment. For home if something happens it’s probably going to be quick and will not have time.
That was the whole point of my original question, do I need it.
Is it necessary for a SHTF scenario? I won’t be looking for trouble but with all the crap going on with these psycho libs in blue cities, I want to be prepared.
I don’t see Agilite listed anywhere on the NIJ Certified list. Lots of places will say NIJ Tested (even Chinese-made plates like LA Police Gear’s or Battle Steel), but that’s just a marketing ploy.
If you want USA Made certified plates - go with Hesco. Even the non-certified L211/T212 Special threat plates. Special Threat level - so it will stop multiple 5.56/7.62 hits.
