Best Concealed Body Armor?

Question

My boyfriend is graduating from the police academy in 2 weeks, he just told me that they don't get the highest grade vest from the department! So from looking online I get that there are levels, Level 1-3 I think? He says 3a (or iiia) is the best. I've been looking at the vests on gmuniforms.com but this isn't as easy as I thought, and I can't find any sites that really give an unbiased opinion. Can someone help me out? What kind of vest should I get him, I don't mind paying more as long as he comes safe at night.

Answer 1

Miss, as Tahoeguy said level II is probably the best compromise for a patrolman as far as comfort and protection.



If you start looking at rifle protection, then I'd look at ceramic level IV stand alone rifle plates and a plate carrier.



Info for All: If the rifle plates are steel, just wanted to make sure you know about their limitations - it's been shown that high velocity 5.56 (M193 type loads) tend to punch right on through steel at close range. Many folk, including myself, were quite surprised by this. if you are looking at hard armor, you really NEED to get it in writing from the manufacturer what rounds the plates are rated to stop. Be aware that the NIJ ratings do NOT test any .223/5.56 loads; they refer to .308 and .30-06 loads only. So for example, a plate advertised to be level 4 only has to stop ONE round of .30-06AP, and that's it. It may or may not stop 5.56 M193 rounds. You cannot assume that because a 5.56 is "smaller" than a .30-06, the armor will stop it as well. The 2 rounds (M193 and .30-06AP) are very different and perform differently. Particularly M193 ammo vs steel plates; M193 will probably penetrate at close range, whereas M855 probably won't. Some manufacturers only list NIJ level 3 or 4, and that's it. These guys are the ones you need to question closely for exactly what the armor has been tested to stop. Assuming that level 3 or 4 armor will stop a particular round, when it hasn't been NIJ tested may result in a hole in you if you ever get shot.



Thank you for your service ma'am, hope your boyfriend stays safe. Have a nice night.

Answer 2

Concealed Body Armor

Answer 3

3a is inferior to 3



The armor gets better the higher the number is, and the 'a' designation really means a weaker but more compact version.



Most people find 3 to be too thick so they go with the slightly weaker 3a.



Now, the issue is vests wear out over time, so different brands can all stop a bullet equally well when new but 3 years later some may be weaker than others. Unfortunately the longer lasting ones are generally more expensive.



Further, not all body armor covers the same amount of body. The standard type covers the front and back, but the sides are open. Some add side-panels and others are full-wrap.



http://www.qmuniforms.com/Brands/Second-Chance/Body-Armor/Second-Chance-Summit-Full-Wrap-Level-IIIA-Body-Armor.axd?utm_source=GPS&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GPS



THAT is good armor...and it is expensive



Second thing is comfort. Second Chance body armor is a tad heavier than most but it is also more comfortable than most



here are more specs



http://www.safariland.com/bodyarmor/Summit.aspx



HOWEVER, for the price of upgrading from the issued armor to the 'best' armor, I'd instead suggest you have your boyfriend keep the standard issued armor and spend the money on a tactical combat class.



Here are some of the best



http://www.thunderranchinc.com/

http://www.gunsite.com/main/

http://www.sigsaueracademy.com/



I would avoid Front Site training. there are some....issues there.

Answer 4

Let me take a shot at this for you. In theory, a IIIA vest offers the highest ballistic protection up to rifle rounds, but its also the thickest, heaviest and least comfortable.



Most police officers who are patrol wear a level II, which will stop all common handgun threats. This includes .22LR, .38 Sp, .357 Magnum, 9mm, 40S&W, .45ACP. it stops short of being rated for 44 Magnum or 9mm from a submachine gun or carbine.



The DOJ rating system doesnt just measure penetration, it also measures deformation on the back side of the vest. So, a .44 magnum may very well not penetrate a level II vest, but the blunt trauma to the wearer exceeds the 25 or 30mm allowance.



So, what it boils down to is the vest has to fit him well and be comforatable. That depends a lot on where you live. In the winter a heavy IIIA vest is OK, but when its 85 and humid, its even more miserable than a level II.



My advice is a stick with a level II and get a good trauma plate like the K-30 second chance. If he finds himself doing something higher threat in the future, then step up to a IIIA. Also find out if his department will allow him to wear his own vest, some make you wear the issued one.



If you do go shopping, expect to spend $500-700 for a good lightweight vest from a company like Galls or Safariland (Paca, second chance, etc). Also buy him an extra carrier so one can be in the wash.

Answer 5

bullets aren't as dangerous as sharps when you are wearing a level 2 vest (you see more knives and pistols than you ever see rifles). Dtac instruction would be a better investment, and a trauma plate. Thing is the vest is essential equipment, would the department let him wear something else?



Uniform shops like Galls are a good place to go.





EDIT: after hapkido today a nut hut would be a wise investment as well....

Answer 6

Here's another website for body armor.

Answer 7

.50 will rip trough most body armor. but the best i know about is called dragon skin. its banned by the army but police officers can still wear it. the army banned it cuz it wouldn't withstand temps over 165 but its been corrected and now can stand high temps. but they army didn't even test it for sum reason. also ever if the solider buys it himself he still cant use it. anyways thats your best bet it will protect against most weapons the bad guys have, including ak-47's and 9mm also i believe history channel tried to blow it up with a grenade and it wouldn't penetrate, but the unprotected limbs and face would be gone. also the armor was badly damaged but it didn't get penetrated. do some research on it

Answer 8

Vests do not save to many lives,they are not "bullet proof".



The vests only stop small rounds like 9mm,.38 special and 40 S&W.