body armor identification

[NMB2]

I'm looking @ buying this vest from a fellow soldier. It is a plate carrying vest, but the owner says our IBA/IOTV plates are too big for it. He has no idea what type of plates it takes.

I just want to make sure I can get my hands on them.

He want's $100

http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz110/NMB2/IMG957422.jpg

http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz110/NMB2/IMG951528.jpg

http://i818.photobucket.com/albums/zz110/NMB2/IMG958258.jpg

[Mick-Boy]

It looks like a knock-off CIRAS. There's no quick release or tags on the inside but the general layout looks the same.

It may be cut for SAPI plate but your buddy has the wrong size. Make sure he's trying to put the right size plates in the vest (M in a M, L in a L, Etc.).

It may also be a vest designed for swimmer cut plates (narrower at the top).

The other possibility is that it's some Chinese air-soft knock off and the specs are just all out of whack.

[NMB2]

he said its a L to XL size vest, and his L plates wont fit.

I wondered if small or mediums might.

Where can I find these swimmer cut plates?

I haven't done much carrier shopping, is $100 worth grabbing it?

[Mick-Boy]

If it's made by a legit manufacturer than $100 is a screaming deal. If it's a knock off....

Traditional cut (http://www.velsyst.com/documents/PDF_VS_PB_1012.pdf)

Swimmers/Shooters cut (http://www.velsyst.com/documents/PDF_VS_PSA4_1012.pdf)

[NMB2]

thanks for that.

He said its not made of the same material as our IOTV's, but it doesn't seem like its ready to fall apart to him either. I haven't seen it yet.

He said it seems very functional to him, so I'm going to pick it up.

[josh7328]

You can get basic plate carriers for much less than $100, sans soft armor inserts. If it has soft armor (kevlar) in it, I'd say it's a great deal. If not, I would spend my money on something cheaper that CAN accept standard plates.

[NMB2]

You can get basic plate carriers for much less than $100, sans soft armor inserts. If it has soft armor (kevlar) in it, I'd say it's a great deal. If not, I would spend my money on something cheaper that CAN accept standard plates.

Interesting.... I was looking around and found nothing that cheap.

Do you have any links?

EDIT:

I did find an only surplus store that sells IBA vests for $89, and then the rest of the add ons to make it what ours were brings it up closer to $200. Then I need plates.

[josh7328]

Interesting.... I was looking around and found nothing that cheap.

Do you have any links?

EDIT:

I did find an only surplus store that sells IBA vests for $89, and then the rest of the add ons to make it what ours were brings it up closer to $200. Then I need plates.
just google/amazon search for "plate carrier". I recently bought a super basic PC for $35. You can even get great deals on TAP Gamma rifle plates on Amazon right now.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=plate+carrier

[NMB2]

Thanks for that.

However, maybe I missed it but I couldn't find any that included the kevlar blankets, and when searching for plates seen nothing....

[josh7328]

Thanks for that.

However, maybe I missed it but I couldn't find any that included the kevlar blankets, and when searching for plates seen nothing....
Crap. I guess they sold out. I couldn't find the plates anymore either. They were police surplus, so once the supply dries up... You are right, the amazon plate carriers don't include the backers (kevlar), but with some searching, you can also find Kevlar cheap. I believe a user here by the name of d-r sells surplus kevlar. Bulletproofme.com has rifle plates for sale too. Good luck!

Edit: Here's some rifle plates on ebay
http://compare.ebay.com/like/280963158673?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y

[Mick-Boy]

If you could ever envision needing wear this armor while facing an armed threat, I would strongly advise against buying plates/soft armor you found on ebay or craigslist.

The thing about armor is that how it's been treated MATTERS. If the plates have been abused (dropped, stepped on, slid around in the trunk of a cruiser for a couple of months, etc.) they may be damaged. If they're damaged they may not stop what they're rated to stop. The only way to tell if they're damaged is to have them x-rayed.

This is less important but still a factor with soft armor. Extreme temperature fluctuations, direct sunlight, exposure to chemicals, etc. can all degrade the integrity of your soft armor to one extent or another.

Finally you have your carrier. The old adage "you get what you pay for" applies to an extent. Do you need to drop $2k on the latest and greatest from Crye Precision? No. Do you want to rely on a POS knock off vest made for Airsofters? No.

Your carrier is going to be holding up your loadout (magazines, med gear, commo, water, etc). It needs to be durable, threat appropriate, and fit properly.

It's your life your trying to protect. Don't go cheap.

[Mick-Boy]

If you're just looking for a training/SHTF rig, Tyr Tactical has a basic plate hanger and two new NIJ level IV stand-alone plates for $325. Link (http://www.tyrtactical.com/products/details/ballistic-plates/dfav-mc-plate-carrier-kit-with-level-iv-plates/)

[josh7328]

If you're just looking for a training/SHTF rig, Tyr Tactical has a basic plate hanger and two new NIJ level IV stand-alone plates for $325. Link (http://www.tyrtactical.com/products/details/ballistic-plates/dfav-mc-plate-carrier-kit-with-level-iv-plates/)
WOW! That's a hell of a good deal!

[TheBelly]

OP, how do you know that the original deal is on the up-and-up?

[02ducky]

[Flower]
If you're just looking for a training/SHTF rig, Tyr Tactical has a basic plate hanger and two new NIJ level IV stand-alone plates for $325. Link (http://www.tyrtactical.com/products/details/ballistic-plates/dfav-mc-plate-carrier-kit-with-level-iv-plates/)

Dang it looks like its not available for civys. Good deal tho. Mick you sure know your stuff about plates and carries. I enjoy reading your stuff.

[Mick-Boy]

Dang it looks like its not available for civys. Good deal tho. Mick you sure know your stuff about plates and carries. I enjoy reading your stuff.

It looks like it's available to civilians. you just have to send them the affidavit from their website saying that you're the end user and aren't a felon.

Trust but verify my man. Any nonsense I spout should be idiot checked against guys who actually know what they're talking about. [Beer]

[josh7328]

I've read that alot of vendors that say that they require the proper creds will sell to civvies with a driver's license and such. Also, ceramic plates ARE relatively fragile, but it has been proven that even damaged plates are exceptional at stopping rounds. That's why they can be shot many times with no penetration. Granted, a cracked plate may fail at a lower round count than a fresh plate, but we are still talking about a very high round count. DocGKR's work has verified this as well. http://www.m4carbine.net/archive/index.php/t-32839.html

A video of a cracked ESAPI plate stopping rounds even after it is destroyed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIarVbfERq4

[NMB2]

we abused the shit out of our IOTV's in afghan, I don't think the plates are as fragile as some make them out to be.

Went to all of the local surplus and none of them have iba's or iotv's anymore... CID raided them out.

Local retailer has huge discount for active military on legitimate IOTV's. Picked one up today.

Its just like my issued one, came with the kevlar blankets.