New straps for concealable body armor?

[bjl913]

My duty vest is about a year from going out of date, so I dont really want to spend the money right now on a new carrier, but the velcro on the straps, and the elastic in general is crapping out. the fuzzy side of the velcro still looks great though. Anybody know if any of the local cop shops or a tailor can sew on new straps/ velcro for free? I got some elastic and some velcro from wally world today and i guess my sewing skillz have slipped a little since home-ec class in middle school! Anybody have and ideas?!

[theGinsue]

Sadly, I don't know much about what's available in your neck of the Rockies, but down in Colo Spr the tailor shops on the military bases can/will do that sort of work (they did work on my second chance vest a few years ago at one of the AF bases).

Do you live anywhere near Buckley AFB in the Denver area and/or have access to the main portion of that base at all?

[bjl913]

buckley is only a few minutes away, but i doubt i can get on base. im prior service but dont have any military ID. would they let me on with a copy of my dd214?

[theGinsue]

Doubtful.

I now work as a scum-sucking government contractor on Schriever AFB which has similar missions to those on Buckley and I know that they wouldn't allow a DD214 as sufficient ID to enter the base hear. Now that civilian contract security is used at the gates, things have really changed since the days I was standing guard as an SP. If anything - it's tougher to get onto any military installation now.

[bjl913]

yeah for sure. i didnt think the 214 would work... hmmm, maybe i should just take the carrier into a couple of tailors in the area and see what they say. couldnt hurt!

[BadShot]

Just about any tailor should be able to handle that stuff. If they can't they should know who can, but you won't get it for free. But it shouldn't cost you more than about 10 or 15 bucks. If you're just looking for another soft armor carrier to wear under a uniform. I have a white one from my NIJ cut soft armor that you could have if you are really that broke.

[bjl913]

haha i actualy didnt mean to put that free thing in their.. i think 2 thoughts ran together and i was gonna ask if anybody knows if ABA will replace my carrier for free! my bad. what size is the carrier? thanx for the reply!

[BadShot]

You would have to call ABA to find out. Pretty sure its a generic cloth carrier. It's white and the panels I guess are large. I never used it, the armor went straight into a Plate Carrier.

[bjl913]

hmm! Ill probably be down in your general area on wednesday or friday! PM me with some contact info and i will give you a call!