help me understand ballastic armor...plate carriers

[ZERO THEORY]

Agreed on the weight. If one hasn't actually considered how/where they're going to be moving and with who, in what (car or foot), and *with* what (food, water, equipment, shelter, clothes), it's a fair bet that the 10lbs difference between steel & ceramic isn't going to matter after 15 minutes.

Excellent point. I would also add that in any situation where you're wearing armor as a civilian, your last concern is going to be weight. Presumably, the proverbial shit has hit the fan.

Train/drill in your loaded carrier to get yourself used to the fit and feel, and used it to do weighted pushups/pullups/runs throughout the week. Solid investment.

[davsel]

I picked up an OTV and an IOTV with full ceramics off Armslist at reasonable prices.
There seem to be more of them available down here in the Springs.

[Aperta]

Take a look at this armor dkxarmor.com they make a level III multi hit rated plates that weight 2.9 pounds! They float, and are drop resistant unlike ceramic plates. I don't think you can beat those plates.

[johngraves2]

Whats with the big price differences? Mostly based on material construction?

AR500: Steel core, level III rifle, Chest plate $65-85
BulletProofme.com: Ceramic SAPI or E-SAPI, all different materials, from $150 to over $400, most get you level IV in conjunction with IIIA
Spartan Armor: Composite, Level IV, $390 for two

Seems like you could get AR500 plates use them with level IIIA soft armor and be good to go for really cheap with IV protection. is this correct?

[bobbyfairbanks]

Ya you can do that, but steal plates get real heavy real quick and I go to the gym. I can also tell you that they work real well and spalling can be contained without Kevlar soft armor as long as you have a thick plate carrier.

[johngraves2]

Than what is everyone preferred plate set up then?

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[275RLTW]

Whats with the big price differences? Mostly based on material construction?

AR500: Steel core, level III rifle, Chest plate $65-85
BulletProofme.com: Ceramic SAPI or E-SAPI, all different materials, from $150 to over $400, most get you level IV in conjunction with IIIA
Spartan Armor: Composite, Level IV, $390 for two

Seems like you could get AR500 plates use them with level IIIA soft armor and be good to go for really cheap with IV protection. is this correct?

Incorrect. SAPI and ESAPI plates are stand alone plates (no soft armor needed in addition) and are not rated in accordance with NIJ standards. Each are multi-hit plates for different 7.62 rounds with ESAPIs being the most current (will stop 3 rds of M2 7.62x63mm AP within a 1 in area). Also, Level III + steel does not = Level IV

[asmo]

Than what is everyone preferred plate set up then?

I run a Mayflower with Level III soft and ICW Level 4 VS-PULVs. Comfy, if a bit hot in the summer.

[johngraves2]

Thanks for the correction coloccw.

Sorry if it seemed I hijacked this thread, I know nothing of the topic and am very interested in it. I know you all know a lot about it so hopefully it will help the OP with his questions as well.

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[275RLTW]

Thanks for the correction coloccw.

Sorry if it seemed I hijacked this thread, I know nothing of the topic and am very interested in it. I know you all know a lot about it so hopefully it will help the OP with his questions as well.

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Mick-boy started a thread about personal gear setup not to long ago. I'll look it up and add to it this afternoon.