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Is there something I should look for in buying a vest? Like manufacture, thickness, design? Never have had one on before, but kinda seeing the benefits if and when the SHTF. Do they go out of cert? Point me to a good website or brand to go with. Thanks again.
Galls or Quartermaster is a good place to start. These are the same company now. There are threat levels and most will show you the weight of the vest by threat level. Better ones are lighter in the same level. They are also more expensive. It's all a matter of how you plan to use it. The higher priced ones are normally more comfortable. Can make a big difference if you are going to wear it all day. If it's just for "emergency" then you can go cheaper. The ones made with Kevlar normally say 5 years. Many don't understand how this works. A vest just sitting on the shelf does not magically stop working one day. It's the way they are used and cared for that makes the big difference. There would be a TON of info on these on line but this will get you started.
When you start looking at them you can see the weight vs threat level vs price. Then decide how much you want to pay. As with so many things it's all in how much you want to spend. One of the best is the ones that are tailored to the one buying it. Also wearing them externally is FAR more comfortable.Thanks for that info , I was thinking there was a timeframe for the Kevlar. I figure if the SHTF and I'll be wearing a vest , it won't be for just a day and mobility is the key to survival. Don't want a 20lb plate carrier vest to lug around. Ammo is heavy enough
Regular vests will not stop rifle rounds or a pistol caliber carbine. Level 3 plates will stop most rifle rounds as well but will not stop 5.56 Green Tip. The best thing to do would be to think about your common threats and get a vest/plate combo to deal with those threats.Thanks for that info , I was thinking there was a timeframe for the Kevlar. I figure if the SHTF and I'll be wearing a vest , it won't be for just a day and mobility is the key to survival. Don't want a 20lb plate carrier vest to lug around. Ammo is heavy enough
I say get what you can afford now and upgrade as you can. I have items I never hope to use in a real world situation but will be glad I have them on hand if we need them.
If I can obtain ceramic plates later that will be wonderful. Until then I'll deploy old fashioned metal plates and make do.
While I am totally on board with this level of protection/defense, for 99% of us this is like space travel insurance. We're probably not going to need it. But it comes down to a philosophy. How bad of a situation do you intend to survive? As civilians our supply line or reinforcements levels are zero. Medical, zero. In a case were there are multiple attacks on your house or location we have to realize there are limitations.Playing devils advocate here...
I have ceramics, but will be getting steel plates "in case something happens" that we would need to wear them on a daily basis.
Thought being, the ceramics are excellent to have in the SUV & Truck as "get homes", or for some wierd isolated active shooter/terrorist type event.
If the ceramics take a hit they're done.
If there were some type of event which were to happen where family security merits wearing body armor fequently/constant, there will be no replacements available...
While I am totally on board with this level of protection/defense, for 99% of us this is like space travel insurance. We're probably not going to need it. But it comes down to a philosophy. How bad of a situation do you intend to survive? As civilians our supply line or reinforcements levels are zero. Medical, zero. In a case were there are multiple attacks on your house or location we have to realize there are limitations.
For smaller or weaker family members ceramics may be the best solution. There's no one best answer.
Look at places like NO after the storm, or LA or Seattle when the riots were going on. When there is total breakdown it's scary if you are caught in it. Many of the snowflakes turn into mobs. What scares me most is the years of Government cradle to grave care. Even many gun owners support this thinking it's worth paying people not to be criminals. Sooner or later this will crash. If it does and that free money stops those people will only know how to do one thing. Riot and form mobs.Agree, however there is also a higher possibility of limited WROL, where assistance may be hours away. Bad folks may take advantage knowing of such, therefore less space travel insurance, IMO.
With the different options, I think having at least the bare minimums is a must. So I decided to go with a completely refurbish bulletproofme vest. Level II plus ,
Thank you for all your insights.
- PACA KGS (Kevlar, GoldFlex, Spectra) vests - very flexible
Nice!!! Since I'm not in tactical shape & not wanting to wear metal plates I'll probably go this route too.
Let us know what you think when it arrives.