Which Body Armor?

[VA_Dinger]

Can civilians even buy a PACA LevelIII low vis vest?

[KevinB]

Dinger - talk to Stephen at ATS...

back to BALCS etc.

I've run a RAV and now CIRAS-M. I find (for my use) the intergrated system is best (I need more real estate than a PC offers). I've tried other systems before - both set armor and vest -amd soft and PC/TV's. I know gusy that prefer the opposite so I'd put it to personal prefernce as well as job description.

I have both Paraclete and ProTech IIIA Soft Armor - and Protech LIV and Bulletproofme.coms LIII Poly plates, each fufill a role.

I hate to be a baglicker (esp since I see Ben is on board now) but I find the CIRAS-M too be a 100% improvment over the 2004RAV I had -- and way beyond the CIRAS-L which I hate.. .(so much for sucking up). The CIRAS_M is extremly close fitting (much more comfortable) and unlike the RAV and CIRAS-L does not "sway" or have Cumberbund issues.
oh and it costs less than the RAV...

[JLM]

http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bi...;f=78;t=000502

http://lightfighter.net/eve/forums/a...6/m/1471013632

Doc, thanks BIG TIME! I tried to digest as much of that as I could and make sense of it all.

I wasn't asking just for myself either. My GF is a sworn officer. Took a look
at her issue vest (Zero-G) and what did I find there? Level II Gold 4.0 panels.
Now, Safariland certainly doesn't seem to out of their way to actually tell you on their website what the panels are made of but I DID manage to dig THIS up:

Brand: ZERO G GOLD, Model: LEVEL II, Commodity# 68008118046
SAFARILAND, ZERO G GOLD BALLISTIC VEST WITH 5 X 8" SOFT TRAUMA DEVICE AND CARRIER. SPECIFICATIONS: - NIJ THREAT LEVEL: II - VERSION NUMBER: 4.0 - PANEL WEIGHT** AREAL WT. (LBS); .74 (GRAMS/DEC SQ): 36 - THICKNESS INCHES: .16 MILLIMETERS: 4.1 - V-50S (FPS) 9MM: 1591 - 9MM RPI (V-50/AW)*** 2035 - CONSTRUCTION: HYBRID - MATERIAL: GOLDFLEX, KEVLAR, SPECTRA- SHIELD-PLUS - STYLES (SHAPE) ...

To me, the layperson, this looks like a Goldflex/Kevlar hybrid vest, am I right here? With the pitfall being that its not resistant to contact shots?

[DocGKR]

JLM,

You are correct in your assumptions re. this "Gold" vest. Note that the Safariland "Silver" package has demonstrated better protective qualities than their more expensive "Gold" and "Platinum" packages...

[JLM]

JLM,

You are correct in your assumptions re. this "Gold" vest. Note that the Safariland "Silver" package has demonstrated better protective qualities than their more expensive "Gold" and "Platinum" packages...

Thanks Gary. That does not give me a 'warm fuzzy' knowing that is what she is wearing. Its probably what the whole department is wearing as well

[JLM]

Thanks Gary. That does not give me a 'warm fuzzy' knowing that is what she is wearing. Its probably what the whole department is wearing as well

ETA: I might try to persuede them to 'contact shoot' one of their spare vests if they have any. What's the safeest way to do it?

Also, while I know who you are and your creds, the powers that be here probably do not. Do you have a CV available somewhere? That way they won't just bat their eyes and say 'whatever, that's just stuff on the Errornet'.

Thanks man

[Diz]

This has been one of the most informative threads I've read about BA on the internet. I think your choice is context-driven; if you are already wearing soft armor, then a PC w/cumberbund makes the most sense. If you're not wearing any armor and need to jock up, then the CIRAS type unit makes the most sense. Ironically, this is also the best choice for planned (more or less) tactical/ high risk work.
One saw, oft repeated, is it's better to have slightly less coverage or threat level pro and wear it all the time, than have the top of the line stuff and never wear it cuz it's so darn hot and heavy. A good level II vest, with some in-conjunction plates at the ready might be a good way to go. I'm also looking at steel plates again for the reduced thickness and weight.

[blackwind]

Dinger - talk to Stephen at ATS...

back to BALCS etc.

I've run a RAV and now CIRAS-M. I find (for my use) the intergrated system is best (I need more real estate than a PC offers). I've tried other systems before - both set armor and vest -amd soft and PC/TV's. I know gusy that prefer the opposite so I'd put it to personal prefernce as well as job description.

I have both Paraclete and ProTech IIIA Soft Armor - and Protech LIV and Bulletproofme.coms LIII Poly plates, each fufill a role.

I hate to be a baglicker (esp since I see Ben is on board now) but I find the CIRAS-M too be a 100% improvment over the 2004RAV I had -- and way beyond the CIRAS-L which I hate.. .(so much for sucking up). The CIRAS_M is extremly close fitting (much more comfortable) and unlike the RAV and CIRAS-L does not "sway" or have Cumberbund issues.
oh and it costs less than the RAV...

KevinB,

A few questions,

How long have you owned and worn the CIRAS_M?

Are there any drawbacks in your opinion to daily wear?

What job descriptions would you state the CIRAS_M would limit you in if at all?

Thanks