I picked III+, mainly for my needs... I do have regular III, which is my home setup. Again, works fine for my needs.
I work for a DHS agency, so we are issued IIIA... and for work, I can’t use anything else. I may disagree, but hard when you are one of 45,000+ officers/agents that are bound by the same policy. I’d love to make plenty of changes, but it’s not in the cards. If I had the option, I’d probably lean towards a Level III, likely in a lighter polymer plate... like my DKX setup (they float, as well; also were pricey). I doubt I’d face AP rounds at work. And for the record for the aluminum foil wearers... we don’t use AP for duty ammo.
So, while I’m issued IIIA, I don’t keep it in my vehicle for a few reasons... hot truck isn’t good for Kevlar, policy dictates it can only be in there in a small number of situations, etc. My truck set is AR500 Lightweight III+... namely because it is steel plate. I know the downsides of it, but being able to sit in a hot truck is the biggest pro. It stays in there unless I’m parking the truck somewhere where it will stay for a period of time. It might be heavier than some options, but like my truck AR (an AR pistol), it isn’t something I’m planning on fighting combatants in the Middle East with. Namely, some nut decides to shoot up a Walmart or school... and I’m near my truck, vest goes on (has my alternate work vest patches that clearly say who I am), gun comes out, and moving towards gunfire I go.
Looking at past situations, might be a guy with an AR or AK... probably XM855 being the more common rounds that I might be going against. Seen the same plates stop it. If the guy does have a .308... I’ve seen the same plates stop multiple XM80. Did not see spall in any of those tests, but comes down to risk/benefit. If I take one in the vitals, it should protect me. Head shot... I look at it as when your number is up, it is up. I do have a helmet that is setup for my NV, but goes back to the Kevlar and sitting in my truck. Personally, you always are going to have risk... and I accept taking a round to the melon to potentially save someone’s life... even if said person doesn’t value my life or says I put children in cages (not to get political, by the way... just pointing out reality and how I actually break it down).
I don’t think we are at the point where we are going to see Mumbai style attacks yet, but even then... I still doubt you’ll see AP rounds being used. Let’s be honest, most L/E in the US wear IIIA. Normal rifle rounds are going to penetrate... so not a real added benefit to get that ammo when you can get more that will do an identical job in most circumstances (might make a difference if you are duking it out with a SWAT team).
Shy of that... I really don’t take too much stock in SHTF or the Federal government going door to door. Still a pretty good country to live in, so if that is your cup of tea, no argument here against IV armor or whatever you desire. Free country.
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