Originally Posted by
AndyLate
I'm retired from the Army (non-Combat Arms) and drive a desk at a defense contractor in a pretty calm part of the South.
Am I crazy/in a Walter Mitty fantasy for thinking I should buy a plate carrier and rifle plates to prepare for the remote chance we have a social break down in the next 10 years?
If buying plates is a reasonable thing to do, are Linexed steel front/rear Level III+ plates sufficient for a purely civilian threat?
I have a concealable soft armor vest now.
Thank you
Andy
I would say yes. Just like you don't plan on getting in a car wreck, but seat belts are a great idea.
The big debate is Composite or Steel. It really depends on qhat you want. If you are going to build a full plate carrier with all of the gear on it then Composite is the way to go as tney are generally much lighter.
If you want as low viz as possible then I would use steel. They are heavier, but are traditionally up to 1 /5th as thick.
I have both. My low viz set up is steel and I can wear level 3 plates and soft armor under a normal shirt. I also have my full on Eagle PLate Carrier that has a few months in Afghanistan that has great light weight composite armor.
If you listen to the internet and fear steel plates, simply do what I do. Buy steel plates and get some side plates with it. Then take the side plates to the range and blast the hell out of them. I just did this last month and shot the crap out of them. Used 5.56 (55, 62, and 77) 308 (147 , 168), and 9mm (pistol and from an SMG) at ranges from 50 yards as close as 10 feet. The plates took over 200 rounds and don't show any signs of wear. I also taped balloons to the back side to show the people I was with that the rumors of spall are total BS. Couldn't get te balloons to pop with shooting the plates.
In no way do I make any money from anyone related to the firearms industry.
"I have never heard anyone say after a firefight that I wish that I had not taken so much ammo.", ME
"Texas can make it without the United States, but the United States can't make it without Texas !", General Sam Houston
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