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A bullet resistant vest primer
American Thinker ^ | 8 Jun, 2024 | Mike McDaniel

Posted on 06/08/2024 4:32:33 AM PDT by MtnClimber

We often hear about “bullet proof” vests. TV/movie good guys shot while wearing one immediately fall to the ground, breathless and momentarily incapacitated, even though the bullet did not penetrate the vest. Dramatic, but mostly nonsensical.

There is no such thing as a “bullet proof” vest, merely vests designed to be bullet resistant, capable, depending on design, of stopping some, but not all, cartridges. The vests worn by these US troops, for example, are commonly rated to stop the usual rifle caliber cartridges of known enemies. However, they are heavy, hot and somewhat restrict movement.

Graphic: Pfc. Ty Correll provides rear security. Wikimedia Commons.org. Public Domain.

The kinds of vests that have become increasingly popular and inexpensive are designed only to stop common handgun and some shotgun cartridges. The National Institute of Justice sets standards for protection levels, levels II, II-A and [III]-A—the most common—predominating. They will not stop common rifle cartridges.

The three levels are relatively light and reasonably comfortable, but in summer heat are rather like wearing a plastic trashbag. That’s better than being otherwise ventilated, but they’re never entirely comfortable and after wearing one for several hours, a shower is more or less mandatory. They consist of a carrier—normally a cloth blend with Velcro closures for adjustment that hold the ballistic panels—and the panels, made of various levels of Kevlar and other ballistic fabrics. There are other vests made to protect specifically against stabbing/slashing attacks, but we’ll stick with common, ballistic vests.

Police officers have long worn vests, initially under uniform shirts to conceal them. However, pretty much everyone, and certainly criminals, know officers wear vests, and police agencies are now wearing vests that feature options for carrying various equipment over shirts. They’re more comfortable and convenient, particularly considering the amount of gear...

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: banglist; fabrics; kevlar; vests
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1 posted on 06/08/2024 4:32:33 AM PDT by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

And Rep. Mike Honda, a Democrat congress critter from California wants to ban body armor level III and higher.


2 posted on 06/08/2024 4:32:47 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page. More photos added.)
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To: MtnClimber
Much more info:

What Do The NIJ Protection Levels Mean?

3 posted on 06/08/2024 4:37:39 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page. More photos added.)
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To: MtnClimber

Bkmk


4 posted on 06/08/2024 4:38:43 AM PDT by sauropod ("This is a time when people reveal themselves for who they are." James O'Keefe Ne supra crepidam)
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To: MtnClimber
NYS has already done it.

Body Armor Overview

I'm sure that perps really give an expletive-deleted.

5 posted on 06/08/2024 4:42:37 AM PDT by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: MtnClimber

6 posted on 06/08/2024 4:46:36 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page. More photos added.)
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To: mewzilla

It usually starts in New York or California. The Mike Honda bill would become US law if passed.


7 posted on 06/08/2024 4:58:07 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page. More photos added.)
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To: MtnClimber; All

https://www.spartanarmorsystems.com/

This is the Father’s Day Text sent out yesterday:

They want to ban body armor!

Hurry! Order & Save on Your Kit!
Early Father’s Day Sitewide Sale is LIVE!

https://spartanarmor.attn.tv/atAAsyntANcP

I wish I had a pile of spare cash...


8 posted on 06/08/2024 5:06:59 AM PDT by mabarker1 ( (Congress- the opposite of PROGRESS!!! A fraud, a hypocrite, a liar. I'm a member of Congress!!!)
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To: MtnClimber

“It usually starts in New York or California.”

Just about anything un-American starts in NY or CA.


9 posted on 06/08/2024 5:09:56 AM PDT by redfreedom (Joseph Stalin: "It does not mater how anyone votes, how votes are counted is what matters.")
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To: MtnClimber

Can we get bullet-proof vests for our dogs?


10 posted on 06/08/2024 5:10:06 AM PDT by moovova ("The NEXT ELECTION is the most important election of our lifetimes!“ LOL...)
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To: MtnClimber

“ The kinds of vests that have become increasingly popular and inexpensive are designed only to stop common handgun and some shotgun cartridges”
******************************************************************

My shirt would stop most CARTRIDGES that were thrown at me. Of course I can’t imagine why anyone would throw cartridges at me.


11 posted on 06/08/2024 5:11:13 AM PDT by House Atreides (I’m now ULTRA-MAGA-PRO-M)
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To: moovova

Yes you can.

L


12 posted on 06/08/2024 5:12:31 AM PDT by Lurker ( Peaceful coexistence with the Left is not possible. Stop pretending that it is.)
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To: MtnClimber

A local gun shop sells level IIIa vests. I tried one on and they are very light weight. Heavy metal or composite plates can be inserted into front at back pockets to give a higher level of protection. The sales person said this vest with the basic ballistic material would stop most NATO rifle and hand gun rounds including a 44. Based on the flexibility of the ballistic material I’d say the projectile would likely break ribs. Cost is $600.

I’m comparing this weight to what cops wore about 15 years ago with steel plates in them. A cop showed me his and it was heavy. He said it was very uncomfortable.

The one at the gun shop was comparatively quite soft.


13 posted on 06/08/2024 5:16:55 AM PDT by redfreedom (Joseph Stalin: "It does not mater how anyone votes, how votes are counted is what matters.")
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To: mewzilla

So it appears NYS law is such that if one already owns body armor he can wear it legally, unless it’s used in conjunction with a felony.


14 posted on 06/08/2024 5:23:22 AM PDT by redfreedom (Joseph Stalin: "It does not mater how anyone votes, how votes are counted is what matters.")
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To: redfreedom

“The sales person said this vest with the basic ballistic material would stop most NATO rifle and hand gun rounds including a 44.”
^
One of the first LEO fatalities who wore a vest was shot in the (protected) shoulder area with a 45-70.

Just sayin’...


15 posted on 06/08/2024 5:25:55 AM PDT by Does so ( 🇺🇦....We are in the later stages of a Communist takeover...)
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To: MtnClimber

I still have some pieces of shrapnel that I dug out of my flak jacket. I had one piece drilled and polished and wore it on a chain. Wife said it looked stupid so I put it in my jewelry box along with the rest of my ‘treasures’. I come across it every now and then.


16 posted on 06/08/2024 5:41:34 AM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
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To: MtnClimber
Rep. Mike Honda, a Democrat, tells U.S. News law enforcement officers need an edge over criminals and rampaging madmen, whom he says can “wreck havoc with impunity” wearing the gear

A Democrat - Now that's a surprise

17 posted on 06/08/2024 6:09:14 AM PDT by from occupied ga (Your government is your most dangerous enemy - EVs a solution for which there is no problem)
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To: redfreedom
The sales person said this vest with the basic ballistic material would stop most NATO rifle and hand gun rounds including a 44.

A 62 grain 5.56 M855 NATO round from a 14" barrel AR15/M4 will penetrate a 1/4" AR500 armor plate at 100 yards. Guarranteed. If the government is coming at you, this is most likely the round they will be shooting. And, if the US military is coming at you, this is also the round they will likely be shooting. This round has been the battlefield standard 5.56 for about 50 years. It was adopted because of its ability to penetrate light body armor and helmets at 600 yards out of a 20" barrel M16.

18 posted on 06/08/2024 6:37:25 AM PDT by eastexsteve
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To: redfreedom
 
 
3A? No, that's not stopping any rifle round. Either a mistakened misunderstanding or that salesman is claiming a load of dookey.
 
 

19 posted on 06/08/2024 2:57:19 PM PDT by lapsus calami (What's that stink? Code Pink ! ! And their buddy Murtha, too!)
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To: redfreedom
An M2 30-06 AP round will easily penetrate an inch of steel. I would hate to have to carry around a bunch of 1 1/2 inch plates in a vest
20 posted on 06/08/2024 6:09:12 PM PDT by Colorado Doug (Now I know how the Indians felt to be sold out for a few beads and trinkets)
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