Lutz501
Amateur
Hey Guys, so I have been looking into getting rifle rated ICW armor to wear with my soft armor while on patrol. I wear a concealed soft armor carrier at work in a uniformed patrol setting. I work in a generally urban area with a fair amount of gang activity. I am willing to make compromises in some areas to have a plate I can be comfortable wearing everyday, but at the same time want to have protection against the threats I think I'm most likely to face. I have little worry about a farmer shooting at my with a deer gun, but am much more likely to run into a parolee with an AR or AK. With that in mind I have a few criteria that are must have and a few criteria that would be nice to have. As for price, I am willing to spend money on a worth while product that will do the job and last, but it isn't not a factor.
MUST HAVE:
1. From a reputable company
2. Rated to stop 5.56 ball (M193) and 7.62x39 Ball.
3. needs to to fit in my issued soft armor carrier speed plate pocket that holds an 8x10" special threat trauma plate
4. As light and thin as possible. (the hope is to wear often, get shot never)
NICE TO HAVE:
1. Rated to stop M855 rounds .
2. be no smaller than that 8x10" plate currently in my vest.
3. Have an actual NIJ certification.
So far I have found a few plates that peaked my interests but haven't found the perfect solution yet. I figured, throwing this out there to the crowd maybe someone can show me my unicorn plate or we can determine the best course of action with a little brain-storming.
First, the American Blast Systems ICW plates. They have two separate plates that I considered. The first is their super light, super thin Level III plate. It is only 1.6lbs in the 10x12" size and .5" thick. So it should be even lighter in the 8x10" size that they offer. Lastly, it is NIJ certified as a level III plate. The problem is all of the testing data I can find for it only consists of 7.62x51 testing. I can't find anything where it was tested with 5.56. I've been talking with some of their staff about it being tested against 5.56 but it seemed they just gave me a canned answer to look at their special threat plate. I have sent follow up email, so stay tuned.
https://www.americanblastsystems.com/product-page/nij-level-iii-icw-1-6-lb-ballistic-plate
Which brings us to the second plate; This one is also made by American Blast systems and is very similar to the other plate but they sacrificed that weight and thinness in exchange for the ability to stop M855 rounds. I like this option as it meets all of the "nice to have" requirements, however I'm not sure I'm happy with the increased weight and bulk. Perhaps I am asking for too much?
https://www.americanblastsystems.com/product-page/single-curve-level-iii-green-tip-plate-3-4-lbs
Third plate is made by ShotStop. This plate is also a poly plate. it only comes in two sizes, 7x9 and 10x12. It is the lightest plate of the three but also smaller than the other two. This plate is NIJ certified to stop 5.56, 7.62x39, and .308. I like everything about this plate but wish it came in the 8x10" size so I didn't have to give up any coverage.
https://www.shotstop.net/shop-body-armor/duritium-iii-icw-body-armor-insert
If anyone has any insights into these three options, or wants to share their experiences with similar concepts I would gladly accept any feedback. Or if you have any words of wisdom I'll take those too.
Thanks in advance.
MUST HAVE:
1. From a reputable company
2. Rated to stop 5.56 ball (M193) and 7.62x39 Ball.
3. needs to to fit in my issued soft armor carrier speed plate pocket that holds an 8x10" special threat trauma plate
4. As light and thin as possible. (the hope is to wear often, get shot never)
NICE TO HAVE:
1. Rated to stop M855 rounds .
2. be no smaller than that 8x10" plate currently in my vest.
3. Have an actual NIJ certification.
So far I have found a few plates that peaked my interests but haven't found the perfect solution yet. I figured, throwing this out there to the crowd maybe someone can show me my unicorn plate or we can determine the best course of action with a little brain-storming.
First, the American Blast Systems ICW plates. They have two separate plates that I considered. The first is their super light, super thin Level III plate. It is only 1.6lbs in the 10x12" size and .5" thick. So it should be even lighter in the 8x10" size that they offer. Lastly, it is NIJ certified as a level III plate. The problem is all of the testing data I can find for it only consists of 7.62x51 testing. I can't find anything where it was tested with 5.56. I've been talking with some of their staff about it being tested against 5.56 but it seemed they just gave me a canned answer to look at their special threat plate. I have sent follow up email, so stay tuned.
https://www.americanblastsystems.com/product-page/nij-level-iii-icw-1-6-lb-ballistic-plate
Which brings us to the second plate; This one is also made by American Blast systems and is very similar to the other plate but they sacrificed that weight and thinness in exchange for the ability to stop M855 rounds. I like this option as it meets all of the "nice to have" requirements, however I'm not sure I'm happy with the increased weight and bulk. Perhaps I am asking for too much?
https://www.americanblastsystems.com/product-page/single-curve-level-iii-green-tip-plate-3-4-lbs
Third plate is made by ShotStop. This plate is also a poly plate. it only comes in two sizes, 7x9 and 10x12. It is the lightest plate of the three but also smaller than the other two. This plate is NIJ certified to stop 5.56, 7.62x39, and .308. I like everything about this plate but wish it came in the 8x10" size so I didn't have to give up any coverage.
https://www.shotstop.net/shop-body-armor/duritium-iii-icw-body-armor-insert
If anyone has any insights into these three options, or wants to share their experiences with similar concepts I would gladly accept any feedback. Or if you have any words of wisdom I'll take those too.
Thanks in advance.