P&S ModCast 459 — Deciphering Armor Standards
Matt Landfair explains body-armor standards, including NIJ 0101.06 and 0101.07, armor ratings, testing, and practical factors in selection.
Body Armor & Protective Equipment
Evidence-based articles and podcast episodes on body armor, ballistic helmets, armor materials, testing standards, threat assessment, coverage, fit, and protective-equipment selection.
Does Body Armor Fit Your Needs?
The following will upset some who have not thought things through. The goal is to be smart about buying stuff and integrate with your system and mindset. If you have armor but have not trained with it, how will you perform while wearing it? How do you know how the armor affects or hinders your … Read more
“But it’s on the Internet! It Must Be True: Why Most ‘Ballistic Test’ Videos Fail to Accurately Show Body Armor Performance
We will now continue our discussion on Body Armor from an earlier article. Specifically, we addressed some common terms that are used in ballistic testing of body armor: V0, V50, and Back Face Signature (BFS for short). The purpose behind this was to inform our discussion for this week’s topic: Why body armor test protocols have been established, and why … Read more
How do we Defeat a Threat Projectile With Body Armor? Science of Course!
Last week, we discussed that if we need to purchase armor, we need to start with the ‘why’ behind that armor’s need. This week, we are going to continue that discussion by addressing how armor defeats a threat, how it is classified by the National Institute of Justice, and what it does and does not do … Read more
So you Need to Buy Body Armor? Start With ‘Why’
Note: This is the first in a series of articles I will be writing on body armor and helmets. This article is geared toward the Law Enforcement community. However, the same principles apply for any organization that requires body armor as a part of their job description. 25 years ago this month, Rangers from Bravo … Read more
Ballistic Helmets, Construction, Testing, and Ratings
So, after one of my gear reviews, I received so much feedback, I decided to clarify/expound. It seems most end users are merely consumers. They want to give you their want as they see it, and they expect you to point their nose at an easily affordable product without any real regard to their needs. … Read more
Materials Used in Hard Armor
*Editor’s note: NiJ ratings do not consider 5.56 in classifications. If something is rated level III it will stop .308 but not necessarily 5.56/.223. Currently there are four common options for Level III plates: 5-6 mm steel (AR500/R50c/AR46100) plates: Level III steel plates offer a very thin profile, but are a bit heavier (6.5-7.5 lbs … Read more