What are the down sides and positives?
Thanks guys. Good points on AR500, so what should I look for in ceramic armor?
Another question is sizing- I'm a freaking runt, so how do I figure out the right size plates, or doesn't it really matter?
Thanks guys. Good points on AR500, so what should I look for in ceramic armor?
Another question is sizing- I'm a freaking runt, so how do I figure out the right size plates, or doesn't it really matter?
Re: SAPI size
You do not want and have no need for Level IV plates. Forget they exist.
Truth.
The ONE caveat to the Lvl III to rule them all (CONUS) advisory-be sure the plate in question can also stop M855 (or M193 if it's steel). The inclusion of this threat in the testing of a LvlIII plate (hence the "LvlIII+" you see) is growing more common, but it is still a potential gotcha.
By the way-testing. Testing is NOT some jackass on youtube blasting away at a plate with XM193 with whatever AR he has handy.
If you're at all in doubt, ask who tested/certified the plate, and the protocol used. While testing certificates can be hard to get (as a civvy), most firms will at least tell you the testing lab, and the protocol used.
I've been having this issue with Velocity Systems in relation to their P34 Lvl III/ IV ICW plates which are what I currently have. I may be a window-licking nobody but I'm not stupid enough to think that they haven't tested it at least in development. When I talked to one of their guys several times I was flat out told a couple of times that they can't say if it was ever tested against 5.56 threats but that it is only certified for the six shots of 7.62 M80 or one shot of 7.62x63 M2 AP when backed with their Lvl III soft armor. I don't particularly care what it's certified for as many of those certifications are so narrow as to not mean much in relation to the plethora of ballistic threats out there.
It's not terribly helpful or endearing to somebody who's trying to figure out if their gear needs to be replaced with something better.
Ek
You do not want and have no need for Level IV plates. Forget they exist.