• Update – 12:30 PM EST
    Attachments are now working, and all members can once again upload files.
    We are currently testing URL redirects and other miscellaneous features across the site.
    Thank you for your continued patience and support during this migration.

    Prefer a darker look? You can switch between light and dark modes in your account settings:
    smith-wessonforum.com/account/preferences

Second Chance German Military Body Armor from Sportsmans Guide.

4

4864

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2006
Messages
1,057
Reaction score
54
Any one buy one or can tell me if this is a good buy? They state they are brand new and shipped right from Second Chance. I am wanting a vest for work. I am not LE any more and have lost track of what is good in body armor these days. Doing Contract Federal Security work and want just a basic vest. Thanks!

http://www.sportsmansguide.com.../cb/cb.aspx?a=604857
 
Danger Will Robinson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Level 1 vests haven't been made in decades. What this may be is (very) old ballistic panels being repackaged in knockoff carriers, with a minor possibility of new carriers (about $50). IIRC, level 1 was .22lr and .38 spl rated-when new. If the panels have been improperly stored, cleaned and/or subjected to wear that could have degraded the ballistic performance or sunlight, you're paying for a new carrier and no ballistic protection.

Pull up current Second Chance products and compare the carriers. I think you'll see differences between current production and what's in their catalog. I will conceed that if a large customer wanted a custom carrier, they'd probably get it.
 
WR Moore is right.

Level one is only rated for 22LR and 380, when it is brand new. Body armor is one thing, you should not scimp on. Buy the best and buy it often (most of the materials deteriate over time).
 
Good points folks. I did some looking around last night a found brand new Point Blank Level IIIA for $399. I just need to spend the money and get the right vest that could save my life if need be.
 
Armor is something you don't want to buy on price alone. Check the fit and what parts of your body it covers. Some Point Blank models used the same dies to cut front and back panels (saves on dies, material and patterns for carriers). You don't need a neck cut-out on your back and you may not need as large a cut-out on the front. keep all the important plumbing above the heart in mind.

Remember if you itemize, the armor is an employee business expense as safety equipment.

Also, if you take proper care of your armor, the 5 year replacement is only a suggestion by the ballistic fabric manufacturer, who will no longer warranty it after that time (and has a vested [no pun intended] interest in your buying armor. The last Second Chance save I saw advertised featured a 7 year old vest.

Note: it does dawn upon me that there were/are some despicably cheap cities that would only buy level 1 armor (in one case, front panels only!) for their cops. SFAIK, that didn't include the Bundeswehr.
 
Last edited:
Try Galls.com and shop their clearance section. The NIJ testing standard for armor recently changed, so armor certified to the old standard can sometimes be found on clearance. (Testing was amped up and velocity standards increased.)

I've used armor regularly since 1998. I've always purchased IIIA armor. Originally this was the hot ticket back when entry teams had MP5s, since IIIA did a good job stopping 9mm rounds at SMG velocities. It also reduced blunt trauma. The 5.7 FN, imports of large numbers of Tokes and Czech Model 52 pistols, and the .357 Sig have also contributed to the IIIA level becoming more or less standard.

You don't mention if you're doing domestic work or not. If you need non concealable armor with or without rifle plates, the Izzy Marom Dolphin rigs are about the cheapest thing out there that I'd take a chance on.

Usually the more you pay, the better the armor you get in terms of being light and comfy. My mid priced Second Chance IIIA (regular old Kevlar) that I got when I got married is hotter and stiffer than my old circa 98 Point Blank Hi Lite IIIA, but then it cost half as much.

Do you need armor certified to mil. blast standards? If those, that tends to cost more. A first line set of tac armor, ESAPI multi hit plates, and a nice carrier can be 3 to 5 grand.

For an acceptable concealable, eh... 400 to 1200.

For a basic Izzy rig, maybe 700 to 800.

I paired down my armor for a planned upgrade that didn't happen. I still have a Second Chance concealable and then I have my Izzy tac armor with Level IV plates.
 
I'd be very careful buying anything important from Sportsman's Guide. There are plenty of reputable companies selling body armor to choose from.
 
J. Galt said:
I'd be very careful buying anything important from Sportsman's Guide. There are plenty of reputable companies selling body armor to choose from.
Click to expand...

I've bought a lot of items from Sportsman's Guide. They have all been of very good quality, from radios to gun cases. That being said, I wouldn't trust my life to surplus body armor.
 
A little off topic, but:
What bothers me with current body armor is that manufacturers and dealers are very reluctant to tell you what fabrics are used in the construction. I've been through the Zylon failure/decertification debacle, then there were similar issues with Dyneema... in all honesty, I will only replace my current vest with one of the "traditional" Aramids: Kevlar or Twaron. It's a real pet peeve with me (okay, well beyond a pet peeve!) when I am checking web sites for major dealers and even manufacturers of body armor, and NOTHING in their descriptions tells you what the armor is made of!
 
Purveyors of military grade armor usually have a spec sheet available or online, it'll say what NIJ certification if any the panels had, whether it met frag standards, etc and also what the composition is. Try some of the tactical gear purveyors. Otherwise, contact a rep and tell them that your agency is thinking of making a purchase and you need a quote and a spec sheet. That will often pry one loose.

I can't remember, why was Dyneema going bad again, wearing out with friction or something? Part of the new NIJ certs involves... well fairly extensive wear and friction and abuse tests of armor.

Technically those Level One German vests are not conventional surplus. They were never used and apparently ship directly from the armor maker. That suggests that they had an order that got cancelled.

My guess? Somewhere in rural Germany someone made an error and somehow thought that they only needed armor good against the old .32 Walther PPs. Or else went with a low bid and someone found out and was irked. Thus they're on sale cheap.

You could use them as anti spall panels for dirt cheap level III steel rifle plates in a pinch. That or airsofting is about all I'd really want to do with them.
 
Thanks for the info folks. I was first thinking about these vets due to the price and the fact that they are brand new and shipped right from Second Chance. My plan was to put the steel and soft impact plates I have in it to add a bit more protection. I have a very old Second Chance and Point Blank vest at home that I wouldn't dare use as one has a 1982 date on it!!

When I was working for the local Sheriff's Department we too had to deal with the Zylon recall. I always thought they were a junk of a vest. A few Deputies had them fit like trash and curl up on the bottom. Up in the Jail we had a bunch of never used Second Chance Stab vests that we got for cell extraction use. After a new Sheriff came in we got full riot gear they just sat. I took one and was the only Detention Officer that worn a vest 24/7. They are a lot lighter to wear.

Back to my topic. I work as a Federal Contact Security Officer. I have been on the job over a year and nothing major has happened here being it is North Dakota. I know that doesn't mean nothing will ever happen and wearing this uniform is a big target. When I stop at places to and from work I get mistaken for a Police Officer a lot. I am going to get a Level IIIA vest now for sure. The Point Blank C Series seems to be what will fit my needs. Does any one know of a on-line dealer who sells US Armor vest??? The US Armor web page was of no help. Great looking vests and lots of info but can't find a place that sells them.
 
This line in their product description should say it all:
Intended for costume use only
Click to expand...
Since they sure aren't going to stand behind this product, you shouldn't be standing in it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top