New member here and have a question about vests

[Gnfanatic]

hey guys, love the forum and been reading a lot of posts. I am going to be wearing a Level 3 vest made by Point Blank for work. I noticed they sell Titanium plates for the front or back of it which will make it capable of taking some rifle rounds and stop anyone from stabbing me. Some people have told me that the bullet can ricochet off the plate and take your chin off. Others use the plates. Whats your opinion on this?? I thought if you put the plate behind the Kevlar the bullet could not ricochet, am I wrong??

Thanks!!

 

[ordy]

Don't know anything about vests but wanted to welcome you to the forum. Maybe some of the law enforcement guys will be along to give their input.

 

[GLV]

Call Rich Davis--he knows more about vest than anyone I know.

 

[adwjc]

Look at this way, if you're wearing a vest, and someone with a rifle hits you, his subsequent shots will eliminate the worry of injuring your chin.

You know what a failure/vest drill is? So do they. The next shot is to the head, so you need a helmet too.

Seriously, just stick with the level III. Your best chance of success is to wear it everyday.

BTW, the most recent stabbing incidents I heard of, the assailants went for the neck.

 

[sierra255]

I wore a plate in my body armor from the moment I first was issued one. In fact, I also put a soft inner plate over the metal plate that gave me even more protection and it also deflected edge weapon strikes. Your post does not mention what line of work you do, or if the armor is issued or it is a private purchase.

Corrections Officers have protective armor levels for edged weapon attacks and police on the street have certain levels of protection. The bottom line is the plate makes the vest heavier, but I know officers who have taken a direct hit on the plate and it saved their butt. Also, make sure your vest has side wrap around protection and meets today's standards.. All the best to you..

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

you didn't go by the moniker gecko45 in a past life did you???

 

[rwsmith]

Welcome

A Hound Dawg Howdy from SC. Sorry but I don't know nuthin about vests, except the pocket watch variety.

 

[Mickey D]

you didn't go by the moniker gecko45 in a past life did you???

Or Gatorfarmer?

 

[peyton]

I welcome you to the forum, my only advise is to try several on for size, sit bend, twist and see how it feels. Also check on washing capability, they get dirty fast. We had to do a series of movements to make sure our Army body armor "fit" and did not cut off leg circulation while sitting with it on.

 

[Gnfanatic]

Thanks guys, appreciate the posts. I will be working in some parts of NYC as a leo that are not the most safest. I am worried more about stabbings then rifle. Yes they can go for the neck and eye but I was thinking one less thing to worry about knowing my heart and lungs are protected??