What a way to make a living

[Mcwsky09]

I don't doubt that tests like this were done, but the target would have to have been the densest sort of fool, a candidate for the Darwin Award. By the way, I haven't seen the Darwin Award lists for 4 or 5 years.

Seems I remember reading about the guy who invented the "Second Chance" body armor traveling around the country allowing cops, etc. to shoot him wearing the vest. If so, he fits my earlier description.

I recall seeing that as well. Had to do it himself because even with his explicit approval and waiver of any liability no officer would pull he trigger for him. I believe also heard he stopped doing that particular demo. Not that you'd need to do it more than once in today's world of YouTube and such.
And I don't think he is a candidate for the Darwin Award or even a runner up. Sure there is some risk involved but it demonstrates a confidence in your product that is hard to beat.
On an overall risk level I would think that activities such as BASE jumping or free climbing cRry a greater inherent risk in that even when everything goes right in those activities you could still be injured or killed and the smallest malfunction could be disastrous.
In the case of a live test of body armor I think I would rather pull the trigger myself than have some one else do it one handed unsupported as shown in that picture. Sure there is some risk, even a higher level if risk than a day at the range. But manageable risk. Not saying I would want that job just that it is very different than grabbing a random vest and random handgun and saying what the hell it works in the movies.

 

[nawilson]

Perhaps the people who compiled it are no longer with us. I always thought that publicizing those stories was a good way to earn the furious enmity of the brighter relatives of the annual honorees. What a concept: Self-referential Metadarwin Awards.

I may be channeling the spirit of Rustin Cohle, but a self-organizing universe of multiple dimensions will always find a way to counteract the perceptions of those who would mock and disdain the actions of any of its constituent members. Electron, positron. Proton, anti-proton. Or something. I mean, like, who knows? Anybody got a Lone Star?

Strange. It feels like I have said that before. Or maybe will say it again. Am I having a flat-time experience? Or maybe, as Mr. Cohle acknowledged in a recent public utterance, I'm just insane.

Huhu... dude... right on...

 

[shouldazagged]

Gee, I suddenly feel so...existential...

 

[m&p9cguy]

Anybody got a Lone Star?

Must be a Thursday and it's past noon.LOL.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Nagant posted what I at first thought I was looking at.

 

[fat tom]

I used to say that A LOT! EVERYTIME I had to give a manual disimpaction.

f.t.

 

[Tired Gunsmith]

Mr. Davis was in New York City tryingto get the Police Department to adopt his body amor.
Our shop was in the building adjacent to NYC PD Equipment Bureau.
He wanted to "Rent" a gun to do his usual shooting at himself test.
Of course with the NY stringent gun controls I wouldn'/t furnish him any weapon.
I did though shoot at one of his vests atop a stack of telephone books.
.357 Mgnum 158 gr hollow point went 3/4 of theway through the vest, and broke two books severly. He never darkened NYC doorways again

 

[Jim Watson]

Stoegers used to (Shown in my 1939 reprint.) sell the Model II Super Armored Police Vest by the Elliott Wisbrod Light Armor Co.
It was rated to stop: .38-44, 9mm P, .45 ACP from 10" Thompson, and .38 Super.
Pictures of live demonstrations at the Chicago and Minneapolis PDs are shown.

The vest cost $75 when a .357 Magnum was $60.
It was available in blue gabardine or serge to match police uniforms and had faux buttons and watch chain like a regular suit vest.

 

[tlay]

Someone hold my sign!!!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Look! Up in the sky! Is it a bird? Is a plane? No, it's...

STUPORMAN!!!!!!!!!

Y'all just made my day.......my existential, enema flushing, star gazing day!!!!

***GRJ***