Ballistic vests

[msphunter]

What brand and style do you think is the best? I am looking at a level II or IIIA.

[cajuncop]

Every year our department accepts bids from different manufactors to buy vests. It so happened that 3 years ago when I received mine, I was issued a Safariland Level II vest.

I honestly wouldn't reccommend that vest to anyone. It is bulky, hot, rides up on the sides, and the carrier tore on the bottom rear panel on both carriers.

Some officers in our department have been issued Second Chance body armor. Everyone that I know that has one, has yet to say anything bad about it.

Our department is again in the market to purchase new ones, and is looking at PACA body armor with the optional "cool packs" to help control heat, cold, etc.



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Make it a point. You and your partner WILL survive and go home and the end of your shift.

Let the lawyers fight it out later . . .

[John from Maryland]

My experience jibes with cajuncop's: you don't hear a lot of complaints from officers who wear Second Chance. Second Chance also produces a variety of vests to fit different price ranges. The armor is still rated the same; the difference is in weight and flexibility.

One thing I would look for is a vest that is both ballistic resistant and stab resistant. To my knowledge, Second Chance and First Choice Armor are the only companies marketing these vests in concealment versions, though I'm sure other manufacturers will follow. While these vests cost more than standard vests, I think the added protection is worth the price.

Be wary of hidden costs. They may charge you extra for a second carrier or if you're a XXL copper. Some of the companies offer these extended warrantees (longer than five years), but you may have to send the best back for refurbishing every few years. My owb recommendation, by the way, is to replace the vest every five years even if the manufacturer says it will last longer.

Several of our officers have followed my lead in purchasing a Reliance vest. My vest did have those hidden costs. That's not the salesperson's fault; I didn't know what questions to ask. The vest is comfortable, but in retrospect, I would have spent the extra money on a stab/ballistic resistant Second Chance.

Our current issue vest is Progressive Technologies. Did I mention that several of us purchased a different vest?

[Sotex]

I'm currently using an ABA Exteme II. Much more comfortable than the Safariland at last dept. No experience w/Second Chance.

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God, I love my job!-Porthos

[PeteBroccolo]

The RCMP did not issue Soft Body Armour (SBA) until about 1983.
I got married in 1980 and late that year I and several other members bought our own SBA. We bought Second Chance, the old white t-shirt style that was worn under our shirts.
The first type of SBA issued by the RCMP was worn under our shirts, and we had the choice of either white, or grey (to match our uniform shirts), coloured carriers (with the 6 velcro straps). It was made by Sainthill Levine.
That SBA was replaced in 1995/1996 with one made by Barday (now Aegis, I think). They were still worn under our uniform shirts, but the carrier only came in grey.
About 1998/1999, we were issued external (over-the-shirt) carriers which feature 2 velcro-closing bellows breast pockets (one with a flip-out ID flap, consisting of an RCMP cloth shoulder patch and a grey reflective "Police" strip), 2 shoulder "D" rings (for radio microphone or cell phone) and some weird plastic strips attached to the bottom of the back and front panels. The outer surface of the panels is dark blue and the inner lining is grey, so it is VERY obvious that we are wearing SBA when we wear them!
The change in SBA was made when we changed from carrying S&W Model 10 .38 Special revolvers with +P ammunition to S&W Model 5946 9mm revolvers with the Ranger SXT (Black Talon) ammunition.
Wearing of SBA is NOT mandatory and we are NOT covered by OH&S regulations.

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P. D. (Pete) Broccolo, Constable
#32936 - RCMP Weyburn, Saskatchewan

[Pugzly]

Second Chance all the way. I'm on my third vest, and I wouldn't wear anything else. My older vests weren't really retired, with the panels of one being installed in a Safariland FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR carrier for range time. Another set of panels were installed in a Second Chance quilted carrier that I use when doing surveillance work.

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"If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. That

[Delta_V]

Does anyone know whether or not those PACA temperature control inserts will fit into Safariland vests? If so, are they worth it?

[cajuncop]

Originally posted by PatrickM98:
Does anyone know whether or not those PACA temperature control inserts will fit into Safariland vests? If so, are they worth it?


They are shaped similar to Safariland, so I imagine that they would fit. As for as comfort, we have a select few officers that tried them, and loves 'em. Our department is going with the PACA with the cool inserts. Hopefully these Luziana summers will be a bit more managable.


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Make it a point. You and your partner WILL survive and go home and the end of your shift.

Let the lawyers fight it out later . . .

[Delta_V]

Reference the cool inserts:

How thick are they? My Safariland vest is pretty thick as it is, and I don't really want to add too much more to it. Just wondering, as I've seen them advertised in the Galls catalog but it doesn't list a thickness.

[msphunter]

What do you think the best model is? Is it always the most expevsive model? Whatlevel are you using?

[SemperFi]

I don't have the cooling inserts, but wear a PACA Level 11 with soft truama plate. Good gear and good folks. They used to be about six miles from our jail, too bad they moved to another county. They really care about LEOs.

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LEO and Smoke Eater
Former Marine

[cajuncop]

Originally posted by msphunter:
What do you think the best model is? Is it always the most expevsive model? Whatlevel are you using?

I reccommend getting a vest that would protect you against the size of weapon that you'll be carrying as your service weapon.

For me, I wear a Safariland Level II and carry a Glock 22 (.40 cal) with Winchester Ranger 180 gr. SXT ammo.


Oh and stay with a soft trauma plate if at all possible.

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Make it a point. You and your partner WILL survive and go home and the end of your shift.

Let the lawyers fight it out later . . .

[This message has been edited by cajuncop (edited 06-20-2001).]

[cajuncop]

Originally posted by PatrickM98:
Reference the cool inserts:

How thick are they?

Not really sure, but the officers that wear them in our department says that it's not a factor. I can say this, I haven't been able to tell the difference from an officer that is and isn't wearing a "cool insert".



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Make it a point. You and your partner WILL survive and go home and the end of your shift.

Let the lawyers fight it out later . . .

[John from Maryland]

msphunter, ballistic vests are like computers. There's always going to be a better model coming along.

As cajuncop mentioned, you want something that will stop your duty load. I personally would pay extra for stab resistance. You need to decide how much coverage you want (e.g.: full wrap versus contour). After that, the issues are comfort,cost, and convenience. A local cop shop that markets Brand X vest at a reasonable cost may prove easier to deal with than searching for the mythic perfect vest.

Off hand, I'd say go with Second Chance. They offer a variety of vests at varying costs. Good luck and be safe.

[Mark THG]

I was told yesterday that next week our department is being custom fitted for vests.
The "100" club in houston is donating the vests to our department.
We are getting point blank vests. I'm not sure of the model or protection level, but I'm told they only donate the top of the line vest. These vest are donated to the individual officer not the department. We get to keep them. I think it's cool!

[copfish]

My Department is looking at replacing the older vests (3+ years old) with the Safariland Zero-G Platinum ($800+ in level II). The older Safarilands were uncomfortable and poorly stiched. The Zero-G is a whole new ballgame. Go by an Authorized Dealer and check it out. BTW, I am wearing a Second Chance now (paid extra to supplier instead of the Safariland), fits great and not bad even in 100 degree heat.

[PeteBroccolo]

Originally posted by msphunter:
What brand and style do you think is the best? I am looking at a level II or IIIA.
Again, thankfully I have rarely faced a threat like you will most likely face, or as many of the people here on this forum have apparently faced over the years, but one word of advice I will pass onto you - MAKE SURE YOU WEAR YOUR BODY ARMOUR EVERY SHIFT AND SHAME ANY OTHER LEO THAT DOESN'T DO SO INTO DOING SO!

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P. D. (Pete) Broccolo, Constable
#32936 - RCMP Weyburn, Saskatchewan

[unhappycop]

Originally posted by PeteBroccolo:
...but one word of advice I will pass onto you - MAKE SURE YOU WEAR YOUR BODY ARMOUR EVERY SHIFT AND SHAME ANY OTHER LEO THAT DOESN'T DO SO INTO DOING SO!



Very good advice. I purchased my own vest as the ones issued by the NSWP are entirely impractical.

One night I was working in a suit and tie and decided not to wear it because my shirt was a bit snug. This was the night a perp tried to shoot me at point blank with my issue Glock 22 .40 cal following a struggle, after a high speed pursuit. I can't go into too much detail, but there you go...