What vest do you wear?

[Recontech]

my issued vest is a:

Second Chance Superfeatherlite
Level II

With following plates:

(From outside going inward)

Armor Pac - Level II
T-15 Titanium Plate
K-30 Steel Plate
Softpac trauma pac

[Resq14]

my issued vest is a:

Second Chance Superfeatherlite
Level II

With following plates:

(From outside going inward)

Armor Pac - Level II
T-15 Titanium Plate
K-30 Steel Plate
Softpac trauma pac

Do you have back problems yet from all those plates??? :eek: :p

[Cerberusdog]

my issued vest is a:

Second Chance Superfeatherlite
Level II

With following plates:

(From outside going inward)

Armor Pac - Level II
T-15 Titanium Plate
K-30 Steel Plate
Softpac trauma pac

No cr*p. You have more plates than my dining room hutch.

We are getting ready to switch to a Safariland Zero-G level IIIA with external carrier (sweet). In fact, I have to go after shift to the contractor today to get measured/cut.

[Recontech]

Actually, its not too bad, I probably wouldn't wear so many vests if I had a Level III, but for some wierd reason my dept went with Level II.

In fact, I actually wanted a K30 plate on the back too...

I have also been thinking of grabbing a Zero-G level III vest but i gotta buy it myself...

[ke4gde]

Anyone heard of Dragon Skin (http://www.pinnaclearmor.com/body-armor/sov.php)? I have heard great things here and there. Any thoughts? Comments? Much appreciated.

[Redders]

does anybody know what the price is on the dragon skin? My dept is getting ready to issue a couple of the guys new vests.

[Warhorse]

I'm currently fighting with Galls and Point Blank about getting my Zylon Armor (that I purchased) replaced after the NIJ de-certified it, and have been getting nothing but a run around.
I've been measured for new armor (now supplied by the department), that is made by Gator Hawk. This stuff is Level IIIA, custom fit, super light and flexible. The vendor I'm going through also supplies a custom fit external carrier along with the under-shirt carriers. Should have it in 3-5 weeks.

[jerrymaccauley]

my issued vest is a:

Second Chance Superfeatherlite
Level II

With following plates:

(From outside going inward)

Armor Pac - Level II
T-15 Titanium Plate
K-30 Steel Plate
Softpac trauma pac
Kinda defeats the purpose of a featherweight vest, don't you think?

[Da Po-po]

I have one of the Second Chance Tri-Flex IIA vests. I added a Safariland hard trauma plate once upon a time. The thing is about 5 years old, so I have no idea if it would stop a BB gun or not. I wear it anyhow... any protection is better than nothing.

[dgm918]

Safariland Matrix. Level 2

[DOAcop38]

I have one of the Second Chance Tri-Flex IIA vests. I added a Safariland hard trauma plate once upon a time. The thing is about 5 years old, so I have no idea if it would stop a BB gun or not. I wear it anyhow... any protection is better than nothing.


What type of duty weapon do you carry? IIA is decent against .38 up to 158 gr SJHP and is fair for a couple of hits by 9mm 115 gr JHP ,even 230 gr .45,but multi hits is pushing your luck.Several months ago I went thru a 16 hr transition class from my beretta 92 FS (9mm) to my current Glock 22 ( .40 cal).We had a 7 yr old ABA IIA vest and shot the crap out of it! barely stopped 2 out of 5 .40 cal rds @ 15 yds( and we're talking just to the last 3 layers of the vest).If you're Dept isn't cash strapped or you have your own tucked away funds,get at least a level II vest and add the trauma plate you like- I still use a 5"x 8"titanium plate covered in kevlar in front and back panel pockets-I also have a IIIA which I use in my raid vest which can carry the heavier ceramic plates(never know,huh?).If your Dept hasn't replaced your vest and it should be replaced every 5 yrs,take it up with your POA or PBA (grievance under unsafe work conditions)Glad to hear that you at least wear yours-far too many "John Waynes and Jane Waynes" don't,but still go out on patrol........

[DOAcop38]

I'm currently fighting with Galls and Point Blank about getting my Zylon Armor (that I purchased) replaced after the NIJ de-certified it, and have been getting nothing but a run around.
I've been measured for new armor (now supplied by the department), that is made by Gator Hawk. This stuff is Level IIIA, custom fit, super light and flexible. The vendor I'm going through also supplies a custom fit external carrier along with the under-shirt carriers. Should have it in 3-5 weeks.

Is that the same as the spectra shield stuff of the mid '90s? supposedly their was a problem with spectra shield too-I guess plain old kevlar saves the day!

[pumpkin]

I'm wearing my old PACA w/soft trauma plate while I wait for the replacement Zero G for the Zero G that was decertified (Zylon) during manufacture. Zero G will have both soft trauma and stab plates.

Safariland rep has been awesome. :)

[squad51]

PACA IIIA vest :)

[Bing_Oh]

PACA?!?! Ewwww! Possibly the most uncomfortable vest I ever wore was a PACA. Loved my Second Chance, but it's gone now...decertified with the great zylon debacle. We went with PPI ArmorLite LFT's...no opinion yet, as they're VERY new still.

[Warhorse]

Is that the same as the spectra shield stuff of the mid '90s? supposedly their was a problem with spectra shield too-I guess plain old kevlar saves the day!

Spectra shield is used in hand armor(gloves) to prevent needle sticks and cuts when searching prisoners. Zylon was made in Japan and was found to degrade more rapidly than expected. That's why the NIJ de-certified it.

[DOAcop38]

Good to know- and makes me wonder- some of these companies use ballistic products out of foreign makers-particularly some of the stuff coming from Japan,south Africa,former soviet bloc, and even Israel (there was a stink about some Isreali made ballistic vests that weren't up to standard some time ago).I asked about the spectra shield stuff still being on the market 'cause I hads a level II vest around '95 (shortly) that was all spectra shield- it was thinner,but stiffer in some areas( and supposedly subject to degradation under wet conditions and sunlight)-I've had ABA IIA,U.S. body armor II, and Second Chance-glad to have second chance- both monarch series in IIIA and level II-now wear only the level II with front and back titanium trauma plates

[Bill]

I'm currently using a Zero-G, IIA/Level 3 stab , with a 5x8 ballistic shock plate. I just ordered a Monarch +P+, IIIA/Level 3 stab.

[DOAcop38]

let me guess- you're at least 5'11" to 6'02", and btwn180-240 -LOLOLOL!!! I'm 6'03 ,and 250 lb,and all I hear from my jr officers (most are barely 5'9",160 in boots and gear) is that the level IIIA vest is too "HEAVY"- they all go for the thinnest ,lightest vests possible-they all seem to care about looking sleek or being sweaty,rather than being protected.sure some of the more advanced synthetics are strong and are adequate stoppers,but blunt impact force can KILL just as easily as penetration of the rd-then again no matter what vest you have,nothing beats a solid concrete curb,a thick tree or ,or a solid brick bldg side for cover!

[Hutch]

I wear a safariland Zero-g IIIA with a soft trauma plate... It is the most comfortable vest I have worn... In the AZ 115f+ heat that vest was nice. Plus since a carry a .40 cal, it will stop my own gun! Which could be handy...

I would like move towards the outer vest.. I hear those are even better for comfort!

[Warhorse]

let me guess- you're at least 5'11" to 6'02", and btwn180-240 -LOLOLOL!!! I'm 6'03 ,and 250 lb,and all I hear from my jr officers (most are barely 5'9",160 in boots and gear) is that the level IIIA vest is too "HEAVY"- they all go for the thinnest ,lightest vests possible-they all seem to care about looking sleek or being sweaty,rather than being protected.sure some of the more advanced synthetics are strong and are adequate stoppers,but blunt impact force can KILL just as easily as penetration of the rd-then again no matter what vest you have,nothing beats a solid concrete curb,a thick tree or ,or a solid brick bldg side for cover!

Not even close.. I'm the same size as you are..LOL Heavy was the first 2nd Chance vest I bought in 1980. The new IIIA stuff is featherlite compared to that first vest. But I'm still around.
Some of the "kids" wonder how I can carry a Glock 21 or a Smith 645 cause they're all carrying 9mm's, until I hold up one of my paws.

[pumpkin]

PACA?!?! Ewwww! Possibly the most uncomfortable vest I ever wore was a PACA.

I usually forget I'm wearing the PACA...much more comfortable than my old Army flak (usually forgot I was wearing it, too). I have had a few occasions of wearing the PACA for 40+ hours straight and although it's still relatively comfortable at the end, I'm soooo happy to take it off (actually the t shirt under it). :eek: :rolleyes:

I have worn a few other vests in training and found that comfort is directly related to fit... a good-fitting heavy/stiff vest beats a poorly-fitting lightweight/flexible one any day. :D

[keith758]

"Extreme ZX' which is lighweight, comfortable and protects me from my own weapon. (.40)

[DOAcop38]

Some of the "kids" wonder how I can carry a Glock 21 or a Smith 645 cause they're all carrying 9mm's, until I hold up one of my paws.


..Ditto ,alterate between my Glock 22 AND 21, AND CARRY MY"LTTLE" beretta 8045 (.45 cal) for off duty "work".Since you are "like" me you know that big guys are big targets and that so called "heavy" IIIA vest makes a difference if you happen to end up a "target"-plus the local gangsters all have a habit of trying to get what the police are carrying,and we are finding more glocks ,sigs, in .40 cal and .45 cal. as well as mini-14s and AR-15s

[Phoenix]

Safariland Zero-G, Gold level IIIA, white carriers. I sweat my @$$ off during the Florida summers but I guess sweating is better than bleeding.

[Evil Cartman]

1. Soft Trauma Pac

2. Hard Trauma Plate - T15 Insert

3. Second Chance IIa vest