I have no exp with body armor, but in my mind, if it saves my life, who cares.

One of the advantages of AR500 is it has no set lifespan. Most body armor starts breaking down over time but steel obviously doesn't. It's an advantage for me when it's one of those investments you hope you never need to really use but if you do you want to know it's still good even if it's 20 years down the road.

exactly my thoughts

If you buy ar500 don't take off the protecting spall coat because that is what is helping stop the spalling. Also if you buy it try dipping it in truck bed coating it can help catch the fragments when the bullet hits.

The spall coating on it is basically bed coating from what I understand.

whats the dif between level 3, 3+, and 3A again?

I would just save up and buy some HESCO plates though. There lighter and won't send bullet fragments into your neck and head.

I think you are right on the coating possibly being bed liner.

does hesco have a lifetime?

3A is for pistol calibers, 3 is for most rifles, 3+ technically doesn't exist but is usually for advanced threats like armor piercing rifle rounds. Level 4 is more for anti material rifles which I don't really fear.

thx bro

I will probably just go for level 3 because I want a plate for my backpack, which typically has inches worth of books and notes in it anyways

the odds that someone even gets a rifle into a school building or college class without getting caught seems slim anyways.

Hesco does have any expiration date (5-7 years I think) but they are lighter and catch the bullet instead of sending the shards everywhere.

do ya'll think I should go with a flat plate for a backpack?

good point bradyn. shrapnel is certainly nasty

Backpack, flat would probably be fine

Saves a few bucks

im not so concerned with the price. I just want whats most comfortable/practical.

Yeah I've gotten lead stuck in my arm before from steel target plates it hurts like hell.

https://shop.opticsplanet.com/premier-body-armor-vertx-gamut-2-0-11-x18-level-iiia-bulletproof-backpack-insert.html?_iv_code=3PE-BPA-BBPI1-BPP-9084&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiA-_L9BRBQEiwA-bm5fmRVuwyAFJTP9ZZ4Vh82RwEl0xXIurodIu-l2MZuMTCR2l4I-s1CshoCasMQAvD_BwE

I would get this for a backpack.

Steel armor or just a steel plate? The spall coats are meant to stop most of bullet fragments.

But they don't always work the bullet tends to just slight between the plate and the coating then come out into your arms, legs, or neck.

I guess this is a no-go for civies?

https://www.cheaperthandirt.net/premier-body-armor-vertx-gamut-checkpoint-backpack-panel-12x19.5-level-iiia-black/TAC-930-081.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA-_L9BRBQEiwA-bm5ftreBk7Mxlkm7Rz96hLEZadJUkf4UkNuLJR9mNgsYHYBLk0iFOdzCxoCAQYQAvD_BwE

That's the problem with lots of body armor companies.

Sorry bad link.

Yeah for hesco armor I would buy it from t-rex arms I have heard they are a good company that stands behind there products.

has any one thought about putting a steal lip on their plates to catch or deflect spawling?

https://www.trex-arms.com/store/Hesco-L210-Special-Threat-Plate-Set/
It would have to be thick steel and would just add weight in the end.

I guess so. :/

Yeah besides good military grade plates aren't that much more.

https://www.ar500armor.com/spall-frag-tests

Obviously you have to take with a big grain of salt considering it's their own company doing this but it seems like they changed their coat at some point from the harder bed coat to a new design.

Nice guide bradyn..it helps

Glad I could help. More patriotic Americans with armor the better.

Hesco plates are pretty good IMO

The thing with ar500 is that it isn't NIJ certified either so the military and law enforcement won't use it which is a big turn off for me personally.

I know the Level 4 AR500 is NIJ.