bullet proof vest

[WicKeD_WaYz]

Is there a difference between a flak jacket and a bullet proof vest? Can both of them stop a bullet? And if so which one is stronger? Are they expensive or hard to get?

If you could help me out that'd be awesome.

Oh and please dont ask why...just go with it.

[Army]

Bullet proof vest come in multiple levels of impact resistance.

Level 1 will stop very slow, low powered handgun rounds like the .25 ACP, but surprisingly NOT a .22 rimfire (.22's have a unique ability to slip past the special weave of the fabric and penetrate)

Levels go all the way up to level III-A+ that will stop .44 magnum and other very powerful handgun rounds...including the .22.

Soft vests will NOT stop ANY rifle ammunition. Those vest MUST have a trauma plate installed. These plates are usually of stee and ceramic plates (sandwiched together), that will spread the impact forces out over a greater area. So, vests are highly bullet RESISTANT, but not always bullet PROOF until built to do so. The vest I wear daily is 48lbs of Kevlar, ceramic/steel laminate armor, and ammo...and it will stop bullets and frag.

Flak (named for the WWII German Flakkannon of 88mm fame) vests are designed to spread the impact of a large piece of whirling, jagged red hot steel over a larger area, and prevent slicing. Flak vest are usually of steel plates inside a heavy fabric shell. They are NOT bullet proof, nor intended to be.

[fire1811]

so army do you know which police usually wear?
is there a federal SOP that requires them to wear one?

[Army]

so army do you know which police usually wear?
is there a federal SOP that requires them to wear one?

A smart cop will wear the best level III-A he/she can afford, if his department doesn't provide for him. There is no federal statute, since all police are operated by the city they are in. State Police are regulated by the state they are in, etc. Federal cops usually have department regulations on personal equipment.

Army gets what's issued.

[fire1811]

ahh thanks
just want sure if popo had any "guidelines" life the fire department does with NFPA codes

there no mandatory but if you get in trouble doing something and are not up to NFPA code your in trouble since that is usually what the courts see as a minimal requirement


Thanks

[oldsoldier]

Most departments either issue you a vest, or you can buy a top of the line one at a greatly discounted price. If you have an option, buy one. Its your life you're investing in.

[PyRo]

Some towns, cities, county require police to wear vests but I don't think any would stop you from wearing onf if you wanted.

[cphilip]

I found the realy good concealable ones top of the line III-a's are like anywhere from 700 to a grand each! The real good ones contoured comfy ones are anyway.... Cheapest III-a I found was almost 400 bucks.

I was going to think about getting one for my kid for Christmas... until I researched and saw those prices.... now I am going to tell him to dodge really fast!

[oldsoldier]

Good one phil!!!

[fire1811]

I found the realy good concealable ones top of the line III-a's are like anywhere from 700 to a grand each! The real good ones contoured comfy ones are anyway.... Cheapest III-a I found was almost 400 bucks.

I was going to think about getting one for my kid for Christmas... until I researched and saw those prices.... now I am going to tell him to dodge really fast!

lol

im surprised that they are that cheap
if i was a copper i would not have a problem spending a G on something that could save me.
just write it off

[Steelrat]

Bullet proof vest come in multiple levels of impact resistance.

Level 1 will stop very slow, low powered handgun rounds like the .25 ACP, but surprisingly NOT a .22 rimfire (.22's have a unique ability to slip past the special weave of the fabric and penetrate)

Levels go all the way up to level III-A+ that will stop .44 magnum and other very powerful handgun rounds...including the .22.

Soft vests will NOT stop ANY rifle ammunition. Those vest MUST have a trauma plate installed. These plates are usually of stee and ceramic plates (sandwiched together), that will spread the impact forces out over a greater area. So, vests are highly bullet RESISTANT, but not always bullet PROOF until built to do so. The vest I wear daily is 48lbs of Kevlar, ceramic/steel laminate armor, and ammo...and it will stop bullets and frag.

Flak (named for the WWII German Flakkannon of 88mm fame) vests are designed to spread the impact of a large piece of whirling, jagged red hot steel over a larger area, and prevent slicing. Flak vest are usually of steel plates inside a heavy fabric shell. They are NOT bullet proof, nor intended to be.

There is also level III and IV, which are capable of stopping the rifle cailber rounds. The trauma plates are III or IV, though you can also get big ol vests made of mard level IV armor.

Keep in mind that all vests have a "shelf life." They go bad after few years. A few officers were killed this year while wearing vests that had "expired" and suffered ballistic degradation of up to 25% because of it.

[Onryou]

I found the realy good concealable ones top of the line III-a's are like anywhere from 700 to a grand each! The real good ones contoured comfy ones are anyway.... Cheapest III-a I found was almost 400 bucks.

I was going to think about getting one for my kid for Christmas... until I researched and saw those prices.... now I am going to tell him to dodge really fast!

Look at is as any other protective gear. Looks expensive on the shelf but one you actually put it into use, you realize just how much you would have been willing to spend for the protection. When it comes to keeping me alive and safe, price is no object.

[cphilip]

... I just told him to wear his badge right over his heart and hope the guys a really good shot...

[Steelrat]

If he works for a PD, they really should be buying one for him.

[WicKeD_WaYz]

haha thanks guys. I dont have that much money though so I need to take a cheaper route I think. Ill find something though. Ebay is a good friend of mine.