Nanotube armor. I will have to look that up. Sounds Hi Tech.

http://www.ar500armor.com/ar500-arm...e-iiia-soft-body-armor.html#.U15fpu29Kc0

Here randy

I already checked it out Mike. Thanks for the info though. How is school doing?

I just took two finals one to go

I've owned Level IV ICW (In Conjuction With) ceramic plates, Level IV SA (Stand Alone) ceramic plates, and I've owned AR500 steel based plates. The ceramic was nice, but coated steel is more resistant to cracking due to drops, etc. Plus its "multi-hit". I also didn't notice a big difference in weight between a 1.125" thick ceramic plate and .375" thick steel plate.

I currently use plates from www.thetargetman.com

The coating he uses is very good, and actually resists "hit splatter". Watch videos online before buying an uncoated plate. You will get splattered!

Just as important as the plate is the carrier. A poor quality and poor fitting carrier will get left at home.

I've used:

- Eagle Industries (with and without soft armor)
- HSGI (plates only but with built in mag pouches)
- London Bridge Trading (plates only)
- Others

The HSGI fits poorly in my opinion, and the bottom of the WeeSatch wore where it rubbed against my belt. HSGI has top notch service and replaced it for free, but it still fit like a burlap sack.

The Eagle felt higher quality than the LBT, but the LBT fit me better.

Plan on spending $150+ on your carrier.

ETA: plates are heavy, uncomfortable and make you generally miserable. You'll need to train with them on or you're going to get hurt by the restricted range of motion they create.

You should wear it all the time. Train like you fight and fight like you train. Your plate carrier should have your mags attached directly to it. If you want a light weight set up - build a Battle Belt with (3) rifle + (2) hg mags. The belt can be used in conjunction with the plate carrier.

Weight is always an issue. This is regardless of age and physical conditioning. More weight on other crap = less ammo and water. More ammo and water = longer life span.

I'm not preaching at you - I've just been doing this for 30 years and have a few hard earned lessons to share.

+1 On everything Architect said. I wear my carrier on a regular basis I also have the pack plate that I carry everyday to work, at first it was noticeable now I don't even feel it anymore.

Amen to Arch's post and yup, if you wear/use/carry something all the time it gets where you don't even notice it until you need it.

So true; that's why I'm always packing my S&W and a knife.

Passed my CCW class. Just ordered a gcode incog for carry. Can't wait to apply for my license.

Congrats!

I've had a carry license since 1992. If your experience is like mine...


At first you're going to love having a gun on you. You'll be tempted to "flash it" or "find trouble" - don't.

Next you'll go through a period of trying to find the perfect carry gun - you'll never find it and will end up with a battery of them that changes from time to time.

Lastly, you'll end up feeling naked without a handgun on you and the one with you the most will likely be something "puny" that you scoffed at in the beginning of the process.

This takes years.

ETA: This is a big responsibility. Don't be foolish (not that I think you are). The anti-gun crowd is always looking for their next "reason" to implement more draconian gun control measures. The fact that you need a "permit" to carry a handgun is more "reasonable restriction" than I want.

Thanks for the words of wisdom. Being my father is retired LEO I have respect for the responsibilities of carry.

I'm not happy about it but my first carry gun will be a g22. As soon as I can afford it I will down size to a smaller glock .40

I know I have many lessons ahead I just hope they are learned saflely