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Body Armor

flynhigh
I was looking into buying body armor for motorcycle riding, the gun range and the just in case factor. I don't what to get into trouble buying the stuff though. There is a lot posted in the auction that seems to be military issue and I know that's a no no. How do I know what I can buy. I've been trying to search for the answer on net, can anyone help here? I'm in Montana.
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10 comments

Date Votes
  • flynhigh
    I have seen references to the protective level of body armor such as lvl IIa, lvl III, an level 4, what do these protection levels signify?

    Just out of curiosity, how much does a mid protection level vest go for?
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  • nmyers
    I just don't see where it is worthwhile.

    The Kevlar vests worn by LEO's will give protection against many pistol rounds, but offer little protection against rifle rounds. It's not very comfortable, especially in warm weather, & you will need to buy a larger size shirt & jacket to allow for additional bulk.

    Plus, it has limited shelf life, & also degrades from body fluids & washing.

    There is no federal law against possessing body armor, but some states/localities have restrictions on civilian ownership.

    I don't understand what hazards you expect to be protected against when riding a motorcycle. Your greatest threat will always be 4-wheelers.

    If you want to get really serious about personal protection, you have to move up to what the military uses: ceramic plate body armor.

    Neal
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  • ruger41
    For riding a motorcycle what about those vests you see the bullriders wearing on tv these days?
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  • goldeneagle76
    I just bought one for work from Galls. It is level IIIA and will handle up to and including a 44mag. Takes some getting used to but is not excessivly bulky. Their prices are very reasonable too. Check them out. As far as the legality, I didn't even check into that. I'm out to protect myself, the vest is not hurting anyone.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by flynhigh
    I was looking into buying body armor for motorcycle riding,

    Have you considered a helmet?

    quote:the gun range
    Have you considered frequenting a range where the shooters follow the rules of gun safety?

    quote:and the just in case factor.
    Have you considered hiring bodyguards instead, or just saying home?


    quote:
    I don't what to get into trouble buying the stuff though. There is a lot posted in the auction that seems to be military issue and I know that's a no no. Why not, so long as it hasn't been stolen?


    quote:How do I know what I can buy. I've been trying to search for the answer on net, can anyone help here? I'm in Montana.
    Kidding aside, as mentioned, most body armor is hot, bulky, not particularly comfortable to wear, not inexpensive, and has a limited shelf live (the Kevlar filaments inside degrade slowly over time and lose effectiveness).

    Most people who HAVE to wear it really don't enjoy doing so, far less so in hot climates.

    While I suppose there is nothing wrong with it, I think it practice you're going to find that you do NOT want to wear it everywhere you go, and you're going to end up leaving it at home.

    If you're really serious about this, check out Miguel Caballero, who might have something a little more "fitting" for your lifestyle:

    http://www.miguelcaballero.com/cms/front_content.php
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  • He Dog
    Dirtbike riders have jackets with articulated plates on the back, shoulders and elbows. If you put it down at 60 you had better be wearing leather all over, a helmet and carrying that rabbits foot. Kevlar is made to stop penetration, not abrasion, I have no idea how it would work for that. Yor biggest worries on a bike are getting a leg between the bike and a bumper and ending up under a car. I have a voided the first, but not the second. A vest would not have helped.

    If you need it at the gun range, you need to find a new range.
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  • gunnut505
    Sorta ditto to what HEDOG said, but we all know about our local "Home of the Accidental Discharge"-Calibers Indoor Shooting Range, where a rather portly woman was engaged in unlimbering her .22 auto with the Serbian Chamber Check-you know, rack slide, pull magazine, point any which way and pull trigger. She did it TWICE in about 15 minutes, and wound up with a through-and-through in her left thigh, and a small hole in her foot.
    Not to disparage those that choose to buy and wear protective apparel in case of scenarios like this one, but a vest wouldn't have helped her either.
    Most vests will shred and crumple when taken to asphalt at speeds over 35mph, no matter what kind of carrier it's in; but if a nice leather jacket is worn over the vest when you go down; you stand a better chance of being able to walk away from that non-4wheeler mixup.
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  • frisky-maddog
    if your looking for protection from flying objects from the road. buy a good leather jacket it will stop the rocks and the occasional bird but not a bullet and it is alot better if you happen to get in an accident. the leather will take the abuse of sliding on roads no matter what the surface. i know the sliding on the road because of what happened to me and no road rash where the leather was but ate right through the jeans so now i wear my leathers all the time while riding.
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  • Splaz
    I like all your responses. However, I'm going with Flynhigh. Sure, its not likely you'll get shot at a the shooting range, crash on your motorcycle, or a just in case. But in that 10% window that you do encounter one of those things, I think it's worth it to have a solid backup plan. Like the boy scouts say "always be prepared".

    Golden eagle is right, you're not hurting anybody with armor. Federal laws should trump state and local laws unless the Fed's leave it up to the state to decide. I think body armor falls into one of those gray areas.

    I just bought http://www.bluedefense.com/body-armor/concealable-body-armor/the-ballistic-cool-mesh-t-shirt.html

    it's extremely cool, NIJ certified, and quick on and off. It literally looks like I'm not wearing anything special when worn under my dress shirt or tshirt.

    Also, do not buy used armor. Body armor has a typical life span of 5 years before the material starts to degrade in performance. One of the many caveats I found while researching. Good luck.
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  • mark christian
    I have just the place for you:

    http://www.miguelcaballero.com

    I ran across these folks down in Colombia and they make a full line of bullet resistant motorcycling clothes as well as standard body armor. It is all NIJ certified and with most of their riding gear it is impossible to tell that it is body armor.
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