Side Panels on Body Armor

[survivalshop]

  Are they worth it , if buying new Armor ? I know they will help & be worth a lot if something comes in that direction , but are they worth the extra weight & restricted mobility ?

 

 Up front , I have no experience wearing Body Armor .

[392heminut]

If you're talking about soft armor then I would have to say yes the side panels are worth it. When I started the PD in 1980 ballistic vests didn't have side panels. When they started making the wrap around type with the side coverage I switched over and never regretted it, even here in the desert. IMHO, there wasn't a noticeable difference in weight or mobility. Now, if you're referring to the plate type armor then I have no clue.

[survivalshop]

 I'll have to look , but I think they are add on plates .

[blue109]

agree with hemi. if you are talking soft armor, I'm pretty sure most modern stuff wraps around. if you are talking about hard armor, as long as its ceramic or kevlar it won't add much discomfort. I've only strapped a piece of steel to myself once in a friends carrier, but that was enough. screw that heavy hunk of crap.

if you are going to have armor, you might as well have side protection or it kinda defeats the purpose. you don't plan on getting shot, but if you do you certainly don't get to choose where it hits you. you might need to move some stuff around on your belt, but that's all (I run my mag holder horizontal or my vest catches on it and bugs me)

ETA disclaimer: I'm skinny-ish. that may make a difference in my experience.

Edited January 24, 2015 by blue109

[planeflyer21]

Skinny-ish.   <laughs>

[crimsonfalcon07]

Gotta say, I'm loving the AR500 carbonfiber nanotube stuff.  It's super light (around a pound per plate), but still has multi-hit capability against pistol rounds.  And it's flexible too.

[98Z5V]

Side plates and side armor pay for themselves in a couple different ways:  if you fukk up and don't face (square off to) your target and get hit, or if you have so many motherfuckers shooting at you from a bunch of directions...

 

They cover vitals - very important vitals.  soft side inserts in a vest, you'll never notice.  Side plates you'll notice at first, and then you get used to them quickly - never noticed after that.  You can fit yourself into some very weird positions in a hurry sometimes, and you'll notice it then, but that that point you'd have other more pressing things on your mind to contend with.

 

There are companies out there that make add-ons, too - you can convert some carriers later. 

 

Bottom line - they're very well worth it.  <thumbsup>

[planeflyer21]

They cover vitals - very important vitals.

 

:yup:

[survivalshop]

Side plates and side armor pay for themselves in a couple different ways:  if you fukk up and don't face (square off to) your target and get hit, or if you have so many motherfuckers shooting at you from a bunch of directions...

 

They cover vitals - very important vitals.  soft side inserts in a vest, you'll never notice.  Side plates you'll notice at first, and then you get used to them quickly - never noticed after that.  You can fit yourself into some very weird positions in a hurry sometimes, and you'll notice it then, but that that point you'd have other more pressing things on your mind to contend with.

 

There are companies out there that make add-ons, too - you can convert some carriers later. 

 

Bottom line - they're very well worth it.  <thumbsup>

 

 

 I figured as much ,but with my lack of knowledge on the subject , I had to ask . I'm looking at MechArmor Defense Systems Plate carrier with their Ceramic Plates & he is out of the side panel plates . I wanted the complete system with side plate , so I may just order the it & wait till the side plates come in or just wait till they get them in .

  I talked to Van yesterday & he has some new products coming shortly . He said he is making their charging handle (TacOps 1) for the Gen.II DPMS , a drop in trigger system for the AR platform & a few other things .

[edgecrusher]

Adding to the armor topic, training with armor is important to. Your shooting stance and the way you move is changed to maximize the armour's effectiveness. I have both, soft for work, hard for a very bad day, and you will notice a huge difference in weight. My duty rig for work adds about 30lbs, belt/armor. The bad day rig is SAAPI plates, and loaded for bear is around 45lbs.

It's hard on the knees till you are used to it or pt to prepare.

[planeflyer21]

Adding to the armor topic, training with armor is important to. 

 

Yup. Our group had a training recently.  One guy was talking about the armor he wasn't wearing and was asked "Where is your armor?"

He said "In my truck...it's unconfortable."

 

So is a bullet.

[survivalshop]

  I figured it world have some weight & luckily for me I don't have to wear any type of Armor daily . I am more worried about any kind of Ban on Armor & the climate through out the world & I think I have put it off for too long .

   I can put down my Alice Web gear & go to MOLLE , which after watching some Videos , looks like a cool set up .

  Old dog , new tricks . I think I will order the Carrier kit this week & wait for the side panels .  If I need it before I get the side panels , I'll just keep my Enemies in front of me !   <lmao>

[survivalshop]

Yup. Our group had a training recently.  One guy was talking about the armor he wasn't wearing and was asked "Where is your armor?"

He said "In my truck...it's unconfortable."

 

So is a bullet.

 

 

  Yep , I can tell you that , first hand .   <laughs>