Ballistic vest questions

[zlmajors]

Ok since I'll be going to the reserve academy, I'll be responsible for buying my own vest, I've saved up a lot for equipment so I'm really going for whatever protects the best, is light, breathes well, fits the best. Price is really an afterthought.

So what is the best?

I've looked at Second Chance Monarch summit (6th gen) and safariland gold. I've heard abotu first choice and point blank.

My agency requires level IIIA.

[krellum]

Do a search of this forum under "body armor" - there are numerous threads.

k

[DoD NucE]

I was issued a point blanke level II and I think it is too bulky. I would go with something that has the Zylon. I would replace it 2 or 3 times as often if necessary because it does seem lighter. Weight wise and carrier design wise though, from what I have seen if you don't want Zylon, Seond Chance seems to be the best. At least the guys I know with the Second Chance Monarch Summits seem to like them the best.

[lauderdalehawk4]

I was issued a point blanke level II and I think it is too bulky. I would go with something that has the Zylon. I would replace it 2 or 3 times as often if necessary because it does seem lighter. Weight wise and carrier design wise though, from what I have seen if you don't want Zylon, Seond Chance seems to be the best. At least the guys I know with the Second Chance Monarch Summits seem to like them the best.


Im not a leo but just finished a research project on body armor and zylon is a big risk. Although light, I found several articles that have show that it detorates very quickly and if you are not inspecting it regularly or having it professionaly checked you might never know. Here's an article I found during my research about Zylon.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,100693,00.html

[Brettkazcop]

I have the second chance monarch summit. I bought it about 3 months ago or so, at the time it was their best model out and i think it may still be their top model.

I have the level II protection and I opted for a titanium trauma plate as well. I am real happy with it so far, but I have yet to bear the heat of summer. Pretty comfortable though for a vest. Get something you will be comfortable wearing everyday...vests only work if you wear them every day!

tip..whatever you buy, get an extra carrier. That way you can always have a clean one.

[UncleSugar]

DoD Nuce, I would suggest you reconsider your view of Zylon. Kent PD, in Kent, WA did tests on vests that were only six months old, and several failed to stop the rounds the vests were rated to stop. Keep in mind they were only testing for complete penetration of the vests, and not excessive back face deformation. Therefore it is possible even shots that did not penetrate may have been failures.

Other testing also shows that no one can predict how fast Zylon will degrade. What is knows is that heat and humidity break down Zylon, and therefore anytime you're sweating in your vest (which is all the time), the material is degrading.

I was originally issued a IIIA vest made from Zylon, but now have a IIIA vest without Zylon. The weight difference between the two is negligible, however the difference in peace of mind knowing the new vest is more reliable is tremendous.

[methos_tj]

just for sake of discussion...what is the opinion on Safariland's Zero-G Gold level IIA vests???

[DoD NucE]

The difference in sectional density between Zylon and previous generation materials seems significant. It was on that number that I based my opinion of the weight of Zylon vs. non-Zylon vests. I might be somewhat jaded in my opinion, as I hate my vest so much, I almost wouldn't mind changing out a vest every year if it was lighter and more flexible than what I have. I do value your opinion though Uncle Sugar and if in your opinion you don't see a big difference between the Zylon and non-Zylon, then maybe I'll be a little more open minded in my search for something better. Thanks for the info.

[zlmajors]

Not to post for Kenoshacop but here is what he had to say about Safarilands gold vest.

kenoshacop

Hi,

Unfortunately, I don't have any information on the second chance body armor. As far as the Zero- G though, in my opinion, you can't go wrong. Like you stated, the straps on the carrier do tend to wear out, but at the store I got mine at, they will replace the straps for free. As far as curling, the Zero-G does somewhat, but I'm not really aware of a vest that doesn't curl at least a little. The Zero-G is extremely light weight, and very comfortable in my opinion, and seemed to be fairly priced compared to the other companies.

Hope this helps,

Kenoshacop

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Now my own research shows that the zero-g is very comprable to the monarch summit in stopping power and wearability and is a few hundred less. It just really depends on what kind of discount my department can get. I think they use second chance, so if I can get a 10% discount on a summit vest, then I'll probably go with that cuz it'll round out to be about the same as a regularly priced zero-g.

[UncleSugar]

DoD Nuce, thanks for the compliment. However, keep two things in mind; 1- I'm still very much a rookie, so factor that into how much weight you give my opinion, 2- Even the very minor weight difference may be more important to you since you are wearing that vest every day. I will add that during some protection work I have wore my vest all day (long days) for a few days in a row. I'll wear the slightly heavier vest without zylon on my next protection detail. The info on zylon that I've seen bothers me too much to trust that material.

Just my 2 cents.

[Rasputin]

I have had second chance and us armor. The second chance was recalled. the Us armor is more comfortable. Thats all I got to say about that.