Crye Precision made a name for itself by producing high quality and unique items for the serious shooter. The Crye Precision CAGE Plate Carrier is one of those innovative designs with the needs of the end-user at the center of design and function. Having examined one at the SHOT Show this year I can definitely see why the Crye CPC would be such a popular selection. Plate … [Read more...]
More Bullet Safe Bargain Body Armor
Last year Randall posted an article from the SHOT Show floor on the new bargain priced Bullet Safe Level IIIA ballistic vest. In review, the premise is police officers, security officers, EMT's, or other First Responders that do not have ballistic vests provided to them by their departments. For that reason I think the Bullet Safe ballistic vest option is great for … [Read more...]
New BulletSafe Body Armor and Rifle Plates
Prior to a large event, we receive a hard-drive-punishing flow of emailed product press releases. My interest was piqued by a bullet resistant vest company that promised what I thought was a typographical error for their MSRP. I would definitely be paying a visit to the BulletSafe booth at SHOT Show 2014. At the Show, I met Tom Nardone, BulletSafe’s company … [Read more...]
Body Armor Update: 2013
This year’s body armor update includes good news about wear rates; not so good news about federal funding; and continued product development for law enforcement’s ever changing needs. In addition to seeing agencies replace vests about every five years, body armor manufacturers report seeing a demand for anti-rifle plates and hard armor plate carriers worn over soft body … [Read more...]
DKX Armor: Lightweight Armor Plates for Cops
DKX Advanced Manufacturing is on the cutting edge of ballistic protection, offering high grade armor plates for military and civilian applications. The latest products from Advanced Manufacturing are some of the most amazing advancements in armor development I have ever seen. Combining the latest manufacturing technology with the newest polymer advancements, Advanced … [Read more...]
New PROTECH Level IV Armor Plate
PROTECH announced the introduction of a new level IV hard armor plate that conforms to NIJ-06 body armor standards. The new 10"x12" plate runs 7.5 pounds and is a little more than one inch thick. It has a "shooter's cut" allowing for easier shooting while wearing the plate. Level IV plates have to defeat multiple hits from an .30-06 M2 armor piercing round. … [Read more...]
Using Ballistic Shields in CQB Environments
I am an advocate of ballistic shields. They are not only appropriate for law enforcement clearing (slow methodical mode) or safety clears, but, with current weight reductions, can be employed in the slow dynamic technique mode which is a bridge technique between dynamic entries and law enforcement clears. Slow Dynamic Technique Explained Today’s Level IIIA shields are … [Read more...]
Omni-Freeze Zero: Revolutionary Way to Keep Cool Under Your Vest
Wearing a vest sucks. Yes, body can save your life, and I will always wear one when in uniform. But they are still stiff, heavy, and hot. If you work in places like Texas and Florida, they can get blistering hot in the summer. There have been a number of things done to try to make vest wear more tolerable. I think most officers are wearing some type of … [Read more...]
ArmorWorks UCBA: Ultra-Concealable Body Armor
At last month's Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) in Tampa, Randall and I had the opportunity to meet with the folks at ArmorWorks and take a look at the new ultra-concealable body armor (UCBA) they are working on. The UCBA is an extremely thin and lightweight solution for people needing a very discreet way to armor up. The prototype model on the expo … [Read more...]
Armored Mobility Provides Lightweight Level III
Richard, Aaron, and I were meandering around after lunch at 2012 SHOT Show Media Day when we came across the Armored Mobility, Inc (AMI) display. We were able to speak at length with company president Michael Berritto III, who was proud to show us his innovative Mobile Armored Shield (MAS). Quite a few things stood out about this ballistic shield. At NIJ Standard … [Read more...]