Plate Carrier Armor: Should I Buy Level III or Level IV Armor Plates?

Level III is sufficient for the vast majority of threats faced by civilian law enforcement and prepared citizens. In fact, Level III is sufficient for many military threats too and was worn by a some of our team members (both SMU Veterans) down range when they were deployed. Level III hard armor plates are the optimal balance of weight, threat level, and cost for most people. Level IV adds lots of protection that isn't used most of the time. The Level IV weight penalty is permanent.
What armor plates should I buy for my plate carrier? Level III or Level IV?
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Пікірлер: 46

  • @McMeatBag
    @McMeatBag Жыл бұрын

    I'd make sure the lvl 3 armor you get will stop M855 because of how common it is. Also, get multicurve - so much more comfortable.

  • @QorePerformanceUSA

    @QorePerformanceUSA

    Жыл бұрын

    +1

  • @nicolasadileonardo
    @nicolasadileonardo2 жыл бұрын

    Great video, SB.

  • @GroundZeroTactical
    @GroundZeroTacticalАй бұрын

    To be honest statistically placing any type of barrier between you and a bullet could save your life that being said I believe level 3 is great option to start with.😅

  • @Rudizel
    @Rudizel2 жыл бұрын

    Level 3 and level 4 plates cost almost the same price now. The main difference between the two is weight and multi hit capability. Ceramic plates are only rated to stop one round because after that the material is compromised, but it can stop the highest level threat you will probably ever face. On the other hand level 3 plates cant stop m855 or any other AP rounds but weigh less and are multi hit rated. Other factors to consider are single curve or multi curve and do the plates from that MFG provide edge to edge protection. A lot of MFG will have up to 2 inches of foam around the plate and claim reduced weight at the cost of coverage area.

  • @mitchellsheridan5252

    @mitchellsheridan5252

    Жыл бұрын

    Most modern ceramic plates can stop multiple rounds

  • @ARandomCustodian

    @ARandomCustodian

    Жыл бұрын

    Then you have UHMWPE plates like the lv4 version of that DFNDR plate that they sell, which are just straight up spooky. They can eat multiple 30.06 M2 AP with pretty great back face deformation. The only down side is that they cost a PRETTY penny. RMA level IV ceramic plates cost $159.99 right now with no tax. DFNDR Armor’s level IV UHMWPE plate costs $550.00 no tax. They are also stupidly light. The weight of the DFNDR IV plate is approx 5-5.8 pounds. RMA IV plates weigh approx 8.3 pounds and nobody makes level IV steel plates because then it would just be too heavy.

  • @almightytwee1188

    @almightytwee1188

    Ай бұрын

    ⁠@@ARandomCustodianyou are not talking about the same plates, you’re not finding a NIJ IV plate that’s 5 lbs for 550 lmao LTC plates are 5.75 lbs and they’re over 2500 dollars if you find them on sale

  • @peterpumpkineater6979
    @peterpumpkineater69799 ай бұрын

    honestly, i say get a zabralo and altyn

  • @MrJohnnygalan
    @MrJohnnygalan3 ай бұрын

    7.62x39?? The clowns I see around love AK style pistols. I remember when covid drought was around every clown wanted a Drako style AK pistol or a 9" barrel or less AR style pistol. The best defense is situational awareness and training. Fire without movement is suicide and movement without fire is suicide. Shoot and move use micro terrain and cover/concealment well and get out. If you need a plate carrier things are way past normal and you should probably get LVL 4 and look for the lightest weight available in your budget. Even with armor the same concepts above still apply. I carry concealed everyday everywhere it is legal to do so. I keep a med bag and a plate carrier in my vehicle. I have 1 task if something pops off. Use my CCW pistol to get out of the situation and to my vehicle. If things are as bad as needing a plate carrier its probably best to get who ever you can out and treat the wounded as you wait for LEOs to respond. I will never leave an unattended weapon in my car so I do not keep a rifle. For your home beast out and be as ready as you can. Just my humble opinion.

  • @picolascage5270
    @picolascage52702 жыл бұрын

    You should develop a spine or something that extends from the plate carrier that helps support the helmet that all the weight doesn't hang on the neck.

  • @nobodynoone2500

    @nobodynoone2500

    Жыл бұрын

    Never skip neck day.

  • @Nach0s187

    @Nach0s187

    8 ай бұрын

    Only issue is mobility has made that hard

  • @jacobkrakauer6954

    @jacobkrakauer6954

    5 ай бұрын

    If you wear your helmet often, the weight goes unnoticed after a while. During a month-long field problem, you'll be used to it by week 2.

  • @iamsethhasting8911

    @iamsethhasting8911

    28 күн бұрын

    ​@@jacobkrakauer6954it's less an issue of comfort and more an issue of long term damage. If you wear a 3 or 5 pound helmet for multiple years, that will have an effect on your upper spine. I only wear my helmet at the range or playing airsoft so I'm used to it and I'm not worried about long term damage, but soldiers wearing their helmets every day for years are probably going to get some back issues after their service.

  • @kallen8757
    @kallen87572 ай бұрын

    Get a level 3 rated plate with an M855 special threat rating, I.e lvl 3+ or RF2. These plates will always be heavier than lvl 3, as they employ a ceramic strike face, but M855 is so prolific that you must protect against it.

  • @kallen8757

    @kallen8757

    2 ай бұрын

    The Hesco 3810, 3611C, 3411, L211, and M210 are great options for defeating almost every round on the civilian market.

  • @andrewcowie6436
    @andrewcowie6436 Жыл бұрын

    Sounds AWESOME! LOL

  • @user-jx1bg8hm2l
    @user-jx1bg8hm2l7 ай бұрын

    I want to seek business cooperation

  • @2bNIKEt1
    @2bNIKEt111 ай бұрын

    If you exercise your 2nd amendment right, even though statistically youll probably never use it, you still want it dont you? I feel the same about the choosing level IV over level III. Now its not cost effective for me to buy level IV until i take into consideration those things to include the main enemy of the 2nd: Tyranny. I know. Its cliché but if these statistics are out there whats to say a govt attacking its own people wouldnt use them against us?? These companies better start making plates rated for .277 Fury.

  • @Nach0s187

    @Nach0s187

    8 ай бұрын

    Chances are most troops will have an m4 anyway so I wouldn’t worry about .277 yet

  • @felipetejeda7545

    @felipetejeda7545

    5 ай бұрын

    Unfortunately, I think the major threat would be your fellow man and countrymen, chaos and food and water shortages changes people. I don’t think the government would be crazy enough to to attack its own citizens.

  • @posmaster22
    @posmaster2210 ай бұрын

    The only reason I would ever buy body armor is for a full blown shit hits the fan situation, in which case you will be shot at with rifle rounds. So you get the level 4. If your a cop for everyday shit level 3 should do.

  • @ROOSTER-ql5fs

    @ROOSTER-ql5fs

    6 ай бұрын

    This ⬆️

  • @kurtisqualls8766

    @kurtisqualls8766

    3 ай бұрын

    When SHTF you won’t be able to buy body armor. Better be ready

  • @chuckh4077

    @chuckh4077

    Ай бұрын

    Yup. Got the level 3 spartan armor 10x12 plates. waiting for it to arrive in the mail. I work in armed security so i must wear the body armor all day. I'm not in the best of shape, luckily i have a high chair to sit on for most of the day. So level 4 armor will just be too heavy and expensive for me.

  • @LoveLikeaHurricane
    @LoveLikeaHurricane2 жыл бұрын

    does the plate carrier hold a plate and a trauma pad ?

  • @piristhay5412

    @piristhay5412

    5 ай бұрын

    Sorry for the late reply but yes and it’s really tight

  • @Fischer56
    @Fischer566 ай бұрын

    haley's son?

  • @michaelnyden8056
    @michaelnyden80562 жыл бұрын

    the answer should be III+ (the plus) is a sweet spot between III and IV and will likely cover 99% of threats you will face.

  • @jhhgg7318

    @jhhgg7318

    Жыл бұрын

    3 plus isn’t even a real rating lol stop spewing ur nonsense lmao . Nij doesn’t have level 3plus . 3 plus is bro science armor .

  • @rev-mikemckay9750

    @rev-mikemckay9750

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jhhgg7318 Read the comment of "N H" to "Matt C" (above) a few months ago...lvl 3+ does not exist NOW, but NIJ is revising the 'standards' to an "RF" series. RF1 = lvl 3, RF2 = lvl 3+. RF4 = lvl 4

  • @chuckh4077

    @chuckh4077

    Ай бұрын

    @@rev-mikemckay9750 I work in armed security so level 3 will be good enough for now.

  • @BabaNovac792
    @BabaNovac792 Жыл бұрын

    OK...your statement is correct,based on statistics....but how about today,in 2023,when,''the elected" brought us all in the brink of WW3?....incredible how things changed since you made this video with this statements😁 ...as for how much they weight...that's a personal problem to each who is a "McDonald's shareholder" ...being in shape is free for everybody,being out of shape it's an deliberate choice!

  • @QorePerformanceUSA

    @QorePerformanceUSA

    Жыл бұрын

    Fitness is freedom.

  • @craven1927

    @craven1927

    Жыл бұрын

    More weight is more weight, regardless of how fit you are. Even if you're fit enough to lug around 100 lbs all day long, carrying half of that weight will still benefit you. Carrying more weight just to prove how "fit" you are is just plain stupid. It's the old adage, just because you can doesn't mean you should. 🤷‍♂️

  • @BabaNovac792

    @BabaNovac792

    3 ай бұрын

    @@craven1927 it is true, "more weight is more weight" it's just like saying "wet is wet" - but it's not what I said...so I don't now exactly how that relates to downgrading the level of protection - if you already decided that you are in need of ballistic protection? Edit: lvl4 UHMWPE are stupidly light - but they do cost...the options are on the table - the choice stays with the one who chooses one way or the other

  • @Zeeboklown
    @Zeeboklown Жыл бұрын

    You said 12 gauge multiple times, but what about 12-gauge slugs??

  • @felipetejeda7545

    @felipetejeda7545

    5 ай бұрын

    Slugs are a lot less likely to penetrate than AP 556 7.62x39. Way slower.

  • @bryuchiha1617
    @bryuchiha16172 жыл бұрын

    😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

  • @PBALLERAZ

    @PBALLERAZ

    2 жыл бұрын

    😎

  • @Always_Prepared
    @Always_Prepared Жыл бұрын

    i’m a skinny guy, definitely an ectomorph. my body just doesn’t have the genes to get real big, while i do consider myself very fit i just don’t see myself being able to carry my bug out bag AND level 4s everywhere i go. I would argue one of his points is kinda wrong bc hunting calibers and 7.62x39 and x51 are definitely something i would consider a likely threat as well (although less likely). but that being said, if i got hit with a 30-06 or a 300WIN idk if that level 4 plate and trauma pad is gonna be enough to stop that kinetic energy distribution from fucking up my internal organs and ribs 😂😂 so i don’t see a point for myself. if i was 6’4 and 220lbs, then fuck yeah i would.

  • @felipetejeda7545

    @felipetejeda7545

    5 ай бұрын

    It would definitely knock you on your ass, but you would likely survive just be out of the fight momentarily. That’s a better shot than bleeding out within 30 seconds though.

  • @Always_Prepared

    @Always_Prepared

    5 ай бұрын

    @@felipetejeda7545 i think i might be out for a bit longer then momentarily 😂 but you’re absolutely right i’d rather be hurtin then dead lmao

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