Rolex Dr.

Hi guys

quick question for our LEOs on board, about body armor

I just finished my Reserve Sheriffs Deputy acedemy and have bought 99% of my gear but need advice on a vest

We need to purchase a vest for street wear

Min. of a level II

we have a chance to buy a second chance monarch 329 level II the price is good about 1/2 of retail

my question is my company can buy vest from Armor Express at cost (IE very good price)

what vest do i buy
and is it worth the extra $$ and is it needed to step up to a level IIIA or step to a Level IIIA- spike 1

Help please

JAmie

fed_wif_a_sig

Yes....go IIIA if you can with a heavy shock plate. The IIIA takes more rounds that are on the street than a level II can. Also the shock plate I used on the street and in tactical situations now, can take hits from a 308 and protects my heart.

As far as what company I use/used Safariland and Second Chance.

__________________
Steve
"Respect all ... Fear none!!!

QKShooter

Visit this link click here

I would go with a threat level IIIA w/ an added Trauma Plate anyway.

ALSO:
Please make absolutely certain that whatever Second Chance body armor you are offered a good deal on is not one of their defective product vests.

Second Chance Body Armor Bulletproof Vests Information
Police officers across the country are concerned bulletproof vests made by a Michigan-based company are defective after it was discovered that an important material the vests are made from may quickly deteriorate. According to recent studies, vests containing Zylon, which is reportedly one of the toughest man-made fibers, may deteriorate under heat and humidity.

Manufacturer Second Chance Body Armor, Inc. accounts for about 40 percent of bullet-resistant vest sales in the United States. Several lawsuits have already been filed against Second Chance over the defective vests. In the fall of 2003, a Pennsylvania officer was shot in the midsection after a bullet passed through his vest. Second Chance has received other reports of injuries involving Zylon fiber body armor.

Police departments had recently favored Zylon-made vests because they weigh less than the conventional bullet-proof material Kevlar. Several states are now reconsidering the use of the vests.

In July 2004, Pennsylvania's attorney general Jerry Pappert filed a lawsuit against Second Chance accusing the company of withholding information about defects in its bulletproof vests. According to the suit, safety investigators informed Second Chance years ago that its vests were losing strength after about 200 hours of light exposure and during various heat and humidity conditions. Officials with the company reportedly only issued a warning after two officers wearing the vests were shot and wounded.

If you have been injured by a Zylon-made bulletproof vest, it may be important to contact an attorney who can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there may be time limits within which you must commence suit.

More Info Click Here

FIREARMZ

I use a IIIA by Point Blank. I looked for no real deals, if it fails I can't go get a refund anyway.

__________________
Ken Forbus Owner of FIREARMZ
FIREARMZ FORUM

HotGuns

THe newer III A's are lighter than some of the older style II A's'.

Try Galls. They've got some great deals on vests.

__________________
AR. CHL Instr.

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

semperfi.45

I'm a Second Chance survivor from a bad on-duty MVA. My allegiance is to them and I highly recommend the same.

__________________
My art is different from yours; it consists not in defeating others, but in not being defeated.

SIXTO

I'll back up the second chance 3A, but do make sure that your good deal is not one of the recalled vests.

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_________________
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^| |___
| SIXTO EXPRESS---| ||'|";,__.
|_..._...___________| ||_|_|...,]
"(@)'(@)""""*|(@)(@)******(@)

fed_wif_a_sig

Second Chance has destroyed all the recalled vest from what their company rep said. If they sell a recalled one they'll loose all credibility (and even as a survivor I'd stop using them).

__________________
Steve
"Respect all ... Fear none!!!

QKShooter

Thanks for the update. Much appreciated.
Maybe they are now offering vests to LEOs at a reduced price in order to gain some of their reputation back. That's cool.

__________________

Liberty/Tyranny
___________________________
Ain't That A Shame! Be Happy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OG3u...1&feature=fvwp

OPFOR

I wear a IIIA, and recommend that level if it is feasible. I would be sure that, whatever level you decide on, that it can stop your duty round from your duty pistol, at a minimum.

I had two recalled vests - one has been replaced so far and I am waiting for the other. All Zylon that comes back is destroyed, I'm certain. The law suit for knowingly issuing a recalled vest would be catastrophic and indefensible.

As for brands, I have both Second Chance and P.A.C.A. (basically the same company) and have no complaints (other then the general complaints that body armor is hot, restrictive, blah, blah, whine, whine.) Look for weight per square foot and thickness when you are comparing brands/styles.

__________________
"It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way."