BODY ARMOR: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

[crufflers]

What is the main difference between the JPC 1.0 and 2.0 ?

[Master_Prestige]

What is the main difference between the JPC 1.0 and 2.0 ?

The JPC 1.0 has the 3 mag pouch already attached. The 2.0 has different options. Also has quick doff shoulder tabs and zip panels for the back made by Crye. You can also use chest rigs like the spiritus mk4 or Haley rigs with swift clips on the 2.0.

[DrjonesUSA]

What do you guys think of these fancy new "Quick Release" buckle attachments I'm seeing replacing velcro?

Seem bulky.....but....yeah the velcro is a PITA....

Banshee 2.0 w/velcro:

https://www.uspatriottactical.com/shellback-tactical-banshee-2.0-elite-plate-carrier/shel_SBT-BANELT.html

Banshee 3.0 w/QR buckles:

https://lifeandlibertytacticalgear.com/shop/plate-carriers/shellback-tactical-banshee-elite-3-0-body-armor-plate-carrier/

.

[sigstroker]

Haven't used those "buckles" but in general I'd rather have buckles than velcro. Once you adjust it, it's the same size every time you put it on. You also don't need three hands to put it on.

[Buffman]

This of course is not an NIJ cert'd plate. LAPG seems to be doing their due diligence by their own lot testing. Currently they are shipping very fast. I got these plates thanks to members in this thread donating, and they were to my house in 1 day of ordering all the way from CA! I was surprised at the level of protection against all RF1/2 threats as well as M80A1 and M855A1. If anyone feels a need for a follow up to see at what velocity these will stop M2AP, or other threats, please feel free to comment. These are not from Militech, as Militech now installs foam on the front strike face.
LAPG Level III LINK

[crufflers]

It's not "NIJ tested or untested". More so there's a certification process a company can pay for to the tune of $20-40K, that gets your plate "Certified" based on all of their rigorous standards. With that certification, that plate appears on the CPL and is subject to the NIJ doing follow up tests to assure conformity.

BOTACH BATTLESTEEL plates do have a line of NIJ CERTIFIED plates... many of the level IV, III, etc... have a more expensive CERTIFIED version as mentioned by MR. GUNS and GEAR's review...

https://botach.com/battle-steel-nij-certified-level-iii-10x12-ballistic-plates/

Typically $40 more.

[Steve1968LS2]

This of course is not an NIJ cert'd plate. LAPG seems to be doing their due diligence by their own lot testing. Currently they are shipping very fast. I got these plates thanks to members in this thread donating, and they were to my house in 1 day of ordering all the way from CA! I was surprised at the level of protection against all RF1/2 threats as well as M80A1 and M855A1. If anyone feels a need for a follow up to see at what velocity these will stop M2AP, or other threats, please feel free to comment. These are not from Militech, as Militech now installs foam on the front strike face.
LAPG Level III LINK

So you would say these passed your test as level III?

[Buffman]

BOTACH BATTLESTEEL plates do have a line of NIJ CERTIFIED plates... many of the level IV, III, etc... have a more expensive CERTIFIED version as mentioned by MR. GUNS and GEAR's review...

https://botach.com/battle-steel-nij-certified-level-iii-10x12-ballistic-plates/

Typically $40 more.

No, No they don't... LongFri, the manufacturer who makes Botach's BS line, has 2 certified plates. A level III and IIIA offering. Nowhere on the CPL list is "Botach" or "Battle Steel" listed. I believe at one time Botach was falsely claiming NIJ certification, but since has removed those claims on all but the single plate they have that's NIJ cert'd.

All armor manufacturers and resellers play wordsmith games. If they claim compliance, that <> certified. If claim certified, and are not on the CPL list they are NOT. Having your plate subjected to the threat profile per NIJ rating at a 3rd party lab is not the same as undergoing the entire certification process.

[Buffman]

So you would say these passed your test as level III?

I would say so yes. I would say 6 fair hits on the plate with M80 ball would produce larger than average backface, but would be within specification if an actual NIJ lab tested. I just wish more places would openly post their NIJ lab results so I can get a confirmation on what my backface results look like compared to theirs.

[crufflers]

No, No they don't... LongFri, the manufacturer who makes Botach's BS line, has 2 certified plates. A level III and IIIA offering. Nowhere on the CPL list is "Botach" or "Battle Steel" listed.

So is the linked lvlIII plate certified or not?

https://botach.com/battle-steel-nij-certified-level-iii-10x12-ballistic-plates/

Are you saying they are charging $40 premium on the "NIJ Certified" plates as a scam? Or that they ARE NIJ Ceritfied but under the LongFri name? They only need to sell 250 sets of those plates to pay for NIJ CERT with that $40 premium over the non certified line.

[Buffman]

So is the linked lvlIII plate certified or not?

https://botach.com/battle-steel-nij-certified-level-iii-10x12-ballistic-plates/

Are you saying they are charging $40 premium on the "NIJ Certified" plates as a scam? Or that they ARE NIJ Ceritfied but under the LongFri name? They only need to sell 250 sets of those plates to pay for NIJ CERT with that $40 premium over the non certified line.

If indeed that's the LongFri plate that's the only certified one Botach sells. The odd issue at hand is why Botach or Battle steel is not listed on the CPL. A simple logo change on a certified plate doesn't necessitate re-cert. But that's the only 1. Not multiples. IMO in the US that Level III cert plate wouldn't be very ideal, as SBR M855 will poke holes in it. You're better off with this III+ plate from them> https://shrsl.com/2eyqi

[crufflers]

If indeed that's the LongFri plate that's the only certified one Botach sells. The odd issue at hand is why Botach or Battle steel is not listed on the CPL. A simple logo change on a certified plate doesn't necessitate re-cert. But that's the only 1. Not multiples. IMO in the US that Level III cert plate wouldn't be very ideal, as SBR M855 will poke holes in it. You're better off with this III+ plate from them> https://shrsl.com/2eyqi

[32blownhemi]

Tagged... Good info everyone! Thank You!

[crufflers]

If indeed that's the LongFri plate that's the only certified one Botach sells. The odd issue at hand is why Botach or Battle steel is not listed on the CPL.

They do offer more than one Certified plate. Multiple sizes, and multiple ratings. So all the plates might not be LongFri. It sounds like only Botach knows. Keep an eye out for other certified plates when they come back in stock. They are inexpensive so scrutinizing them is understandable but obviously prices have come down. Definitely we can see this by all the bargain entries like the LAPG plates for $115 or whatever. I typically always have a 10% of code for LAPG.

If they are bad or ugly, that is on topic too

[crufflers]

You're better off with this III+ plate from them> https://shrsl.com/2eyqi

Your link is to poly plates AFAIK... do you think these are made my LongFri too? Here are some other III+ plates that are composite like my level IV plates.

https://botach.com/battle-steel-level-iii-ballistic-plates-m855-ap-protection-10x12-shooters-cut/