I want to buy a bulletproof vest, but I don’t know where to start? We fully understand your pain.
There are many options for bulletproof vests: hidden or open? Vest or plate? What is the level of protection, material and cost? It’s very difficult for people who come into contact with this industry for the first time to choose a bulletproof vest suitable for you.
When you buy a bulletproof vest, you are investing in your safety. Your choice may be the difference between life and death, which is related to your chances of survival at the moment of life and death, so you need to know the answers to these and other questions.
This is the purpose of SBA official website. In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to buy the best bulletproof vest!
THE BASICS OF BULLETPROOF VESTS
Bulletproof vest is a kind of protective equipment, which is made of bulletproof materials, such as aramid, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), ceramics or steel.
These materials allow bullets or other projectiles to hit the vest, but cannot penetrate the wearer’s body.
This kind of equipment is basically like a typical vest – hence the name – covering the front, side and rear of the wearer’s torso area.
After listening to this explanation, will this picture appear in your head?
Haha, just kidding. Generally speaking, the design you can think of must be like this!
WHO USES BULLETPROOF VESTS?
Most people who wear bulletproof vests are engaged in high-risk occupations – military personnel, law enforcement personnel, security personnel, etc. These people often risk exposure to gunfire.
But civilians can and do use bulletproof vests. You will find that children, adults, and even animals working with law enforcement or the military can wear bulletproof vests! There are even bulletproof vests specially made for them.
There are many reasons why ordinary people use bulletproof equipment, but in the final analysis, they are all motivated by the same motivation: preventing children
Bomb to protect yourself in dangerous situations.
HOW DO BULLETPROOF VESTS WORK?
Generally speaking, the working principle of bulletproof vest is:
Change the shape of the impact bullet, slow down his speed, and disperse the energy generated by the impact to the whole vest, rather than concentrating it in the impact area or diverting the energy from the user.
Different materials have different implementation methods. The two most commonly used materials in bulletproof vest armor are Kevlar or Twaron and ceramics.
These materials have different characteristics. Some can use multiple fabrics to slow down the speed of bullets, and some can use tough shells to transfer bullets. Different materials have different properties and, of course, different prices and costs.
HOW DO KEVLAR OR TWARON VESTS WORK?
Kevlar and Twaron are very durable synthetic fibers in the aramid family. They are also the materials often used in the highest level bulletproof vests at present. On the basis of the same weight, their strength is five times that of steel, and they are heat-resistant.
When used in bulletproof vests, the fibers are interleaved and layered many times to form a mesh frame composed of many “nets”. When the bullet hits Kevlar or Twaron vests, each layer of the “net” will make the bullet slower and slower until it stops moving. The resistant fiber layers eventually deform, but they also deform the bullet until it turns into a mushroom, which makes the bullet less penetrating and loses any lethality.
Now, when is the bullet more terrible? Was it at the beginning or after blocking?
Therefore, full body bulletproof vests are often more popular than vests
HOW DO CERAMIC BODY ARMOR VESTS WORK?
You will often see a very common material in bulletproof vests – ceramics
However, the ceramics used in bulletproof vest and armor have different chemical compositions from those used in small furnishings or bathroom tiles.
They are two completely different products.
The working principle of ceramic bulletproof vest is that it is harder than the bullet itself. Ceramic armor breaks when a bullet hits, rather than deforming like Kevlar or tevalon armor.
Then, the broken ceramic armor absorbs the incredible power behind the impact bullet, and the bullet will break, transferring all the power from the body.
WHAT TYPES OF BULLETPROOF VESTS ARE THERE?
From the most basic types, you will see two kinds, the first is soft bulletproof clothing, and the other is hard bulletproof clothing.
There are a few things to consider when you decide that soft or hard bulletproof vests are best for you, but here are two types of rapid decline, plus examples of various vests made with them.
Often you also need to know the bulletproof level, from NIJ IIA to IIIA: prevent pistol bullets and up to 0.44 magnum
It is made of light and super strong materials, such as Kevlar, Twaron or Dyneema (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene)
Soft bulletproof clothing can be worn under clothes (can be hidden). Due to its light weight, it is easier to move, but the protection level is relatively limited.
Bulletproof vests can only be worn outside the body and are heavy, but they can prevent most firepower attacks!
HOW DO YOU USE A BULLETPROOF VEST?
Bulletproof vests are easy to use – just put them on.
However, in order for the vest to work when it comes to bullets, three factors need to work. Otherwise, you will face gunshot wounds:
The vest must have the correct NIJ armor level for a specific threat.
It needs to be properly worn and fitted.
Its size must suit your body.
Armor class: NIJ class I, II, II, III and IV
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) provides official ratings for bulletproof vests and bulletproof vests.
Each bulletproof vest or vest is divided into 5 protection levels. These levels are replaced by an “a” that loops up to the highest protection level IV.
We already have an in-depth blog post on the protection level of bulletproof vests. You really should check it out. It’s important to know the level of protection you need, because it will determine the cost, size, weight and fit of the vest.
HOW SHOULD BULLETPROOF VESTS FIT?
Comfort
The vest you choose must fit closely with your body, not too tight.
A loose vest may feel more comfortable, but it provides a much lower level of protection than a suitable vest.
Full coverage
You should wear vests on both sides, front and back of your body for the best bulletproof protection. Some bulletproof vests sold cover only the front of the torso, but this is not ideal; Bullets can come from any direction.
For the best protection on both sides of your body, make sure the front panel is wide enough to overlap the rear panel by 2 inches.
Positive
When adjusting the height of the bulletproof vest on the torso, leave space at the top and bottom edges of the front bulletproof plate so that the bulletproof vest will not reach into your throat when you sit down.
When standing, the top of the dashboard should not exceed the second button of the uniform shirt. If you wear it, it should be 2 to 2.5 inches from the bottom of the dashboard to the upper edge of the gun belt.
Back
When using the tailgate, you don’t want the vest to move upward when standing up from the sitting position, so leave space between the bottom edge of the tailgate and the top edge of the gun belt ¼ reach ¾ Inch distance.
Prodecution Area
The side of the vest should be high enough to protect the armpit area, but not too high to avoid friction or irritation when moving the arm.
IS IT LEGAL TO BUY A BULLETPROOF VEST?
yes. At the time of writing, it is completely legal at the federal level for any U.S. citizen or legal resident over the age of 18 who has not been convicted to buy any type of bulletproof vest (including level IV hard armor plate), whether in person or through e-commerce.
However, states have their own laws on bulletproof vests. For example, no one in Connecticut can buy bulletproof equipment through e-commerce; This must be a face-to-face transaction.
Therefore, before buying bulletproof vests, it’s best to check the relevant laws and regulations and buy bulletproof vests from the right channels in the right way, so that you won’t get into trouble.
CAN I BRING A BULLETPROOF VEST ON AN AIRPLANE?
Generally speaking, yes, you can. According to the website of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), if the bulletproof clothing is packed in checked baggage or carry on baggage, the bulletproof clothing can be brought to the aircraft through security inspection.
But the problem is: TSA has the right to refuse to let passengers’ bulletproof vests pass security inspection for any reason. If this happens, you must take the bulletproof vest out of your bag. What happens next is your responsibility.
In order to avoid any inconvenience, we suggest that you always call the airport in advance to check whether your bulletproof vest is intact on that day.
Even if you agree on the phone, have a backup plan for handling your bulletproof vest in case you arrive at the airport and find it impossible to carry with you.
How can I find a bulletproof vest that suits me?
Whether you are an ordinary citizen worried about the increase in mass shootings or working directly at work, it is important to wear a bulletproof vest. It needs to fit your body and prevent the weapons you are most likely to encounter from being too heavy for you to move in the way you need.
It also needs to fit your budget. SBA aims to keep the price as reasonable as possible, but we also have a financing plan for anyone who needs to help get bulletproof vests. Because the truth is, bullets don’t wait until your finances are at their best.
In order to buy yourself a perfect vest, evaluate your specific threat situation and look for armor that can defeat it. Don’t choose a vest with a NIJ rating higher or lower than you need, because you will either get into trouble because of unnecessary weight or lose protection because of a bullet, which may take your life.
The NIJ level you need determines what type of vest you can wear. Soft armored vests range from class IIa to class IIIA, while hard armored vehicles can defeat rifles and armor piercing projectiles in classes III, III + and IV.
For fit, ask a friend or assistant to measure your torso with a soft tape measure and compare your number with the brand size guide you are looking at. If you gain or lose weight significantly, reassess your health.
Take good care of the vest according to the instructions and labels. The most important thing is…
… Put on your vest.
Do you have a bulletproof vest? Please let us know in the comments below! We like to hear how you keep safe. For those who are considering bulletproof vests but are not sure, please consult our SBA staff, and we will help you find the best solution for you.
