View From The Porch: In the name of science!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

In the name of science!

Wired magazine tests some ballistic vests because, hey, shooting stuff!

Every now and then, I've considered getting a vest, but so far the fact that I really don't need one for anything has stopped me (for a change.)

16 comments:

Anonymous said...: I managed to inherit a vest. Now, I see a fun weekend project ;)

-SayUncle; 9:53 AM, February 23, 2010
Aaron said...: They're nice to have when you're RO'ing (or even just shooting at) a range that's open to the public and Mr. "Muzzle safety, what Muzzle safety!" walks in.; 9:59 AM, February 23, 2010
Joseph said...: Need???? What is this Need you speak of??; 10:25 AM, February 23, 2010
Bram said...: The Box'O Truth did it better.

Bottom line - they stop pistol bullets while barely slowing down rifles bullets or shotgun slugs.; 11:10 AM, February 23, 2010
Will said...: I see that some trainers use them for classes at the range. And then there is the case of the shooter at the local indoor range who managed to accidentally shoot herself in the chest, instead of another customer. I'm thinking it might be an additional source of income for the range, renting vests to shooters. Might be discouraging to some of their clientele, though!; 1:38 PM, February 23, 2010
Earl said...: All my experience tells me that I have enough extra weigh to haul around, without adding the bullet proof vest - which only works a bit for some bullets from some directions. I am with the Spanish under Cortez - cutting and stabbing steel was much more important than that engraved chest armor against Aztec warriors that wanted to drag you off by your boots to get a heart removal operation.; 1:52 PM, February 23, 2010
Josiah said...: Have you heard of Miguel Caballero. He makes bullet proof clothing for politicians and celebrities.

And what's need got to do with it?; 2:47 PM, February 23, 2010
Gregg said...: Mas Ayoob has opined that he believes that anyone who carries a gun every day ought to also wear a vest...

just sayin...; 2:54 PM, February 23, 2010
Joel said...: They're nice to have when you're RO'ing (or even just shooting at) a range that's open to the public and Mr. "Muzzle safety, what Muzzle safety!" walks in.

Yeah, being a range officer at our monthly local practical pistol match, many years ago, had me wearing a vest after my first experience. Some of those guys are great on a firing line, but forget all about muzzle discipline when the adrenaline flows.; 3:12 PM, February 23, 2010
Tam said...: Gregg,

I have heard some Ayoob stories that make that one pale in comparison, but that's all I have to say about that.

If it gets to where I feel I need to wear a vest to the Fresh Market, I'm moving; the gun is already inconvenience enough.; 6:50 PM, February 23, 2010
Noah D said...: Well, we've got guns, first aid kits, BOBs (including a 'tactical' rig for some), lots of ammo, reloading supplies, knives of several varieties, tools (Cool Guy/Gal and otherwise), stored food for X days, we take classes for basic and tactical pistol, carbine and shotgun...

...why not armor? It's legal to own and wear in IN, and costs about as much as a decent/good 1911.; 7:26 PM, February 23, 2010
Anonymous said...: I've got both soft (concealable) and hard (plate) armor. It definitely falls into the category of things which are better to have and not need, than need and not have. It's the kind of thing most folks can't put their hands on overnight should the need arise...

And soft armor can be a very nice bonus insulation layer when you're teaching in the snow.; 7:42 PM, February 23, 2010
Ed Foster said...: So I have a level IIIA I inherited from Son One when the department gave him a new one. A tad frayed around the edges of the cloth carrier, but otherwise quite sound, with an insert pocket in front that I could fill with a hardened and tempered M3 plate.

Better yet, a hardened M3 plate plasma welded to a hardened and tempered M3 plate behind it.

What am I bid in the swap category? Except for the handguard extender (still haven't gotten out to Sadlak's)I think we're about square for the SVT, so now it's time to haggle again.

Damn that was an oddly cool looking rifle. I wish it had been capable of better than "most of them on the paper somewhere".

Anyway,think of it. You could be the only girl on the block who's vest could stop .44 mag fire everywhere, and stop 30-06 in the center of mass. It has to be worth a downpayment on something.; 9:25 PM, February 23, 2010
tanksoldier said...: Vests are like guns: You don't really need one until you REALLY need one. Then it's too late.; 10:04 PM, February 23, 2010
PeaceableGuy said...: I tend towards FerFal's opinion on the matter: vests aren't needed until they are needed (and you suddenly can't get one).

during the economic collapse in Argentina, violence grew everywhere and there was nowhere safe. Safety revolved around making it apparant that you were more prepared for thuggery than your neighbor or that other person over there.

S'why I've been stocking up on suppressors in a few important calibers as well as picking up a vest I could wear all day if I had to.; 11:33 PM, February 23, 2010
Dr. StrangeGun said...: Get your roommate to whip up a rapidly alternating magnetic field generator for you, something in the kilotesla range. Bullets being conductive will eddy-current themselves to death.

Of course, getting out your car keys only to have them get too hot to hold (or simply refuse to move at all) might be a drawback. Carry would be right out...; 5:59 AM, February 24, 2010