Armor

Hard Head Veterans, a veteran-owned and operated helmet manufacturing company, announces the launch of the HHV ATE GEN3 Ballistic Helmet. These updated and modern ballistic helmets are made in Texas and designed by Americans who have experience in law enforcement, military, and other fields that contribute to making a high-quality ballistic-rated helmet. The new ATE GEN3 helmets have taken loads of customer feedback and now include a dial adjustable chin strap, a superior protection profile, and new night vision-compatible shrouds.

Today Luke C.​⁠ is with Matt from Warbird Protection to talk about their line of safety equipment, specifically their soft body armor which Matt has tested himself. Soft body armor is typically capable of stopping most handgun rounds up to and including the .44 Magnum. As you’ll see in today’s video, just like his dad, Matt is dedicated to proving that his body armor is not only NIJ-certified but capable of stopping bullets in real life through a live demonstration.

If you are looking for some body armor to complete your home defense kit, the new Premier Body Armor Fortis III+ GT/RF2 Single-Curve Body Armor Plate is capable of stopping M855 Green Tip ammunition as well as a lot more. This plate offers an advanced solution for stand-alone Level III plus green tip threats, multi-hit strong, and touting edge-to-edge coverage.

If you are one of those people who participates in reindeer games in the dark (get your head out of the gutter, we’re talking about night vision here), then you will be glad to hear that you have yet another choice when it comes to selecting your ballistic helmet for all of the gear on your noggin. The new Premier Body Armor Fortis Ballistic Helmet looks to be a legitimate contender as a night vision host and to protect one of your most valuable assets – your brain.

For anyone in the market for plate carriers and NIJ Level IV rated ballistic plates, LA Police Gear has options available, and today we’ll be taking a look at the LA Police Gear Atlas Plate Carrier, as well as the LA Police Gear Level IV plates. Both products from LAPG are affordable options when looking for ballistic protection gear. Let’s take a look.

Having just gotten back from my first-ever Tactical Games event, I wanted to put together a write-up on all of the gear I used down at the GTI in South Carolina. I will also be including the prices of all of the gear that I utilized as I feel like I spent a lot of money just to compete at this event. Also, please keep in mind that this was my first event, and I will be doing a follow-up article on lessons learned and how I would tackle my second go around at the GTI Tactical Games. Also, all prices will be MSRP aside from the pistol and ear pro.

Armored Republic, formerly known as AR500 Armor, announced the release of their new C3 multi-curve multi-hit Level IV armor plates. The Armored Republic C3 plates are ceramic plates with FragLock coating and Cordura cover. Let’s take a look at the specs and features of these new armor plates.

For centuries, people have been shielding themselves from enemy weapons using armor. For whatever reason, even with the numbers and power of modern weapons, civilian body armor has become a contentious subject. Call me crazy, but to avoid death, I’d wear a magic talisman if it would actually help. Most people who are reading this understand that ballistic plates are just another safety device. In order to wear plates, you need a way to carry them. Plate carriers may not have a very creative name, but they offer tons of utility. In recent years, many fitness fanatics have started using them to intensify their workouts. Whatever your reasons for wanting a plate carrier, quality is of utmost importance. The last thing you want is a carrier to fail, costing you your life or your toes. 5.11 Tactical has entered the chat with their TacTec Plate Carrier. 

If you’re reading this, you’re most likely a shooter. Either that or you’re a politician looking for reasons to ban items that keep people alive. Assuming you’re the former, that means that you’ve spent countless hours learning how to make holes. Hopefully, you also practice plugging holes. The third hole-related topic is preventing holes. Body armor is still legal in most states, and is used by lawful citizens, firearms instructors, and law enforcement officers. If you’re on the hunt for plates, Strike Industries is now distributing Hyperion Armor RF2/Level III+ plates.

TFB is visiting EnforceTac in Nuremberg, Germany, and we stopped by Snigel Design from Sweden for a “live” report. Recently Snigel got an order from the Bundeswehr / German Army to deliver more than 250,000 backpacks of various sizes.

Lightweight plate carriers are insanely popular options for added layers of protection within the civilian market. Premier Body Armor is proud to announce the release of their new Discreet Plate Carrier featuring a streamlined design that still allows for the use of rifle-rated plates, but does away with a lot of the standard MOLLE webbing that makes up the bulk of other types of plate carriers allowing the Discreet Plate Carrier to be more easily worn underneath regular clothing.

Ace Link Body Armor, a premier manufacturer of high-quality life-saving body armor, helmets, and plate carriers is excited to announce their 2022 Black Friday sale where customers can save up to 50% off select body armor products or 20% off virtually everything storewide. Ace Link Armor has everything from their Quadrelease Tactical Plate Carrier, Level 4 Ceramic hard armor plates, to their Flexcore Patrol Vests and  Livewire bulletproof vests. Since virtually everything on their site is going to be on sale, we’ll list a few of their best options with the best discounts. New customers can also take an additional $20 off when they sign up for the Ace Link Armor newsletter here.

Safariland is extending its family of rifle-rated hard armor plates to include three new offerings specifically designed to be more comfortable and fitted to the female physique. Safariland’s new DT206CF will be the first NIJ Level III plate of its kind specifically fitted to the female form. In addition, Safariland will also be releasing two other non-certified rifle-rated plates with its new Model X-CAL DT CF1 and IMPAC CF1 which are both designed with first responders in mind.

Premier Body Armor is introducing the Everyday Armor T-Shirt 2.0, a shirt designed for discreet protection and everyday use. This T-Shirt is made with anti-microbial compression fabric and has front and rear armor pockets to carry the company’s Level IIIA 7.75″x 12.75″ ballistic inserts. The intention is to protect the cardiac box, where your most vital organs are located.

Adept Armor has just announced the completion of what they call the world’s first modular body armor system. With the introduction of Adept’s Storm Foundation Side Plates, users can adapt their body armor to different threat levels by removing these stackable 6×6″ single-curve side plates. The modular strike faces are said to be capable of bringing the armor rating up to Level IV protection standards or beyond.

Adept Armor is excited to announce the introduction of their new lightweight Dragoon Plate Carrier which can be used both overtly and covertly and allows the user to fit it with a wide variety of armor plate systems and the greatest amount of aftermarket accessories possible so that it can be configured to their exact preferences.

Armored Republic, a.k.a. AR500 Armor, have released the new A3 series of hybrid steel/polyethylene body armor plates which according to the company were created to capture the benefits of both armor types. Let’s take a look at the design of the new Armored Republic A3 armor plates and see what protection they provide.

Hello and welcome to TFB Weekly Web Deals 14. Earlier this month, in June, the State of New York made the decision to ban certain types of body armor – specifically, soft body armor commonly referred to as a bulletproof vest. Politics aside, the restriction of access to this type of equipment is something that is both confusing and almost counterintuitive in my opinion. That’s why this week for TFB Weekly Web Deals 14 we’re on the hunt for the best deals for soft body armor, hard body armor plates, and plate carriers. Right now is a great time to pick up body armor as there are lots of sales out there. Plate carriers are becoming less and less expensive, and there are rigorous and reliable organizations that properly vet the effectiveness of various types of body armor so you know exactly what you’re buying and what kind of protection you can expect from it. Please enjoy this week’s selection of web deals!

Whiskey Two Four (WTF) is a company that focuses on American-made, competitively priced tactical gear. From plate carriers, dump pouches, and even mil-spec fabric that you can purchase to make or repair your own gear, Whiskey Two Four do their best to make quality American products at prices that won’t make you cry after you hit the “buy” button.  WTF has just announced that their Plate Carrier 24 is now available and shipping from their warehouse.

Adept Armor, a manufacturer of hard body armor plates, has introduced an armor plate called Colossus which it says is the first “Future Proofed” body armor panel. And while unfortunately there’s no information about its rating against a phased plasma bolt in the 40W range, below you will find what it is rated against.

Safariland Group covers a wide range of products, including armor and armor carriers. The newest of these is an armor system that is built for modularity, as well as to integrate with comms. Brand new from Safariland Armor, this is the HyperX Tactical Vest.

World-renowned body armor maker Hesco introduced three new ceramic plates at SHOT this year. The draw? They’re unbelievably light and thin.

Spartan Armor Systems has just released their new, full-featured Leonidas Legend plate carrier, that can accommodate user sizes Large to 3XL. The Leonidas Legends plate carrier features laser-cut MOLLE webbing, is available in four colors, and is customizable by keeping or removing the cummerbund that holds side armor. Spartan Armor Systems also boasts that their carrier is made in the United States and is Berry Compliant, which means that it qualifies for U.S. Military contracts, but Spartan Armor Systems isn’t forsaking its civilian customers. The full press release can be read below.

The complete IWI GAL VPS Versatile Protective Suit provides 360° total
protection for law enforcement officers. It is the first three level-Concealed
Mode, Search & Arrest, and Riot Mode-operational solution designed for the
user’s safety in extremely dangerous situations. The GAL VPS, equipped
with IWI’s unique Wave system, absorbs massive kinetic trauma.
The proprietary GAL system utilizes the suit’s materials to mitigate the
kinetic energy from blunt force trauma by absorbing and deflecting the
effects across a broader area causing it to dissipate faster. The flexible,
light-weight material, protects from injury and allows the user to respond to
threats quicker after being attacked.

Adept Armor has just released their new modular Storm System body armor that allows users to adapt their armor to the needs of why it’s being worn. The Storm System body armor starts with a Level III Foundation plate, that can then be up-armored with one of two options, the Storm Titanium, plate for speedy projectiles like 5.56 or 5.45, or the Storm Disruptor, which is a ceramic-based add-on plate to bump the Storm System to a Level IV. The Foundation and Titanium plates can both be worn as standalone options, whereas the Disruptor is only designed as a combination to the Foundation.

Adapt Armor has just unveiled their latest armor offering that uses a highly uncommon material in the armor plate world. While most companies will choose to use composite, ceramic, or steel for their armor plate, Adept Armor has developed their new Mantis Titanium Armor Plate that they claim is stronger than steel yet tougher than ceramic.

I’m a huge fan of Agilite’s product lineup mostly for their selection of MultiCam patterned gear. Agilite just announced that they have released a new limited edition MultiCam Black K19 plate carrier and they also announced that they will be offering the new plate carrier with free shipping while supplies last. For those that don’t know, the K19 is Agilite’s most modern plate carrier and has been put into use by some of the Israeli Defense Force’s most elite units.

If you’re looking to get into armor then the guys over at Whiskey Two Four have just launched their latest budget-friendly plate carrier to the market. The Whiskey Two Four Plate Carrier 13 is a sub $100 plate carrier that is as simple as it gets when it comes to plate carriers. Offered in multiple sizes and including an integrated 6 cell elastic cummerbund, the Plate Carrier 13 looks to be a decent entry-level option with a lot of adaptability baked right into the platform.

With today’s constantly changing world it helps to have a bit of extra protection when you need it. BulletSafe is an American company that has just released Made-in-the-USA NIJ Certified Level IIIA body armor vests dubbed the VP3 (Vital Protection 3). The VP3 vest is just the latest addition to the BulletSafe family of homegrown personal protection products and the VP3 is an item they consider to be their crowning achievement. The VP3 not only holds a level IIIA certification against projectiles but also carries a stab and slash resistance and boasts a full range of motion and all-day comfort.

Welcome to the first episode of the TFB B-Side Podcast. The B-Side podcast is going to be a little less focused and a little more light-hearted than the TFB Behind the Gun Podcast. This week I brought on one of TFBTV’s favorite presenters, Hop.  On today’s show, Hop and I discuss what we call the Hierarchy of Gear Needs and how it applies to responsible citizens going about their daily business. We talk all about the gear and firearms that you run into out in the wild and hopefully provide a perspective to those new to the industry for what order to buy your gear in if you’re interested in becoming prepared incrementally for unforeseen events. Let us know your thoughts and experiences with this subject after you listen and we look forward to hearing from you in the next episode.