Yet Another Gun Thread
#3802
Has anyone here invested in body armor for home defense purposes? I've read through a bunch of threads on various forums, and it seems like there are basically 3 opinions.
1. I'm a skilled ninja and it will take me 4.3 seconds from hearing a noise to being fully awake, armored up and ready to go.
2. If someone is breaking into my home, then I'll be going from groggy to full of adrenaline and I don't want to waste time trying to get a vest on.
3. It's an option. Put it on if you have time, bypass it if the situation is moving too quickly.
I find #3 to be the most reasonable. I can envision all kinds of scenarios where I'd prefer to have body armor available, and even in the "worst case" scenarios where I don't have time to put it on, my wife could still put it on as she retreats further into the house to call the police.
Just curious if anyone else has considered this, and what conclusions you came to (and what you ended up purchasing).
1. I'm a skilled ninja and it will take me 4.3 seconds from hearing a noise to being fully awake, armored up and ready to go.
2. If someone is breaking into my home, then I'll be going from groggy to full of adrenaline and I don't want to waste time trying to get a vest on.
3. It's an option. Put it on if you have time, bypass it if the situation is moving too quickly.
I find #3 to be the most reasonable. I can envision all kinds of scenarios where I'd prefer to have body armor available, and even in the "worst case" scenarios where I don't have time to put it on, my wife could still put it on as she retreats further into the house to call the police.
Just curious if anyone else has considered this, and what conclusions you came to (and what you ended up purchasing).
Your scenarios above speak only to the very popular "bump in the night" image people have of a break-in. I'll reiterate for those who are late to this thread... THERE IS NOTHING DUMBER than clearing your own house. Ask most police officers the one thing more than any other that absolutely scares the **** out of them, and they'll almost always say "clearing a house". If there's a bad guy inside and he wants you dead, there's nothing that will save you... nothing.
The only reason to ever leave the comfort and safety of your prepared defensive position at your bedroom door is if there are family members in another part of the house who may be compromised... ie, the master and kids bedrooms are on opposite sides of the house.
If you believe somebody is in your home, then scream/shout that you are armed while calling the police, and then wait. If you have a house alarm that didn't go off, activate it. All modern house alarms (ADT, etc) should come with a remote control... KEEP IT NEXT TO THE BED, NOT IN THE ******* CAR, or have an aux panel for the system installed in the bedroom. If you don't already have a house alarm, then you're a ******* idiot. You can install one yourself for cheap using all wireless stuff and not pay for monitoring.
That speaks only of the "bump in the night scenario"... I can think of 100 other times I'd like to have on at least a type II vest.
As for the plate... you should be able to find a steel yard near you (NOT A GUN STORE) that deals in bulk stuff and get a 1/4" 48x48 plate for around $300 that will stop all handgun and shotgun ammo. 3/8" will stop .308 at point blank. Cut out your drywall, saw the studs, and fit your plate in there nice and squeezy... in and out for under $500 and bulletproof.
#3803
Not sure where we got started on the house-clearing thing -- I'm not suggesting that's the purpose for body armor. My idea had more to do with having one more line of protection when I'm holed up in the bedroom with a shotgun pointed at the door. Appreciate your thoughts and advice in general, though -- I'm going to start researching this more.
In other news, DSG just notified me that my "holiday pack" of 10 PMags was just charged and shipped.
In other news, DSG just notified me that my "holiday pack" of 10 PMags was just charged and shipped.
#3805
DSG Arms Rifle Magazines
Keep in mind I ordered my 10 pack around December 30th I think. But they don't charge you until it's ready to ship so there's little risk.
Keep in mind I ordered my 10 pack around December 30th I think. But they don't charge you until it's ready to ship so there's little risk.
#3807
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Posts: 5,360
Total Cats: 43
I've got a molle plate carrier I bought about 10 years ago when I played paintball because it made awesome body armor against paintball, have since considered buying some actual plates for it. See link above, $65 for a flat plate, $85 for a contour and they're the cheapest strike plates I've seen.
In other news I fully plan to buy some of their 6x6 $30 plates for some rifle targets to shoot at. Called a few local metal supply companies a while back to see if anyone sold AR500 plate and was referred to a local defense contractor who allegedly sells the plate super cheap.
#3808
Magazines - AR15.COM
There's also Gunbot:
GunBot find AR mags in stock
Magazines are no longer scarce. Plenty of supply, even PMAGs if you have to have them, and prices coming down. I mentioned at the last gunshow that there were Lancers everywhere for $16, and lots of other brands for just a bit more.
The only ones I'd stay away from are Thermolds and Promags. But Lancer, Troy, E-Lander, Tapco, Surefire, and a few others are just fine. I'm waiting for my last 10pk of PMAG's from DSG that should be here in the next 5-6 weeks. After that, I'll work on a small stash of alumimum and stainless mags for for some variety. I still need a couple G19 mags too.
I've also collected a few hi-cap mags for a couple guns a family member in CA owns that I'll inherit someday... hehe.
Not sure where we got started on the house-clearing thing -- I'm not suggesting that's the purpose for body armor.
#3810
It takes more then one person to properly clear a house, at least 3, 4 if you want to do it right. I don't care what type of gun you have or how good you think you are with it. Forget about clearing stairs without proper training, even then it's really sketchy. Also I'm guessing none of you have flash-bangs or cool **** like that, making the process even more dangerous and difficult.
As far as body armor goes, it does not cover everything, and you have to have a certain shooting stance in order for it to work right (chest facing assailant since big plates are in the front/back). My SAPI plates (USMC issue body armor stuff) cover most of by chest and back, but there are many parts of your upper chest they do not cover, not to mention the areas they don't cover on your sides where a shot could go through your lungs and heart. Even if you do get hit in the protective plate its gonna knock your *** over, and i doubt most people will bother to get a protective Kevlar (bullet resistant helmet), never mind practice shooting with this stuff on.
As far as body armor goes, it does not cover everything, and you have to have a certain shooting stance in order for it to work right (chest facing assailant since big plates are in the front/back). My SAPI plates (USMC issue body armor stuff) cover most of by chest and back, but there are many parts of your upper chest they do not cover, not to mention the areas they don't cover on your sides where a shot could go through your lungs and heart. Even if you do get hit in the protective plate its gonna knock your *** over, and i doubt most people will bother to get a protective Kevlar (bullet resistant helmet), never mind practice shooting with this stuff on.
#3811
It takes more then one person to properly clear a house, at least 3, 4 if you want to do it right. I don't care what type of gun you have or how good you think you are with it. Forget about clearing stairs without proper training, even then it's really sketchy. Also I'm guessing none of you have flash-bangs or cool **** like that, making the process even more dangerous and difficult.
As far as body armor goes, it does not cover everything, and you have to have a certain shooting stance in order for it to work right (chest facing assailant since big plates are in the front/back). My SAPI plates (USMC issue body armor stuff) cover most of by chest and back, but there are many parts of your upper chest they do not cover, not to mention the areas they don't cover on your sides where a shot could go through your lungs and heart. Even if you do get hit in the protective plate its gonna knock your *** over, and i doubt most people will bother to get a protective Kevlar (bullet resistant helmet), never mind practice shooting with this stuff on.
As far as body armor goes, it does not cover everything, and you have to have a certain shooting stance in order for it to work right (chest facing assailant since big plates are in the front/back). My SAPI plates (USMC issue body armor stuff) cover most of by chest and back, but there are many parts of your upper chest they do not cover, not to mention the areas they don't cover on your sides where a shot could go through your lungs and heart. Even if you do get hit in the protective plate its gonna knock your *** over, and i doubt most people will bother to get a protective Kevlar (bullet resistant helmet), never mind practice shooting with this stuff on.
I still have all my ****, including two extra kevlar vests (without plates, I only have one set of those, in MY vest, which is in my ready bag) vacuum sealed MOP gear and new issued M50 mask with sealed filters. The need to sweep a home in a combat enviroment is a TON different than home defense. A home can easily be swept and cleared in a defense situation against the common thieves. I still have my NVs from working the flightline at blackout on my first tour (I should probably give those back.)
I didnt mention my helmet because I hate that brain bucket, I only wear it when I really have to. Training.
#3814
Elite Member
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chesterfield, NJ
Posts: 6,893
Total Cats: 399
Help me MT.net please.
I want a two tone 1911, black slide and silver frame style, in 9mm single stack/thin grip, and 5" barrel, I'd like to stay below $1500. Like this:
The Kimber Aegis is pretty, but I've read scary reviews of Kimber 9mm's. And you "can't get them for 9-15 months".
I plan to call the local (Only NJ) STI guy and see if I can hard chrome only the frame of whatever gun he can get.
I got this idea after I found this place who did the above to the STI Spartan, their foreign built ~$650 pistol, looks like a gunshop/gun smith that refinishes too. With the refinishing, it came to ~$800 back in 2010 though. I plan to call them to see if they can still do something like this.
Freedom Gun Works | Gun Nuts
So my question is, can any of you recommend a place like this Freedom Gun Works who can 1. Get a 9mm 1911 and 2. Refinish it like I want it to be if it does not come from the factory that way.
Otherwise I may get the cheapest Armscore I can find and do my own refinishing at work. I don't mind messing with a $400 gun.
I shoulda bought that 'used' stainless colt commander in 9mm last October when I first got my permits. That felt ohhhh so good. But I was scared of 'used' being a firearm newb and wasn't sure what I was looking for at the time.
TIA
I want a two tone 1911, black slide and silver frame style, in 9mm single stack/thin grip, and 5" barrel, I'd like to stay below $1500. Like this:
The Kimber Aegis is pretty, but I've read scary reviews of Kimber 9mm's. And you "can't get them for 9-15 months".
I plan to call the local (Only NJ) STI guy and see if I can hard chrome only the frame of whatever gun he can get.
I got this idea after I found this place who did the above to the STI Spartan, their foreign built ~$650 pistol, looks like a gunshop/gun smith that refinishes too. With the refinishing, it came to ~$800 back in 2010 though. I plan to call them to see if they can still do something like this.
Freedom Gun Works | Gun Nuts
So my question is, can any of you recommend a place like this Freedom Gun Works who can 1. Get a 9mm 1911 and 2. Refinish it like I want it to be if it does not come from the factory that way.
Otherwise I may get the cheapest Armscore I can find and do my own refinishing at work. I don't mind messing with a $400 gun.
I shoulda bought that 'used' stainless colt commander in 9mm last October when I first got my permits. That felt ohhhh so good. But I was scared of 'used' being a firearm newb and wasn't sure what I was looking for at the time.
TIA
#3818
Quality stripped lowers, plenty in stock, $125.
AR-15 lowers for sale
If that's not a telling tale, I found 2 places selling "blemished" stripped lowers for $99.
AR-15 lowers for sale
If that's not a telling tale, I found 2 places selling "blemished" stripped lowers for $99.