Vests

[nodaywithout]

Do you wear a bullet proof vest (even if you are a off duty LEO)?

[ErnieH]

Wearing a vest for me, is an on duty thing or special assignments thing. When you are off duty you want to blend in as much as possible and by wearing a vest, boy, do you stick out. Even small guys wearing vest stick out, when you know what your looking for. When you have a trained eye, you can pretty much pick people apart all day long by what they wear or how they look. So much so that it becomes a game. For those of us that wear vest a good chunk of the day, it is nice when you get to take it off, even more so on a hot day. So I don't look forward to putting on a vest whenever I step outside the house.
Some may even say, he left his house wearing a vest and strapped, "he is looking for trouble."

[VegasGeorge]

I wouldn't wear a vest on a daily basis. But, I sure would like to have one available just in case I thought I might need it. I haven't looked into their availability or cost. Maybe someone who is familiar with that market could jump in here and give us some information?

[ErnieH]

well, it depends on what type of protection your looking for and the price range you have to work with. You can start with a level II vest starting around $400.00, up to a level IIIA start at $600 and go up around $1200.00. So now the question is, what is the difference between the levels. Well first off and most important is protectionwhich breaks down the following way:
Level II will stand up against a 9mm 124gr FMJ at around 1200 f/s and a .375 Mag 158gr at 1430 f/s
Level IIIA will stand up to a 9mm 124gr FMJ at 1459 f/s and a .44 Mag 240gr. at 1450 f/s
So what are the other differnces you may ask? How about area density and thickness. This is measured by pound per square foot, and is the most accurate wayin comparing vest. Now thickness is meassured as the thickness of the vest and the carrier.
So if you are wearing a vest out and about as you are carring, remember, now not only are you carrying a weapon that you have to conceal, now you are wearing a vest, that you must try your best to hide and still be able to draw.
And always make sure you get a brand name vest, such as ABA, Safariland, Protect, Second Chance, PACA, Pointblank, First Choice
Now you have an other choice.5.11 introduced its ZB-7 Trauma Pad Carrier shirt. This is a moisture wicking t-shirt that has a chest pocket to slide in the ZB-7 Trauma Pad. This has been designed to be worn with your soft body armor, but can be worn alone. The only problem with that is the trauma pad is't very big and your badguy better be a 10X shooter.

[ColtM1911A1]

I have a IIIA that I wear when required...

I also wear it during range training...

As another person replied, blending in an wearing a vest with casual clothing isn't practical...

The vest stays with me at bedtime; if a 'bump' in the night occurs it could be slipped on to investigate (time permitting)...

[VegasGeorge]

The vest stays with me at bedtime; if a 'bump' in the night occurs it could be slipped on to investigate (time permitting)...

That, and going outside to investigate strange goings on, are exactly what I had in mind when I wrote that I'd like to have one "just in case."

What vests would seem to be reasonable, both in quality and price, for that kind of occasional use?

[EBDPA]

I purchased one for wearing on the range when I am instructing, particularly with new students... the muzzle discipline is just not engrained yet. I have talked with many instructors who tell stories of being muzzled by new students. In my book, this is not a laughing matter, but opportunities for me not to go home at night.

I agree that is seems impractical for an every day CCW to wear a vest, sort of defeates the 'concealed' part of the drill...

I like VegasGeorge's idea about having it next to the bed with the electronic ear muffs and my quick gun safe.