Body Armor Edge Test | Will it STOP a BULLET??? (Polyethylene Plates)

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[@Minuteman4Jesus]

Hi, I'm Will and I've had to dodge lots of bullets my whole life. I have to stay away from public shooting ranges because I always get shot at when the rangemasters say FIRE AT WILL! 🙃

[@jameswick8358]

Public ranges are a no go😂

[@81hewp]

Glad none of my rounds hit you. Will, keep on dodging.

[@MrSoonermadman]

Lmao, good dad joke @Minuteman4Jesus !!

[@BerathorPainting]

😂 Fantastic dad joke mixed with range humor. Thank you for that laugh.

[@J.Young808]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@user-yh8dy8if8n]

With the amount of comments I’m sure this will be missed. My experience is LEO and I found a really nice combination for armor. I wear a Level 3A that has a pocket for plates in the front and back. So with that pocket a carry a ceramic plate in the front. I believe that the combo makes an excellent set. You just demonstrated that the edges of the plates may fail, but if it is worn with the Level 3A like I do, I believe that it would help stop those edge fails greatly. What would be your opinion? Maybe a test one day? If this is read thanks greatly for you time.

[@rsr3959]

Polyethelene/dyneema effectively melts and rehardens around bullets to catch them, so it's a surface area game well as velocity (and also # of layers for its ratings). Also a question as to the dimensions of your hard plate. Me personally in plate carriers, I like larger SPEAR/BALCS armor (at least) 3a backers to smaller but appropriately sized level 3+ plates rated for m855. Effectively that's greater than 11x14 soft armor (size L to XL) w/ a medium 10x12 plate. 3a catches common pistol rounds (not high velocity) and shrapnel and potentially rifle rounds through intermediate barriers like a vehicle. Plates tumble/reduce velocity/stop rifle rounds. As LEO, I think I'd prefer level 3a+ soft armor (defeat high velocity pistol rounds including most FN 5.7, polyethelene though it's roughly 2x the layers as 3a, so quite thick and not nearly as comfortable, albeit still fairly light), and don a vest w/ hard plates (potentially level 4, at least 3+) when needed... Can add a relatively small plate around your heart to thorax. So long as you're not rural or super-urban where cops being targeted and uncertain if EMS/responding officers can reach you, I'd think lung protection is less critical than heart.

[@debacofzomb9889]

They also make Starbucks cups out of polyethylene, in Lawrence Kansas. 😁 Plastic is crazy stuff.

[@sherizaahd]

I wondered if because the plate was already compromised by the earlier hit, if it would perform better on the half inch mark if it were the first hit. Must test, shoot more body armor Mr Poet!

[@loco4dogg]

and vice versa.

[@stephencooper5040]

Cavitation is what happens in a wound track, what you were pointing at is known as “back face deformation,” for which the NIJ also has a measurement and a standard to pass the armor tests. The reason for this is if the armor deforms too much the force of catching the bullet can kill you anyway, for example if it crushes your ribs into your heart and lungs.

[@josephhautzenroeder7512]

Kentucky ballistics did a test using a 4 Bore rifle. The Kevlar caught the round…but the Kevlar was firmly punched into the gelatin dummy’s abdomen

[@kickinrocks6055]

I wonder what acceptable deformation is. Those hits that caught looked like 1-2 inches.

[@l337l0gan]

Cavitation by definition is a deformation. He may not be using the exact term the NIJ is using, but his Grammer is perfectly fine

[@jonboy9734]

Does a cavity form on the front?

[@kickinrocks6055]

@jonboy9734 I think both front and back, with the plastic type plates. But someone else is welcome to correct me. I think their main benefit is weight, possibly multi hit. But the drawback is huge rear deformation with higher power rounds.

[@HaroldCornbreadCarter]

Video suggestion: I’d personally really like a “meet the team” series. Like each instructor and team member of WPS gets a video on they’re background and why they gravitated to this community. (Including John). Because I get the basics of their history, but a more in-depth “where have you been and what have you done” would be super interesting. Use this comment as a petition to get that going🇺🇸

[@kmk1428]

There is always a trade off ! The bottom line is train hard - train smart ! And BE HARD TO KILL ! With or without the armor ! And that is what John teaches !! Great stuff !

[@jasona2431]

You Tactical TImmys and Lovell hero-worshipers are pathetic. Lovell is a pandering, hypocritical, alt-right shill and for-profit patriot.

[@ronniejamesstepford]

Yes! Be the baddest dude in your suburb.

[@neilb3299]

The term you are looking for is "back face deformation" instead of "cavitation"

[@mikes6719]

"You keep saying that word"

[@shyman99]

Hey, at least they were kind enough to provide the ear protection. 🤣

[@SteadyPancake]

Love y’all’s videos even the simple ones like these. Looking forward for what’s to come!

[@rebelscumspeedshop]

I remember in training the instructor saying " body armour is there to give the doctors something to work with".

[@Shozb0t]

You should test one of the personal body shields that they use in the movie Dune. I want to know how good they really are.

[@zerohero6602]

The Spacing Guild is having some great 4th of July sales right now on Holtzman shields.

[@janhendriksteenkamp8966]

Thanks for this video. I carry Poly plates for the sake of the weight but always wondered how it compares to other plates. Seeing this put gives me more confidence in my equipment

[@jatbatman]

Glad to see videos like this are coming back. I've never been a huge fan of podcast style videos, especially panel based ones. That intro by the way, was hilarious.

[@mikemoore9623]

Bob is a very brave Dummy. I watched him closely and didn't even see him move at all when that bullet nipped his side. He deserves a 🍩🍩 or two.

[@justme_gb]

Bob's going to go home and brag to his Real Doll Mrs. how badass he is.

[@wonderblast953]

Didn't even flinch

[@brandonm3375]

Love this kind of stuff. I hope to see more like it !

[@ogloc6308]

now this is content. i love body armor related test videos

[@pablopenasco4254]

“But, what about Bob?!” 😂

[@ms.karihart2983]

Thank you John for that elegant explanation of how to train more tactics not to get shoot All kidding aside great content

[@user-vv5zt4mn5r]

Thanks for the info John!

[@tylerrose6043]

Awesome intro. Great info. Thanks

[@bilbsk.2510]

You are all awesome, thank you

[@timothyvandenhoek4326]

Love the intro!!!! Great job man keep it up!!!!!

[@kevenneely8631]

Great vid. Bless your family and friends.

[@DDGVET4]

Now I believe even more about what Clint Smith said about armor. "It's great if you have someone who can actually hit it." But then again like Clint all we had were those damn flak jackets in my day too.

[@hvyduty1220]

loved the beginning!

[@dr.m9395]

John - love you and everything you do. Please comment on the ShotStop failure to be certified by NIJ and dissolution of the company. I own several sets of their products I bought from them. Thank you

[@skeetwebster9389]

Good stuff as always. Love the intro. 😆😆😆

[@StandardsandPractices]

That opening skit made my day. Thanks

[@averageusercommenter199]

LOVE body armor TESTS!

[@charlesmckinley29]

Thanks guys

[@brettelizabethspore]

Another great video. Laugh and learn. Good stuff.

[@clintpoague7635]

Cheap, light, and strong….pick any 2

[@jetfirers5139]

Love the content

[@xxxlonewolf49]

Knights armor was NOT heavy & slow. They were quiet nimble for such a huge level of protection.

[@GramKracker88]

good stuff man

[@ryos8593]

great as usual

[@EricDaMAJ]

I’m bucking the trend here. But I have to say it anyway. I don’t like the idea of body protection dependent on the enemy being a great marksman.

[@ronniejamesstepford]

Or go for a head shot.

[@ziploc53]

Neat. Would be cool to see you shoot steel and ceramic plates

[@jeffdonaldson6538]

So funny John 😅! Good information too.

[@ulflyng]

HAHAHAHA.....I'm dying 🤣 That intro is vid of the year

[@Thuperdude2]

That was a spectacular intro 😂

[@woundedfox5109]

Best intro in June. Don't be a target, use good tactics. Work on the 50yrd dash.

[@rsr3959]

Larger 3a or 3a+ soft armor backer to a smaller 3, 3+ plate eliminates much of the edge impact concern FWIW, say 11x14 backer to 10x12. Doesn't necessarily solve the throat concern, but does bottom and to the sides. Your duritium 3+ plate also looks to have a ceramic face, not just "dust" and "paint" as you reference...

[@collinjones311]

This also varies by manufacturer and how far they extend the strike face. Some companies use the last inch to add protective barriers. When I talked to shot stop they said theirs were not technically edge to edge. Others do fairly well with shots to the edge. Companies like DFNDR and others likely can still handle multi hits in that area (obviously just depends on how they make their plates). Just a factor to consider when deciding what you require and value in a plate. I personally went with DFNDR as their plates are fantastic and the weight compared to threat level is surprisingly light. But they are definitely chonky at 1.1in and have also been heavily considering picking up a set of shot stops due to the amount of movement and impact those things can withstand while maintaining their structural integrity and ability to do their job and are one of only maybe 5 companies I'd truly trust to wear.

[@latetotheparty7551]

Fun intro!

[@chased4333]

Game. Take a shot of lukewarm fireball every time John says cavitation lol

[@loco4dogg]

Like to see a Bob made of ballistic gel to see the impact effects on both stopped rounds and pass throughs.

[@foxtrotunit1269]

Makes you really think how useful armor really is. Really just seems that unless your plates are lightweight it's almost pointless. I feel like a longer discussion on civilian/prepared citizen armor choice would be quite awesome. Especially if some parallels are drawn from the Ukraine war. Modern wars it seems are very different to fighting Taliban. Different story in Ukraine however, you see guys dressed in IIIa protection (against artillery/drone dropped nades shrapnel) and they cover *their entire body* like torso, stomach, helmet, and even leg armor. Some even have what looks like 3a neck guards. Makes sense for rear-echelon troops when your biggest threat is shrapnel. (unless it's a direct hit or a sabotage team sneak in of course)

[@zack9912000]

If you are in shape, they are worth the weight. I will carry the weight vs a sucking chest wound. If people are obese and are lazy, of course people make excuses why they are "pointless"

[@foxtrotunit1269]

@@zack9912000 That's a good summary yes. But a deeper discussion on level of protection, armor selection etc. would be better.

[@KC-Kid]

Bob has heart! True warrior 😂

[@renegadearms]

Talking a guy recently who has never really worn body armor and he wanted all the armors, and I asked the same question have you ever ran around with that stuff on, which is why I was explaining my somewhat minimalist approach.

[@kennethalbert4653]

Idea ! Maybe the plate could be designed where the edge material is cylindrical (molded in). Im not sure why but i have a sense that could help ?

[@lexlane9353]

So do they make slightly larger poly plates to still give you the same coverage as the steal?

[@ethanbarnes3973]

The prime armor hybrid plates look really cool let us know what you think of thier srt plate. Pleaseeee sir!

[@joeblow9284]

HARD pass on Shot Stop armor

[@desther]

For special forces and recce i guess poly does make a lot of sense. If you man the trench or assaulting, i would go with steel or ceramic for better protection. Lot of bullets and shrapnels fly in UA and it would suck to die on hit that could have been stopped by different armor type.

[@tessat3483]

Poor Bob. Great video. Thanks. 😂😂

[@trentslayton6300]

A garand thumb collab would be sick

[@Crangaso]

We got a yes!!

[@jacobivy2854]

A few weeks ago one of our local SWAT guys (former FBI SWAT and Chief of Police in town) was leading a stack into a home and got clipped right above his plates and straight into the suprasternal notch, and it killed him instantly. It’s always a roll of the dice when it comes to gun fighting.

[@Minuteman4Jesus]

If everyone does their own research into body armor & manufacturers, you'll quickly realize that UHMWPE & ceramic armor plates don't have full edge-to-edge protection like alloy armor does (steel, titanium, composite, etc). I would suggest that if you don't like the idea of 9"x11" Level IV, get an 11"x14" ceramic plate AND put a IIIA soft panel behind that (and if you can, a trauma pad behind that).

[@grizzly_8917]

Hoplite makes some pretty good stuff. Want to order more from them.

[@mrbakerskatz]

Thanks John , I’m in my mid 60s 285# (+,-) 6’5” . That has been my main complaint about body armor . I feel more coverage in the speedo my wife insist on me wearing . 🤦🤷🏻‍♂🤮

[@rsr3959]

Spear/balcs appropriately sized to your body for the win.

[@notyouraveragegoldenpotato]

I'm a hair under 6'6. 240. Have 11×14 plates with xl side plates. It covers pretty dang well what needs to be covered.

[@steventrypuc7909]

Keep it up sir

[@airborne39]

Hi, thx fir that. What about home made body Armour? Saw a Fiberglas version which seemed pretty good for any handgun... Greetings from South Africa and if you do come past this side, say high at ksb Mission, Josh L😎

[@81hewp]

Educational.

[@ammitthedevourerofsouls]

Please reupload everyone knows pain video. Thank you for posting.

[@glorybound7599]

Try the same test using a plate made of fiberglass clothe and resin, 1 inch thick, that should cost less than $75 and you can make at home with a few basic tools and a little elbow grease.

[@Mitsurugi2424]

5:25 remember you have an arm too. Either way, that looks like plate failure to me. That was the 1in mark, where it's certified to stop it.

[@atypicalviking1369]

John, hit me up I’ll be your human target! 😂

[@biohazard20161]

I laughed so hard at the intro.

[@CarlosRodriguez-kb9jc]

This is interesting to see. My plates are poly.

[@maniacmatt8062]

Just a thought 💭 but couldn’t you make a plate that has a edge protector made of steel just around the perimeter of the plate about a inch or half inch then use your normal polycarbonate protection??? This way you get the best of the both worlds. An honestly how much extra weight could that actually be. Personally for the added edge protection I’d take the smidgen of extra weight. If any company takes my idea 💡 I’ll need to be compensated lmao 🤣 hahahah. Great video as usual guys !!!

[@jamesh6966]

5.56 is the most common US rifle round. We need to see more testing on 3A+ or 4A plates in a more budget range. I have a wife and 7 kids to buy armor for and can't afford to drop 1000 bucks for everybody. $doesn't necessarily equal quality.

[@sombra6153]

It would be interesting to test the plate while it’s backed by a level IIIA Kevlar best panel. Would the poly take enough out of a. 556 to stop it in the vest?

[@SolemnSentinel]

Definitely not what cavitation means

[@davidalbus8089]

As a civilian who doesn't have any plans of long distance rucking with armor the thing that sold me on steel armor is the idea of resupply. I'm not going to be given new plates every five years. I have to buy them if they are available. If I do get shot then steel plates can take more hits than the alternatives so i can use the plates again in the next fight assuming that I can't buy a new plate.

[@zack9912000]

I have ceramic plates that are well over 10 years old. I had them inspected and they tested like new. Steel playes are great till the rounds shatter and hit you in the neck. Even with the coatings I dont like them, but you are right they will last a very long time along with ceramic plates

[@davidalbus8089]

@@zack9912000 I added a spall catching sleeve to mine for added ease of mind.

[@shadowscout9872]

So, steel in the winter and ceramic or poly in the warmer months ?

[@Darknight0781]

RMA overbuilds their plates around the edges, give those a try.

[@DisciplesHyper]

Yo that intro🤣🤣🤣

[@user-qg1xy9sq9b]

Where can I get those plates?

[@diynreviewguy8992]

Perform this test with RMA Defense level 4 plates 😁

[@swalker157]

What happened to the poly plates on your website?

[@Mr.WS6]

What plate would you recommend that stops 308 or 3006?

[@tvela595]

Finally, a body armor test where the shooter actually hits the mark- good shooting man

[@RippinLips910]

Would like to see this test again but with clothes on bob and plates in a good plate carrier

[@alexChabakphotography]

poly plates with a steal edge would be interesting...

[@turbocooker]

Someone should make a hybrid poly/steel plate with steel on the edges.

[@iam13013]

Great video. Quick question what ever happened to Evan?

[@d-cm1446]

Been noticing the same thing 😢

[@philclodfelter5994]

🤣🤣🤣 great intro

[@jasonbaldini]

Are you using a Hogue knife, are you using a Hogue knife Johnny?? I had a lot of Hogue grips in the past and I remember just seeing a Hogue knife here and there even on their site and now I'm seeing them all over. I'm kidding I didn't see if your knife was or not, but it's funny how it's "the adopted" knife now all over and all the gun shops, at least in Vegas that's how it is. I stopped collecting before those went mainstream but I'll get one soon enough.

[@swucm7410]

What if mine has all three

[@IRLand713]

Could they reinforce the edges of those poly plates with steel to prevent that pass through?

[@davidalbus8089]

Without additional structure I would be concerned it would turn the steel into fragmentation.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

Being that Poly plates are so light, not a bad idea to plus up the protection and have a Kevlar Sleeve or Backing for them too.

[@kennethalbert4653]

Cavitation is for pumps and propellers ! Lol

[@garrydobson2626]

Would love to watch but I use steel, not plastic

[@lanehardin279]

Now I just wanna know how many times I can get shot with a low caliber like a .22 on level 4 plates

[@gmenendez9569]

Comment for algorithm. Good vid!

[@MrKKUT1984]

I just my mind to stop bullets like ol boy on the matrix.

[@johnthomsen4394]

drink every time he says cavitate.

[@xxCOKERxxPWNxx]

The only part about ShotStop thats shady, is their initial lack of openness on their GT2 plates. 1) it doesnt stop m855a1 at all 2) its not edge to edge protection on the green tip rating. If you wear a medium plate, youre only getting small plate sized coverage against green tip- which can be tricky when youre trying to size the plate proportionally to your body structure. To get appropriate coverage, you may have to wear your plate higher than recommended, or go a size up to cover your vitals which can lead to other issues. They have recently started being a little more open about the lack of edge to edge protection but a couple years ago it was just left to independent reviewers to disprove their claims straight from their site. Still a decent plate. Light as can be, and super thin, but maybe not for you ( the individual potential buyer). For me, I buy green tip to stock up on. Its good factory military ammunition, it has penetrating capability, has decent accuracy and ballistics out of my 1/7 twist guns, and is CHEAP AND READILY AVAILABLE. With how prevalent it is, I just dont want to take the gamble on whether my plate will actually stop it or if Im gonna have to pull out a ruler to see whether or not Im gonna live despite it impacting my plate.

[@wes_d]

Why are the plates so narrow compared to the width of the torso? Why not plates on the sides also? I agree with the idea of not being a target…