We Torture Test Ceramic Body Armor Plates so You Don't Have to

[@BenfromFlux]

This is pretty close to how I test my products in development and then again right before production. Wish our torture test videos would show all the crazy shit we do to them. Thank you dudes for continuing to educate us on your dime!

[@dirty-civilian]

Thanks man!

[@willpizza1]

@@dirty-civilianso what plates do you recommend hesco or west coast or is there one that goes better with a crye plate carrier

[@aharris87]

"Everyone has a plan until they get hit in the same place twice"-DC

[@DrTramp-uu1hh]

With body armor becoming more common I've changed my handgun shooting drill to something I picked up from a former LAPD officer. I now put two double taps in center mass and then change to double taps to the groin area. On most people the groin area, hip to hip, is almost as wide as the chest area so it's a much easier target than the head and it contains a numbers of critical and sensitive nerve clusters, bloods vessels, and joints, not to mention the family jewels. The LAPD officer told me that he changed to this routine when drug dealers and other criminals also started wearing armor and on two occasions when he used it because shots to center mass failed to stop someone it worked perfectly.

[@SnapD24]

I'm seeing this taught in women's self-defense courses too.

[@Project_31]

Box drill, two the chest or groin box and one to the t-box

[@arty560]

The pelvic girdle. Dope ass bad guy catcher’s mitts. There’s a lot of arteries running there, and it’s impossible to tourniquet that area.

[@bmrz38]

@@arty560yes, pelvic girdle. It will drop them and incapacitate them at minimum. It’s a great follow up shot.

[@ArsonalTech]

Marines don’t aim for the center mass anymore, they aim for the hips. I got this info from a navy doc who trains with Marines. Makes sense since the govt. is trying to have a near peer war with China, possibly Russia. You miss the armor, hit all those bits you mentioned, and immobilize your target.

[@Tate-sf7ec]

I own some L210s. Even after watching this I’d still rather have these plates than no plates. They do a decent job for the price. If I was a soldier I’d buy up for better…

[@CiviTac]

I love mine. Hard to argue with the weight savings on the plates. They do what I want them to do against m855

[@BabaNovac792]

"They do"? ...as in - you got shot while wearing them?....I'm asking because i se this comment often : "they do..."...

[@coltonmullins2274]

I don’t think there’s going to be that much difference in between slightly damaged plates, and a control. Think about dudes in the military that have no clue how to take care of the armor and they still stop rounds. The amount of times I’ve seen someone toss their armor out of the truck is insane. Edit: AND how many times have we been soaked in the field from rain

[@aesthetic8780]

Yes, for real plates. Even china plates. But not these disgusting L210. Why spending so much money on level IIIA+ plates? Just buy real level 4 or 3+ plates for the same money. With REAL testings and NIJ documents.

[@Sophistry0001]

@@aesthetic8780 Because you save a lot of weight, and the odds of you going against someone shooting at you with 30-06 AP is basically zero. Some people make the calculated risk to reduce the level of protection in a plate, such that it can still stop the most common cartridges (5.56 and 7.62x39) but you are like 3 lbs lighter per plate.

[@MrSlayerboy99]

@@Sophistry0001the amount of coping I see for L210 owners is outrageous. Single curve, not actually 10x12 due to foam liner, Extremely narrow level of protection vs standard level 4 plates. Highcom 4s17m is NOT much more expensive or heavy and it’s a properly built plate. A plate should not need a foam edge like the l210 does. Just pony up and get level 4s

[@Sophistry0001]

@@MrSlayerboy99 yea I mean I have heavy RMA 1155s which are level 4. I can just understand the justification tho for getting special threat plates

[@MollyTheLag]

my dad had a plate that shattered from a pistol round while room clearing in iraq, turned his chest purple and could barely stand. idk the previous condition of the plate or the ammo from the pistol.

[@BuffRANGE]

Good production. Thanks for using a clay backer and for strapping the plate down.

[@hunterriley755]

Very interesting video, I'm glad you guys kept the testing consistent and actually locked the plate down to take the full impact of the round.

[@LTLC]

BUFFMAN Range is an excellent channel for testing plates with a better level of control for his testing.

[@brittontwood]

At this point, the laughs are what I keep coming back to this channel for. The educational info is just a plus. Lol

[@adamdyment9732]

buffman range has the best armor testing on the internet, including a set of plates that he submerged in a pond over a year ago. That video should be out soon.

[@roberttaylor7451]

I know for a fact that a cracked esapi plate will still stop several rounds of of green tip. I had a plate that didn’t pass the test of tapping a heavy steel punch onto it the same way the military does. After it failed I shook it and you could hear the fragments moving around. I took it out and put 7-10 rounds through it before going through. I was very impressed. Cheers

[@sdpy15]

Excellent video guys, yall are answering the questions that many of us have wondered about for years.

[@paulmorang8340]

This is an awesomely well thought out and relevant test. Thank you for the work you guys do!

[@420ninjafish420]

Intro was spot on, keep up the great work guys!

[@dirty-civilian]

Thanks man!

[@FordghostTaco]

Always wondered what would happen if you mixed steel and ceramic body plates together. With steel as the backer to the ceramic plate.

[@adamnickel]

That sounds heavy

[@zexnynex777]

Fall down, and not get back up

[@50shadesofcerakote]

I always thought it was pretty well known with ceramics that, if a plate got hit, anywhere within an inch of the initial impact it was compromised? Seems to hold pretty true judging by this video.

[@EvanDavis-x4q]

I thought that as well. It wasn't surprising at all when they got full pass throughs when hitting the same spot or close to it. They should've shot the plate in a different spot in my opinion, it kind of does the plate an injustice. I bet it would've stopped all of the rounds if they were spaced out.

[@50shadesofcerakote]

@@EvanDavis-x4q exactly. And I saw some poeple commenting about the L210s Not being true to their size because they had foam around the edges... But, I dont remember seeing any foam when the edges were exposed. If anything, Im feeling fairly confident in trusting my L210s.

[@notreal5311]

Within two inches of another hit isnt permitted when doing NIJ testing.

[@BuffRANGE]

@@50shadesofcerakote L210's have a full edge to edge strike face. Confirmed such with doing a tear down of L210s when I demo'd them. Videos are on my channel.

[@REDACTED115]

Y’all should test the RMA level 4 Plates, always been curious about those

[@watchthe8s]

Agreed. 1155's are recommended a lot.

[@Sophistry0001]

You can find a lot of tests on those, they are very popular because of the price for a level 4 plate that is NIJ rated. BuffmanRange on youtube does a lot of armor testing and closely mimics the NIJ (thought not exactly)

[@fender_ketchup]

It'd be really interesting to see how many 9mm's or even .22's one of these could take before one made it through.

[@bryangray6561]

It's not necessarily practical, but it would be super fun to know

[@fender_ketchup]

@@bryangray6561 I remember Demo Ranch did a video a while ago about how many shotgun slugs to punch through an ar500 plate, it was like 60😆

[@bryangray6561]

@@fender_ketchup I can't imagine what that'd feel like 💀😂

[@Djmatrix2310]

@@fender_ketchup M193 will punch through steel pretty easily.

[@Training_Tsuna_]

Great blend of insight, entertainment, and banter

[@DitchDoc35]

Hesco has repeatedly failed multiple NIJ certifications. So far the only plate that I'm aware of that they haven't recalled is the 3810s. Lol

[@syntaxerrorsix3137]

L210 aren't NIJ rated anyways.

[@MultiSycorax]

​@@syntaxerrorsix3137Yes, because they can't or won't pass the testing, Hesco has had problems with QC since at least 2016.

[@CraftySasquatch]

Shot Stop level 4 is the best plate ever made. Dayton is a very close runner up. However you will pay through the nose for both. How much is your life worth is what it comes down to. If you have to go budget shopping for a plate your are not taking your life value seriously.

[@aaronkeener95]

@@CraftySasquatch😂 that’s why the company closed down right because they were caught lying having some plates made overseas. They screwed there dealers their customers and now we’re facing jail time.

[@syntaxerrorsix3137]

@@CraftySasquatch Uh huh.... "ShotStop is no longer taking orders until further notice."

[@Quazo594]

Love your videos guys. Every episode gets better and better.

[@dirty-civilian]

Thanks man!

[@nickdevault5717]

Gonna give this a go. My guess is the oven one may dry out too much, get brittle enough to go through, and the water will deform more with water seeping into the ceramic / cordura... We'll see! Great content!

[@DefenderCJ21]

I love my L210s. I am very vested in your experiment right now. Lol.

[@forcefrontier]

Check out Dayton Armor plates. R&D project for the SF community. They are the lightest plates available in level III and out perform Hesco.

[@zp3495]

What is the weight?

[@ICanNap508]

⁠​⁠@@zp3495the RF2 medium sapi comes in at 3.4lbs per thier site

[@forcefrontier]

@@zp3495 1.8 lbs for level III and 1.5 lbs for Level III ICW.

[@amaricani]

I wanna see a test on 3A soft armor that's been ran through the washer.... for uh, science

[@jeffero1074]

Test RMA LV4 plates, they are very popular and while heavy seeing how they hold up would be amazing.

[@worthy0ne777]

That flamethrower shot was beautiful as f*ck

[@huntermoronie5825]

Scorpius tactical in Reno Nevada sells US armor corperation LVL IIIA polyethylene 1lb plates, They are not ITAR regulated and are usually being sent to security/police in foreign countries. I shot tested mine with subsonic 300blk and it stopped it with ~1.2" backface deformation.

[@dinofabris7110]

Great job guys, I've been looking at Steel Ops III+ in real world condition. 50 yards and out, I'm not a door kicker. Keep up the great videos.

[@HelliDontKno]

I heard a wise man once say. "If you've been shot multiple times in the same location. Maybe you should get the fak out of the way".

[@APUSHstudent777]

11:16 Okay, to be fair, guys. I think that 3 rounds is with nothing tighter than a one inch grouping. From what yall show, he damn near key holed the spot.

[@whiteskyflyer]

Doppleganger here EW! That face when the first 39 went through! Was the exact face I made seeing it. Solid video sorry I am behind been working a lot!

[@R0B3RT0191]

26:12 anyone else noticed the wasp or bee getting wrecked by the spalling???😂

[@LeadFarmer_84]

Josh drowned is exactly how I wanted that bit to end, and you did not disappoint. ❤ Although would have gotten extra points if you had made him look death white.

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

4 ga with 1/4 lb of lead and 300 grains. It's sending plate chunks flying or threw someone. Because small high speed works less and less on modern plates.

[@musician445]

I backed my l210's with some premier soft armor IIIa inserts. It adds weight that probably ends up being similar to L4's, but if figure in the event something went through it might get caught by the backer. This was a really cool test for sure.

[@FlaredSpace]

Id love to see this done on the RMA Armament Lvl 4. They are about $150 a piece but weigh about 8 lbs per plate. Apparently they were removed from the NIJ but from all the other tests ive seen on them they still are truly lvl 4. I think just some shady stuff went on diring testing as they have been certified for years

[@othernamesweretaken1871]

I wanna see them too. I’ve got a set so the curiosity is definitely there

[@azbavenger24]

Military arms channel did a recent video of them.

[@tactikoolcloud8788]

I agree that something shady happened with NIJ failing that plate. Based off the torture tests I’ve seen of RMA and Hesco’s I’m definitely leaning towards RMA.

[@spookysoupy]

I’m divorcing my husband, he is watching your videos without me. I don’t know the man I married (this is a joke, we both love your content. You guys are awesome!)

[@brettkos3081]

If you guys do this test again, can you see if you can get an X-ray tech to see what the plates look like? Either before or after shooting it

[@dirty-civilian]

That's a great idea. This won't be the last test so we'll definitely keep that in mind for the next one!

[@acem82]

I don't believe these are rated for multiple hits within an inch. Calling them failed because they didn't survive that isn't fair to *any* ceramic plate.

[@notreal5311]

NIJ testing doesnt allow for shots to be within two inches of each other, and it also doesnt permit hits close to the edge of the plate. Theres a lot of talk aboit what is fair in the NIJ testing protocol, how many shots you can get per plate etc.

[@Nickalapokis]

Hoplite seems to still be a solid contender

[@tetrix1658]

at 26:12 on the bottom left u have 2 bees smashing right before they get hit with a 556 shockwave

[@NickJonesFilms]

HA I was waiting for this comment!!!

[@PNWMinuteMan2000]

AR 600 steel level 3+ Frag sleeve Trama pads Is the premium when excluding ceramic plates

[@desviooffroad5876]

Can y'all test the Highcom Guardian RSTP SA+ Rifle Plate Special Threat and Multi-Hit 5.56 x 45mm M855 (Green Tip) 7.62 x 39mm Mild Steel Core

[@mummbamiester6338]

Saw you guys in the VERTX advertisement. I got excited. Had to buy some stackables.

[@dirty-civilian]

Awesome! That was a fun shoot.

[@HamMaker101]

18:20 the face drew makes thinking about how cool he is when he doesn’t shave

[@oskar6661]

Would have been more curious to see this performed on soft body armour. I was issued IIIA soft armour for duty use. Wore it in the desert for a little over four years, daily. Sweated through it perhaps 250 days of the year. It had a small trauma plate in the center, but I was always curious how "useful" the soft armour would have been by the time I gave it back.

[@gagemason3865]

Any soft armor that’s Kevlar or UHMWPE based is pretty much infinitely durable. Especially Kevlar. There have been lots of videos of people shooting Vietnam flak jackets and old IIA vests that kicked around in the back of police patrol vehicles for a decade or more through many many temperature extremes and they all stop what they are supposed to still.

[@harmandeepsingh6598]

Thank you for test. Really like your channel, getting close to Grand Thumb.

[@PhoenixBlaze1776]

Do this test with a 20in AR amd those plates may not fair as well as that is what the 5.56 is designed for lol still good test overall

[@garrettjaneski6209]

Let’s see some budget LA Police Gear level IV plates get jacked up like this! See if the ole sentiment of getting what you pay for proves true.

[@Ovokor]

Soaking in water may be an issue if its over night, baking wont hurt it, edge weapons shouldn't be an issue but repeated dropping it may cause damage.

[@StewBandit]

Some might say that’s above average depth.. 😞

[@anthonyorosco7026]

I think that most of the poor's (myself included) would appreciate testing out some of the more budget plates like the bulldog armor, safe life defense, LA Police gear, and others to see if they hold up to the more pricey options.

[@50shadesofcerakote]

L210s are budget...

[@MrWhatever77777]

Love to see how an L210's rating is affected by adding a level IIIa panel behind it. Would adding soft armor inserts help at all?

[@amaricani]

Theoretically it would help, especially with how much of the backforce deformation actually pushes into the wearer

[@aesthetic8780]

My god, just buy real level 4 or 3+ plates for the same money. Is your life not even 300-400$ worth?

[@amaricani]

@@aesthetic8780 I wear lvl 4s with a 3A backer.... more money, more weight, but also I'd rather not get shot lol

[@fastcamarojohnny2216]

“I’m going to spread these rounds out”, literally stacks them on top of each other

[@figgy1682]

I really want to know where you can find this evidence of hesco failing? Legit, I’ve only heard this from someone who sells armor and put it out to the public. Does the NIJ have an actual fail list and how they failed?

[@seanfitzpatrick4586]

You can go to the NIJ Compliant Armor List online and see all of the suspensions and advisory notices they have had. Hesco had to recall nearly 30K plates. Look at other hard armor models and mfgs on the list and you'll see Hesco leads the number of hard armor safety and advisory notices for hard armor

[@Kalbee]

Test the RMA level 4s. They are super cheap and have edge to edge ceramic made in the USA. What I plan on buying very soon.

[@caronin]

Drew's beard looks like it's trying to escape his face and run away to the circus.

[@The_Arid_Apostate]

Initial thought: I’m disappointed yall didn’t put “moist” instead of “wet” on the tape.

[@timunderbakke8756]

Love the test, would be very curious to see how RMA Armament plates hold up

[@AJ_Sparten1337]

In regards to the control, that is why I wear Hesco 4800's. They can take two rounds of AP 30.06 on top of each other. There is video evidence from them that proves it.

[@BuffRANGE]

I'd like to see that video, because 2 AP threats right on top of each other would result in a penetration of the second round, no question about it. The strike face is needed to eat away the AP core, and it would be nonexistent after the first shot.

[@Salvo_Your_Problems]

Awesome video! Those drop tests had me legit cringing.

[@dirty-civilian]

Yeah, it hurt to hear the sound of it smacking that concrete.

[@kevpachakey]

Rules to follow, always shoot doubles at the minimum. Shooting triples is best

[@WearilyCorrect]

Whatever you do, don't buy steel unless you're okay with getting frag.

[@25Mcwilly]

Id like to see this test with different grain (5.56) as well as suppressors on and off

[@benjamincooper8531]

You guys should see if adding some soft armor behind the 210s would improve stopping capability.

[@Kalbee]

“It’s whatever dude” Easter egg

[@loboloco866]

Excellent review, I would say scientific and very entertaining. You guys rock congrats.

[@dirty-civilian]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@BraxtonB-sc7dw]

I wanna see one shot with a compound bow of about 70- 80 lb pull with a double bladed broad head. (Arrow grain could vary. When it comes to the edged weapons test I thought you guys should have smacked it hard like your really trying to kill with the tomahawk. But overall great video!

[@MrRedWhiteAndPew]

My question is why don’t people shoot plates with the vest since no one is wearing plates with no vest? How much shrapnel does the vest stop? Mainly talking about steel plates but others too.

[@ArsonalTech]

Apparently M855A1 out of a 20” barrel at close range will punch through level IV plates. I’d like to see that tested to see if that’s actually true

[@Quixcilver7.62]

Great humor and testing. Thanks, y'all.

[@dirty-civilian]

Our pleasure!

[@Double39L]

It seemed that the 5.56 (on all plates) did the damage prior to being shot 7.62 rounds so I think due to the 5.56 had already weakened the armor and the 7.62 finished it off, but I’m just saying!

[@Double39L]

But I still like yall videos!

[@seanlawrence972]

Great video and review. Would like to see you fellas test out the Agilite KZero carrier as well as the Agilite plates. Would be curious to see how they perform.

[@parkerpearson2360]

I'm curious about a durability type of test. Like what if you were evading an enemy force and ended up falling and rolling down a rocky hill. You luckily make it out only sore but did your plates get crunched? Are they gonna be able to stop anything?

[@akabacon8374]

great video fellas

[@jtrazz4038]

i’m here for the paint code on the rattle job 🔥🔥

[@knifetech101]

Fun fact, Agilite sells almost this exact plate in shooters cut (pretty sure made by Hesco)

[@dababcock9]

"... not intended to protect against sharp-edged or pointed instruments" includes threats from arrows. The question is what kind of arrow? Long bow? Compound bow? Cross bow bolt? That's a test that I'd REALLY like to see. What happens when you fire various arrows/bolts into different body armor?

[@Djmatrix2310]

They have to put that on there because it is not NIJ stabbed-resistant rated.

[@dababcock9]

Arrows have a lot more mass behind the tip (cross-sectional density) than bullets. It's not just a matter of the arrowhead, it's the shaft behind it. There are vests that can stop some pretty impressive rounds, but can't stop an arrow. It would be really interesting to know what the vest is capable of stopping... even if it's not officially rated for it.

[@warfighter__54]

Love the content guys keep it up! question is that a 4 mag placard? looks like a spiritus but not, I have been searching for a 4 mag forever!

[@DaveI-n5p]

Hi guys. Would love to see what happens when you hit a full magazine in a placard on the plate carrier.

[@dejacle]

Wooly Willy called, he wants his beard back.

[@stinkbomb212]

I would watch a few other videos about these same plates. Their results are bit different from other reviews of the product. Not saying they are wrong, results are results but the price to quality ratio is actually pretty good.

[@Casper0844]

Despite the intro, I think the armor will survive all the trials.

[@ГеоргиХристов-н9в]

I think the only issue with using the light is that you can get shot through the wall if that is not concrete or brick (majority of the US).

[@davidarcelay-pizarro4659]

Hey guys, I would love to see you test the Ace Link IV SA Multi-Curve rifle armor plates to see what type of calibers it can stop.

[@MrOliverk2]

Missed a golden opportunity to relabel the wet plate “WAP”

[@kevpachakey]

Imagine jumping into a ditch or falling on your plate with the weight of gear and a human body behind it. 2 of those and I'm sure significant damage

[@ParkerMotorWorks]

I want to see what the most round till failure on a variety of plates. Make a sheetrock box in front and all the was around the plate to see Spalding on the metal plates

[@CowboyGun]

Would you consider a test of level 4 steel armor with a 3a soft armor layer overtop? Maybe the one from rma? I am not sure if it would save the steel plate alot depending on the caliber as well as catch the spalling

[@DBCooper81]

Love to see you test one of the most prolific/budget plates in the U.S. LAPG Level 3 plates.

[@MementoMoriMarksmanship]

Can you simulate a soldier wearing a plate carrier during airborne operations? How would repeated jumps/parachute landing falls effect his plates?

[@BillyHeaton16]

Well when your shooting through the same hole of course it will go through

[@Sirlizards88]

be cool to see a cold weather test , snow , ice etc

[@sdfasdfadfasdfadfasd]

I assume the blades caveat is just lawyerese, I'd assume some people have to wear official certified "stab rated" armor for liability and insurance reasons. Im guessing the plate companies simply don't test ballistic plates for stab rating even when its obvious they'd stop a crossbow bolt, so they're not officially certified.

[@dirty-civilian]

Yeah, that is our guess as well.

[@johnkarcher7840]

If y'all have that many extra plates I'll take a pair of large! LOL Please & thank you,

[@dgloodt]

I don’t understand why the parameters of the test would be so far outside standard use or wear. Inside a parked car in summertime PHX doesn’t even approach 180. Dropping it 20x.. Michael J Fox wouldn’t even drop it that many times.

[@dgloodt]

Stabbing it 30x with a knife and 20x with an axe? What’re we doing.. Plenty of entertainment not a whole lot of value

[@donuttleo]

Tacticon Armament did a video on steel plates (with antifrag layer) and how long it takes for them fragment. Would be interested in a video similar to his from another channel like yours to validify or counter his findings - it took over 25 rounds for fragmentation to start on a AR600 anti frag coated plate and somewhere in the 30s for another when it was in a plate carrier. Would love to see you guys make a video on your own findings.

[@bthemedia]

Hoplite/LTC 26605 tests would be great!

[@Jor0716]

Love that pond scene