|
7.62x25mm Tokarev isn't the armor-ripping cop-killer round that everyone makes it out to be. In one of my Second Chance catalogs I've got a pretty comprehensive list of the various rounds their vests will stop, beyond the usual NIJ test loads. If I recall correctly any Second Chance level II vest will stop an 86 grain Tokarev bullet travelling at 1200+ fps. Obviously this won't cover someone against a PPSh, but really...
I used to wear a Second Chance Ultima IIIA, which at the time was the most advanced vest in the world. It would stop 12 gauge slugs and each panel weighed only a pound, and was a quarter-inch thick. Truly amazing technology. Then Second Chance (and a few officers unfortunately) discovered the Zylon fiber degrades quickly and the vest becomes useless against any projectile. All Zylon vests were recalled and replaced with Kevlar and Twaron. I had to give up my beloved Ultima. :cry:
Still, the level II Monarch Summit that replaced it is around the same areal density and thickness so it's not that bad of a step down. Too bad about the loss of an NIJ level but the reason I bought such a vest in the first place was for the thickness and weight. Can't accomplish your job when you're overheating and making mistakes as a result. Now the vest gets most of its wear time in airsoft since I don't do armored car work anymore.
|
November 18th, 2005, 11:01
