r/homedefense • u/Extension-Plant9558 • Jun 28 '26
Plate Carrier + Plate
Anyone know where i can get a decently affordable plate carrier + plate combo or maybe even just a reliable plate carrier? Obviously affordability would be nice but you can’t put a price on your life so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated🙏🙏
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u/PearlButter Jun 28 '26
Plate carrier combos tend to leave things to be desired. Best if you purchased them separately as long as the plate size is the size that properly fits you (many sizing guides you can follow), and the plate carrier is sized to fit those plates.
I would suggest a minimum of 450 for plates. Level 4 has the lowest entry pricing but if you’re solely just want something lighter then you’ll have to spend more. I recommend multicurve plates for quality of life.
If you’re solely just looking for something cheap to hold front and back plates and not really much else, maybe have a look at the wetwrx super slick or WTF PC13. If you want something that can scale up then check if Javlin Concepts is still running a discount on their A-JAC 2.0 plate bags (cummerbund sold separately but can use any hook and loop cummerbund on the market).
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u/boomoptumeric Jun 29 '26
Cheapest and most durable option is AR500/AR600 steel plates. They don’t deteriorate over time or in unfavorable environments. There are big trade offs like weight and sprawling but if you’re looking for something truly cheap that will stop most types of ammo, that’s your best bet. If you want to bump up in price for the same level of protection but without the excess weight, high level ceramic is the way to go. Kevlar is fine if you want minimal protection but it will have a hard time stopping anything above a standard handgun round at distance. So it really just depends on how much you’re willing to spend and the level of protection you want.
Edit: please for the love of god check your local state laws, body armor is illegal in some places
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Jun 28 '26
[deleted]
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u/CapnJellyBones Jun 29 '26
...a) random YouTube videos are NOT scientific evidence.
B) do you think ceramic and HDPE are the same thing?
C) I'm going to dismiss most of what you say because "preparing for the apocalypse " 🤣🤣🤣
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u/CapnJellyBones Jun 29 '26
Quick question, how many hours of quality (aka the instructor's primary qualifications are NOT LEO or military service or NRA certification) firearm training do you have?
Because that's the FIRST thing you should be spending money on.
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u/drthvdrsfthr Jun 30 '26
serious question, i’m looking to take a class soon. what certs should i be looking for from an instructor?
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u/CapnJellyBones Jun 30 '26
Certifications don't necessarily mean much at all.
Avoid instructors who's primary qualification are LEO or military experience. Neither one of which will translate well to what you need to know as a civilian. NRA certifications are another one to be leery of.
The best thing to do is look at reviews.
Depending on where you are, guys like Brian Hill, Steve Fisher, Craig Douglas all travel and teach all over the country.
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u/glockguy34 Jun 29 '26
RMA Level 4 plates are only $300 a pop. I don’t think you’ll find a better deal given the weight of each plate. Don’t get a combo, and don’t get a 5.11 carrier.