Before we get started, the test video is live! You can find the armor plates from the link below. This is an affiliate link, and costs nothing for you to purchase, they just kick a little back my way to help support the channel. I definitely appreciate you using these links IF you decide to purchase some armor for yourself!
la-police-gear.pxf.io/OReNJz - Level 3 Plate for $114.99
la-police-gear.pxf.io/Ke0RAA - Level 4 Plate for $119.99
LA Police Gear sent me a Plate to test... YES!
These plates are EXTREMELY affordable... Currently sitting just around $115. Most armor plates I have seen are easily over $200+ for a "real" and "Non-wish" armor plate.
I love armor tests, possibly one of my FAVORITE video types to film!
Lets Begin!
Quality and Overall Feel
The Armor Plate overall has a sturdy feel. Fabric seems to be well designed. The Strike Face and Back part of the plate are made of a non-stretchy and Nylon. The Spall-stopping sides of the plate consist of a stretchy polyester-like material.
Dimensions and Specs
(Taken from the LAPG website)
NIJ Level III Tested
Dimensions: 10" x 11.8"
Thickness: .75"
Weight: 5.29 lbs
Construction: PE+Alumina (AL2O3)
Single Curve
Stand-Alone and Multi-Hit Capable
1 in. Partial Foam Edge
Polyester/Nylon Cover
5 Year Shelf Life
How did it Perform?
In this test, we really wanted to test the rating first. Since this armor is a composite ceramic / PE armor, each time it is hit, it will degrade a bit ( As Designed ). The fibers and ceramic will start to split, warp and crack as it absorbs different impacts.
So, to make sure the armor holds up to its NIJ 3 Testing, we shot it first with a Green Tip 5.56 M855 round. Followed by the 308 FMJ, Followed by 3 additional 5.56FMJ rounds, Followed by two 7.62X39 rounds from an AK47 - BONUS ARMOR DESTRUCTION... Two rounds of .50BMG Armor Piercing Incendiary shot with my Barrett M82A1.
1. M855 5.56 Green Tip. Fired with 18" AR15
a. Passed. No Penetration, slight warping of rear panel.
2. .308 Full Metal Jacket. Fired with 20” AR10
a. Passed. No Penetration, large warping of rear panel.
3. (3 ) 5.56 Full Metal Jacket. Fired with 18” AR15
a. Passed. No Penetration. Fabric in rear panel was torn possibly from the plate smacking the railroad tie supporting it. Though the fabric was torn, it looks like nothing went through.
4. (2) 7.62x39 Full Metal Jacket. Fired with an AK47
a. Passed. No Penetration. Much harder impact than the 5.56, however aside from
the slight warping in the rear, nothing penetrated the Armor Plate.
BONUS ARMOR DESTRUCTION
Even though it is not rated at ALL for any kind of .50BMG round, I always finish my armor-test videos with a guaranteed hole punched. That being said, I smacked the target with a .50BMG Armor Piercing Incendiary Round fired from my Barrett M82A1… It went though LOL.
Quality, Price, Value
One thing that is insane is this armor plate is only $115 right now. Im pretty sure if you add your email to the LAPG site, it takes an additional 10% off. This price is unheard of, and an incredible value. Not to mention, the Level 4 Plates aren't that much more if you want even more protection.
Overall Impressions
Overall, the armor lived up to its rating. Surviving all impacts from common rifle and AP rifle round... There isn't much more to say. I was also blown away that the armor held together when being pierced by an armor piercing incendiary round. Due to the volatile and explosive nature of this round, armor test in the past have ended with the plate literally being BLOWN APART. Well done LA Police Gear!
