Posted: 9/9/2011 7:49:28 AM EDT
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Founda guy in the local paper that is selling his body armor. He is retired senior officer from the Marine Corps, ex military contractor, and former northern Nevada SWAT instuctor. So says him anyways.
He has his Marine Corp issue vest with all four class 4 rifle plates, ( triple curve contour plates ) and a kevlar helmet. I am not sure if the vest is the older Interceptor type vest or the newer MTV ( Modular Tactical Vest ) Also not sure if the plate are the older SAPI's or the newer E-SAPI's. They are extra large plates. He is asking $900. Based on what i have seen for prices from online sites for plates, this is a good deal. So, i am going to look at this stuff later today, heard from my buddy in the Marines to place plates on table, and press on them to see if the flex. If the flex thay are no good. Was also going to look for any obvious flaws or cracks. What should i be looking for to make sure i am not buying junk plates. Any help would be greatly appreciated. |
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google his name and see if any of that checks out.
If the plates are ceramic, they could be damaged and you'd never know it. Pull them out of the vest and inspect them each carefully - any knicks, chips, scratches, etc make the plates suspect, but again IIRC you can never be sure unless they are x-ray'd. I have never heard of the "flexing" test on a plate. If they're steel plates, then there's no risk, but then it might not be such a sweet deal. In general, buying used is always risky - that's why they're cheap. 
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Quoted:
Yeah, I don't think the Marine Corps lets you go home with your vest and plates. Might be out $ 900 when CID shows up on your door. Personally I question the wisdom of buying used body armor since you have no idea what abuse/use it has already been subjected to. that part |
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Quoted:
Marine Corps issue vest? Sounds like government property to me. This. In case some of you (still) don't realize this, nearly everything one is issued in the .mil is accountable...which means you turn it in when you get out...or make up a story (lie) about how you lost it or whatever. So chances are anyone selling their (or someone else's) issue gear is selling stolen government property. If any of it has a big "US" on it, chances are it was not obtained via legal means. Bad karma in my book. |
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Kevlar weaves tend to weaken over time. Introduce heat and sweat into the mix and it weakens much faster.
If it is something I will depend upon to stop a bullet from ending my life, I would never consider buying second hand from someone I don't know. I'd also never consider buying military issue gear. |
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I mis spoke, said it was the same as marine corp issue, not that it is. My bad, i wouldn't want stolen gear.
I understand that you are never 100% sure on used anything. Also would be getting a new vest / plate carrier. More intersted in the plates and helmet. From what i saw online the big front and back plate go for around $500, and about the same fora set of side plates. Helmets around $250-$400. Was just going to look em over real well, if the seemed like the were in good shape pick em up. His reason for selling is that he is getting both knees replaced and various other heath issues. Talked to him twice on the phone and he started asking me what kind of person i was, he didn't want to sell to someone that was going to use it for bad shit ya know. He seemed legit, as stupid as that sounds haha. |
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contract number and lot number will be on them as well.
the big one is the NSN number is my guess. thats what i have heard though..... if you are worried about the plates themselves, if you got a pal in radiology you can get em xrayed to make sure there arnt any cracks etc. and the .mil does usualy have the 5 year policy. after five years the manufacturer says you should get new stuff. thats just what i have heard....... |
I know i fail.