Posted: 12/5/2004 5:07:34 PM EDT
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I have managed to keep my old kevlar vest long past its expiration date. My department has finially noticed this and is now getting me a new vest. I have a purchase order for an ABA Xtreme Level II with a soft strike plate. I have googled around a bit and am at a loss as to wether or not this vest is as good as my old level II kevlar one. Is the ABA product all kevlar or Twaron? Does it contain Zylon? I was told to avoid laminates and Zylon. Has any one used this vest? Thanks in advance. |
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check out tacticalforums.com Specifically, the MD Labs threads. You can ask there and you will get an answer, as well as everything you wanted to know about ZYlon and what douchebags Second Chance higher ups truly are. |
| That is the exact same vest I wore for two and a half years years at my old department. It was pretty comfortable. The only thging I didn't like about it is there are only two straps that go around your abdomen. They had a tendency to make the lower portion of the vest stick out. I do believe the vest has twaron or zylon in it, but I'm not positive. I do know it was more comfortable than the Second Chance vest I'm wearing at the moment until my Level III safariland Matrix comes in. |
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I was trying on Xtreme level two and three today (I'm a recruit) and felt almost no difference between the two levels. The uniform shop guy who specializes in vests said they do not have zylon. They used to at one time I was told but not now. My knowledge comes from 20 minutes from a salesman who only sells that brand so take it for what it's worth. Any more info from others is greatly appreciated by me as well. |
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I was not able to find any info on ABA's wesite regarding what this vest is actually made of. I sent an e mail to the local ABA rep and received this reply: "The ABA Xtreme Level II is made up of Kevlar, Gold Flex and Unidirectional Polyethylene. It does not contain Zylon" I have checked the info at Tactical Forums and would suggest anyone looking at new body armor do the same. |
| I just got a new XtremeX in IIIA. It's a lot thinner and lighter that my older Xtreme. I'm pretty sure that they use some laminated layers in the vest. I saw them shoot a XtremeX IIA about a year ago. It stopped around 20-30 rounds of 9mm +p, .40, .357SIG, .45 (might have been +p), and .45 GAP. I have complete faith in the vest. Also, the new carriers have the 4 straps again. |
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Ok Just got a ABA Ballistic data sheet from a sales Rep at a conference yesterday. Table says materials subject to change so your older vest may not be these materials. Extreme ZX II Zylon Shield,Dyneema Woven Quadlink Zylon Extreme ZX IIIA All of the Above plus Goldflex Extreme XS II Microlaminate Zylon, Woven zylon, Woven Quadlink Kevlar Extreme XS IIIA Microlaminate and Woven Zylon, Dyneema Extreme X G2 II & IIIA Zylon shield and Microlaminate Zylon, Spectraflex, Goldflex Extreme II & IIIA Woven Quadlink Kevlar, Spectrashiel, Goldflex |
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I read all the stuff at MD Labs and the quick and dirty is that your vest should ideally have no Zylon and no laminates. Zylon degrades (up to 60% in one year) during dutywear conditions (heat and humidity). Laminates melt and lose strength during contact shots ( 46-50% of officer shootings). Sounds like the NIJ should add contact shots to their testing. Us Armor is the only company that has been upfront about the Zylon issue and sells a great vest , the Eagle, made of only woven Kevlar. Unfortunately since my ABA Extreme ZX was recalled. I'll have to take what is offered in replacement. |
| Like I said earlier I used the Extreme II for two and a half years and never had any problems. The only thing I didn't like was having two wide straps around my abdomen instead of four. At my new department I was given a Second Chance vest to wear until they could get me measured for one. After seeing the Second Chance vest I couldn't understand how they could have a good reputation. The vest sucked. It was really uncomfortable and looked poorly made. Just today I recieved my vest Matrix level IIIA with Safariland Gold panels. I haven't worn it on duty yet, but from the looks of it I don't think I'll be dissapointed. Looks sturdy and lots of coverage. |
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I am concened about a contact shot. The ABA vest is a laminate. The photos on Tactical Forums show this type of material melting under those conditions. The woven kevlar vests held up much better with less back face deformation. My department is not known for its flexibility in terms of issuing gear. I would like a US Armor vest and may end up buying my own. |
That's probably why they use several layers of different types of materials. I've seen them take a Extreme X level II vest apart after shooting it. They did not make any contact shots, but they did shoot it with 20-30 rounds and none of them penetrated the vest. Heck, the soft trauma pack alone stopped the .45 rounds. |