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AR15.COM
1/29/2005 2:28:58 PM EDT
Im looking for anyone with experience wearing Safariland Cover 6 body armor.   Im a K9 officer and frequently do searches for armed subjects in groves and urban enviornments.  This last week was looking for two suspects who shot two officers in the head and shoulder with a shotgun (Now in custody thanks to our K9 units...  and charged with attempt murder x 2).  Had 6 members of a swat team with me with full auto weapons and Level 4 armor with ceramic plates, but I'm stuck 10-15 feet in front of them, wearing my issue IIa armor and handgun.  I figure if anyone is going to be shot at, it's going to be me, as I am the first that they are going to be able to see.

As tax refund time is coming, I was looking into getting a Level IIIA vest that I can just throw on over my uniform if nescessary.   While I was looking around, I found the Safariland Cover 6 armor from CS Gunworks.   I figured that before dropping 1200 bucks on a vest, I would see what everyones experience was with it.    I can't justify spending 3-4k on a Paraclete vest.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
My email is [email protected].  
1/29/2005 2:31:22 PM EDT
[#1]
Do you mean III?  IIIa is soft armor.
1/29/2005 2:46:25 PM EDT
[#2]
I was looking at getting soft armor.   The safariland vest that I am interested in looks like it is an aramid/twaron/kevlar weave.   From the ad, it looks as though you can add ceramic plates to the vest, but they are not standard.  
1/29/2005 2:49:31 PM EDT
[#3]
I too am stuck with soft armor from my dept.  The only draw back from dropping all that money on a vest is that it will eventually expire and then you have to spend more money.  I would look into buying the ceramic inserts if they are available.  Good luck and be safe.
1/29/2005 3:48:12 PM EDT
[#4]
I would buy a good plate carrier and two plates, it will be alot less and be level 4 for around $550 or so you will be squared away and will have a platform to add some extra gear for callouts from the house
1/29/2005 4:36:32 PM EDT
[#5]

Quoted:
I would buy a good plate carrier and two plates, it will be alot less and be level 4 for around $550 or so you will be squared away and will have a platform to add some extra gear for callouts from the house



I was going to recommend the same thing.  I'd take a look at the carriers from Paraclete.  They're make for MOLLE pockets, so you'd be able to attach whatever mag carriers and pouches you'd need.  Here's their website.

Paraclete
1/31/2005 3:50:37 PM EDT
[#6]
So no one has actually used Cover 6 armor?
1/31/2005 4:45:47 PM EDT
[#7]
What do you want to know about ?...It's bulky but offers more overall protection than traditional soft body armor......the design concept is to protect areas not covered by traditional under the shirt vests...arms, neck, sides, etc.........not something you're going to wear while on patrol......you're better off investing in a level IV vest  for the SWAT type call outs....as it offers better ballistic protection over the IIIA
1/31/2005 5:18:26 PM EDT
[#8]
Paraclete is ridiculously expensive.  PACA is tested to the same NIJ standards and is 25% of the cost.  Granted Paraclete is lighter but only by roughly two pounds per plate (4.2 lbs compared to 6.5).
2/1/2005 11:31:04 AM EDT
[#9]
We use Cover 6, with plates, and I like it alot.  I think, however, a plate carrier and some quality L4 plates would be more appropriate for the mission you described (not to mention a hell of alot cheaper).  Unfortunately, IIa + IIIa doesn't = IIIIIa.  Some of our K9 guys use the Paraclete carriers, and love them (mainly b/c of the Molle compatability).

Just my $0.02