Best Body Armor on the Planet VS .50 Cal and More!

Published on September 3, 2021
Duration: 31:01

This video rigorously tests Dayton Armor's ballistic plates, including the TR50 'Karl Special', against extreme calibers like .50 BMG. It details various armor levels, materials (ceramic, polyethylene), and cuts (SAPI, Swimmer's), emphasizing the trade-off between price and weight. The host, with extensive Special Ops experience, showcases specific Dayton Armor models and their performance in live-fire tests, recommending at least Level 3A+ for modern threats.

Quick Summary

The Dayton Armor TR50 'Karl Special' plate technically stopped a .50 BMG round, showcasing extreme ballistic resistance. Lighter, advanced materials like UHMWPE, Dyneema, and Kevlar are key in modern body armor, often following the rule that higher price equals lower weight for the same protection level.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: .50 Cal vs. Body Armor
  2. 01:05Understanding Armor Levels & Types
  3. 02:21Body Armor Materials Explained
  4. 04:37Plate Cuts & Modern Materials
  5. 06:08Expert Background & Price vs. Weight
  6. 09:00Dayton Armor Product Showcase
  7. 11:39Testing: Model SA & Backpack Panel
  8. 15:15Extreme Test: TR50 vs. .50 BMG
  9. 21:15Conclusion & Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best body armor tested in the video?

The video tests various Dayton Armor plates. The TR50 'Karl Special' plate technically stopped a .50 BMG round, though with significant deformation. The Model SA and backpack panels offer Level 3A+ protection against rifle rounds.

What are the different types of body armor materials?

Body armor uses soft plates (like Kevlar or Dyneema) and hard plates. Hard plates can be ceramic (prone to fragility), metal (heavy, spalling issues), or polyethylene (like UHMWPE), which is often used in modern lightweight designs.

What is the industry rule for body armor price and weight?

The general industry rule is that higher price correlates with lighter weight for the same level of ballistic protection. This is due to the use of advanced, more expensive materials like Dyneema and specialized polyethylene.

What is the recommended minimum body armor level?

The host recommends users should not go below Level 3A for concealable body armor due to modern threats. For hard plates, Level 4 protection is shown to stop rifle rounds effectively.

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