Is plate body armor useless? Important things to consider!

Published on November 5, 2022
Duration: 18:41

This video tests the effectiveness of RMA body armor against rifle rounds at 200 yards. The demonstration uses a ballistic dummy, 'Ballistic Bob,' equipped with RMA plates in a Condor vest. The test involves firing both a 6.5 PRC bolt-action rifle and a 5.56x45mm NATO AR-15 at various angles and locations on the armor, highlighting the importance of shot placement and the limitations of plate armor, especially at angles.

Quick Summary

Plate armor is designed for rifle rounds, while soft armor is for handguns. Its effectiveness is reduced at angles, with shots potentially bypassing vital areas. At 200 yards, 60% of 5.56mm rounds missed the armor in a test, though direct hits on RMA plates were stopped.

Chapters

  1. 00:10Introduction to Ballistic Bob and Armor Test
  2. 00:51Purpose of Plate Armor vs. Soft Armor
  3. 01:18Limitations of Plate Armor: Angles and Coverage
  4. 01:47Test Setup: 6.5 PRC and 5.56mm Rifles
  5. 03:436.5 PRC Shots at Ballistic Bob (Bladed Stance)
  6. 05:34Assessing 6.5 PRC Hits (Neck, Shoulder, Pelvis)
  7. 07:03Blading Ballistic Bob Further for Angled Shots
  8. 07:32Second Round of 6.5 PRC Shots (Bladed Stance)
  9. 08:42Assessing Second Round of 6.5 PRC Hits
  10. 09:45Transition to AR-15 (5.56mm) Test
  11. 10:22AR-15 10-Round Test Setup (200 Yards)
  12. 11:18Shooting Impressions and Sound Analysis
  13. 11:36Initial Assessment of AR-15 Hits
  14. 11:45Detailed Analysis of AR-15 Hits (Misses and Penetrations)
  15. 13:08Removing Armor and Assessing Wounds
  16. 13:33Final Assessment of Armor Effectiveness
  17. 14:34Examining Armor Plate Damage
  18. 15:55Conclusion: Does Body Armor Serve a Purpose?
  19. 17:10Alternative Philosophies: Mobility vs. Protection
  20. 17:33Armor's Performance Under Direct Impact
  21. 17:51Where to Purchase RMA Armor and Support Channel

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference between plate armor and soft armor?

Plate armor is designed to stop high-velocity rifle rounds, offering significant protection against threats like those from AR-15s or hunting rifles. Soft armor, on the other hand, is lighter and more flexible, typically used to stop handgun rounds and fragmentation.

How effective is body armor against angled shots?

Body armor, especially plate armor, is significantly less effective against angled shots. Rounds hitting at an angle can bypass the protected vital areas, potentially causing lethal injuries to limbs, the neck, or the pelvis, as demonstrated in the test.

What was the hit rate of 5.56mm rounds missing the armor at 200 yards?

During the test, 60% of the 10 rounds fired from an AR-15 at 200 yards missed the body armor. These rounds hit areas around the torso, arm, and throat, highlighting the challenge of consistently hitting armor plates at this distance with a hasty rest.

Can RMA body armor stop 5.56x45mm NATO rounds?

Yes, the RMA body armor tested in the video successfully stopped all four direct hits from 5.56x45mm NATO rounds fired from an AR-15 at 200 yards. No penetration was observed on the plates that were struck.

What is the weight of typical plate armor?

Typical plate armor, like the RMA plates used in the test, weighs approximately eight pounds per plate. A full kit with front and back plates can weigh around 16 pounds, with additional weight added by side plates, bringing the total armor weight to about 22 pounds.

Related News

All News →

More Tactical & Gear Videos You Might Like

More from Military Arms Channel

View all →