LA Police Gear Level IV Body Armor back in stock!

Click here- $120 for a ceramic plate is a steal. Via SOG in the comments. Get it while you can.

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About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

45 Comments

  1. JB March 15, 2021 at 15:03

    I question the effective plate area. The specs say a 1 inch foam edge exists. Does this perimeter foam edge subtract from the plate area to create an actual effective plate 2 inches smaller ?
    Meaning a 10 x 12 plate has an effective area
    of 8 x10 ?
    Does anyone know ?
    NIJ Level IV Tested
    Dimensions: 10″ x 11.8″
    Thickness: 1 1//8″
    Weight: 6.5 lbs
    Construction: PE+Alumina (AL2O3)
    Single Curve
    Stand-Alone and Multi-Hit Capable
    1 in. Partial Foam Edge
    Polyester/Nylon Cover
    5 Year Shelf Life

    • James March 15, 2021 at 15:36

      Very good ? JB,I looked and could not figure it out either.
      I will say on the upside they also now have in stock carriers,last plate deal carriers were all back order so at least you can build a whole kit if needed.

    • SOG March 15, 2021 at 20:12

      i think that 1” layer they mention is like an edge for the nylon poly cover to wrap around so they can bond the cover u see pictured. i dont think its a lack of protection there. i have the set of course i havent taken it apart to check but it doesnt have any indication of lack of protection on outside edge hope that helps

    • Johnny Paratrooper March 15, 2021 at 21:44

      If they pass the certification process, they are the standard size. No gimmicks to worry about.

      • Matt Bracken March 16, 2021 at 08:01

        I picked up a set of the LAPG ceramic rifle plates a while back. They are made in Communist China, like almost everything LAPG sells. I also have some American made steel plates, from thin “pistol only” up to “stops 556.” The thin steel pistol plates are about as heavy as the ChiCom ceramic plates, but are MUCH thinner and hence more concealable for, say making runs down to the local Shop’N’Rob during tumultuous times. They can be worn almost invisibly under regular clothes, but not a t-shirt only.
        But frankly, I don’t trust the LAPG ceramic rifle plates. The ChiComs are notorious for making super great prototypes and first-runs, to get juicy contracts, and then cutting corners and substituting inferior components in future runs to increase profits. Who are you going to sue? You going to China, to a ChiCom court? Their Mexicalifornistan front operation, LAPG, will just put on their “We’re shocked and disappointed!” face while laughing behind your back.
        So I wonder what’s inside that thick but light ChiCom “ceramic” plate, and if it will do what it purports to do.
        My steel rifle plates are HEAVY. The steel pistol plates are okay, and very thin. You could wear them under regular clothes and none the wiser, but they would not be comfortable for all-day use, as by police. But for a quick visit to a part of town where pistol play is on the regular schedule, they would be my choice. The ChiCom LAPG “ceramic” (I hope) rifle plates are so thick they would be obvious if worn under clothes. Mine are in an exterior plate carrier with magazine pouches etc.
        With luck, I’ll never have to find out how any of them work “in real life.”

        • NC Scout March 16, 2021 at 08:40

          Steel plates also spall. No matter how much rhino liner they paint on it, you’re getting bullet fragments coming at your face and legs.
          All you steel plate people have fun with that.

          • Matt Bracken March 16, 2021 at 09:31

            A book fan who has an American company making them (CATI Armor) sent me sets of steel pistol and rifle plates. They just arrived at my Post Office gratis, as a gift. The sender specifically stated he did not want or expect any kind of review or public thanks, he just appreciated my novels. I have not mentioned this gift until now.
            As backups or last-ditch defense, say, during a vehicle bugout through Madmaxistan, I’d rather have everybody in the vehicle wearing armor, even steel, than wearing nothing. I’d rather take a chance at spalling/frag than take a shot through the heart and spine. A set of CATI steel rifle plates, weighed by me, weights 17 lbs. Not something you will wear on a foot patrol IMHO. Way too weighty for that. But during a vehicle bugout through a shooting gallery? Or in a house under sustained attack? If there are not enough ceramic plates to go around? Every time.
            And the pistol-rated steel plates are extremely thin and body conforming for maximum concealment when making a run through some urban area where pistols are by far the biggest danger. A set of pistol-rated (up to 44 magnum) plates plus a slick carrier weighs 10 lb, and in their slick (no pouches etc) carrier they are very concealable.
            Anyway, I appreciate that the company sent them, asking me for nothing in return, not even a mention. I had never planned to mention it, but now I will.
            (CATI Armor, https://catiarmor.com/ )
            And for sure, I know what steel is. I built (welded) a 48′ 35K lb. boat out of steel plate, angle, flat and round bar. OTOH, a ChiCom manufactured ceramic rifle plate, well, to really trust it, I’d need to shoot it against a tree stump. The ChiComs will commonly make fantastic prototypes and first-runs to get contracts, and then substitute pure crapola in future runs to maximize profit. Being “certified” based on past prototypes does NOT mean the stuff they are selling now is the same. I trust ChiCom factories as much as I trust transvestite Baltimore waterfront crack whores.
            A ChiCom Baofang radio has to work when you turn it on, but a ceramic (we hope) rifle plate? Who the hell knows what is inside of these inexpensive current production ChiCom rifle plates? Have you shot any current production LAPG plates with 556 and 308 to test them? It’s the only way I’d trust them. A past “certification” of a prototype means zip to me. I do not trust the ChiComs at all.

          • NC Scout March 16, 2021 at 10:07

            To be labeled and marketed a specific NIJ level requires testing or you’re gonna get your ass sued off.
            It’s an industry standard.
            If you want videos of guys shooting them, there’s a bunch on YouTube.

          • NC Scout March 16, 2021 at 10:13

            Further, you’re dodging the question as to bullet fragments.
            I shoot AR500 a lot in class. Bullets fragment off of it (this is called spalling). Where are those fragments going? (In you). They prevent this by treating the plates in rhino lining but to be fair, weather and wear breaks it down in unpredictable ways.
            To your point about concealability of armor, taking people who don’t wear body armor for a living and putting them in body armor is like painting them with a highlighter.

        • SOG March 16, 2021 at 08:58

          I did not know the country of origin, they certainly don’t advertise it and its not labeled on the back of the plates. good catch,
          I think the dialogue is great for people to get something and get it now! if its these or another set,it would be wise to add these to your kit, plus each member of your family.

        • Johnny Paratrooper March 16, 2021 at 14:02

          Wow. Your boat sounds like a veritable tank. You should take it for a safari around Yemen and a scenic tour of Libya.

  2. SOG March 15, 2021 at 16:48

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9-_6envfiE
    good review shows area effectiveness, at this price point there is little to consider, just buy them before they get banned you wont regret it,

  3. E M Johnson March 15, 2021 at 18:12

    $120 a plate not for a set.

  4. BePrepared March 15, 2021 at 19:00

    If I had the spare cash I’d invest in ceramic plates, but would it not behoove the limited logistic partisan to use multi hit steel? (Even with it’s large weight increase?) I mean you aren’t doing recon with plates, but if ceramics are like 2 hit and done… why do it unless you can stockpile a warehouse of them? Not being sarcastic, this is something I have wondered.

    • SOG March 15, 2021 at 20:07

      the weight difference can be double or more for the same plate size so the 10×12 above are like 4lbs or so dont qoute me but the steel version will be eight or nine pounds. as u are standing or going up n down stairs hills etc or stepping out it make a huge impact on knees hips lower back. also in how your breathe. the issue as well if u have to move ur ass in a hurry they are 8 to 9 each so thats 16-18 plus pounds of steel
      also steel not coated fragment so if you buyar500 spall protected coated plates u will spend more than what these cost. the listed plates are ceramic. there is a bit of a misunderstanding of what ceramic is. they are not one monolithic tile like a floor tile these newer plates have a polyethelene or composite base with ceramic aluminum oxide or other types of “ceramic” shingled tiles to stop the blunt force of the round and slow it down the PE will then melt and catch the round if u buy steel and hold these you will switch. there is a reason Mil uses these and yes if u get tagged once id rather step out on mission with a damaged set then no set as it still offers protection outside the hit sight. watch the video below in comments youtubers willshoot these way more than what would happen in normal contact and they last multi hit. if you need to replace these with a warehouse of plates we as a whole have bigger problems! again these are not one and done or two and done. take advantage while its cheap and not banned. you wont regret it
      use that free stimmy fake money to fund your preps
      i have buddy was shot 6 or 7 times down range plus fragged (rpg) he just got a set didnt think twice or over analyze it he saw the value immediatly
      hope that helps

    • Johnny Paratrooper March 15, 2021 at 21:46

      The ceramic plates work great and they are very durable. They can take many, many hits above the rating. The rating is just the minimum. The certification doesn’t account for extra hits.

      • BePrepared March 16, 2021 at 09:26

        I currently have steel plates and I agree they are heavy and I’m aware of spalling, but would not the carrier material assist with the spalling issue? Again serious question for those that have BTDT.
        Yes they are heavy but I wear weight trainer vests when I work around the yard, in the shop etc to help with that and core strength in my advancing age, I’m far closer to 50 than 30.
        That being said, I also have the steel on the shelf atm and lvl III soft armor in the carriers so I’m not helping my argument. I just remember how brittle the ceramics were back before 2000, if they fell more than a foot your turned them in for a new set.
        I have no argument that they work, I HAVE seen that. I just wonder about a one and done plate (in a single confrontation) vs weight and multi use.
        And my stimulus cash is already spent on thermal and nvgs. :)

    • FlakUpButtercup March 16, 2021 at 08:40

      If you get hit 5+ times in center mass, your tactics suck and you’ve probably been hit in your arms, legs, and head as well.

  5. Karl Dahl March 15, 2021 at 23:29

    GET THEM. I put my pair in a Gadsden Dynamics ALPC (gtg)
    https://gadsdendynamics.com/alpc-adaptable-lightweight-plate-carrier/
    … and while they’re not as comfy as multi-curve plates, they are fine. If you are looking at these, you probably have no plates, or steel plates that weigh twice as much. It’s only about 10 lbs total that you’re adding for multi-hit capability against rifles. If I get multi-curve plates as time goes by, I’ll turn that into two sets of armor, with multi-curve fronts and single curve rears.

  6. KOBK March 16, 2021 at 10:44

    possibly a silly question but has anyone ever heard of cutting ceramic plates ?
    as in cutting shooter cut angles into the top of a set that are not shooter cut ?

  7. HighCountry March 16, 2021 at 13:18

    I purchased some of these plates, Level IV, the last time they had a sale at LAPG. Upon receiving them and opening the package I saw the MADE IN CHINA sticker on the plates. They may be fine, however I would like to know if there has been any testing conducted on these China plates.

    • NC Scout March 16, 2021 at 15:05

      Yeah there has. A simple YouTube search yields a wealth of results.

      • Matt Bracken March 16, 2021 at 18:13

        I’m not sure why the comments/replies are so squirrely on AmPart, no biggie, but I could not reply to your comments down-thread, so I’m copy-pasting and replying here. I encourage all future readers (post March 16) to read all the comments for context.
        “To be labeled and marketed a specific NIJ level requires testing or you’re gonna get your ass sued off.
        It’s an industry standard.
        If you want videos of guys shooting them, there’s a bunch on YouTube.”
        I believe this is true, in general. But LAPG is a ChiCom outlet selling ChiCom gear exclusively. If sued in a major way, the offended parties are likely to find an empty storefront with a sign directing them to some court in Wuhan. Good luck. It’s a simple fucking fact of life that ChiCom business practice is to make outstanding, incredible, fantastic prototypes and first runs, that pass every test with flying colors. Once in established distro channels, they will substitute pure garbage, to maximize profits, and devil take the hindmost. You sue LAPG, you might find yourself suing and empty storefront with a forwarding address in Beijing etc.
        “Further, you’re dodging the question as to bullet fragments. I shoot AR500 a lot in class. Bullets fragment off of it (this is called spalling). Where are those fragments going? (In you). They prevent this by treating the plates in rhino lining but to be fair, weather and wear breaks it down in unpredictable ways. To your point about concealability of armor, taking people who don’t wear body armor for a living and putting them in body armor is like painting them with a highlighter.”
        I’m not dodging anything. I get spalling, ricochets, etc. Where possible, to the max of your checkbook, get the best ceramics possible. But if you have steel plates or nothing, and your choice is running through ambush alley in a no-armor vehicle with steel or nothing, I will put on the steel. And if somebody can buy 5+5=10 pound thin steel pistol plates, or nothing, I’d take the steel. And yes, they are very concealable/thin.
        In the next weeks or months, we’ll probably be banned from buying ANY body armor. Get the best you can get. But if somebody offers you steel plates for free or for cheap, should you throw them in the garbage, in favor of going bare-skin, while waiting to find better ceramic plates?
        I have both. I paid money for the ChiCom ceramic rifle plates, but I don’t fully trust the ChiCom plates, even if they passed tests a few years ago with super prototypes. Any ChiCom plates I bought, I’d have to test with a rifle against a stump. Steel? I know what they will do. They will stop bullets, and maybe the richochet/spall hits you in the neck or arm. I get it.
        If folks want AmPart to be an echo chamber circle jerk of everybody agreeing all the time…well, YMMV.

        • NC Scout March 16, 2021 at 19:02

          Nah, no chance of that. But you still have not answered my question regarding spalling.
          I’ve seen people shot, take spalling and shrapnel. I also know as a result the difficulties in treating it. With steel plates, that are absolutely sub-optimal by everyone who’s actually run plates, you’ll be dealing with that as well as mobility issues. Concealablity and covert carry are mutually exclusive. You will always know who’s wearing armor and not. The torso does not move naturally.
          As for CATI armor, they declined AP as a sponsor as well. YMMV. I support companies that support us.

        • NC Scout March 16, 2021 at 19:25

          55gr M193 punches through steel plate armor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMYkEMhPsO8
          Short attention span? One round of 55gr punches right through.
          LAPG Armor Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9-_6envfiE
          Short attention span? Stood up to 30-06 & full auto fire.
          If it was shit, I wouldn’t recommend it. And if I don’t suggest you run it, I’m speaking from a place of experience.
          Also noticed CATI sells a lot of Chinese made carriers. Bet their steel comes from a Chinese factory too. Sounds like to me a free set tainted that opinion Mr. Bracken.
          LAPG supports this site through an affiliate program and advertises with us. CATI declined the offer. One company is offering good gear at a good price that is proven in the video above- the other, declined support, and offers a dubious product.

          • HP March 16, 2021 at 22:16

            This thread is great! I know what Rodney King would say if he were here.
            Big respect for the opinions of both Matt and NC Scout.
            After hearing Scout describe the spalling injuries in class it got me wondering if a single non-fatal gunshot wound would be more survivable than spalling injuries. No idea but I guess it depends on how lucky you are. I do know what the surfaces look like within a 6’ radius of my steel targets.
            Seems like the ceramic is unquestionably better than steel for many reasons. Its a shame there aren’t trustworthy, affordable, domestically produced competitors to the LAPG plates.
            My question: if your option is steel plates or no plates- whats the choice?

          • NC Scout March 17, 2021 at 05:45

            No plates if steel is the only option. Because you shouldn’t have placed yourself there to get shot in the first place.
            Bracken has no idea what he’s talking about here and it shows. I’ll remind the world here that Bracken has never seen combat. So his opinions on these topics should either be taken with a large grain of salt or flat out ignored.
            Check out the videos I linked.

          • Matt Bracken March 17, 2021 at 08:45

            The 556 M-193 video you posted was vs level 3 steel armor.
            This video shows level 3+ armor. It stops everything in 556 including greentip, and everything in 308, including AP, and it stops 30-06 out of a long hunting rifle, but fails at 30-06AP.
            Level 3+ Body Armor is Better / Demolition Ranch
            1,828,615 views•Aug 22, 2015 / 9.7M subscribers
            Level 3 is cool, but let’s step it up!!!!
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYVT9R4GX2k&ab_channel=DemolitionRanch
            We’re probably not going to see a lot of 30-06AP, but it’s possible, so ceramic surely has the edge there. And ceramic is lighter, another in the pro column. And of course spalling and ricochet makes steel worse.
            But in a future where there is no chance of resupply or replacement, when ceramic is shot up, it becomes less useable, while steel will still work, even if it has a hole smack in the middle from the guy who tested it to failure and died. My only point is if you have a choice between going with zero armor, or steel armor, for a run through ambush alley, I’ll take the steel over bare skin.
            Personally, my preference is to avoid ambush alley entirely, and move like a stealthy ninja and avoid the weight and bulk of plates. But if you don’t have a choice, if you are taking fire in an “Alamo” situation or you are forced to run through Mad Max ambush alley, I will surely choose steel armor over no armor.
            That is my only point. Ceramic would always be first choice….but we won’t always have that choice.

          • NC Scout March 17, 2021 at 08:53

            No, he very clearly states its IV ‘rated’.
            Further…I could dive into metalurgy, how steel fractures, a person’s physiology after getting hit, and the like…but why bother.
            Shaking my goddamn head. These comments are getting flat-out stupid.

          • KOBK March 17, 2021 at 16:08

            Bracken also doesn’t know who the real enemy are and attacks those who do. Saw him do it endlessly on WRSA. So steel plates aren’t the only thing he’s off base on.
            I know he’s on our side so hopefully he’ll figure it out in time.

        • JC Dodge March 17, 2021 at 17:47

          “If folks want AmPart to be an echo chamber circle jerk of everybody agreeing all the time…well, YMMV.”
          No, we’d send them to Gab if they want to participate that. We, here at AP, just give info based on our EXPERIENCES, combat or otherwise. In this instance, if you haven’t used it in the real world, you don’t have the proper frame of reference or experience to talk smack to someone who has. Scout’s giving real world info based on his past experience and you’re “Guess” is showing. You might want to see to that.

      • HighCountry March 16, 2021 at 21:07

        NC Scout, thanks for the youtube link. The video was very impressive and shows that the plates live up to their Level IV classification.

        • NC Scout March 16, 2021 at 21:13

          Yeah brother.
          Don’t trust your life to steel plates.

  8. Vulcan March 17, 2021 at 00:59

    It seems what a lot of guys are forgetting regarding steel plates, is all the other gear you’ll be carrying. I know because I have gone through this evolution. My first armor was steel plates that weighed 9lbs a piece. 18 pounds, the carrier weighed 2.5 pounds 20.5 pounds. 3, 30 round AR mags + 2 Glock 17 mags ~ 5 pounds 25.5 pounds, AR rifle, 7 pounds you are now up to 32.5 pounds and that’s not taking into account your comms gear, med kit, pistol, knife, water! I am personally in pretty good shape, as I work out 4-5 days a week. Exercise has been with me my whole life as I was an athlete in HS and college. I only say that so you know that I just didn’t get off the couch last week. Let me tell you, you will NOT move off the X explosively. If your sprinting and decide to hit the dirt, knee pads or not it’s gonna hurt and you will risk injury. It’s different when you’re an 18 year old but I’d venture to say most of us here are well past 18! Do yourself a favor, save up and buy good plates, but AR500 for targets because that’s what it’s used best for. Regarding spalling, I just don’t see rhino lining stopping spall from say a .308. A copper frag from one of those rounds in the throat and you’ll wish it had just gone through.

  9. Rooster March 17, 2021 at 11:04

    Hey gang these are 12% off with “Stpaddys” code……like a sore pecker!
    R

  10. short shadow March 17, 2021 at 20:22

    LA Police Gear is not yet on the NIJ’s Criminal Justice Testing and Evaluation Consortium compliant product list.
    https://cjtec.org/compliance-testing-program/compliant-product-lists/

    • Patriotman April 13, 2021 at 12:15

      “Lastly, they are tested to NIJ specifications but are not on the NIJ list. In general, I recommend that people only buy NIJ listed plates. However, there are good products that have not been listed because the company elects not to spend thousands of extra dollars for the government’s certification process.
      I believe that LAPG makes good plates. Good enough that I ordered some for my own needs.”
      https://www.bluesheepdog.com/2020/09/16/in-stock-ceramic-rifle-plates/

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