Bulletproof Vest Shelf Life

Good article and while I agree that "everything" degrades/deteriorates with time, my own testing of a vest proved that many factors must be present before the vest completely "expires."
A vest was given to me by a cop friend (Safariland made in 1992). It rode in his trunk for 3 years (4 seasons a year).
I removed the sections from its carrier and duct-taped the panels to a 55-gallon sand-filled plastic drum.
I fired 3 rounds each from 21 feet. 9mm 124 gr. FMJ, .38 Special (standard and +P, FMJ/JHP), 40 S&W 180 gr., 45 ACP 230 gr. and 12 gauge low recoil slug and buck (#4 and #00).
While I am not suggesting that ANYONE rely on used gear (ESPECIALLY body armor), this vest defeated every round of the above calibers fired.
After multiple hits on both the front and back panels, I was getting bored. I decided to try a .17 HMR from a 20-inch rifle barrel. WOW...zipped through it and broke up in the blue plastic with a few tiny shards making it to the sand!

 

Since you have no issues with destroying the vest, try a throwing knife.

 

I can understand the hypervelocity aspect of the .17HMR causing the penetration of the vest.

How about .22lr from a rifle, anyone think that'd pop through ?

 

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22LR are often very effective against soft body armor, they can slip between the fibres compared to the broader aspect of a 9mm etc

 

I never experimented with .22 LR only .17. My goal was to test those specific calibers as they related to what a IIIA vest is supposed to defeat. The .17 was more out of boredom but yes, velocity is obviously everything.

As for throwing a knife at it? I don't throw my knives but I'm sure a fine-pointed object (i.e. an ice pick) would penetrate. Companies already produce "stab resistant" body armor so any knife testing was moot.

My experimentation was far from scientific. I didn't (and don't) suggest someone "save a few bucks" by depending on "expired" or "outdated" body armor.

What my experimentation did reveal was that a 10+ year old vest did not fail.

 

Pen knife or pocket knife? Which blade? Or one of those Crocodile Dundee type knives? Or one of those deadly Rambo: First Blood knives? Or how abouts a G.I. Joe knife? They've gotta penetrate an out of date bullet-proof vest, amirite?

 

This is the one I had in mind....

 

wow i had no clue about that, no one really knows too much about bullet proof vests these days lol

 

3a vests are reasonably priced these days. Why a person owns one today is a question I'd ask, what is the purpose? If it is for a WROL situation occurring after SHTF? If so, 3a is not what I would use, people like me know how to quickly defeat it as well as level 3 armor. Level IV takes more work but it is defeatable as well. Velocity is the killer of all. For what it is worth, don't cheap out and buy used.

Added thought,
Also just like keeping your firearms lubed and clean, carriers, vests, etc need to be cleaned. the body oils are you worst enemy since they allow funk to grown (the stink) and they breakdown the materials. Also good layer management is imperative for protective gear.

 

Direct sunlight over a period of time will also kill a vest...

 

Sweat. Working in the South, we only ran vests 2 seasons for outdoor personnel, 5 years indoors. Not only wou;d the carriers deteriorate, but the kevlar would stink to high heaven.

 

This is the main reason I switched to L4 Plates and a good hand made plate carrier. The plates never go bad ( unless you have the carbon/ceramic type) and the carrier can be washed and repaired with out ill effect. I also use soft armor for the areas left un protected by plates. Finally, I Constructed a Gorget using level 4 plate that was added to the carrier for particle deflection. I was offered level 4 plates that were used as demo's and I was able to cut them with a plasma cutter to be able to construct additional parts to add in to my set up! Looks kind of mid evil, but it really works well!

 

Just wondering....how you know it works well....

 

great thread. thanks guys.
someone mentioned layering.. more info/recommendation would be appreciated.
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I understand the recommendation about not buying used.
the thought occurs to me, that a person should go new for he, bride etc...
and if a used set becomes available cheap, then maybe go for it...
in a bad situation getting a loaner that had been "used" would be better than nothing.
or as a little extra protection in a truck, (along the door or seat back)

 

I'd say if you're using it in conjunction with plates go for it even if it's used. It should provide some protection from trauma caused by the shock of a bullet at least.

 

I had a Crown Vic that came with ballistic panels in the doors and the seat back. These were level III in a plastic bag affixed to the inner door panel. They now live in my Bronco
I have since found another set in a junkyard, and was charged $20 for all three pieces. Would I go into a gunfight depending on them? No. But for the price they're an added level of security. Now, anyone have any bullet resistant glass lying around for a '96 Bronco?

 

My 2 vest are not soft, but rather utilize Lvl IV stand alone plates. They are stored in an airtight footlocker away from any sun damage. Will be G2G for years to come.

Also be advised while most people worry about the Kevlar lining deteriorating, it also needs to be said the fabric shell will dry rot rather quickly if exposed to excessive water and/or sunlight.