Titan6
member
Well said J Warren.
Body armor for the gun range
- Thread starter Timradcliffe345
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TheDisturbed1
Member
Armor at the range.... I've only seen that on Army ranges, and thats just regulation uniform consisting of an IBA, Plates, ACH, Knee & Elbow Pads, Eye protection, M4 (or whatever), and yada yada yada.
To be honest, its more of a pain in the a**. The various places you will tend to sweat is gonna slightly affect your shooting after 25 minutes
To be honest, its more of a pain in the a**. The various places you will tend to sweat is gonna slightly affect your shooting after 25 minutes
Timradcliffe345
member
It made a difference here:
http://www.wsmv.com/sumner/18011030/detail.html#-
Each to his or her own.
http://www.wsmv.com/sumner/18011030/detail.html#-
Each to his or her own.
Body armor on the range is about as necessary as carrying a full race 1911 as a concealed pistol on a daily basis. Some can do it, some have to, most don't. It's excessive.
As a real redneck with stereotypical budgetary challenges, shelling out $600 to $1200 for a vest, trauma plates, duct tape, and Aveeno for skin care is about as likely as buying a local gun club membership, or a 1000 round case of ammo. I'd have to sell all my guns to do it, and then, what would it be good for?
As said, no protection for the head or lower extremities. If I turn sideways and get hit under the arm, no protection. Hit by a round powered above the threshold, oops, I take a hit with fully expanded bullet and wad of kevlar to help infect the wound.
The first rules of self defense seem to be ignored - don't be "downrange," and leave if you are. If the range you shoot at is poorly managed and you don't mention it to the on site operator, it's not going to be fixed, and you helped reinforce a bad habit. So, the whole "I might like body armor" is really a statement of failure in that context.
LEO's/Troops who have to wear body armor pretty much hate it - hate the expense, hate the smell, hate the lack of cooling, the lack of warmth in really cold temps, hate the weight, hate the lack of fit, hate the forced retailoring or purchase of compatible uniform items, hate the lack of actual coverage, hate the lack of performance that requires plates and accessories like shoulder guards, groin guards, and matching shorts.
I hate paying my tax dollars for it.
If all that meets your requirement for plinking a few rounds at the range, by all means go ahead and get some. For those who have to, I feel your pain. Wore it in Columbus, GA from August to November. Best day of my deployment was turning that piece of lowest bid contract priced equipment back in.
I think armored vests have a place in saving lives and reducing training costs - my widow would even have expenses trying to get a new husband to handle holidays properly (she gave up on me doing it right!) But as a voluntarily acquired piece of gear, no. I need that money for an engine rebuild. I bet others would do the same - budget for something else with a higher priority.
Armored vest at the range? A discussion is certainly a lot more intelligent way to handle it than actually buying some for that purpose. It doesn't really cost you anything to find out it's not a good idea.
As a real redneck with stereotypical budgetary challenges, shelling out $600 to $1200 for a vest, trauma plates, duct tape, and Aveeno for skin care is about as likely as buying a local gun club membership, or a 1000 round case of ammo. I'd have to sell all my guns to do it, and then, what would it be good for?
As said, no protection for the head or lower extremities. If I turn sideways and get hit under the arm, no protection. Hit by a round powered above the threshold, oops, I take a hit with fully expanded bullet and wad of kevlar to help infect the wound.
The first rules of self defense seem to be ignored - don't be "downrange," and leave if you are. If the range you shoot at is poorly managed and you don't mention it to the on site operator, it's not going to be fixed, and you helped reinforce a bad habit. So, the whole "I might like body armor" is really a statement of failure in that context.
LEO's/Troops who have to wear body armor pretty much hate it - hate the expense, hate the smell, hate the lack of cooling, the lack of warmth in really cold temps, hate the weight, hate the lack of fit, hate the forced retailoring or purchase of compatible uniform items, hate the lack of actual coverage, hate the lack of performance that requires plates and accessories like shoulder guards, groin guards, and matching shorts.
I hate paying my tax dollars for it.
If all that meets your requirement for plinking a few rounds at the range, by all means go ahead and get some. For those who have to, I feel your pain. Wore it in Columbus, GA from August to November. Best day of my deployment was turning that piece of lowest bid contract priced equipment back in.
I think armored vests have a place in saving lives and reducing training costs - my widow would even have expenses trying to get a new husband to handle holidays properly (she gave up on me doing it right!) But as a voluntarily acquired piece of gear, no. I need that money for an engine rebuild. I bet others would do the same - budget for something else with a higher priority.
Armored vest at the range? A discussion is certainly a lot more intelligent way to handle it than actually buying some for that purpose. It doesn't really cost you anything to find out it's not a good idea.
Wrong. Almost exactly a year ago I got hit about 1/2" from my eye with a .44 magnum ricochet. Half an inch and I would be nearly blind! Still made a big hole in my head, had to rush to the ER. And I was out in the woods in the middle of nowhere! I still would consider body armor at the range completely ridiculous. (unless you're leo or military and have to wear it for practice)
So what are you going to do...wear a full helmet and face shield as well? Just because you're wearing body armor is no guarantee of safety.
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EricTheBarbarian
Member
Every range in the military I've been to, we have full body armor, kevlar, gloves, and safety glasses. It sucks. I always enjoy when I go to the range on my own and don't have to wear all that crap. If you want to play army go ahead, but you'll find shooting with no armor much more enjoyable.
I have never been hit with a ricochet either though.
I have never been hit with a ricochet either though.
Titan6
member
Body Armor is relatively new to military ranges. In the past the old armor would not stop bullets so wearing it was pointless. These days no one deploys without a full set of level V gear.
It is always a good idea to post the article:
So this woman was a trainee on a police range shot by a range safety? Police ranges tend to be more organized and regimented than most civilian ranges. She was likely required to wear the vest.
It is always a good idea to post the article:
So this woman was a trainee on a police range shot by a range safety? Police ranges tend to be more organized and regimented than most civilian ranges. She was likely required to wear the vest.
rbernie
Contributing Member
I beg to differ.
But that still doesn't address why the OP is looking for body armor advice in a gun forum instead of a forum that actually is populated by a high percentage of folk who wear it and know something useful about it.
<shrug>
Seems rather pointless, and in that a point is made.
expvideo
Member
Sometimes. It depends on my mood. There is a lot of negligence at public ranges out here, so if it's convenient for me, I'll wear it. I don't go out of my way, though. It's concealed under my shirt and jacket (not a heated range). I wear it about half of the time.
If I really got too concerned, I just wouldn't shoot there. I just figure if I have it I might as well use it. I had a reason for it when I bought it. I no longer need it for that purpose, so it's just gathering dust at this point.
Titan6
member
I don't think there is any increasing negligence at public ranges. Regardless the OP's example of body armor use was not about a public range but about a closed LEO range.
In more than 20 years of shooting on public ranges I can count the number of negligent acts I have seen on one hand. In about 20 years of shooting on military ranges I have seen a like number of negligent acts on military ranges.
In more than 20 years of shooting on public ranges I can count the number of negligent acts I have seen on one hand. In about 20 years of shooting on military ranges I have seen a like number of negligent acts on military ranges.
expvideo
Member
It depends on your location. It also depends on your interpretation of what's going on around you. You may interpret someone as a normal shooter while I might be sceptical of them. It doesn't really matter to me that much. If you're comfortable shooting at the range, that's fine. If you'd rather wear a vest, that's fine too. If you're really worried about negligence on your range, you might want to consider a different range.
LIQUID SNAKE
member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2008
- Messages
- 48
"I think if you showed up to a gun range wearing a bullet resistant vest people would think you were strange and possibly up to no good. I've been shooting for over 20 years and have never seen someone at a range wearing a vest."
I really don't care what people think. Ever since I showed up to the Carson City range to be repeatedly muzzle swept by a little kid with an AR15, I have been wearing my USMC Interceptor vest when I shoot with other people. This is not often though. I like shooting alone.
It really pissed off that kid's dad when I left to my truck, got out this big Woodland camouflage Interceptor and donned it in front of everybody all the while looking in him and his kids direction. Nobody said anything to me but, he got some snarled looks till he left. I wasn't the only one his kid kept muzzle sweeping with that thing.
I really don't care what people think. Ever since I showed up to the Carson City range to be repeatedly muzzle swept by a little kid with an AR15, I have been wearing my USMC Interceptor vest when I shoot with other people. This is not often though. I like shooting alone.
It really pissed off that kid's dad when I left to my truck, got out this big Woodland camouflage Interceptor and donned it in front of everybody all the while looking in him and his kids direction. Nobody said anything to me but, he got some snarled looks till he left. I wasn't the only one his kid kept muzzle sweeping with that thing.
Thin Black Line
Member
Well, lucky for you, Bigblock. BTW, were you at least wearing some sort
of eye protection? Be honest...
Again, I don't know why people are getting so worked here up over this issue.
I've heard libs complaining less about the recent rise in semi auto rifle sales.
jackdanson
Member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2008
- Messages
- 859
I HAVE read of accidents at local ranges. I've also been at ranges when crazy dangerous individuals were there... I left. If I felt that unsafe I just wouldn't frequent that range anymore. If you have the money to be throwing down on kevlar (which may be useless if someone has a rifle accident) maybe you should think about buying some land. Then you can make up whatever "range rules" you want.. You'll be the only one there!! Also it is an investment, kevlar is worthless once you've worn it once.
gregormeister
Member
I shoot at my house so I've no need to wear armor.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Given the bizzare pattern of the OPs recent posts, most folk seem to be suspecting that he holds some form of agenda that is injurious to the RKBA.
For myself, I want to know why the OP won't take his question to a more appropriate forum and won't admit that this is not, under the best of circumstances, the best place to be looking for advice on body armor.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Y'all are funny. Claiming things like appropriate safety gear is excessive or causes people to think you are up to no good is just plain silly.
I have shot with enough strangers to know that many ranges, both public and private, contain a significant number of folks that are either careless, untrained, on medication, or downright negligent...and that does not include those that intentionally do stupid things. I got scanned enough times by strangers or guests of range buddies that I opted to get my own place to shoot and bypass a lot of the scary people with guns whilst they are shooting.
I have shot with enough strangers to know that many ranges, both public and private, contain a significant number of folks that are either careless, untrained, on medication, or downright negligent...and that does not include those that intentionally do stupid things. I got scanned enough times by strangers or guests of range buddies that I opted to get my own place to shoot and bypass a lot of the scary people with guns whilst they are shooting.
I agree with most of the saner posts on this thread. I wouldn't wear body armor to the range, if someone made me feel unsafe I would leave. That being said I guess a range with lots of lead being shot is an ideal place to wear such an item. Excessive but that is a personal choice.
I think if you feel you're at such a risk from unsafe behavior that you need body armor - it's time to find a new place to shoot.
The only thing i've seen recently that's really made me jump back and be all "***" - was yesterday - there was a group of guys on dirt bikes up along the ridge directly behind the range. Probably 2-300 yards away, but very clearly visitable. There's no easy way to get up there, and no real access point to get up there. They had to have deliberately decided to go ride on that ridge - which is just utterly mind-boggling to me.
The only thing i've seen recently that's really made me jump back and be all "***" - was yesterday - there was a group of guys on dirt bikes up along the ridge directly behind the range. Probably 2-300 yards away, but very clearly visitable. There's no easy way to get up there, and no real access point to get up there. They had to have deliberately decided to go ride on that ridge - which is just utterly mind-boggling to me.
rbernie
Contributing Member
I find it interesting that, in the face of this unsafe range behavior, you chose to neither buy/wear body armor to the unsafe ranges nor to ask for body armor advice on a gun forum.
Hmm.
OK.
woodybrighton
member
something that has a hope of stopping close quarter rifle fire is very bulky and expensive and even with a helmet no where near 100%
you could buy something evil and black with lots of tacicool gadgets for the same price
you could buy something evil and black with lots of tacicool gadgets for the same price
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
rbernie, this would have to be one of the most stupid challenge posts I have read in a while. It shows you have no idea what you are talking about and didn't bother to do your homework. Without going into other forums, I have made statements on this one since at least as early as 2003 about personally wearing body armor at the range. For future reference, there is a SEARCH button at the top center-left of your screen. It is a useful feature of forums such as this one.
Here are some examples ...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=212168&highlight=body+armor
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=193589&highlight=body+armor
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=11114&highlight=body+armor
And an advice statement pertaining to the wearing of body armor at places like gun ranges...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=117270&highlight=body+armor
And no, you haven't seen me asking for advice about getting body armor on this gun forum. I already owned it when this forum started. If you do bother to use the search function key, you will see that I have given advice on body armor for many years.
In fact, I have even done some of my own body armor penetration testing posted the results a couple of times on this forum...
2007
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=275135&highlight=kevlar+test
2003
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=10690&highlight=kevlar+test
So why did I buy my own place and not just wear armor to the range? Simple. Body armor only protects some vital areas. I had the opportunity to have my own place to shoot and I took it. While body armor only protects some areas, it does protect a large portion of the most vital areas, hence why it is a good thing to wear to a range where you are shooting with those whom you don't know.
Be safe. Merry Christmas.
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MostlyHarmless
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2008
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- 86
The range I patronize has a no-nonsense attitude about safety. It's an indoor range. Multiple small bays separated by concrete. No rifles in the pistol bays. Steel dividers between lanes. They watch people shoot and call out people on safety violations.
When I see people doing dumb stuff that I think might actually pose a hazard, I leave and come back another time.
I'm not sure that soft body armor is the answer for range accidents. If it stops 50% of the shots, a dangerous range is still dangerous.
When I see people doing dumb stuff that I think might actually pose a hazard, I leave and come back another time.
I'm not sure that soft body armor is the answer for range accidents. If it stops 50% of the shots, a dangerous range is still dangerous.
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