Man Skills: Real men are bulletproof

Here’s a bedtime story to scare the kiddies.

Once-upon-a-time in a far-away land called Brooklyn a drug-crazed psycho (ie an average New Yorker) somehow got his hands on a .44 magnum.

That, (whispered in a gravely Clint Eastwood voice), is the most powerful handgun in the world and could blow your head clean off.

Go ahead, make my day. Hold on… that’s not a .44!
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Okay… so this crazy cat ends up shooting Hector Ramirez, a respected 33-year-old working family man, point-blank just above the heart.

Medical experts all agree that under normal circumstances that shot most certainly would have been instantly fatal.

And yet Hector walked away with little more than a bruise. Later on, he even laughed it off and said he was eager to get back to work.

Or how about former police officer Brian Murphy who was shot 15 times at the Sikh temple massacre in Wisconsin in 2012.

Many of those shots would have been instantly fatal as well, but Brian survived the assault, (although having been shot in the arms and legs was not quite as upbeat as Hector afterward).

Anyway, Hector and Brian and many others like them are alive and well today because they had a little something that made all the difference in the world.

You guessed it… a bulletproof vest.

And because we’re all being dragged kicking-and-screaming into a Mad-Max world, today’s Man-Skills will cover some of the basics about ballistic materials.

The Bulletproof Vest: Soft and hard body armor.
The Purchase: Can civilians own something this badass?
The Vests: Other stuff to consider.

The Bulletproof Vest:

Soft and Hard Body.

It’s crucial that you understand how vests work, especially if you’ll depend on one to save your life (although I can’t think of another reason why you’d wear one, they’re just not that fashionable).

There’s soft body armor and hard.

Soft body armor is usually made of Kevlar, also known as Aramid. There’s also a cheaper polyethylene body armor known as UHMWPE.

But do yourself a favor and avoid the UHMWPE as it’s been shown to weaken over time and severely degrade when exposed to heat, (like inside the garage or the trunk of your car for example).

Question is: How does something so soft and cozy (seriously, Aramid feels like a kid’s “blankey”) actually stop a piece of hot lead flying at 1380 feet-per-second?

Well… the ballistic insert is made up of a “net” of fiber (no, not that nasty bran your doctor recommends, but layers of Aramid fibers tough and flexible enough to stop a speeding bullet).

When the projectile hits the “net,” the strands of netting material stretch and absorb the bullet’s energy, keeping it from penetrating the vest (and consequently your body too).

But the vest does more than just protect you from the bullet. It also protects you from the impact.

I mean, a hammer won’t penetrate a bedsheet, but nobody would use a bedsheet to protect their head from a hammer blow. (Okay, I think my brother-in-law did that once).

And like a hammer, a bullet can inflict serious blunt force trauma.

So the vest is designed to not only stop the velocity of a bullet but also to dissipate its energy.

Very slick. It’s why a vest will prevent the bullet from breaking your bones or damaging your internal organs.

Types Of Ballistic Materials:

Bulletproof vests are categorized by the types of bullet they can stop.

Soft body armor can go up to a IIIA level of protection, which can stop any handgun or shotgun blast.

Hard-body armor, (which sounds a lot like a body-building supplement) contains metal or ceramic plates and is effective protection against high-velocity rifle rounds.

It’s important to choose the right category of vest for the kinds of threats that you’ll likely face.

There are two types of bulletproof vests:

1. Concealable Vests.

Most undercover agents wear a concealable vest. It’s made from tightly woven, flexible synthetic fibers so it’s lightweight.

You can wear it under a jacket or even beneath a dress-shirt (for when you attend formal drug-cartel events) and it won’t show.

Problem is, it can only protect the body from small-caliber guns, (and those cartel guys never use small-caliber guns).

Rule of thumb: As the vest becomes lighter and less obvious, the protection decreases.

Note: No matter what kind of vest you’re wearing, there are three places often left exposed — your head (not much you can do about that although I’m working on a very cool fedora hat. Won’t stop bullets but you’ll look damn cool in your last moments)… under the arms when you’re firing your own weapon (also little you can do about that unless you happen to be wearing bulletproof deodorant)… and in the areas below the vest.

A longer vest will protect your liver and kidneys, (which are kinda important to staying, you know, healthy).

2. Tactical Vests.

Tactical vests are typically worn outside the clothing and can protect you from powerful high-caliber guns like a .44 magnum all the way up to high-velocity military rifles.

I will cover the ratings in just a second, but unlike the concealable vest, tactical vests are constructed with a thicker layering of Aramid fiber sheets or fitted with ceramic or steel plates.

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The Purchase:

Can Civilians Own This?

In case you’re wondering, civilians CAN legally own body armor such as bulletproof vests, (U-S-A!… U-S-A!… U-S-A!) unless you are a convicted felon, (sorry, felons).

If you live in Connecticut body armor purchases must be made face-to-face. (Why I dunno. Maybe if you have shifty eyes or something it’s a no-go).

Of course, you’ve got to know the laws in your area. Yes, it’s legal under federal law to wear body armor for civilians across the U.S., but I’m sure there are some nutty restrictions in certain jurisdictions, (places where they’re okay with people getting shot).

So do your homework. Ultimately you’re the one responsible (“whaaa… who, me?”).

Some states are now considering passing laws to make it harder for civilians to purchase bulletproof vests, so probably better to buy sooner rather than later.

Different levels of protection.

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has been setting voluntary body armor standards since 1972, (before that I guess chaos reigned).

As you see, classification is based on the level of protection the vests provide.

1. Level I.

The vest can protect you from .22 long rifle lead round nose bullets, (and perhaps a slingshot too).

2. Levels II and II-A.

The vest can protect you from 9mm and a .357 Magnum full metal jacket round nose bullets and .22 long rifle lead round nose bullets.

3. Levels III and III-A.

The vest can protect you from 7.62mm full metal jacket bullets, 9mm and a .357 Magnum full metal jacket round nose bullets and .22 long rifle lead round nose bullets.

4. Level IV.

This level can protect you from .30 caliber armor-piercing bullets, 7.62mm full metal jacket bullets, 9mm and a .357 Magnum full metal jacket round nose bullets, and .22 long rifle lead round nose bullets.

Amazingly a cannon requires no vest!
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The Vests:

Other stuff to consider.

When you purchase a bulletproof vest with additional protection, it’s essential to understand that you will be adding weight.

Aramid is light and can stop a handgun round (which accounts for some 97% of gun-related deaths), but it can’t stop a high-velocity rifle round.

Ceramic plates can stop a rifle round but are surprisingly fragile (they can break simply by dropping the plate) and are not to be trusted for protecting you from multiple direct hits.

Metal plates can stop multiple direct-hit rifle shots and steel won’t break or crack just because you accidentally dropped the plate, but it’s heavier than other choices.

So the key is to determine your expected threat level. A survival situation in a world gone mad will probably require a vest with an unbreakable tough metal plate — front and back.

If you’re working behind the counter of a liquor store, an Aramid vest would be a good choice as it’s more comfortable and could stop any round from a handgun (the weapon voted “top choice” among robbers and muggers).

An undercover operative may require something even lighter and less noticeable, but it’s also less likely to protect you against higher-caliber pistols and definitely won’t protect you against a rifle shot.

One more thought:

Another awesome option is the “ballistic insert” that can be used inside a vest… sewn into a coat… placed inside a briefcase… a backpack… book bag… or really anything that could fit the insert.

This provides you instant “cover”, no matter where you are.

Which brings me to the TRS Bullet-Stopper Inserts. This is our own ballistic insert made specifically for TRS Survival,

At 9-½ inches by 15-¾ inches, it’s bigger than other inserts and provides excellent protection, (which is why I’ve had my entire house lined with them).

It provides coverage from the upper lungs all the way down to the kidneys (which many standard inserts leave exposed and vulnerable).

Yes, you could survive a bullet to the liver (I guess) if you get immediate medical attention. But in a full-blown crisis or meltdown or in the middle of a survival situation getting hit in the liver isn’t an “okay” option.

So if you like your liver and kidneys, I’d encourage to get a larger insert like this for better coverage.

The TRS Bullet Stopper is very flexible and lightweight allowing you to move around very comfortably.

We also used high-quality Aramid (NOT the cheaper UHMWPE material which has been shown to degrade with heat and time).

One problem though: Aramid is becoming difficult to get a hold of because demand is sky-high right now… and it’s a time-consuming product to manufacture.

But no worries, we already have a warehouse full of these inserts and special pricing for hotlist guys.

The TRS Bullet Stopper is also neatly covered with a flat-black rip-stop nylon cover.

I’ve seen companies selling the loose Aramid material all by itself. You don’t want that either. The best inserts keep the layers of Aramid contained inside a thick high-quality non-rip nylon cover.

The TRS Bullet Stopper is easily hidden and inconspicuous too. Completely covert. In a backpack or briefcase, it looks like part of the lining, so it blends in, doesn’t stick out or draw attention.

There’s no metal so it won’t set off alarms. Meaning you can carry this bag anywhere with total confidence, even through an airport.

It’s not illegal and nobody will be the wiser.

And I tested out this ballistic insert myself on the shooting range — with help from a former Green Beret combat vet, (and no, I didn’t wear it and allow him to shoot at me either, even though my wife encouraged it).

We used just one insert, never replaced it, just to see how much punishment this thing could actually take. We shot the hell out it with a .22 LR… a .380 ACP… a .45 ACP… a 12-gauge shotgun… even yes even a .44 magnum.

Dozens and dozens of rounds pumped into it, and in the end, nothing ever got through it. Nothing! (Man that was fun).

This super durable NIJ IIIA Body Armor stopped everything.

It’s the highest level of protection you can get in soft body armor. It’s what’s experts choose for high-risk situations because it’s so effective.

Plus it minimizes blunt trauma injury by absorbing and dispersing the energy.

Means you won’t be left dazed and confused from the impact, allowing you to keep a clear head, stay behind your cover and plan your escape, or even to take the fight directly back to the enemy.

This level of protection simply gives you more options.

If you’re interested in getting your hands on one or more TRS Bullet-Stopper Inserts, you can check it out now.

Oh yeah… and keep your head down too.

More “Man-Skills” to come.

Stay Manly,

Jimbo, Editor
Man Skills

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Leave A Reply:

One thought on “Man Skills: Real men are bulletproof”

Robb Horstmeier says:

October 23, 2020 at 10:09 pm

I already bought two of the Aramid inserts, but I’m not big on sewing. Where can a semi-normal guy like me get a light concealable vest that the inserts will fit in?

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