Body armour a waste of time or not?

[Briggs]

Slightly off topic but Mrs B and I were watching the remake of Red Dawn the other evening and as the North Korean paratroopers were falling from the sky, peppering everyone within range and the heroes of the moment burst from their homes and ran to their cars I heard Mrs B mutter to herself 'Where's their bug out bags?'.

As for body armour, we're of the opinion any mildly serious wound in a SHTF scenario is going to be fatal so torso-based body armour is not on our list. Should the North Koreans decide to invade Devon, we plan to melt away and disappear onto the moors, where it's common-knowledge that non-locals best stay on the paths.

[Plymtom]

where it's common-knowledge that non-locals best stay on the paths

They'll eat anything and anyone if TSHTF in North Devon you know especially oriental food

[grenfell]

I have a full plate knight armour as my bugout equipment. Also shield and huge axe. Do you guys think it's a good idea? I already tried to ride my neighbour's daughters pony (without their knowledge) and poor animal didn't like it, but still will use it as my bugout vehicle in case of shtf situation - with full armour of course

I re-enact so have something similar , a mixture of plate, mail and soft armour oh and a shield or two. Would I bug out with them? Probably only the padded jack because if nothing else it would be good for cold weather. A shield can be of some use as long as you know how to use it both defensively and offensively , however , they would an additional weight to carry and their size would attract attention.
In short I can't help thinking armour makes no sense in a bugging out situation but if you are staying put then it may have a use. Don't forget it can be tiring to wear for long periods and there is also the risk of heat prostration especially in summer.
Incidentally I've ridden a horse (a coloured shire rather than a pony) in armour. The weight and rattle didn't bother the horse but she had trouble with my sword scabbard touching her flank and kept turning round to see what was happening.

[grenfell]

Mrs B and I were watching the remake of Red Dawn

There's a remake
I thought the original was awful , is this remake any better?

[Wingfoot]

What Su said plus, if I've let a threat in a bad situation get close enough to need the protection body armour offers- I'm already screwed

I agree but you may be screwed from afar just as easy, its the higher velocity threats that might come from 600 + yards where those level 4 plates may come in handy, but its of limited use & still wont stop a well aimed round to the face

Also anything bigger than 7.62 may defeat it & there are plenty of larger calibres out there, so unless its a battleground outside I would certainly leave it in the loft.

Also the high cost of the L4 plates means you will be making a heavy investment in something you are unlikely to ever need & tying up funds that could be better spent on more relevant preps.

But if you feel safer for having it then thats your business.

Wf

[Devonian]

where it's common-knowledge that non-locals best stay on the paths

They'll eat anything and anyone if TSHTF in North Devon you know especially oriental food

Flame grilled incomers - they're GGGGGGrrrreat!!

[poppypiesdad]

Body armour , mk 7 helmets , fantastic , what if your shot in the face , arm or leg ...... just saying

J

[Plymtom]

What Su said plus, if I've let a threat in a bad situation get close enough to need the protection body armour offers- I'm already screwed

I agree but you may be screwed from afar just as easy, its the higher velocity threats that might come from 600 + yards where those level 4 plates may come in handy, but its of limited use & still wont stop a well aimed round to the face

Also anything bigger than 7.62 may defeat it & there are plenty of larger calibres out there, so unless its a battleground outside I would certainly leave it in the loft.

Also the high cost of the L4 plates means you will be making a heavy investment in something you are unlikely to ever need & tying up funds that could be better spent on more relevant preps.

But if you feel safer for having it then thats your business.

Wf

Yes we are at the extreme end here WF, as Briggs said even a small wound is life threatening without medical care that wouldn't be there if that sort of ordinance was in use, so unless the armed forces or the .50 cal club were going feral in most cases is dead weight and wasted cash.
Probably one thing upside down about this one is that rural folk may be more in need if their position is more exposed as they can be seen from afar as easily as anyone approaching can be seen by them, here in our built up city centre 100 meters is a lot of ground.

[J23]

Body armour , mk 7 helmets , fantastic , what if your shot in the face , arm or leg ...... just saying

J

he'll have to buy tank now.

some people go too far with their prepping and silly imo ideas.
I think I'll start prepping for ufo visit and anger of spaghetti flying monster I am working on building megazord as well, already bought power ranger tight suit for me and my wife (we look a bit like gimps but better to be safe than sorry). also in case of invasion of teenage mutant turtles I keep storing loads of pizza on my attic to bribe them if they invade my house

get real guys. a person with body armour is easy target to fight hand to hand plus attracts attention. stop watching walking dead and other similar para prepping stuff if you treat it too serious

[lonewolf]

may be ok for some one in a big city but I would think a stab proof vest would be better.