SAPI plate test :)

[Lowdown3]

Tonight we tested a SAPI rifle plate. It's marked as follows:

7.62mm M80 ball protection U.S.
Insert, SAPI, size X-large.

This is some lightweight plate. It appears to be a sandwich'ing of layers of kevlar together.

It was shot twice.

First was with an Arsenal AK 7.62x39 standard cheapie Wolf ammo at a distance of 25 yards.

A hole was observed on the front of the plate but little deformation was noticed on the back of the plate near the entrance hole.

So far so good...

Next it was shot with an M1A .308 soft point hunting type ammo at a distance of 40 yards.

I aimed low on the plate so the two shots could not be confused. Their was no confusing the .308 hit..... Take a look at the pics :)

Now what's interesting is that although the plate looks like hell, their was NO exit hole in the back of the plate. Upon smacking the plate on the concrete a little bit, bullet fragments and the jacket of the bullet came out from the mess that was the plate.

When I get some time, I'm going to try to press the whole mess back together again, with a shop press if I can borrow one- and then duct tape the crap out of it. Of course then it will be shot again. :)

I still prefer QUALITY steel rifle plate. However, these plates weigh around 5 lbs. each, which for a rifle plate is relatively light.

We'll try to break some more stuff soon and report back.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Good test, did a ceramic plate a few years ago with 243 at 40yds. Punched nice holes but with zero damage to any material behind the plate. I didnt do any pics

[rockriver]

just curious to both posts...
how did you support the plate?
was it propped against a big oak tree and couldn't move.
or was it hanging from a tree limb.
or propped against a bale of hay.

wondering if allowing the suppport (soldier behind the plate) to be knocked down (big bruise ) but no hole in the chest
actually gives the vest/plate more positive effectiveness than if it is against a solid structure...

i hope this question makes sense?

[Lowdown3]

It does make sense RR.

I asked at Walmart this morning if they had potting soil, not in the store. I've taped them to potting soil bags or put soft armor over potting soil bags before to simulate "soft tissue" as best I could.

I propped these against a pine tree base.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

My vest was supported by a small oak tree with. The armor works the same either way. The ceramic is designed to make holes but absorbs the bullet and all energy. The was zero damage behind the plate. No to say there isnt gonna be a bruise though.

This is a good video of what happens since Grand wont cooperate with me on making an SP special

[xdpatriot]

Great info and test! Thanks for the time, materials and sharing.

[WILL]

My only concern with a steel plate wound be shrapnel or ricochets off the plate. Kevlar or clay encased ceramic absorb the projectiles while steel plate my just redirect it.

[1Admin]

Mine too Will. Shooting steel targets up close (kids don't try this at home), i.e, less than 10 feet, you get a LOT of spall on you at times. Rifle I've shot as close as about 30 feet but you don't seem to get as much spall back. Now if you have cardboard or paper targets near the steel, they will look shredded after a while.

The new Revision style "can take buckshot" glasses ought to be a part of everyone's kit.

[Grand58742]

Mine too Will. Shooting steel targets up close (kids don't try this at home), i.e, less than 10 feet, you get a LOT of spall on you at times. Rifle I've shot as close as about 30 feet but you don't seem to get as much spall back. Now if you have cardboard or paper targets near the steel, they will look shredded after a while.

The new Revision style "can take buckshot" glasses ought to be a part of everyone's kit.

Shooting steel at the IPSC you tend to get a bunch of blow back shrapnel from the rounds. I've taken a few hits that way and I'm sure Matt has some scars to show off as well.

I still highly endorse the Oakley M Frame glasses as great ballistic eye pro. After going through a set of Uvex and two lenses of the ESS Ice, I broke down and spent the money on the Oakley. Never looked back and I still use the same lense when working around eye hazards to this day. It's slightly scratched, but still pretty clear.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Shooting steel at the IPSC you tend to get a bunch of blow back shrapnel from the rounds. I've taken a few hits that way and I'm sure Matt has some scars to show off as well.

It's not as bad as bowling pins and #6s from the shotgun courses we shoot, that makes this RSO jumpy and bleeding
I'd rather be behind a steel plate taking hits and dealing with small issues like secondary material that unerlying kevlar and googles will stop than be absorbing incoming rounds. Most of the splatter is going back at the shooter rather than towards the wearer. If steel is what you can get then get it hard as possible and put it on

[Grand58742]

It's not as bad as bowling pins and #6s from the shotgun courses we shoot

Of course that's only if you're shooting that "manly" 12 gauge, right? :D I mean, anything less like a 20 gauge or something along those lines and I suppose you don't need to worry about splatter.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Of course that's only if you're shooting that "manly" 12 gauge, right? :D I mean, anything less like a 20 gauge or something along those lines and I suppose you don't need to worry about splatter.

Correct when you (the hardened steely eyed flyboy tier 1 specialist ninja survivalist man of the world) and my 105lb daughter with the cast on her arm shoot the 20s I have no issue:)

[justanothergunnut]

I shot this plate at 10 feet back side supported.
5.56 M855 Green Tip
7.62 M80 ball
7.62x39 Wolf HP

back side deformation was minimal. Would it cause bruising? SURE would you be able to continue the fight? YOU BET!!


I think too many people discount armor because of its cost. My mindset is if there are guns involved the cost is irrelevant..

[Lowdown3]

I think too many people discount armor because of its cost. My mindset is if there are guns involved the cost is irrelevant..

When we sold Silent Partner body armor in the 90's, the phrase I always used in advertising was "How much is your LIFE worth?"

[justanothergunnut]

You know the excuses,, you been around the block lowdown it costs money .. plain and simple besides making lists is free..