Interesting Find: Armored Republic (AR500) "Heritage" flat NIJ Level III plates (good against M855 but not M193) 2 for $65 ending at midnight Pacific tonight. Add trauma pads for $20 ($10 each) or upgrade to multicurve plates for $34 ($17 each). Other products, 20.12% off with code 10YEAR. https://www.ar500armor.com/heritage-bog ... =affiliate

Thanks. Got a pair as spare.

What do they mean by "Armor Orientation"?

It looks like they cut the shoulder cuts differently for right-hand or left-hand shooters.

Seems odd that they're only level 3?

That makes sense. Thanks.
Ordered a set.

Figure at this price, i could use it as a target or use it in a backpak or back of my driver seat

Still good!

Thanks for posting the deal. Looks like a good buy. Ordered a set last night. Paid a little extra to get the curve plates and trauma pads. I’m new to armor so I need to do research on getting a carrier and find out more about that set up.

Same. I figured under $140 was a reasonable entry point to plates.

I already have a carrier.

What was funny for me was adding a $6 patch (I collect them) bumped the shipping cost from around $10 to over $20, lol.
I dumped that patch in a hurry. No patch is worth that much...

I got $20 shipping, but that was because I ordered both upgrades, multicurve AND trauma pad.

A cop buddy tells me these are "yesterday's news" armor-wise and that if he had to choose between steel or a soft vest he'd go soft every time, but in a way that makes these better for my purposes as "teaching kit" to add to the Live The Suck of hands-on learning walking a simulated patrol.

What soft armor is he talking about that'll stop a 7.62NATO or did he mean for his typical LE encounters where its most handguns? Only soft armor I'm aware that'll stop rifles is the Safe Life FRAS - it's $1600+ and it wont stop 7.62NATO, only 7.62x39 and 5.56NATO and lesser threats. Steel plates aren't my first choice, but it would better than nothing by a long shot. And considerably better than 3A handgun rated Kevlar for rifle threats.

Came to $42 per plate for me with tax/shipping. Thats cheaper than buying 10x12 AR500 targets.

It will be heavy. AR500 is great, multiple hits and never really expires.
Until you have to move with a carrier and kit with AR500 plates. As mentioned,you can't buy AR500 target's that size for the price.

I think he was thinking mostly for patrol/typical LE or HD use. Serious plate work he'd go with polymer or hybrid on "spare no expense."

When I say "simulated patrol," bear in mind I'm a historian and aspiring prof focused in Military History, so my thinking is get the student as close as I can to walking a patrol on Edson's Ridge then one in Helmand, then have them write a compare/contrast paper about what each set of kit does well and what it doesn't.

Two plates will add 17# to my already 11# plate carrier and that's just with IFAK, TQ and mags. Everybody, say hello to Private Potatohead...

Good idea for a back pack. I had never considered back of drivers seat, interesting concept. What about a door panel?
I saw a First 48 episode where a teenager was killed by 1 9mm bullet, he was sitting in the back seat and the bullet had actually went through the trunk.