I like the slick version. I could see ordering one of those one day with the extra panel for the rear. Been a long time since I've worn body armor, but I swore by it back in the day when I had a job where I had to wear it every day.

The slick version is not quite as good a deal, IMOHO. There's quite a few places to get just plain armor in a plain-Jane carrier for around $200-$250 but very, very few with a MOLLE or holster at the price. Still, most of those are police turn-in (ie. used) so $200 for basic armor isn't bad. But I think at the least I'd go with the MOLLE version. If you never attach anything you still at least have to option to.

Just playing devil's advocate here.

There are those who argue that you should choose home defense weapons that don't look tactical or military issue in case you end up in court, whether criminal or civil. For example, using something that looks like grandpa's old Remington 870 with that wooden corncob fore end.

According to that logic, would any of us have the same kind of hesitation in a home defense situation (the OP mentions bump-in-the-night, not Katrina or WROL type situations) with a chest rig that looks like something our troops are wearing on the battefield right now?

Of particular concern is the "bad" shoot. Situations can go wrong very quickly, and by "wrong" I mean shooting someone in a heated, fast paced situation that in calmer circumstances you know was not legally justified according to the laws in your jurisdiction. Maybe you were startled or you dropped your glasses behind the nightstand or your flashlight had dead batteries or whatever and you shot someone. Maybe shot them dead. Maybe shot them dead in the back. Real life has a tendency of not unfolding the way that we role play in our imaginations.

If some lawyer wants to paint you as some trigger happy, Rambo wannabe who was just itching to blow away someone, the argument is that a rig like this could be a hindrance.

That said, I have never heard of a single case where just the look of a homeowner's weapon and the impression it makes on a jury or judge made any difference in a court case. But it's certainly true that perception can make all the difference in the world in court, too.

Of course, I hope you never have to get into a situation where any of this matters!

Valid concerns, Arney. It's hard to know what could happen in the heat of the moment. That's why I try to make as many important decisions and think things thru ahead of time. And despite the best of plans it can be a crap shoot. Who knows what a DA will do?

Ultimately though if someone breaks down my door and defeats my locks, and is armed and threatens me, I will do whatever I am able to defend myself. Beyond that I'll have to let the chips fall where they may.

Spuds... my friends got me this Boyds laminated walking stick for my 60th...1" diameter... use it for nightly walks...a visually disorienting Malkoff 240 or SolarForce 340 lumen upgrade for my SureFires when I can't legally carry

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Walking-Sticks-s/75.htm

Thanks Les for the reply.My first reply didnt post so I started a thread on topic.

Light too,fine idea,dont do much night stuff,but it does get dark and sounds very useful in/around house too,really appreciate the post,great advice.

Thats a nice stick!

My armor showed up today! Overall I'm impressed but there's one small snag; it would appear I underestimated the size of my FNP 45 T with the light attached. It won't fit in the chest holster unless I remove the light. Not the end of the world but a bit of a bummer. I can either remove the light I guess or else keep my Browning Hi-Power in the chest rig and just resign myself to using a hand held light. Well, I also have a Bersa BP9CC on layaway...perhaps it will be enough smaller to fit with a light on it.

The actual armor carrier is very nice! Lots of adjustment. It looks like the mag pouches are at the limits containing the FNP mags- again, this is a HUGE gun! A 15 round .45 mag is gonna be pretty large.

I think this is gonna be a good rig once I decide what to do about the handgun.

I take it back! Turns out the gun was snagging on the pin that keeps the battery door closed. Black on black made it hard to see. It's a somewhat snug fit but the gun goes in just fine. I'm sure it will loosen a bit over time but I can pull the gun out easily as is.

Very excellent!

I will probably order the armor panel for the rear pretty soon. It's $100 or so.