Just ordered a very interesting product!

I wish I could find & acknowledge the poster that first made me aware of this, but I just ordered a great looking vest made by US Palm. It looks like an incredible product for home defense. It's a tactical type vest with a Level IIIa ballistic panel in the front (with the option to add one to the rear for $99). There are several options but the most intriguing models are the Molle and the Holster versions. I seriously considered the Molle version but in the end I opted for the holster version in black; it's also available in grey, camo, green and red, IIRC. It has a horizontal chest holster that looks to be plenty large for my FNP 45 Tactical & Surefire X300 Ultra. It has pouches for 3 mags or 2 mags and a light, phone, etc. I figure in a home invasion scenario I'm going to hunker down in a safe room, not try to clear the house. But if pressed and left with no alternative I will fight, and having the protection in the front is probably the most important. The really cool thing is that I bought it for under $200 shipped!

Here's a picture of it in coyote.



I watched some reviews & videos of the armor being shot with various calibers and am satisfied that the armor will defeat pistol caliber threats. It even defeated a Brenneke saboted copper slug although it's not rated for that.

If something goes bump in the night I can have a pistol w/rail-mounted light, 45 rounds of .45 ACP ammo, my Surefire E1B and cell all loaded in the vest, ready to go at a moment's notice and not have to search for anything. There's a loop-field in front too. That would be handy to attach another small case or perhaps some type of identification. I suppose maybe using one of the pouches for a spare pair of glasses might be a good idea, too.

I'll post my impressions once it arrives!

Regarding vest-mounted holsters, I have two concerns. First, it's easy to muzzle yourself or someone else while drawing. Second, it's hard to train with them, as most ranges understandably won't permit their use.

I read somewhere that it takes one thousand reps to bring a pistol drawstroke into muscle memory. As with any new holster, train with it extensively so that you can draw smoothly and safely every time.

I do not like any holster that routinely muzzles other people. Just a horrible idea safety wise.

I like it.

I might have ordered the pals/molle version so I could attach my own gear. Agree with earlier comment-make sure to practice often.

I agree, training is important. But I don't plan to be quick drawing from this rig and running & gunning like a commando. It's more about being able to store & organize all the "bump in the night" items so I can find them. My thinking is that once I don the vest I would bring my pistol into readiness, then investigate the noise. Again, that's if I left my safe room at all. Probably I'd just hunker down.

Also, my main CCW rig is a Browning Hi-Power in a Galco Miami Classic holster (yes, I do have a permit). So I don't think that a chest rig presents any issues for me that I haven't trained for. The muzzle of the gun will follow the same arc of moment as it would from a horizontal shoulder rig, just abbreviated somewhat. The main issue is that it has a wide velcro strap for retention, making the holster more of a "gun holder" or storage device than an integrated carry system.

BTW, one certainly could get the MOLLE version and attach the pistol vertically if you're worried. Or not attach the pistol at all. I like the idea of using the vest as an organizer to have all the items in one spot but you can certainly set it up in another manner. The MOLLE version could be used for keys, wallet, light & phone, too. Body armor is still practical even if you don't own a gun. Perhaps more so!

I misunderstood; I thought you'd be using the rig to carry your pistol and reloads while holding a long arm.



Sounds like a plan.

I am embarrassed to admit that right now I don't own a long gun! Recently I traded my only rifle, a Browning A-Bolk Synthetic Stalker .308, in on an FNP 45 Tactical. So for the moment all I have is handguns (.45, 9mm & .22 LR). An "EBR" is on my short list once I recover fiscally from the holidays.

I understand that this site is dedicated to survival, not SHTF/EOTWAWKI scenarios- that's why I like this site! So I'm being careful to not to make this a rambling diatribe about defensive weapons. While I am a lifelong firearms & shooting enthusiast I make no claims to be an "operator" or tactical expert. That said I do acknowledge that a shotgun or carbine would probably be better for "repelling boarders". But at the moment a handgun will have to suffice. That's one (but not the sole) reason that I though armor would be a sensible precaution.

Yup.I get so tired of the weapon,caliber,stopping power arguments so many have to have.HOORAH!!!!!

One blogger said what I feel,essentially when you draw on a person nobody is going to argue with you about what gun it is,or the caliber....I repeat....

The World is not the OK Corral or nothing.

Its true too with other self defense options,MOST all are still rational enough to know they dont want to be hit with any defensive measure you deploy.Says the man who has defused situations with no more than pulling a tube of pepper spray.No caliber,no deadly force,no brandishing weapon charges....Just an instant attitude adjustment.BTDT,not theory or conjecture.

Will it work with someone brandishing a firearm? NO! Will it work with the ape who thinks he can pound on you,YUP!

The right tool for the right job.

I wouldnt confront you Phaedrus,you having any handgun you own drawn on me.

+1 for the body armor aspect alone.Good prep item if thats on your radar.

We are looking at walking sticks,perfect gray man take anywhere....school,Bank,theater,TSA compliant self defense.Just fine for the gray haired crowd.

And yet, done daily by our troops. It's extremely difficult to pull your pistol when it's on a thigh holster while in a vehicle. So probably not as dangerous as you fear?

I've looked at US Palm, but I think DW is nixing it currently (thinking it belongs to a hair-brain, TEOTWAKI-seeking, SHTF-monster). However, I've got a cousin that's LA Sheriff - he says he'll keep an eye out for a level IIa that they use, once one gets retired. I figure DW can't argue with "free."

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.

I keep telling my wife I want to buy some ... as I understand it, this is essentially a plate carrier, right? No side panels, or way to put some on?

She thinks I'm nuts, btw.

This particular model does just have front and back panels, no good way to add any to the sides. But you can pick up a carrier with provisions for side panels from Ar500armor.com for not a lot more.