Sapi Plates

[Jtactical 7]

Hey guys just got my LBT 6094A in today and was wondering what you guys use for sapi plates? Do you run real sapi plates, fake plastic ones, diy plates or training plates? Whatever you use can you tell me why you use them, why you like/dislike them, if you made them how did you do so and with what materials, and if you bought them can you provide a link.\

 

Thanks, 

 

Jay

[Dave 781]

Real ones.  PM inbound.

 

Would suggest getting fake ones though.  If these get dropped for some reason, sucks to be me.

[Runt511 180]

1) Buy the King arms replica plates from Evike.

2) Cut slit in top of plate and fill with sand

3) Duct Tape plate shut

4) Enjoy weighted replicas

[roughneck88 78]

Well, my advice is the following!

 

If you are planning in the future to be in the private secureity, Private Military the  all means try to buy you some real ones and get use to them. Most companies that sell them require the order being on company letterhead. LEO, Military will issue you some real ones if you need them.

 

Of course you can take the chance in buying some used ones if you want. But I always had a problem in buying used SAPI Plates. The issue was!

1) one they are used- How did the owner take care of them, Did he drop them, are there hair line cracks that can not be seen.

2) Are they stolen plates- Big time federal offense

 

Here is the 2003 FBI warning with SAPI Plates:

 

he Defense Criminal Investigative Service of the Department of Defense
(DOD) is investigating the sale of suspected stolen military property. The
property, a small arms protective insert (SAPI), is a lightweight body armor
worn to protect the chest area. When used in conjunction with the soft
ballistic vest, the SAPI is designed to protect the user from multiple
impacts from high velocity, high-impact assault ammunition. The SAPI
currently is being used by U.S. military personnel in military operations
throughout the world. The SAPI provides state-of-the-art ballistic
protection and would provide a tactical advantage to criminals in
confrontations with law enforcement officers.

Investigative sources indicate that individuals throughout the United States
are selling and buying this property at an alarming rate. The theft and
subsequent illegal sales of SAPIs is a continuing and pervasive problem. It
has also been determined that several individuals who have both sold and
purchased SAPIs have criminal histories. Recent legislation has passed that
makes it illegal for anyone with a felony conviction to possess body armor
(the SAPI is considered body armor), Title 18 U.S.C. 931(a), Possession of
Body Armor by a Convicted Felon.

A DOD directive requires that SAPIs be destroyed when no longer needed by
the military and that SAPIs are not to be sold to the general civilian
population. One exception to this directive is the sale to law enforcement.
There have been no government sales to explain the ability of civilians to
purchase any such item legally. Because the SAPI is only being produced
under current DOD contracts, the property should be considered stolen, and
anyone who purchases a SAPI is in possession of stolen military property.

It should also be noted that the picture above is only one example of a
SAPI. Although they all share similar features and dimensions, there may be
slight variations in appearance, to include differences in markings on the
SAPI and the absence of a manufacturer's plate

 

Now you can buy training plates to get the same effect weight, size for the "Train as you fight scenario" and that is what I suggest to you. You Can buy them if you want, But I went with the cheap route and made mine and they work fine for me and what I need. I made them out of Blue foam board you use on the exterior of Houses and Gorilla tape (Duck tape will work).

 

I used my real ones traced them on to the foam board. Then cut them out, Used the duck tape to wrap tight and it actually bent the foam board a little to create that bowel effect. I would take a picture of them but everything is packed up so it will be at least two week until I can take a picture of them..

 

Here are some dimensions so work with if you make some.

 

Front and back SAPI plates:

Extra Small - 1.27 kg (2.8 lb) | 184 x 292 mm (7¼ x 11½ in)
Small - 1.59 kg (3.5 lb) | 222 x 298 mm (8¾ x 11¾ in)
Medium - 1.82 kg (4.0 lb) | 241 x 318 mm (9½ x 12½ in)
Large - 2.09 kg (4.6 lb) | 260 x 337 mm (10⅛ x 13¼ in)
Extra Large 2.40 kg (5.3 lb) | 280 x 356 mm (11 x 14 in)
ESAPI plates are the same size but slightly greater in weight.[7]

Extra Small - 1.70 kg (3.75 lb)
Small - 2.08 kg (4.60 lb)
Medium - 2.50 kg (5.50 lb)
Large - 2.85 kg (6.30 lb)
Extra Large - 3.25 kg (7.20 lb)

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...r-04416/#esapi

[teeth 75]

I used to use the foam ones in my 6094 that came with my JPC replica when I bought it. However, I removed the rear plate for my hydro(Source ILPS) and have removed the front plate for a Team Wendy training plate:

 

http://store.teamwendy.com/esapi-non-ballistic-training-plate/

[roughneck88 78]

Geez  $114 dollars for T-Plates. I am in the wrong business...lol. But if you got it like that then by all means. I tend to save my Pennies on some things so i spend on other things. I think SAPI plates can be one of those things. For one you never see them. and 2,  there are a number of things that can be used for simulation aspect in MILSIM. Here is a a Youtube video on another way to make some plates for under 10 bucks!

 

[Jtactical 7]

Thanks for all the help guys I think Im gonna go with the team wendys, I will probably make my own until I can get the team wendys.

 

I will let you guys know how the diy goes.

[TheJP 3,301]

Thanks for all the help guys I think Im gonna go with the team wendys, I will probably make my own until I can get the team wendys.

 

I will let you guys know how the diy goes.

 

I did mine like Nigel did w/ camp mat.

[Dave 781]

Your magic floating armor plates =! milsim, nerd!

[roughneck88 78]

I am nerd, I know!! My wife still loves me...lol

[Sheepdog 168]

I run real steel ballistic plates. HEAVY, but makes for a good workout. Also, they are substantially thinner than sapi's and provide a nice sturdy frame for your pc.

[TheJP 3,301]

Your magic floating armor plates =! milsim, nerd!

 

Oh I have SAPI plates, and if and when the time comes where people shoot at me with something other than the ballistics of a BB I will put them in.

 

Until then, F' That Noise ..

 

[roughneck88 78]

Should not give away secrets on a public forum...lol

 

[Dave 781]

Hey yall, little update.  I went over to http://www.themilsimperspective.com/shop/sapi-training-plates/ and picked up a pair of plastic SAPI shells.  I had Dirtpro drill a hole, fill them with sand, and epoxy shut.  The result was a weighted (~6 pounds per I believe) plate that fit and held well.  It doesn't have the ceramic feel real plates do, but I have no worry about dropping down into prone on a rock and throwing 200 bucks out the window in the name of slinging plastic.

 

I can't confirm if he is planning on offering this service in the scheme of things, but I would recommend it if you are on the fence (only 32 bucks for the shells, not sure what he might charge for the filling).

[dirtpro 177]

Would anyone else be interested in this? If there's a demand for it, I would be happy to offer weighted or non-weighted (filled with foam for durability) plates.