Paraclete Speed Plates

[Chipster]

Does anyone have any good information on these about ballistic protection being increased when these are used with soft armor? I have some guys that are trying to convince the Chief that if you couple them with our issued Point Blank lv IIIA armor it will stop rifle rounds. Specifically 5.56 & 7.62 x 39. I've got a call in to Point Blank to let me shoot some of the Paraclete Plates and check but I figured with their popularity someone here might have good information. I'm not a ballistic vest guy but I'll start researching a bit and add here as I learn..

Thanks,

[SLG]

They will not stop real rifle rds. I have a couple of the plates, and just got a brief on them, but don't remember off the top of my head what they will do. I know they will stop 30 carbine and 12g slugs. Not sure on the rest, sorry. Paraclete could answer that pretty easily.

[Chipster]

I kind of figured they wouldn't. The back of the Speed plate says it level IIIA but it I'm not finding anything that says two (2) LVL IIIA's = LVL IV. I've seen 5.56 burn through 45lb weights like it was a laser beam. This thing feels awfully light. I'm going to wear it tomorrow for a traffic direction detail and maybe scrounge up an older vest and strap it on my punching bag and shoot it. It's worth the $130 I was quoted for each plate.

Anyone ever compare a 30-30 to a 7.62 x 39? I read somewhere that the biggest difference is just in the bullet profile and not the energy generated.

[Paul]

They will also stop 7.62x25. They do not do much against real rifle rounds.

Those type of plates will help a lot if you drive into a chain link fence and get speared in the chest with a piece of pipe.

[Erick Gelhaus]

I have and use a set of these in conjunction with a level IIIA vest. About 6-7 months of wear so far. Had no illusions about them being rated for or able to stop incoming rifle fire. Looked at them based on their ability to stop the special threat rounds.

They add a bit of weight, but it isn't unbearable as the vest fits quite nicely.

[Al T.]

Chipster, our local rep is a standup guy, suspect he can help.


Will Marshall
(954) 830-1480
wmarshall@pbearmor.co

[BehindBlueI's]

Paraclete makes two "speed plate" inserts. The older speed plate is not much help against rifles. The newer "speed plate plus" will stop 7.62x39 and 5.56. Our range tested and approved the Speed Plate Plus for individual purchase after we lost an officer to AK fire last year.

[Erick Gelhaus]

So, checking the Paraclete page and their sales info for the different plates ...

Special Threat tested Speed Plates will stop (stand alone):
Winchester 9mm 127gr SXT SPEER .357 Sig 125gr; FN 5.7 x 28 (SS195); Aguila .40 S&W 95gr; Tokarev 7.62 25 85gr; Corbon .357 Sig 115gr Remington .30 caliber carbine;
Threats Defeated (ICW NIJ Certified IIIA Armor):
Winchester 12ga 1oz slug

For the 8"x10" the weight is 0.69lbs and the 10"x12" weighs 0.91 lbs, both are 0.35" thick.

The Speed Plates Plus will stop:
5.56mm x 45mm 55gr Ball (M193); 5.65mm x 45mm 62gr Ball (M855); 7.62mm x 39mm 123gr PS Ball (Mild Steel Core);

... but ... the 8"x10" is 3.1 lbs a plate and the 10"x12" is 4.8lbs each and both are 0.55" thick.

http://www.pointblankenterprises.com/paraclete/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/10/2015_Speed_Plates_Product-Sheet1.pdf

[Dagga Boy]

While the original special threat plates are not rated for rifle, I have seen them where they were shot with 5.56 and stopped the first few rounds.......which is a pretty good thing for daily cop wear.

[Chipster]

While the original special threat plates are not rated for rifle, I have seen them where they were shot with 5.56 and stopped the first few rounds.......which is a pretty good thing for daily cop wear.


That's seriously encouraging! I've got a few officers wearing them and all are raving that they can't even feel it. Hopefully this week I can try to shoot one myself.

[Chipster]

Ok so I got a chance to shoot this thing this week with my department 55 grain JSP duty round in .223. It penetrated the speed plate (stripping the copper jacket in the process) before stopping less than halfway through the 2009 issued LVL II soft armor. I only shot the plate once as my Chief wanted me to shoot it with the 12 gauge slug this weekend. I have to say I'm impressed.

[SLG]

That is encouraging. I'll ask the company about it.

[Erick Gelhaus]

Any chance you have photo(s) that could be shared? I can provide work e-mail, etc.

[voodoo_man]

I am interested...

[msstate56]

Where would be the best place for an officer looking to purchase one of these plates with personal funds?

[voodoo_man]

since there seems to be interest in this thread....maybe someone with a connection can setup a group buy direct?

[Chipster]

I'm having trouble uploading multiple pictures. Today I shot the plate taped to a 100 lb punching bag. I shot it at 10 feet with the 12 gauge slug, point blank with my issued 9mm 124 +p HST Federal load out of my USP9, and five (5) rounds of Hornady TAP 5.56 at 30 feet. The vest was the back panel of the previous shoot and I placed a soft trauma plate (unknown mfg.) as well as the previously shot SpeedPlate and duct taped it to the punching bag. The 12 gauge knocked it off the bag and I had to retape it as it blew off. I am going to see if I can find a table saw to cut it open (I only have a Sawzall) to see what parts of the bullets I'll find.


http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/A06DB33F-EC62-49A8-BF9C-20E90BD5F3E1.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/A06DB33F-EC62-49A8-BF9C-20E90BD5F3E1.jpg.html)

[Chipster]

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/F7B2BBA7-87AB-488A-B24B-D8E11881F655.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/F7B2BBA7-87AB-488A-B24B-D8E11881F655.jpg.html)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/95729FEB-7BBD-44F5-9268-CB875B11B7D0.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/95729FEB-7BBD-44F5-9268-CB875B11B7D0.jpg.html)
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/6CCE037B-C25D-479F-9458-5CE0432B173E.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/6CCE037B-C25D-479F-9458-5CE0432B173E.jpg.html)

[Chipster]

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/D8537992-E586-4D26-8E97-269B13BB6E8B.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/D8537992-E586-4D26-8E97-269B13BB6E8B.jpg.html)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/FFB6C6EA-82FF-4EFA-B95E-2B46F9A254F5.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/FFB6C6EA-82FF-4EFA-B95E-2B46F9A254F5.jpg.html)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/6D379963-721E-4973-90D4-1713B9D63C42.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/6D379963-721E-4973-90D4-1713B9D63C42.jpg.html)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/1AF0D343-1392-425F-B81F-EC7225BE8195.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/1AF0D343-1392-425F-B81F-EC7225BE8195.jpg.html)
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/9A65ED31-D0EA-4915-81E9-7EA0BC3756A2.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/9A65ED31-D0EA-4915-81E9-7EA0BC3756A2.jpg.html)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/D0C699CE-A865-4E0F-8234-2C317EC42DF2.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/D0C699CE-A865-4E0F-8234-2C317EC42DF2.jpg.html)

[Chipster]

I'm being quoted $130 per plate from a company out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. I've been dealing with him for over 20 years and I'm sure if a group buy was decided upon, we could make it happen.

My email is rstephenson@columbiacity.net if anyone's interested in talking off line.

I was able to pull the plate apart some as the shotgun round caused a slight tear of the outside covering. The first thing I noticed it the combination of fiber and a plastic type plate. The second thing I noticed is the copper jackets caught inside of the fibers. I located a 5.56 jacket and am slowing digging my way to the shotgun slug. Here's a couple of more pics.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/4DB22E50-5F55-4ABE-B767-58F43CCFA682.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/4DB22E50-5F55-4ABE-B767-58F43CCFA682.jpg.html)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/8BE57BE3-E277-4DFE-988B-F04AE84BC030.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/8BE57BE3-E277-4DFE-988B-F04AE84BC030.jpg.html)

[Chipster]

The shotgun and 9 mm rounds I recovered.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t79/Chipster_1974/CED1CBA7-9B83-4368-BE78-4EA286166025.jpg (http://s157.photobucket.com/user/Chipster_1974/media/CED1CBA7-9B83-4368-BE78-4EA286166025.jpg.html)

[GRV]

I'm being quoted $130 per plate from a company out of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. I've been dealing with him for over 20 years and I'm sure if a group buy was decided upon, we could make it happen.


$130 seems pretty close to what they can be had for from random sites online. If there was a better deal, I'd be interested in a group buy.

I see it says NIJ 0115.00 Level 1 stab/spike protection. For the patrol guys out there, what do you guys run (if anything) for stab resistance?

I'm not really sure how to translate "Level 1" into a practical threat description. And yes, I have found the translation into protocol, energy, etc. but that isn't as helpful as similar info for projectiles.

[SLG]

So...are we still talking about speed plates, or the speed plates plus?

[GRV]

So...are we still talking about speed plates, or the speed plates plus?

The original, I think.

The "Plus" plates are a poor man's level III plate, as far as I can tell. They are much more expensive, and much much heavier, and thicker. I see the original Speed Plates as an add on that shouldn't change the existing burden of soft armor a whole lot, yet still adds some extra protection against higher threats and stab/spike.

Does anyone have experience wearing the Plus plates for extended periods of time?

[breakingtime91]

Are gladiator plates the same size? I don't know much beyond that they are pretty good plates and are light weight.

[Chipster]

I ended up buying the plates for $115 a piece. These are just the standard speed plates. I haven't had any complaints and they are now required for patrol officers. InthinknthebChief is planning on buying the rectangle plates in December for us to wear in the rear. The only issue I see there is the lack of a soft trauma plate.