Extended version | Safe Life Defense FRAS Armor 

So I’ve treated thousands of GSWs I’ve seen a few cops in the ER with soft armor and the injuries they have are no where near as dramatic. Yes you will be bruised. I think I’ve seen 4-5 cops shot with soft armor. One of them had a cracked sternum but he walked in the ER and walked out 8 hrs later from a 40 cal. Shot. My point The human body is way stronger than people think. Humans are not as brittle as people think.

Karl is about the only host around that I respect enough to happily sit and listen to 20 minutes of rambling before getting to the point of the video. Karl is the definition of legend.

The thing I found most helpful about this video is it clarifies the difference between military mission and civil mission.

The first 22 minutes of this long version really tell the story better than the short version.

flamethrower: goes off Karl: *visible happiness* Very good content. I appreciate the stories, and knowledge.

This system is absolutely the future. I can tell you from experience in wearing all forms of body armor, that weight is absolutely a consideration. I've run steel plates in my kevlar outer carrier, and found that I was getting spinal compression and bulging discs in my back. This FRAS system is not only lighter but just as you pointed out, better distributed. This armor is an absolute game changer for soft armor going forward and it won't be long that the level II and level IIIA armor types will be relegated to more of a sideline role.

$2500.00 body armor, it better stop a bill collector as well..

One of the most comprehensive lesson and real world body armor presentation on RU-vid. Thanks for the info Sgt Major 👍

RU-vid sucks! I’ve been following you guys for over 3 years and I just NOW saw this video!

Thank you Karl. For you to go the extra mile and give us a real true to life experience to convince us to wear the armor instead of being lazy and trying to look cool really shows that you care and I do appreciate that. Cause when shit happens it happens. Thank you.

Definitely prefer the extended version with the detailed explanation; thank you. I was very surprised to see it defeat M80 ball as well, even though not rated to do so. I was part of their initial pre-order, and have had mine for a while. It carries well with the weight being distributed. Glad to see I chose wisely.

Excellent video and thank you. I served with the 7th Marines in the Gulf then another almost thirty years on Patrol as a Patrol Officer in the South and learned much from your video after wearing body armor most of my life and still learned a great deal from this video Sir. Thank You. I'm retired but now it's looking like I'm gonna half to buy my own body armor for a part-time gig even though I'm retired.

I really liked my IOTV and opted out of the plate carrier swap when my unit switched. I was a grenadier and would never have been able to carry everything on a PC, and I liked the weight distribution of the IOTV. My IOTV did feel lighter than the PC despite being heavier.

Sherif of Bagdad; “a reason we have not won a war since WWII is our LOSS of Continuity”. We need your knowledge (and others like you) to remain accessible to the Teams and also at the Battalion level. We can’t keep relearning over and over as if it is the first time. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. (RLTW; just the school and I served with a large group of men better than me in 3rd SFG).

I wish he wold have shown the back face deformation of each round. Nice video love the idea of higher level soft armor.

Mission dictates the gear, if your doing DA raids in iraq where your landing right on the X then you can roll heavier, if your humping the mountains of RC east with offset infills or even worse where your landing on the alternate alternate LZ that heavy ass RBAV is not better than the plate carrier. I don’t think most people understand how much gear a soldier actually has to carry even for a “light” mission set.

From an engineering standpoint - If there's only one layer of hexagonal tiles then there's a gap between the joints. The weakest point is where 3 tiles meet and you have a "Y" shaped junction of gaps. For more consistent protection they should've used 2 layers of hex tiles, aligning the layers so that the weakest point -at the junction of 3 tiles- is overlapped by a complete tile. ...This configuration would leave far fewer gaps. If ceramic weren't so brittle then a big improvement would be to make the tiles interlock via an overlap on 3 edges. The design would not leave any gaps, but the joints would be subject to breaking because of the nature of ceramics.

Overkill is a underrated achievement!

Sorry to hear about that LT, he sounded like a pretty squared away dude

I shot my buddies 224 Valeriy at 150 yards and almost as soon as I would press the trigger it was dinging steel... those rounds are screaming down range...

Don't forget the spare batteries for everything, your strobes, your nods, any breech equipment/water impulse charges with the iv bag tapped to cardboard backing with the det cord charge in between them, any thermite grenades needed, VS17 panels, some sort of emergency chow, chewing tobacco, and you must have a fighting knife of some sort. The list is endless of shit you need to have with you everytime you go out on patrol. Here's the deal...I had a buddy hit by a "sniper" and the one bullet of the three quick succession shots that hit him, struck him diagonally just to the side of his level four plate and tore through his soft armor. The bullet traveled through his right lung, ripped through his superior veinacava, continued through his left lung and exited his left lattimus dorsal. He was dead before he hit the ground and he didn't struggle or grasp at anything. The shock of the round and damage done by completely eviscerating the portion of the vascular system that brings all the blood to the heart to push through the body completely emptied his lungs, heart and head of all the blood and he died instantly. His brain might have has three seconds left of oxygen in his cells. No matter what you're wearing...a helmet, ballistic vest, level four plate and armored underwear...in Mosul Iraq...if your time is up, your time is up...

As free spirited as he is, you can easily see/feel he's a former SGT Major. This guy is a my favorite gonna wait until the price drops then I'm getting the FRAS. Hopefully by the time that my plates expire FRAS will be the future/standard.

Appreciate your extra stories sir. God bless

I was in Najaf in Jan 2005. You guys did a hell of a good job. Ive been toCamp David. I’ve got a good story about that. Thank you for your shows I really enjoy them. .

You two are ATE UP...! Thanks for all your hard wo... Thanks for taking us along on this fun adventure of yours. I'm surprised that the 7.62 x 51 Ball didn't pass thru. 🤔

I knew a young man that jumped out of a deuce and a half, with all his battle rattle on, blew out s couple of disc in hid back. My mother always told me "take care of your back!" I really should've listened to her.

I was national guard . I passed basic training and got to my lil NG unit in Texas . I didn’t stay for long due to me getting a general discharge , but this is something I literally had no idea about that made total sense to me . Especially when you talked about the young hero who was in the marines who was KIA because of a projectile coming at a steep angle . That scared the hell outta me when you said that because I have a pretty good plate carrier that isn’t like the “pew pew” guys. It’s pretty wide and I can put long side plates in it , but I literally didn’t think about the projectile coming at a very steep angle . I have nothing on my set up to protect me from that. Now I know to go back to the drawing board and re do my kit and re wire myself to think about those hidden shots that come outta nowhere . Thank you 🙏🏽 you are a great example and leader . I’m glad you are still here with us .

Long winded? Never!!

Flame thrower is great crowd control.

Love the “pew pew” comparisons! That is exactly what you see the RU-vid operators wear 🤣 awesome informative video!

Karl: *Turns so the camera can't see him shoulder the pistol brace* ATF: next time, sucker. Next time.

Great video! Karl, thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. I hope more people can see this video because this will definitely save a lot of lives.

Man this would have been welcomed when I was in and we were using Bristol plates, that thing wore a tonne and was capable of breaking your jaw if it rode up hard enough. In the UK we always seem to be a step behind the American military when it comes to the shit that makes a difference, we should get it about 3 years after we actually need it. And can i say how refreshing it is to have someone on one of these videos just bottom lining things and not trying to blind us with his genius, one of my favourite RU-vid equipment channels, definitely top 3. Respect from England to Karl and his crew

Love how your videos build upon each other for real life purpose, from simple as a sling all the way to everything else(A-Z) and their mission set for each

Thanks for posting the full version of the video. I appreciate your insight.

Groin plate? I coincidentally have an ESAPI side plate in my groin flap. Nut tap from hell!

I'm no high speed operator but I do know that after Mogadishu in 1993, everybody learned that you need all your gear including NODs. 27 years later and all the "operators" are learning the same lessons. It's like a pendulum.

The flack jacket is what we were issued back in the 70's. It's heavy to wear in the jungle when it won't even stop bullets.

I appreciate the story you told. I find it difficult to talk with people on body armor. They are all dead set with plate carriers but I look at the casualties statistics. Fragmentation is the bigger killer.

Sir... Thank you for your service, dedication , and sacrifice..we all could never thank you enough, and people forget how much sometimes and we take for granted. Thank yo, again, and to your family aswell

Very informative and helpful. I have to do a lot of research before spending $1600 on a vest. It is starting to look like it is worth it and may be getting one.

Wore one the newer version in Storm Shield as well. Thank you for your service brother.

Thankyou for clarity," rifle rated plates that disipate force" .i have been contemplating body armour,this scales down my thought process .well done ,coming from a vet info is highly valued.

I was actually expecting a Raufoss round out of the Barret to be the trump card. But then it was a Flamethrower! Even better.

Karl should interview the SEAL who was shot 27 times on an op. His plates stopped 11 of the rounds. The other 16 rounds hit him. And he survived. And went back on duty.

Scott: caught some brass to the face there Me from the future: you have no idea😬

They designed the 855 to actually be a tungsten core but it was cost prohibitive. The tungsten core would have been a penetrating round, because tungsten is harder than steal and has I really high melting temp. The Army was having to replace the lead in the 5.56 small arms rounds to try to keep from poisoning the water sources below the ranges on posts. Tge idea was since they were going to replace the lead, they pondered using tungsten and I am not 100% sure if it was the cost or some other reason...say complete pass through of human targets so that damage was limited or something. I just remember having this conversation with a retired A team, team leader who I will not name without talking to him first.

My friend your you tube articles have gotten excellent. I have bin around guns “all” the my life and I have learned a lot from your knowledge (thank you)

28:49 I saw it efectively stop a 30-06 round on very close proximity on a video by kentucky ballistics (of course not without serious damage to the user and possibly death if hit on the heart area). This ballistic vest is a beast. I want one for conceales use

I wish this kind of personal protection was more affordable 1700$ is steep for the vest alone. I just want protection at work, I appreciate you putting this on my wishlist ✅

What ever plate Mike Day was wearing sure held up , think it was 11-15 rds of 556 and 7.62x39 , plus another 10 or so to the body and killed all of the bad guys , got up and cleared the house and walked to the bird

May be an unpopular opinion but, the first part of the video was more entertaining than the shooting portion. It's always fun to see thinks go pew pew but, that knowledge portion was highly informative and entertaining. Thanks man.

"But, your buddy behind you is okay"... (You're almost fully guaranteed to make it home... just not guaranteed the condition that you get home in)

Velocity penetrates armor. Not shocked the .224 at 3400 penetrated the compromised section of the panel. Good to know it would get stopped by the uncompromised section.

Most comprehensive body armor video on RU-vid. Real life explanation about what it is and how to use it. All other videos on subject matter delete and tap out. SafeLife seems to have developed superior product. Improving basic rubber tire to a steel belted radial. Dragon fire? Shut the front door!

18:30 Very true. I love those long stories and wealth of information! Many thanks! Perhaps the most realistic was in the 1995 movie "Heat", just after main bank robbery scene, where Chris(Val Kilmer) is shot with the 5.56mm in this exact spot, which almost completely puts him down, with a lot of tissue damage and his clavicle fractured(we learn that later in the movie, when they go to the 'doctor'. He barely limps out, but with the help of Neil(De Niro). Having a heavy money bag over his shoulder doesn't help either. Movie itself have had a great help - 2 UK's SAS ex-operators. The actors trained beforehand, for a few months, with the live ammo - in the old style of "chicken wing", which I always wondered who 'invented' that "chicken wing" style of shooting? I know it goes back to WW2, when it can be seen in the training videos.

A little time after Second Chance body armor came out, someone donated them to the P.D. where I worked. I decided to buy my own vest made by Point Blank because it had side panels, had coverage, and far better carrier than Second Chance. Wore it every shift or assignment even in the heat of NC summers.

Nice. I’d like to see those little ceramic panels with some uhd polypropylene slabs behind them. Full coverage level IV!

I love the realism you bring to the table.

LMAO!!!! The Dinasaur bit was *hysterical* on an already AMAZING video! LOVE YOUR CHANNEL!

That Desert Storm armor was NOT a FLAK Jacket, those are actual Kevlar vests not Nylon; ie bulletproof vest level IIIa. Though they did retain the previously developed form factor. EDIT: Dragon Scale armor was not tested for years. They'd rather pay huge amounts for hot meals... And they themselves believed the hype. Dragon Scale armor, after they started showing up on ebay without having been tested, fan/poo... Long story, they finally tested it, and the hype was NOT real. Armor has to stop two rounds to same area, and Dragon Scale could not handle more than one. Also, a car, a parking lot, and summertime totally defeated Dragon Scale's structural integrity.

I was smiling the entire time. Great stuff bro!

One of the possible problems I can see with this plate is, like we saw in the video, is if you had a wider spread of those buck shot, or shrapnel, you could completely weaken a very large portion of this plate.

Best comprehensive video I've seen in learning about body armor. Thanks SGT MAJ

Very interesting results. For a fresh spot turn it around and test getting shot in the back. Ambushes come from the back sometimes.

Awesome collaboration, and flame throwers don’t care about your armor, haha. Well, definitely just found the solution for cqb now, the good ol flame thrower.

This is a very helpful and informative review. I absorbed it start to finish, and then again with my wife. While I have never served in the military (though I had my Vietnam draft number and was ready to serve if my number was called), I cherish our 2A rights that have thus far dissuaded foreign invasion knowing behind every rock was a citizen with ability and determination to contribute in defense of our liberties. So I wish to encourage the suppression of your disparaging tone towards the Pew Pew civilians. We train at the range because most of us, I feel, hope to become better marksmen who would show up if our Republic needs us. We believe in having our weapons and ammo for times of need, to not plead with other nations to send us weapons and ammo so we can defend ourselves. Pew Pew civilians believe training and practice are essential for those who own weapons. We practice with minimalist plate carriers because at the range that is OUR "mission critical" gear... simple storage and accessibility of extra mags as we move through gun range courses. I respect and admire the dedication and sacrifices of all our military and LEO, past and present. Thanks for this thorough review of the Safe Life Defense Body Armor. Very helpful!

I was a bountyhunter, and I wore the sexy stuff when it ca to protection. But I completely agree with you, the more coverage the better. Many shooting cictims catch bulets to their front side / obliques. Thats just the way the bullet bounces. Pun intended.

It's so refreshing to see a utube cat telling you you need more than 3 magazines. In my gun fight I was working my way into my 3rd and last 30 round magazine. But I started thinking about that long before that 3rd magazine. I had boxed ammo in my pocket without enough cover to even reach them. I had 5 rounds left in my 3rd magazine when the gun fight ended. So I learned a valuable life lesson at the age of 15 yrs old (I'm 61 now) in the state of California. Your never safe from a gun fight and you never have enough ammo.

Karl, you’ve done it again. I’ve been on bed rest for the last week or so, passing the time on RU-vid. I’ve only been watching sub 5-minute videos- until now. Watched this entire video in one sitting! Made me feel tons better too!

Hahaha ! This was great fun to watch ! I'm glad you talked people through the days of flak jackets and up into body armor. I wore a flak jacket, but it was much tighter and stiffer than the one you showed, and I was out by the time they started with body armor.

That 50 BMG short BBL FDE version is just dead sexy. Gotta love a Barrett

Love the extended version. Thanks TR team

Love this video guys! Two of my favorite channels come together and shoot shit, just awesome.

That was one of the most fun things I've seen on your channel. The ending was hilarious.

You don't need frag grenade to do pew pew. Hold my beer. Buy a slickster they said...damnit.

That cryolator at the end was INSANE.

AWESOME review & history lesson! Thank you for your service!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Years ago I found a Commercial Product Composite that when applied to Ballistic Fabrics that it re-enforces the weave (especially to Zylon Fabric). When applied to Composite Steel Plates/Composite Ceramic Plates it will stop Ricochets and creates a tight seal around Ceramic Plates that it maintains the plate's Integrity for several more shots! This Lamination along with another composite will prevent Spalling. This enhancement will increase the performance of ALL Ballistic Armor.

Thank you for posting the long winded video, that was 29 min, 45 sec well spent !

Thank you for this. Been saying this for years now.

Damn. The things you learn everyday. Thanks for the content man.

M855 is to penetrate soft barriers, not body armor. It's velocity is relatively low and therefore stopping M855 is not a huge feat. What is impressive is that this is soft armor, not a plate. Being rifle rated is nice especially to put behind ceramic plates.

flame thrower...awesome. Love the FRAS

Very good job, lots of information. Remember wearing the flak jacket mid 80's in the Army. Thankfully I was in West Germany and not to hot.

Man those old flak jacket are like boating life jackets. I bet they would have slowed you down heaps.

Very interesting, essentially a modern Brigandine.Great video!

Awesome demo and review of the armor. I have a hunch that if the hard plates were added there might be different outcome with the larger calibers. This is definitely a lifesaver for most common engagement scenarios. Great work Karl. Really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing. :)

love to see Scott on different shows he's the man

Perfect video to end the day with.

Outstanding fellas keep up the good work , much appreciated

That was AWESOME guys; especially the last 5 minutes 🤪

Loved every bit of this video. Very informative, eye opening, and fun to watch. Great Job, guys.

Love the armor tests. And the collaboration with Scott was good shit. Very funny ...we have to kill it!

Oh Tactical rifleman you should do a video on Submissions in hand to hand combat or just hand to hand combat anything you can teach us.

The rounds didn't go through but how much of the person would be Jello???

M855a (ss109) green tip has less penetrating power than m193. It's also less stable at distance. M193 is 55gr moving very fast. Much better to penetrate

Outstanding!! The extended version is a massive like! Thanks Karl

Thanks for this. wanted this more then the shooting part!!

best crossover yet