"Bulletproof" sleeves?

PaladinX13 · March 8, 2001, 06:00 PM

It's always vests, right? A seemingly obvious question would be: Why not bulletproof jackets or coats? Where are the sleeves? You're arms are important, right? (If you've ever played older versions of Counterstrike, that vulnerability is pretty evident...)

I'll try to offer some theories, correct them, please:

1. Sleeves would offer no real protection, ~500ft/lbs plus distributed over the small area of an arm is likely to practically rip it off and smash it to pulp, making it almost safer to simply penetrate?
2. The material restricts movement far too much?
3. Cost/benefit analysis deems sleeves cost too much?

So, why no bulletproof sleeves?

CITADELGRAD87 · March 8, 2001, 06:26 PM

COM is where the big target is, where the "vitals" are, and where most shhoters both train and aim to hit.

Arm wounds not usually fatal or even immeditaly life threatening.

It's hard enough to get people to wear a vest, let alone a heavier, hotter garment that won't save their life.

PaladinX13 · March 8, 2001, 06:55 PM

Heat/comfort is a very good point, thanks. And I agree that Center of Mass is where it's at, however, if you stand in a standard Weaver stance, you can see that your arms cover a lot of your chest. I imagine getting hit in the arms pretty much takes you out of action.

CITADELGRAD87 · March 8, 2001, 07:33 PM

Agreed.

I recall seeing old FBI techniques for very CQB showing using the offhand arm as a shield, literally making a fist and placing the arm over the center of the chest.

Ouch.

March 8, 2001, 06:00 PM	#1
PaladinX13 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2000 Posts: 519	It's always vests, right? A seemingly obvious question would be: Why not bulletproof jackets or coats? Where are the sleeves? You're arms are important, right? (If you've ever played older versions of Counterstrike, that vulnerability is pretty evident...) I'll try to offer some theories, correct them, please: 1. Sleeves would offer no real protection, ~500ft/lbs plus distributed over the small area of an arm is likely to practically rip it off and smash it to pulp, making it almost safer to simply penetrate? 2. The material restricts movement far too much? 3. Cost/benefit analysis deems sleeves cost too much? So, why no bulletproof sleeves?

March 8, 2001, 06:26 PM	#2
CITADELGRAD87 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2000 Posts: 432	COM is where the big target is, where the "vitals" are, and where most shhoters both train and aim to hit. Arm wounds not usually fatal or even immeditaly life threatening. It's hard enough to get people to wear a vest, let alone a heavier, hotter garment that won't save their life.

March 8, 2001, 06:55 PM	#3
PaladinX13 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2000 Posts: 519	Heat/comfort is a very good point, thanks. And I agree that Center of Mass is where it's at, however, if you stand in a standard Weaver stance, you can see that your arms cover a lot of your chest. I imagine getting hit in the arms pretty much takes you out of action.

March 8, 2001, 07:33 PM	#4
CITADELGRAD87 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2000 Posts: 432	Agreed. I recall seeing old FBI techniques for very CQB showing using the offhand arm as a shield, literally making a fist and placing the arm over the center of the chest. Ouch.