I have to say. Out of all the body armor tests on youtube, this is probably the best. I've never seen another youtube use clay to show everyone the impact force. I think it's something alot of people forget. Yes it stopped the round but you're gonna feel the fuck out of that impact.
impressive work from the ceramic, I wonder if they solved the delamination issue. Older (like future weapons older) dragon scale had a tendency to "melt" under day-to-day activities in Iraq (which is why it wasn't adopted). Probably not an issue for civilian use if you live somewhere that isn't as hot as a desert.
Remember American sniper in his book had Dragon Armor. Thought the company went out of business or production. I think it’s a great idea like the Ceramic ball wall “Saab Barracuda Soft Armour”
Love seeing you tear some armor up! Quick question that I may have asked on another video, unsure if you responded or not: have you tested the guard dog level 4 plates? And if so would you recommend them?
I've only done R&D for them. I have no publicly tested them. They're imported plates, but they've been making upgrades to the design. If you want a budget option I would recommend them over other imports.
I guess you can say this new gen dragon skin is the "tank" armor of the flexible rifle armor due to being extremely multi hit capable and stopping those deadly AP rounds its just dang that BFD of 50mm scares me a bit.
I mean the great thing about this system is that anything light weight in comparison like even a 308 which can be considered the low end of high powered cartridges would be easily stopped and the trauma would very likely be minimal but still painful
@@jordendavid8992 yeah true, but against normal rifle rounds and small arms fire? yeah your technically a tank in terms of multi hit capability while being flexible
@13:30 no fucking way it stopped all of them!?!?! At least, one of those as far as I can tell literally landed on the exact same spot of a previous round! So, it was already heavily damaged and compromised! Absolutely shocked! This is definitely a plate I plan on getting to replace my Adept Colossus plates whenever I get the money to do so. It is stupidly expensive so I have to save up to it. I plan on reaching out to them though to do a completely custom version because I prep and train for a 1 vs many home defense situation so I want to get a larger plate that covers more area. AFAIK, the last time I checked their site when you buy one you go in for a custom fitting. So I plan on talking to them to get a more expansive set up. I am also thinking about getting a dragon skin "skirt" that would be attached/hang off of my padded war belt to protect my pelvic/groin and hips/thighs so I would be immune to failure drills. I personally only train to do failure drills or target areas that are not typically covered in armor since my concern is home defense against armored threats. Your videos and tests really show why doing a level 3a vest vs trauma pads is the right thing to do! Several of your videos have shown even stand alone plates should have level 3a vests because the level 3a vests have stopped bullets that went through the stand alone plates! Everyone in reddit says its a waste and doesn't help but your videos have proven that wrong many times! I am sure going with over spec'd Level 3a if the way to go.
@@brandonleifbalingit9922 it looked like one of the m855a1 stacked on one of the bigger initial rounds he used. The mid top left seemed like 1 inch away but I didn't go through frame by frame to check. Didn't have the time arm to do that. It's a bit hard to tell where all the m855a1 went but some seemed super close to previous shots
Why are you wasting money preparing for a completly absurd scenario? Do you actually think you're going to end up in a gunfight with a half-dozen rifle-armed and armored attackers at 2AM? What you're actually "preparing" for is a police raid, because that's the only way your scenario ever happens.
@@MandolinMagi if you actually live free in this country you will be SWATed. We have over 50,000 SWAT raids a year and vast amounts of liberty and property are criminalized and banned. This is an irrefutable fact. The likely hood you will get SWATed is very high especially if you are vocal about it. Majority of things I want to own are criminalized because we live under a despotic government. Nearly every type of arms are banned and I plan on owning them one way or another because I will live free.
If you knew the history of how everything went down you would realize the NIJ is anti technology-and the test is set up for hard armor, if they went after the weaknesses of hard amor and they do exist nothing would ever pass or nothing light.
Depends on which round you are referring to, but all featured in this video were either from steel or tungsten. Both can range in hardness, especially steel.
Hey Matt, do you have a website for hosting all of your ballistics data? I'd like a more robust browsing ability for your VelocitiesAverages google sheet. I happen to be a software engineer, so if this does not exist, would you be offended if I threw together such a thing? I wish to respect your ability to monetize your work, so please let me know if this wouldn't be appreciated.
I have a google sheet with all of the collected ballistics, and I update it a couple times of year, or when someone asks.. I would not be offended in the least bit. I am a nerd, but my nerd abilities generally end when the word "software engineering/developing/programming" come to play :D
@@BuffRANGE Cool! I imagine something with a search box and various combo boxes for things like caliber and barrel length. Given how organized the spreadsheet is, it should be practical to write a script that keeps that website synchronized with the spreadsheet. No promises on delivering anything, but I might be able to bang it out in a weekend. You'll be the first to know if it happens. Thanks Matt!
My son asked me the other day, "Dad is there a gun you need next", and lol 20mm would certainly be a need. But I do have something up my sleeve I'm working on for .22 cal that might prove worthwhile. We shall see.
@@RuneTrips abdominal armor seems to not be a thing in the us market but in Europe and Russia they seem to have a lot of use cases be it police or military
Have you tested or have a list or have a recommended level 3a vest? Like is there a level 3a vest that is substantially better than basic level 3a vests that would be worth getting as a backer for stand alone plates that might save your ass? There are at least 3 videos of yours that have shown the level 3a vest catch and stop a bullet that penetrated the stand alone plate. I currently have AR500 level 3a vest but I doubt it is anything special and I know there are some level 3a vests that stop some pretty nasty rounds that plain level 3a vests can't stop. I know my 5.7 copper rounds beat basic level 3a but there have been videos of some level 3a vests stopping it, which is quite impressive. I don't recall what vests those were but I am sure having a high quality/spec level 3a vest would make a substantial difference in situations like this! What are your thoughts and advice!?!
@@BuffRANGE I see. Also just off tangent, is there any model of plate carrier that is rated NIJ level 3A by itself (meaning you don't need to add an additional level 3A panel into the plate pocket for ballistic protection against pistol rounds)?
Did any of the rounds you shot stack together? If so which ones? You said you stacked some 5.56 threats but I wasn’t sure if you just meant that the plate stopped additional rounds 😁
Wow folks looks like the armor piercing ammo is being stopped next up the carl gustav anti tank anti structure round its a recoilless rifle so we shouldn't except much fuss from new kid on the block 😂
Pinnacle is Dead. If I understand it correctly Al owns the patent for this design and possibly sold the rights for Pinnacle to use it. Pinnacle swindled everyone and they went bye bye..
Actually I sold the patent rights to Pinnacle, and they went on to f-up big time something to do with following directions and blaming everyone else except themselves. The original patent has expired, this system is based on a new filing, and it definitely addresses all the issues that Pinnacle failed to address. All I did was deliver the assets and the know how and got paid to do it. I had nothing to do with Pinnacles follies with the government.
@@allanbain7930If I may ask sir, what would happen if a bullet impacted between the plates at an 85-90 degree angle? For example, if someone was to fire a rifle at a person who was on their back, or if someone on the ground was to fire up at someone at an elevated position at a near-vertical angle, and the bullet traveled parallel in between the scales?
Supposedly, bullets can slip between dragon scale plates, which was a major issue with them. Can you please test these plates at extreme angles like if you got shot in the prone or from above? That was one of the supposed issues and reasons why the US military did not accept dragon scale armor! One of the other reasons was the glue breaking down in vehicle POLs and/or other fluids. For my needs and uses the glue breaking down isn't an issue but if bullets can actually slip between the plates at extreme angles that's a huge issue. If you can confirm that's not a problem that would be huge!
8 pounds ! holly fuck 16 pounds for front and pack not even including side who in the hell wants 20 pounds of armor + pc + ammo + other gear and a 3-5 pound helmet
God I remember Rich Machowicz going over this in Future Weapons. That was a fun show.
RIP
I remember that, but not the guys name, weirdo
Good ol days
I loved that show!
Classic
Dude Dragon skin I remember from ancient history channel early 2000s. I always liked the idea of multiple circular discs like actual ancient armor :)
Future Weapons with Mack (RIP)
Standing guard or Turret work would have been great, screw walking with it... (screw walking in general IMHO)
I loved watching Future Weapons back in the day. Also RIP Mack.
The history channel made or sound like god himself couldn’t penetrate it!!!
@@danielcurtis1434 you can't beat circles maaan! I dunno that sounded funny in my head.
I have to say. Out of all the body armor tests on youtube, this is probably the best. I've never seen another youtube use clay to show everyone the impact force. I think it's something alot of people forget. Yes it stopped the round but you're gonna feel the fuck out of that impact.
It might be chonky and thicc but it is stronk
impressive work from the ceramic, I wonder if they solved the delamination issue. Older (like future weapons older) dragon scale had a tendency to "melt" under day-to-day activities in Iraq (which is why it wasn't adopted). Probably not an issue for civilian use if you live somewhere that isn't as hot as a desert.
StArSys' owner disclosed that (according to him), that was the other owner's cost cutting.
Thanks for the info on its weight 🎉
You are most welcomed!
matt you must have a back log of videos looking at all that green grass and trees.
Remember American sniper in his book had Dragon Armor. Thought the company went out of business or production. I think it’s a great idea like the Ceramic ball wall “Saab Barracuda Soft Armour”
Interesting
Yes and ot was garbage then. It was not nearly as good as people said and had weird failures constantly
YES! He did say he was given a full suit of armor. IIRC Kyle had nothing but praise for it.
The Barracuda was for a totally different use. Not body armour. More like for checkpoints, guarding towers and so on. Less Weight than hesco
We love u, Mr. Ammo nerd. I know u shoot during the day and work at home doing IT just like me
Love seeing you tear some armor up! Quick question that I may have asked on another video, unsure if you responded or not: have you tested the guard dog level 4 plates? And if so would you recommend them?
I've only done R&D for them. I have no publicly tested them. They're imported plates, but they've been making upgrades to the design. If you want a budget option I would recommend them over other imports.
Best armor testing channel on RUclips
Thank you!
I remember seeing Rich on future weapons showing this, good memories.
Nothing like The King of armor destruction testing probably one of the most advanced body armors in the world.
Thank you :D
man those incendiary rounds kinda spooked me due the blast radius they emit but glad it leaves less of a impact compared to some traditional rounds
Makes me wonder how 8mm smkh would fair against it.
first timer, subbed, fun stuff, time to look up archive!
Damn! Very impressive performance! ⚔🔥🙌
I guess you can say this new gen dragon skin is the "tank" armor of the flexible rifle armor due to being extremely multi hit capable and stopping those deadly AP rounds its just dang that BFD of 50mm scares me a bit.
I mean the great thing about this system is that anything light weight in comparison like even a 308 which can be considered the low end of high powered cartridges would be easily stopped and the trauma would very likely be minimal but still painful
@@jordendavid8992 yeah true, but against normal rifle rounds and small arms fire?
yeah your technically a tank in terms of multi hit capability while being flexible
Thanks for these awesome Tests, much appreciated. 👍🏼🤙🏼
@13:30 no fucking way it stopped all of them!?!?! At least, one of those as far as I can tell literally landed on the exact same spot of a previous round! So, it was already heavily damaged and compromised! Absolutely shocked!
This is definitely a plate I plan on getting to replace my Adept Colossus plates whenever I get the money to do so. It is stupidly expensive so I have to save up to it. I plan on reaching out to them though to do a completely custom version because I prep and train for a 1 vs many home defense situation so I want to get a larger plate that covers more area. AFAIK, the last time I checked their site when you buy one you go in for a custom fitting. So I plan on talking to them to get a more expansive set up. I am also thinking about getting a dragon skin "skirt" that would be attached/hang off of my padded war belt to protect my pelvic/groin and hips/thighs so I would be immune to failure drills. I personally only train to do failure drills or target areas that are not typically covered in armor since my concern is home defense against armored threats.
Your videos and tests really show why doing a level 3a vest vs trauma pads is the right thing to do! Several of your videos have shown even stand alone plates should have level 3a vests because the level 3a vests have stopped bullets that went through the stand alone plates! Everyone in reddit says its a waste and doesn't help but your videos have proven that wrong many times! I am sure going with over spec'd Level 3a if the way to go.
Which rounds were stacked on the exact same spot as one another? I couldn’t tell
@@brandonleifbalingit9922 it looked like one of the m855a1 stacked on one of the bigger initial rounds he used.
The mid top left seemed like 1 inch away but I didn't go through frame by frame to check. Didn't have the time arm to do that.
It's a bit hard to tell where all the m855a1 went but some seemed super close to previous shots
Why are you wasting money preparing for a completly absurd scenario? Do you actually think you're going to end up in a gunfight with a half-dozen rifle-armed and armored attackers at 2AM?
What you're actually "preparing" for is a police raid, because that's the only way your scenario ever happens.
@@MandolinMagi if you actually live free in this country you will be SWATed. We have over 50,000 SWAT raids a year and vast amounts of liberty and property are criminalized and banned. This is an irrefutable fact. The likely hood you will get SWATed is very high especially if you are vocal about it.
Majority of things I want to own are criminalized because we live under a despotic government. Nearly every type of arms are banned and I plan on owning them one way or another because I will live free.
THIS WAS COOL, THANK YOU
You are most welcome!
I know you made that 3a backer from high tech fleece bullet stop
How much fleece to stop an M2AP load lol :D
I love the idea of dragon skin, but concerned about oblique/angle hits. If NIJ approves such product, I’d very likely buy it.
If you knew the history of how everything went down you would realize the NIJ is anti technology-and the test is set up for hard armor, if they went after the weaknesses of hard amor and they do exist nothing would ever pass or nothing light.
Trust me they will never approve it
@@ronaldwhitman1377 Stealth Armor Systems has their level 3 Hexar flexible armor that is NIJ certified.
М -993 MV - 3200fps💪!! Сanal Buffman R.A.N.G.E -👍❤!
Impressive
What is armor penetrating core made out of? Nice one piece music
Depends on which round you are referring to, but all featured in this video were either from steel or tungsten. Both can range in hardness, especially steel.
Hey Matt, do you have a website for hosting all of your ballistics data? I'd like a more robust browsing ability for your VelocitiesAverages google sheet. I happen to be a software engineer, so if this does not exist, would you be offended if I threw together such a thing? I wish to respect your ability to monetize your work, so please let me know if this wouldn't be appreciated.
I have a google sheet with all of the collected ballistics, and I update it a couple times of year, or when someone asks.. I would not be offended in the least bit. I am a nerd, but my nerd abilities generally end when the word "software engineering/developing/programming" come to play :D
@@BuffRANGE Cool! I imagine something with a search box and various combo boxes for things like caliber and barrel length. Given how organized the spreadsheet is, it should be practical to write a script that keeps that website synchronized with the spreadsheet. No promises on delivering anything, but I might be able to bang it out in a weekend. You'll be the first to know if it happens.
Thanks Matt!
@@keres993i want to be 2nd. Get to work already. Lol
This guy really shit himself at 0:25
Sir, I'll have you know I shipped my pants... :D
No strings attached means 20mm to me 🤷♂️
My son asked me the other day, "Dad is there a gun you need next", and lol 20mm would certainly be a need. But I do have something up my sleeve I'm working on for .22 cal that might prove worthwhile. We shall see.
@@BuffRANGE MY SPACE Marines are coming the day when you need a 20mm anti tank rifle to deal with the infantry hahaha
@@BuffRANGE Am I hearing an eargesplitten loudenboomer v2?
could be interesting as an leg stomach armour on the Joints legs and arms that needs to flex
Absolutely. These are totally wasted as plates. These are a perfect solution for 4+ rated auxillary armor like femoral, groin, throat, and shoulders
@@RuneTrips abdominal armor seems to not be a thing in the us market but in Europe and Russia they seem to have a lot of use cases be it police or military
Have you tested or have a list or have a recommended level 3a vest? Like is there a level 3a vest that is substantially better than basic level 3a vests that would be worth getting as a backer for stand alone plates that might save your ass? There are at least 3 videos of yours that have shown the level 3a vest catch and stop a bullet that penetrated the stand alone plate.
I currently have AR500 level 3a vest but I doubt it is anything special and I know there are some level 3a vests that stop some pretty nasty rounds that plain level 3a vests can't stop. I know my 5.7 copper rounds beat basic level 3a but there have been videos of some level 3a vests stopping it, which is quite impressive. I don't recall what vests those were but I am sure having a high quality/spec level 3a vest would make a substantial difference in situations like this!
What are your thoughts and advice!?!
How is the plate $8,000+?!? Their website last I checked offered an entire custom vest with plates for ~$5,000.....
That value at the end is the total cumulation of armor I've destroyed in 2023 :D Not the individual cost of the plate :D
@@BuffRANGE lol kk, that wasn't very clear or I am an idiot and missed something
@@DCMAKER133 It's my fault. I finally executed the idea and some of the older footage I don't mention it..
Is this plate standalone or ICW?
This particular sample he sent was an ICW. He sells various configs on his site.
@@BuffRANGE I see.
Also just off tangent, is there any model of plate carrier that is rated NIJ level 3A by itself (meaning you don't need to add an additional level 3A panel into the plate pocket for ballistic protection against pistol rounds)?
Duuuude tungsten 338 nice.
now all of this armor is delisted from the website. what's going on?
He could just be out of stock or updating products? Email him and ask
@@BuffRANGE the email was removed from the website
Did any of the rounds you shot stack together? If so which ones? You said you stacked some 5.56 threats but I wasn’t sure if you just meant that the plate stopped additional rounds 😁
I meant that I just threw the shots on the plate. With how ceramic degrades, making shots on top of shots usually results in a pass through.
Try some reloader 17 with that 130gr m80A1... you'll get 3600 easy
I haven't seen any in a long time..
@BuffRANGE yeah i had to buy it off an old timer at 50 bucks a pound
Does this stuff have the same issue of the scales coming unglued like the original armor?
No idea. The original concept pushed by Pinnacle was full of fakery. I'd have to ask Al to explain how he addressed this.
@@BuffRANGE Lol
Wow folks looks like the armor piercing ammo is being stopped next up the carl gustav anti tank anti structure round its a recoilless rifle so we shouldn't except much fuss from new kid on the block 😂
Can you chamber and fire the wrong 30 caliber rounds in bolt action rifles, I want to see which ones the most versatile at that.
That's something that violates a lot of safety rules and would never recommend it...
that's a lot of damage
nice video I assume they worked with someone from Pinacle to make this.
Pinnacle is Dead. If I understand it correctly Al owns the patent for this design and possibly sold the rights for Pinnacle to use it. Pinnacle swindled everyone and they went bye bye..
Actually I sold the patent rights to Pinnacle, and they went on to f-up big time something to do with following directions and blaming everyone else except themselves. The original patent has expired, this system is based on a new filing, and it definitely addresses all the issues that Pinnacle failed to address.
All I did was deliver the assets and the know how and got paid to do it. I had nothing to do with Pinnacles follies with the government.
@@allanbain7930thanks for setting the record straight.
I see so a lot of backstory hidden then I remember it failing army trials and Pinnacle going bankrupt shortly after.
@@allanbain7930If I may ask sir, what would happen if a bullet impacted between the plates at an 85-90 degree angle? For example, if someone was to fire a rifle at a person who was on their back, or if someone on the ground was to fire up at someone at an elevated position at a near-vertical angle, and the bullet traveled parallel in between the scales?
Supposedly, bullets can slip between dragon scale plates, which was a major issue with them. Can you please test these plates at extreme angles like if you got shot in the prone or from above? That was one of the supposed issues and reasons why the US military did not accept dragon scale armor! One of the other reasons was the glue breaking down in vehicle POLs and/or other fluids.
For my needs and uses the glue breaking down isn't an issue but if bullets can actually slip between the plates at extreme angles that's a huge issue. If you can confirm that's not a problem that would be huge!
Too much weight.. But still an intresting take on an og idea
8lbs a plate is insane no thanks. They also want $600-$800 A PLATE. Gtfo.
US made in small batches. That's probably why the cost is higher, but there's always the fine line between coverage and weight. :D
Dragon Skin 3.0 The Edge $9,995.00
Most plates are 7-9lbs dude
@@ronaldwhitman1377 medium ESAPI's weigh 6.25-6 1/2 lbs. They're substantially thinner and cheaper, too.
@@moss8702 but ESAPI aren't stopping Tungsten M993 :D
8 pounds ! holly fuck 16 pounds for front and pack not even including side who in the hell wants 20 pounds of armor + pc + ammo + other gear and a 3-5 pound helmet
Same weight as the RMA 1155, which many people still buy.
Yeah why not, we can cover most of your organs including the side
Old, thick, heavy design, almost like going backwards in manufacturing.
Dragon skin armor is still idiotic
Yeah? Do tell us more.
Scale mail, not A new concept.