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SPECIAL REPORT


Point Blank Alpha Elite Series Body Armor The typical leadtime for the Alpha


Elite body armor, from order entry with the properly measured size to shipping is three weeks, which is about half the leadtime typical of the soft-body armor industry. The carriers are available in Black, Navy, Light Tan, White and one new color: Ranger Green.


Level II and Level IIIA At the product launch in early-2014, the Alpha Elite body armor with Dyneema ballistic panels is available in NIJ Level II and NIJ Level IIIA for men, and in NIJ Level IIIA for women. The Level II for women will be avail- able in late-May. While the Alpha Elite Level IIIA bal-


listic material is 38 percent heavier than Alpha Elite Level II ballistic material, it is just 0.02-inch thicker. Not that the Alpha Elite Level IIIA is heavy; in fact, it is 26 percent lighter than the industry average for this level of protection. Greatly simplifi ed, Level II is rated


to stop most 9mm and 357 Magnum loads, while Level IIIA is rated to stop most of the more powerful 357 SIG and 44 Magnum loads. The rule in selecting body armor is to pick at least the Threat Level that stops loads from your own duty gun in the event of a disarm.


Compared to Point Blank’s previous Level IIIA vest, the Alpha Elite Series armor is 12 percent lighter. This ballistic package is available with all core Point Blank Body Armor and Paraclete® advanced tactical armor solutions.


Another design goal in making the


carrier was to eliminate as much stitch- ing as possible. Stitches and seams cause visible ridges, bumps and gath- ers; it also causes rubs and skin irrita- tion. Eliminating stitches and seams increases comfort.


Panel and Plate Access For routine care of both the carrier and the ballistic panels, the panels can be easily removed through a zippered closure at the bottom of the carrier ex- terior. PowerNet Stretch Combo Plate


38 LAW and ORDER I May 2014


Pockets in the carrier accept 5-inch x 8-inch, 6-inch x 8-inch or 8-inch x 10- inch trauma plates in both the front and the back. These bottom-loading internal plate pockets are made from 90 percent nylon and 10 percent spandex and the folded design eliminates yet another seam in the carrier. The Alpha Elite Series carrier uses a


removable cummerbund, which is an inner belly band that wraps from back to front. Some offi cers like the fi t, feel and stability from an elastic cummerbund; some don’t—it can easily be removed.


State-of-the-Art Comfort The comfort of the soft body armor often determines whether or not the offi cer actually wears the armor. The Active Stretch sportswear fabric that makes up most of the carrier, the Micro-Spacer mesh netting, the easy-to-pull PVC hook tabs and the fully covered should strap connection make the Alpha Elite carrier arguably the most comfortable body armor carrier available. This active wear-based carrier teamed


with the thinner and lighter DSM Dyneema ballistic panels may make the Point Blank’s Alpha Elite Series the cur- rent state-of-the-art in soft body armor. Reader Service Number 207


Sgt. Ed Sanow is the Editorial Director of LAW and ORDER, Tactical Response and Police Fleet Manager Magazines. He can be reached at esanow@hendonpub.com.


LaO Post your comments on this story by visiting www.lawandordermag.com


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