Body armor plainclothes need advice

[yocan]

I already have the IIIa with SAPIs and throat protection mag pouches on it IFAK groin protection and so on. (USMC standard issue) thats not what i'm looking for here.

I work in a suit, I want to have a vest under it. I wear a suit coat of 46L, after the vest probably a 48L. I wear a black button up shirt, black suit pants black blazer. Yes, I'm a bouncer at a very high end club right now.

Guys never had to purchase body armor before so need advice. If it makes a pricing difference I'm a drilling USMCR. I also have a friend (squad leader) who's an FFL so if he probably can get it cheaper for me but I have no idea what I want/need and so on.

want to mantain mobility I'm the smallest bouncer there by a lot, and I keep my job by being the fastest on the floor if there is a problem I can get through the crowd to break it up.

So yes, school me. I know very little beyond what the different levels of protection mean. Longevity, flexibility (does moving in it cause deterioration? I have no idea) ability to stop a blade. I know Tantos are going through but are certain types better at that than others?

[SpicyMcHaggis1812]

Ok, first off vests usually aren't off the shelf 46L type of fit. Most manufactures have guidelines for the fit and if it doesn't fit right you might as well not wear it, if the plate is in the wrong area it could possibly cause more damage than it helps. My second chance was fitted by a rep and it fits like a glove. The fit also helps in the mobility department too, at least with most soft type of body armor (assuming what you plan on using) the more snug it fits, the better you can move. From my understanding however, you need to decide weather your threat comes from punctures (knives, shives and the like) or ballistic threats. Wierd I know but it can protect you from gunshots but it can be punctured really easy. Here is a pretty good refrence for the stab proof levels

BulletProofME.com Body Armor - Stab-Resistant Vest Levels

here's NIJ's 2001 report on Body armor...long but good read

http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/189633.pdf

hope this helps man..good luck