My computer bag is too heavy. And to be honest, it has a lot to do with the full-size 9mm (long range), .32acp (concealed carry), and .22LR (bug out) pistols. And the spare ammo. They have all-metal frames, so I could always go to plastic, but those can be so boring -- I already have a Glock IWB, and I think off-body carry is a good place for the metal frames.
I went to a light, carbon-framed computer a long time ago -- it helped a lot, but I can't go much farther in that direction. Should I get rid of the survival knife? I don't think I've ever actually used it. And the spyderco seems to do a good job. But FUCK. What's the correct 'tist move?
Trick is that you need to start thinking of the use case for each weapon you carry, and then try to condense. 9mm is fine for a SMG or pistol, but carrying a 9mm and a .32acp is redundant. Make both 9mm or .32acp and call it a day. You could even move to a 9mm carbine over the .22LR and concern yourself with just one ammo type, but that might be going a bit needlessly too far.
What me and my wife do is that while she uses a breakdown NEF single shot 300 WinMag for long range stuff, while I wear plates to catch bullets and carry a few rounds and throw smoke grenades to make good retreats. I just need to find a better solution than taping a second plate to my body under the carrier plates
Have you asked Todd from Special Weapons whether he makes Level V plates or not?
Similar to my wife and I, I run 3a soft carrier under my plates, theoretically the plates should slow down projectiles enough to be caught by the soft carrier, it also gives underarm protection and with a tacvent runs cooler than just plates.
Should be running ceramic plates instead of steel. That being said I've got IIIA plates in my carrier right now. Pistols would still be the primary threat in this area and the total weight is 2 pounds. I much rather have the mobility and weight savings if we do have to get out in a hurry.
Although frankly criminal element is more of a threat in the near term. We were already told by County Police that the neighborhood had been targeted by well organized criminal gangs that have been breaking into cars and steeling garage door openers. We saw the same shit back in 2014 in the weeks leading up to the Darrin Wilson grand jury announcement. Criminal elements took advantage of the police's attention being else where to do mostly property crimes and commit theft in the neighborhood.
My plates are ceramic IV (not my fitness training ones) I have to wear my soft carrier for work everyday so I keep the rifle plates accessible to slip on over my shirt should I need it. I know they are supposed to be multi hit rated for most common rounds but that isn't exactly something I'd like to test so the thought of having 3a on as backups gives me some comfort.