See here's my two cents. I own an old flak jacket and was looking into a newer vest style. But frankly I watched it in three different sittings where guys took brand new military issue body armor and helmets and shot holes right through them with an AK. Nothing, I repeat nothing is effective past smaller handgun rounds. That dragon skin stuff? Once it actually gets hit it's compromised, and for like 40 grand a vest I don't see me having one anytime soon. Trauma plates only cover a very small area and aren't made of magic. The manufacturers blatantly lie on much of their ads.