I bought this a while ago:
https://www.uspalm.com/component/magebridge/us-palm-as-plate-carrier.html?Itemid=102
$400, level 4 plates front and back with padding. I didn't think it was expensive...
Also for the people afraid of breaking a plate, you have to be negligent to the max to break one while it's in the carrier. I have never seen or heard of a broken plate in body armor ever, from 2004 till present. We beat our .mil plates to hell while deployed, none of those broke either.
I would never want to take risks with spalling. All it takes is one round of any caliber to hit your plate and blind you (or the person next to you). You're out of the fight for life in that case. I've been hit by tiny pieces of .45 jacket (like the size of a lead pencil tip, but smaller) that bounced off a plate at 25 yards, and if it hit me in the eye I'm sure I would of either of been blinded or needed eye surgery, and that wasnt even close and it was not a high velocity round. Just that little piece was like a bee sting from hell.
Stuff not to skimp on: things that are intended for use in life or death situations. Dont do it, please!
Also keep in mind that a lot of people put things in front of their plates on the carrier. For instance I would have magazines, which would slightly lesson a round depending on caliber.
