Surplus "Training Only" SAPI plates - useful or no?
Posted: February 1st, 2021, 9:20 am
Came across this question posed on another site I visit and am curious as to the answer.
I have a question the internet can't answer to my satisfaction, but I'm sure your readers can. I have a set of USMC surplus SAPI plats marked "TRNG ONLY." They appear to be real plates and are not visibly cracked or otherwise unserviceable. Everything I have been told or taught about body armor tells me the expiration dates are mostly for liability, and if the armor is stored under proper conditions and not otherwise abused, it maintains it's ballistic resistant properties. I asked around among friends within LE/Mil and they claim the "TRNG ONLY" marks mean this is real body armor that was issued and carried "downrange," and that all armor, once issued and carried overseas, is relegated to training only in case there was a crack or other damage to it. So, according to them, when the (in my opinion) not too far off spiciness occurs, these plates are GTG use wise. That being said, the internet tells me these are no good and should not be trusted.
I have a question the internet can't answer to my satisfaction, but I'm sure your readers can. I have a set of USMC surplus SAPI plats marked "TRNG ONLY." They appear to be real plates and are not visibly cracked or otherwise unserviceable. Everything I have been told or taught about body armor tells me the expiration dates are mostly for liability, and if the armor is stored under proper conditions and not otherwise abused, it maintains it's ballistic resistant properties. I asked around among friends within LE/Mil and they claim the "TRNG ONLY" marks mean this is real body armor that was issued and carried "downrange," and that all armor, once issued and carried overseas, is relegated to training only in case there was a crack or other damage to it. So, according to them, when the (in my opinion) not too far off spiciness occurs, these plates are GTG use wise. That being said, the internet tells me these are no good and should not be trusted.