for SHTF would a military helmet be useful?

[BBandit]

I found something better than the links. You'll be interested in this. Level IIIA withstands 5.7x28mm, 9mm, .45 acp and .44 magnum. Someone said that earlier in the thread. I'm not sure who though.

MSA Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) Ballistic Protection - YouTube

MICH/ACH helmet vs LWH (Lightweight Helmet) - YouTube

[rifleman]

Many of us serious home defender types, hoping to NOT have to face a rabid mob of antisocial "Orks" let's call them, will opt for a rifle that chambers something like the .308 or .300 Win Mag, both of which will punch on through about 4 or 5 current issue helmets before slowing down in the brain of the last one in that lineup!

BTW, I'd hope you folks have some community defense organization going, at least among the like-minded, since to defend your home territory all by your lonesome would be a bit trying, especially if the "Orks" do even the minimum of planning!

Heck, if I, on my own, wanted to "take" a home or it's resources, even one that was supposedly well defended, I'd just pick off the defender(s) from about 600 m away with my scoped M1A NatMatch when they least expected it, then go away for a day or three, then come back, repeat, and so on, until they run up the white flag!

I'm just sayin'... Helmet or not!

[monkeywrenching]

Originally Posted by JordanJP

Hate to break it to you, but most modern small arms were designed to penetrate a helmet, unless you're being shot at with a .22. It might help for keeping you from cracking your head on something, though. Even the pistol calibers. This also applies to modern "kevlar" military-issue helmets, which can be penetrated both by sub-machinegun rounds AND pistol rounds in addition to regular common rifle ammunition.

If I were THAT concerned with SHTF stuff (which I'm not), I'd get a straight Kevlar vest (not any blends, those break down more with age/sunlight, just kevlar fibers) that can hold a couple armor plates...


[tin foil not included]

sorry I have to disagree. I was in Panama in 1989 during operation just cause 4/6th Inf Scout platoon (op. just because). my squad leader was hit in the head with an AK47 round. we were wearing brand new kevlar helmets. the round went into the front of the helmet and out of the back of the helmet.
the round went around the helmet, we thought he was dead. he had to wear a neck brace for 7 weeks, but better a neck brace than being buried in a casket in Arlington.

some protection is better than no protection.

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by mr bolo

a surplus army helmet would help against small arms fire

what type of military helmet & body armor would you get?

would a Vietnam era helmet & flak vest be sufficient for home defense or would you get a modern more expensive model

Seriously?

This is worse than a bulls eye on your chest!

[Cyborgt800]

Judging by some of the answers I'm pretty sure some of you won't have to worry about Zombies coming after you....they only eat brains!

Plenty of other stuff to spend your SHTF dollars on...those helmets are hot and heavy...better off practicing your shooting skills than your getting shot skills.