Tru-Spec 24-7 Series Concealed Armor Shirt - Black

This Tru Spec concealed armor shirt does work with some effort if you need a very concealable bullet-resistant option, however there are a few issues, so I'd only buy it on sale to see if it can work for you. You should compare it to regular concealable vests, which may be a better solution. I believe it has been discontinued due to the following issues: 1. Panels. The shirt can only accept soft ballistic panels (both front and rear) that are quite flexible and thin, I'd say under 1/4" thickness. Any thicker than that will make the shirt hard to put on and take off, and will look bulky under an overshirt. IMPORTANT: Some Tru Spec information for this shirt says that it will take 10" x 12" ballisting panels. That is not quite right, as has been written in online reviews on other websites. While most of the pocket will stretch, the bottom of the pocket that supports the panel will only take a width of about 8" (in all sizes), and unlike the rest of the shirt, it can't be stretched there (the reinforcing fabric is triple stitched). So the maximum panel size if the panel is to fit in the bottom of the pocket is actually 8" x 12," which is not a common size, though some vendors may offer that size or could possibly make a custom panel that size. HOWEVER, If your 10" wide panel has corners that taper at the ends to 8" it may fit. If you move the panel up you can fit a 10" wide rectangular panel in the pocket, but then it can only be about 10" tall to fit in the pocket (or it will extend above the pocket and hit you in the throat when you bend forward.) So that would require a 10" x 10" panel which is also an uncommon size. If you get the shirt, you can try inserting some bent cardboard in various lengths and widths to see what I mean and confirm what will fit in the pocket before ordering any panels. You will obviously have to wear a loose shirt over the armor shirt or the panels will print through the shirt, if that is a concern. The panel pockets have no Velcro at the top to retain the panels so you may have to shift the panels around a bit after putting the shirt on to push them down in the pockets. This can obviously be difficult for the back panel. So make sure the panels are at the very bottom of the pockets before putting the shirt on (it takes a bit of experimenting to get it right). 2. Sizing. If you buy according to the Tru Spec sizing chart, the shirt is going to fit like a very tight athletic compression shirt, which some people may find too constricting if you are not used to those types of shirts. The tight fit is so it will support the panels against the body and they won't shift around. However, sizing according to the chart will make taking the shirt off over your head somewhat difficult, and then you have to be careful to not rip any threads. So the better option is to go one size up from the sizing chart, especially if you think you might wear a thin undershirt underneath the armor shirt. Then if you find it is too loose, you can sew the two side seams a bit tighter. (On a sewing machine use a flex-stitch setting; hand sewing leave the thread a bit loose to expand.) 3. Comfort. Because this is a compression shirt, and because most ballistic panels are not breatheable, it is obviously going to feel uncomfortable in very warm weather, maybe more so than an adjustable ballistic vest. It is made of 85% polyester and 15% Spandex, so it is supposed to be be able to "wick" perspiration. However, with the non-breatheable panels in place it may be uncomfortable on warm days (but OK for cool weather). Wearing a mesh T-shirt or the similar T-shirts specially made to wear under ballistic vests may help (don't know), but that is another reason to get the larger size. You may only be able to wear it in cool weather.

My standard Kevlar plates do not fit in sleeve. To tight and causes shirt to bow.

Cool idea but too difficult to get the panels in and out, and when you finally get them in its too tight against the body. But if it's all you have, it works.

5' 7", 180lb, usually wear large, which I ordered. This is very tight fit, would need XL or maybe 2XL, to be able to add soft front/rear plates...

Got an Xl and it is too small would have to probably go up probably 2 sizes , due to the cheap price it's not worth the hassle to return it .