Even the vest itself will stop 9mm. If you hit the vest.
But if you're in a situation where the vest is a necessity....the plate is a necessity. (even a plate carrier and plates rather than a bulky flak).
One of my Marines took a burst of steel core 7.62x54 and lived to tell the tale - plate stopped every round; he was upside down at the time (long story) one round missed the flak and went through the back and out the stomach.
I knew another guy that took two to the plate and continued on with just two small bruises.
The problem is with mass media and the rolling casualty ticker - the powers that be think everyone should be wrapped in bubble wrap, Kevlar, condoms, and glow belts, and provided a rape whistle; safe from any contingency.
- E.G. you're loaded down with so much crap it defeats the purpose because you can't move.
USMC - Uncomplicated Sh#t Made Complicated
Also known as Agincourt Syndrome.
I would bet that Stupid had a Viet Nam era jacket and that he did not snap it closed and had a gap down the center of his chest——— and of course there are no kevlar layers in these 50s designs, just hard plastic and ballistic nylon.
I can’t believe all of these posters though claiming they couldn’t stop some bullets-—— in particular if it was a “small caliber pistol round”.