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Swimmers Cut vs Shooters Cut: What You Need to Know?

Swimmers Cut vs Shooters Cut
Written by Dan Goldsmith
Last Update: January 6, 2023

The swimmer’s cut and the shooter’s cut are two of the most prominent cuts used for making body armor. The swimmer’s cut provides more agility whereas the shooter’s cut offers better protection.

Let’s explore how they differ in this head-to-head “Swimmers Cut vs Shooters Cut” comparison guide!

What is the Swimmer’s Cut?

Swimmer’s cut is a special type of cut applied to body armor to provide protection and mobility.

This cut has more open areas in the shoulder for easy maneuverability and increased range of motion. The cut also decreases the weight of the armor plate for better portability.

what is swimmers cut body armor

Body armors with swimmer’s cut protect your vital organs, but the open areas decrease protection for the surrounding organs.

The swimmer’s cut is perfect for those who need to stay comparatively more active in the field.

What is the Shooter’s Cut?

The shooter’s cut is also a body armor cut that provides maximum protection but limits the agility of the wearer.

These plates are also a bit heavier than the swimmer’s cut plates. This is the most commonly found cut in standard body armor.

what is shooters cut body armor

The shooter’s cut features a 45° cut on the shoulder side to provide some mobility to its user.

The shooter’s cut offers better protection by sacrificing some range of motion. Weapon shouldering is also easier with the shooter’s cut.

Swimmers Cut vs Shooters Cut: What’s the Difference

Weight

The Swimmer’s cut

As there is less protective material, the swimmer’s cut naturally makes the armor plate a bit lighter. This is the biggest difference between a swimmer’s cut and a shooter’s cut.

How much weight your armor will have depends on the manufacturer and the level of protection you want.

The Shooter’s cut

The cut doesn’t change the quality and material of the plates. This shorter cut removes less material from the armor plate and makes it a bit heavier than the swimmer’s cut.

The extra weight can be uncomfortable to some users, but the cut also offers better weapon shouldering.

Area of Coverage

The  Swimmer’s cut

The swimmer’s cut offers flexibility at the expense of protection. It covers your vital organs like the heart, the lungs, and most of the torso.

However, most of the areas in your shoulder will be unprotected

swimmers cut body armor coverage area

The Shooter’s cut

With the shooter’s cut, almost the entire chest and torso will be under protection.

However, you’ll have trouble moving around as the 45° cut will hinder some of your movements.

You’ll have the option to choose your desired protection level, no matter which cut you end up choosing.

Price

The Swimmer’s cut

The swimmer’s cut is the more advanced version of the shooter’s cut, and as a result, is a bit more expensive.

The price mostly depends on the material, the manufacturer, and the level of protection you want. You can get a decent swimmer’s cut body armor for about $150-450.

The Shooter’s cut

In most cases, body armor with a shooter’s cut will cost a bit less than body armor with a swimmer’s cut, provided that they both have the same level of protection.

A regular shooter’s cut body armor will be around $100-400.

Flexibility

The Swimmer’s cut

The swimmer’s cut easily wins this round as the strategically placed cut frees the shoulder and allows a range of movements that is hard with a shooter’s cut armor.

If you need better flexibility in the field and lightweight armor, this is the best option for you.

The Shooter’s cut

While the shooter’s cut lacks agility, it compensates with better protection.

You may not have a full range of motion in your upper body, but the cut will protect you better, and help you shoulder your weapon better.

Swimmers Cut Vs Shooters Cut: Which one to Choose

There is no perfect body armor. Each of the several types of body armor we see today comes with its own set of pros and cons. Which cut you’ll need mostly depends on the situation.

A Swimmer’s cut will provide you agility by sacrificing a little bit of protection whereas a shooter’s cut will limit your flexibility, but provide better protection.

There are also a number of facts you need to consider before selecting the best type of body armor for you.

swimmers cut vs shooters cut - Which one to choose

However, on a more general note, a swimmer’s cut is perfect for someone who needs to be highly active in the field.

If you rather sacrifice your maneuverability, a shooter’s cut will serve you better.

FAQs

1. What are the SAPI plates?

Ans: SAPI refers to Small Arms Protective Inserts. This is also a specially designed cut for body armor that is used by the US army.

They can protect the wearer from rifle shots. They offer protection level III or higher.

2. What is full-cut armor?

Ans: A full-cut armor has a base plate with no significant cuts like the shooter’s cut or the swimmer’s cut.

Full-cut plates are square or rectangle-shaped ones often used as backplates or side protection.

3. Do I need extra padding on the shoulder?

Ans: No. Both shooter’s cut and the swimmer’s cut allow the comfortable placing of rifles. Especially if you use a triple curve base plate, you won’t need additional support from extra padding.

4. Are The shooter’s cut and the swimmer’s cut made differently?

Ans: Not exactly. The process is almost the same in both cuts, the only difference being the design after milling down the plates.

However, different material needs different approach to make.

About the author

Dan Goldsmith

Hi, this is Dan. We all know firearms are dangerous, but only when one doesn’t know how to use and care for them. I have 30+ years of experience with different types of guns and for the last 10 years, I have taught numerous people how to hold and shoot a gun while staying safe and keeping the surroundings unharmed.

My neighbors are some of my biggest admirers who enjoy talking to me about their guns, firearms safety and maintenance.

Whenever I am able to catch a moment of free time, you will find me enjoying my family or heading to the range on my motorcycle. I have enjoyed shooting sports ever since my dad introduced them to me as a child.

I like to think of myself as an outdoorsman who lives his life to the fullest. I hope you will benefit from my efforts to create valuable resources on this website. Happy reading!

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