Wouldn't Armor 6 require a rating 6 sustaining focus? That's 60,000 nuyen right there, with an availability of 24. He'd be better off binding a spirit to sustain it for him.
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Actually I was thinking the same thing, but he is using 3rd edition and I can't remember how it works back then.
In 4th ed, you max out at a sustaining foci rating 3 for beginning characters, which means that +3/+3 armour is a nice bonus, but it ain't game changing. or they can sustain the spell directly and take that -2DP penalty. Which most choose not too. Or binding a spirit.
IMHO Physical Barrier and Armour usually don't slow well aimed burst fire (or gosh forbid, full auto long burst) very well. They help, but only so much.
You could also hit him with stick 'n shock. only 5S, but if just one box of damage gets through, the electricity effect hits the mage. Or Gas grenades. One of my players use gas grenades to great effect.
Have Fun
Bryce