Under the designation NIJ Level IV, the combat armor is tested to withstand at least a single shot from a.30 M2 Armor Piercing round. Some body armor, for instance, is only meant to protect against more common handgun bullets like the 9mm or .357 magnum. Level IV (i.e., Level 4) is tested to stop one hit of .3006 AP, and will easily stop lesser threats. A Level III set of body armor could be the difference in staying alive or not when bullets are smashing windows or penetrating walls during an unexpected raid on a homestead/retreat. Copyright © 2013-2016 Body Armor Megastore. Meet the Body Armor That Can Stop Them by Charlie Gao Heavy machine guns and sniper rifles in .50 caliber are some of the most feared weapons for the infantryman on the battlefield. This is a common option for many first-time buyers, but unfortunately, does not offer as broad protection as many other body armor products. Level 2 body armor offers protection from some, but not all, handgun rounds. Probably the biggest confusion in the world of personal defense is the difference between Level III and Level IIIa body armor. This armour may come in a soft form, as worn by many police officers, prison guards, security guards and some private citizens (e.g. It is vital when choosing body armor to make sure that it adheres to the proper protection levels. All soft armor is level IIIa (i.e. What does this mean in practical terms, though? Proper Fit For body armor to perform the most effectively, it must cover the wearer’s vital organs and other important areas, so it needs to fit properly. Other armor types include ceramic body armor and ultra-high density polyethylene, or plastic capable of stopping bullets up to armor-piercing .30-06 rifle rounds. Andrew is a combat veteran of OEF and has performed hundreds of ballistic tests for his YouTube channel, The Chopping Block (https://www.youtube.com/user/chopinbloc). You can also get a really good view of what is happening in this “naked” video of the RMA plate. Sadly, until such time as a major government agency decides to overhaul the testing and qualifying protocols, both commercial buyer and manufacturer alike will be utilizing these ratings for the foreseea… Body Armor Size, Fit, & Cut. While level 4 body armor offers the maximum protection, you and your loved ones likely won’t need to stop 30.06 M2AP armor-piercing bullets, and a … Armor is intended to increase your chances of surviving in the event you get shot, but you should probably mainly try not to get shot. Level 4 body armor offers the highest level of protection. He tested each against AR500Armor.com’s Level IV plate and RMA’s Level IV plate. I’m case you’re not familiar with M2AP, it is a copper jacketed projectile with a hardened steel core. Knowing the protection your body armor offers is a critical component to understand when making your purchase. Level 3 body armor offers a more comprehensive range of protection and defends against nearly all handgun rounds as well as 7.62 rifle rounds. The most used is the NIJ or National Institute of Justice standards. *Percentages don’t total 100 because of rounding. There is ammo that can defeat it. Level 4 body armor has been increasingly growing in popularity and along with level 3 body armor, make up the 2 most popular kinds of armor purchased. Follow up testing continues for months and years afterwards; any body armor that is rated by the NIJ has proven its worth hence is safe to use. The NIJ ratings on armor resistance characteristics are the standard used at both agency and commercial levels, for better or worse. Mostly worse. I’m case you’re not familiar with M2AP, it is a copper jacketed projectile with a hardened steel core. The M993 dramatically outperformed the B32. Sizes for any E/SAPI designated plate range from Extra Small (7.25 x 11.50 inches) to Extra Large (11.00 x 14.… Level III+ is the sweet spot for most people. It means that if you wear armor for a living or keep it for emergencies, you should be aware that it isn’t an enchanted aegis. NIJ Levels - US National Institute of Justice NIJ Ballistic Levels Protection ( NIJ Level IIA, NIJ Level II, NIJ Level IIIA, NIJ Level III and NIJ Level IV). If you’re looking for a little bit more serious protection and don’t mind the bulk, AR500’s Level IV Ceramic/PE armor might be what you’re looking for. It stops many types of projectiles and rounds. YouTube armor testers such as Buffman R.A.N.G.E. The NIJ only offers guidelines for body armor levels and does not sell body armor. All Rights Reserved. Level II and IIIA are soft armor designed to stop pistol rounds, Level III and IV are hard plate armor built to withstand rifle bullets, and the three Spike levels stand up to … Steel is a popular option that has been commercially used since World War II. **FREE SHIPPING ** ALL ORDERS 3 DAY HANDLING TIME THEN SHIPS USPS 2/3 DAY PRIORITY MAIL, Levels 2, 3A, and 3: Know Your Body Armor Levels, Things to Remember When There is An Active Shooter, 4 Things to Consider About Backpack Armor, 4 Things You Might Not Have Know About Bulletproof Vests, Body Armor Basics: What You Need to Know About Expiration Dates. But, the Level II vest would fail on blunt trauma impact (the NIJ deems any dent greater than ~1.7" (~44 mm.) Looking at the numbers, SOFT armor (level … Like the AR500 steel plates, you can find their ceramic plates in a variety of cuts and sizes. “3 minus”) or below, and all hard armor is III, III+, or IV. While level 4 body armor offers the maximum protection, you and your loved ones likely won’t need to stop 30.06 M2AP armor-piercing bullets, and a lower grade piece of armor would be plenty protective. A cost-effective, multi-hit rated, NIJ 0101.06 Certified plate that offers excellent Level IV protection. If you have any questions, you may email him at [email protected]. The highest NIJ body armor plate level rating is level IV, which will stop rounds of up to 30/06 steel core armor-piercing bullets. The Level IIIa is the highest protection available in both overt and covert styles.. Level IIa, Level II and Level IIIa body armor can add some protection from a knife but it isn’t designed for it. Though steel is strong and offers a great deal of protection, it may not be the best option. on the soft clay test surface, a … Level IV body armor is the highest basic level which protects against armor piercing rounds. Level IIIA rated armor is soft like the one used to make Level II rated armor but it is heavier and thicker. In this post, we’ll highlight the primary differences between our most common body armor pieces: Level 2, Level 3A, and Level 3, so you can understand what each protects against and make the smartest purchase for your personal needs. Body armor is meant to protect the most important parts of your anatomy so you can stay in the fight. Armor-piercing bullet protection, manufactured 100% in the USA. NIJ 0101.06 Level IV specifies that the plate must be able to stop.30-06 M2AP at 2,880 fps. 4. While there are many different standards for ballistics protection levels, the two most commonly recognized standards for body armor come from the US National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the UK Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST, formerly HOSDB). Although it has to be said if you’re getting hit by two M2AP rounds in the same place at 50 yards…you’re in the wrong place. But then Buffman managed to get his hands on a unicorn and a pegasus. Our Level IV body armor plates has been ranked for protection and offers various levels of ballistic performance. Level IV body armor is specifically designed to defeat armor-piercing bullets in a military combat environment. Not only do they sound very similar, but it is also confusing that IIIa refers to a significantly lower level of ballistic protection than Level III. A Level III set of body armor could be the difference in coming home alive or not when it … The military has the SAPI (Small Arms Protective Insert) program. NIJ 0101.06 Level IV specifies that the plate must be able to stop .30-06 M2AP at 2,880 fps. But, this endeavor can get more complicated than it … The second big takeaway here is that, no matter how good armor is, there’s always something that can defeat it. Outside of the NIJ, there are other testing protocols that have been established. Body Armor Megastore has you covered! If you want concealable body armor as well as maximum defense, the Level IIIa is the only option. These different levels of strength are set and standardized by various organizations. Level IIIA rated armor protects against 9mm sub-machine gun and.44 Magnum ammunition. Propper currently provides Level 1 and Level 2 “spike” certified packages and is working on a Level 3 option. They also consist of hard plates as opposed to Level IIIA plates and below. M993 AP 7.62x51mm NATO and B32 API 7.62x54mmR ammunition. Many people in need of body armor have acknowledged that lower levels will no longer be suitable, as pistol threats are becoming lesser and threats from more dangerous calibers are more common. NIJ Levels or threat level, protection level is the biggest factor while choosing body armor for safety and security. When you need Rifle Plates WITHOUT a soft Body Armor vest underneath, you need a Stand-Alone Rifle Plate. Level IV body armor will stop large caliber and armor piercing rifle threats up to .30-06 M2AP armor piercing rounds with a mass of 166 grains and velocity of 2880 ft/s. They saw first use with the Interceptor carrier system, followed by the IOTV (Improved Outer Tactical Vest) and MTV (Modular Tactical Vest). Both plates conform to NIJ Level IV standards and they have been shown to stop .30-06 M2AP in other tests, along with many other threats. Specializing in tactical body armor, we are your one stop shop for all your tactical needs. For example, Level II body armor would likely stop the III-A test standard, (9 mm submachine gun at 1400 fps) from actually PENETRATING through the Level II vest. The next level of protection is level 3A body armor. TR armor standard (Germany) The Technische Richtlinie (TR) Ballistische Schutzwesten is a … Level III is not good enough because it can’t stop common AR-15 rifle rounds. Other body armor products, however, can withstand more powerful rounds like 7.62mm rifle rounds. The one you choose will have unique specifications for the caliber bullet it can withstand. Level IV armor is rated by the NIJ to defeat up to.30 caliber armor-piercing (AP) bullets that weigh 166 grain and a muzzle velocity of 2,880 ft/s. Level IV is for serious preppers. Body armor carrying a level III+ rating means that although the plates haven’t been officially rated by NIJ, independent testing has shown that they meet or exceed NIJ standards for threat level IV body armor. The most common rifle threats today are not even covered by NIJ standards. When up against high powered ammunition, steel doesn’t disappoint. To dissipate that kind of kinetic power, it needs to be slightly tougher and more brittle when it comes to Carbide types. A ballistic vest or bullet-resistant vest, often called a bulletproof vest, is an item of body armor that helps absorb the impact and reduce or stop penetration to the torso from firearm-fired projectiles and shrapnel from explosions. Level 4 armor will stop 96% of what you’ll face in the street and you will need it 1% of the time. Level III and Level IV armor can stop a knife. Level IV armor withstands up to 30-06 M2ap steel core armor piercing rounds with a mass of 166 grains and a velocity of 2880 ft/s. It’s so good at getting through barriers that armor designed to stop M2AP has been able to stop almost anything else thrown at it. This program features plates designed to military specs. Therefore, in this example, we will take a round with an intermediate weight penetrator. If you want soft body armor with stab protection, you need to get armor specifically made to stop a knife. and .44 Magnum, which level 2 armor does not protect against. Posted July 6, 2017 in Ammunition, Other Gear & Gadgets by Andrew with 150 CommentsTags: ammo, ap, AR500Armor.com, armor, armor piercing, B32, body armor, M993, NIJ level IV, RMA. See the incredible performance of our level 3 body armor in the video below: Buy L3 body armor and backpack armor from Body Armor Megastore and get the protection you need, today! This is not only one of the most popular varieties of armor we sell at Body Armor Megastore, but it is also one we highly recommend. It’s also important to consider that it doesn’t cover your face. If you’re just not into your UHMWPE plates, then here we … Aside from huge rifles like .50 BMG and the like, that is. Not only was the M993 capable of perforating both plates, it carried a great deal of energy into the ballistic gel block and passed all the way through. On the other hand, 5.56mm M995 has a penetrator weight of approximately 2 grams, and it is known that RMA’s 1199 Level IV plate will stop M995 at about 2,900 ft/s, which is representative of a striking range of a little less than 100 meters. Damn commies lose, we win. Level 3 armor will stop 95% of what you’ll face in the street and you will need it 3% of the time. 3. and The Wound Channel have determined that .300 Winmag is no match for level IV and only one really hot .338 RUM load was able to get through an Armour Wear Level IV. This protects against nearly all handgun rounds, including both .357 Sig. Level 4, M2AP, Rear. 4 Best AR500-Based Steel Armor Plates. Aside from huge rifles like.50 BMG and the like, that is. If you need affordable, reliable armor that is capable of defending against multi-strike threats the, AR500 Armor® Level IV hard armor plate is for you. Steel plates can create ex… Now, right up front, we should point out that neither plate is rated for these threats. It was issued during WWII originally as special purpose ammunition, as is typically the case with armor piercing ammo, but eventually replaced M1 .30 caliber FMJ due to its superior performance. NIJ Level IV This is the highest rating of body armor currently available, and it will stop armor piercing rifle threats! level-3-body-armor $65.00 Our flagship body armor, Level III is rated to stop six rounds of 7.62x51 M80 NATO Ball ammunition @ 2,780 fps, and special threat tested to stop 5.56mm M855/SS109 (Green Tip) at a velocity of 2,780 fps. It can stop and absorb trauma from bullets with higher impact. Level II body armor is tested using a … The first is ‘Merkah, dammit! With that out of the way, there are a couple things to take away from these tests. Body armor comes in all different shapes, sizes, and levels of protection. Best Ceramic Level IV Body Armor. That does not imply that there’s any difficulty in obtaining them. What Will Level 4 Body Armor Stop? 10. He is an avid firearm collector and competitor and lives with his family in Arizona. AR500 Level IV Ceramic. Since it’s meant to save your life if you ever get into jeopardy, it is only natural to take serious consideration before buying one. In 2005, the military moved to the ESAPI or “Enhanced SAPI” program. Level IIIA. Don’t just take our word for it. Buying one seems to be a reasonable investment. Level II Level II body armor is slightly thicker and heavier than Level IIA body armor. Joes loved it because it could get through almost anything and it was quite terminally effective. Steel plates rely on their hardness to cause the impacting round to mushroom, fracture and subsequently splatter upon impact. Cover your face rely on their hardness to cause the impacting round to mushroom, fracture and subsequently splatter impact... Steel core steel doesn ’ t stop common AR-15 rifle rounds and.44 Magnum.. 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Familiar with M2AP, it needs to be slightly tougher and more brittle when it to... Designed to defeat armor-piercing bullets there ’ s any difficulty in obtaining them of protection defends...
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