Body armor is a critical piece of protection equipment. Bullet resistant equipment can come in the form of clothing, helmets, gloves, vests, shields, and accessories like backpacks. In these forms, you have non-plated body armor and hard-plate reinforced body armor. Non-plated armor will offer moderate to substantial protection, whereas hard-plate body armor will offer maximum protection, for example; combat soldiers and law enforcement officers have hard-plate body armor. Let's clear the air on terminology. It's easy to say "bulletproof vest". The term bulletproof is widely used and more recognizable than "bullet-resistant." But there are very few things, if any, that are actually bullet-proof in this world. Even bullet-proof glass will break if it is hit repeatedly with high velocity, high energy projectiles. Don't let that deter you though, bullet-resistant equipment will increase your chances of survival, and has saved the lives of 3,100 law enforcement officers and countless lives on the battlefield. Bullet resistance is definitely a good thing!  

NIJ RATINGS

To be classified as a bullet-resistant vest, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has a body armor rating system. Not only are vests tested for the ability to stop penetration, but also for blunt force trauma protection. When referring to blunt force trauma in the context of body armor, I am referring to the blow suffered by the body upon the bullets' impact on the vest. Although the protection from penetration is successful, the wearer may still receive a nasty bruise and soreness after impact. I'll take that any day! Blunt trauma is measured by the dent impact on a soft clay backstop. The allowable tolerance is a maximum of 1.7 inches.

Classic Firearms Lightweight Modular Armor Carrier (M.A.C)

 

HOW DOES BULLET RESISTANT GEAR WORK?

Because of a larger visual mass, most shots are aimed at the torso, making a bullet-resistant vest an essential piece of safety equipment. Soft ballistic vests are made of many layers of woven or laminated fibers that are referred to as ballistic fibers. The more layers of these fibers, the more resistant the vests are to smaller caliber firearm attacks, shotgun projectiles, physical assaults, impact, knife or slashing attacks, explosions producing shrapnel, and some thrust attacks. Soft body armor helps the body absorb the full force of any of the above threats, and is designed to stop penetration of the body by capturing or deflecting the instrument or projectile. You can insert metal or ceramic plates into your vest for additional protection against rifle rounds. Explosive ordnance disposal teams from police and military wear heavy body armor, as well as combat soldiers, hostage rescue teams and tactical teams. Heavy body armor consists of a combination of bullet-resistant gear such as vests, hear gear, hand gear, neck gear, groin gear, leg gear, and spine protection gear.

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WHAT DO THE DIFFERENT LEVELS MEAN?

  The National Institute of Justice has developed a performance standard tier for body armor that allows the user to know what they are protected from. The NIJ classification is the single most important feature that you should look for when shopping for body armor. The NIJ classifies body armor into five different threat levels. The levels are Level IIA, Level II, Level IIIA, Level III, and Level IV. The levels are designated based on the product's ability to stop specified rounds at specified velocities.   NIJ LEVEL IIA - For the most part, this is an outdated level of protection, but this is only because higher levels of protection with more concealability qualities now exist. This level of protection is the lowest level that is currently available. This level is typically a soft armor, manufactured with multiple layers of ballistic fibers. This level of protection is usually found in soft body armor vests. Although it is the lowest level of protection by body armor, it is still bullet-resistant gear. Even at this level, this classification of body armor can stop a 9mm (FMJ) traveling at 1165 ft./sec., and a .40 S&W (FMJ) at 1065 ft./sec. Level IIA still has attributes and benefits, however. This level is usually found in the most concealable, flexible, lightest, and comfortable body armor or armor carrier.   NIJ LEVEL II - Level II armor is also most likely soft body armor. At this level, the armor must stop a 9mm (FMJ) projectile traveling 1245 ft./sec., and a .357 Magnum (JSP) round traveling at 1430 ft./sec. Just like Level IIA, Level II is concealable, lightweight, and comfortable. The difference is that the Level II armor provides significantly more protection from blunt force trauma caused by the kinetic energy when the bullet hits the vest. Level II is designed to stop most of the common handgun rounds.   NIJ LEVEL IIIA - Again, this level is commonly found in soft body armor. However, Level IIIA can be found in ballistic shields and some hard armor plates as well. NIJ Level IIIA requires that at this level, the armor should be able to stop at least a .357 SIG (FMJ FN), traveling at a speed of 1470 ft./sec., and a .44 Magnum (SJHP) traveling at 1430 ft./sec.   NIJ LEVEL III - At Level III, we start transitioning from soft body armor vests to ballistic plates and panels, commonly called ballistic body armor plates, hard armor plates, or rifle plates. At this level, the armor should be able to withstand 6 shots spaced at short intervals of a 7.62mm x 51 NATO (FMJ) 147-grain bullet traveling at 2780 ft./sec. The military designation for the above round is the M80, it is also very similar to the hunting round of .308 Winchester. The cheapest option of Level III body armor is steel body armor plates, they are also the heaviest option, weighing in at 8-10 pounds. There are more expensive body plates that can weigh as little as 3 pounds.   NIJ LEVEL IV - Level IV armor is the highest rated hard armor plates available under NIJ Standards. These plates must be able to withstand one round of 7.62mm Armor-Piercing ammo fired from a rifle and traveling 2880 ft./sec. Level IV ballistic plates are only tested at one shot in comparison to Level III which is tested with six shots. In some instances, Level III hard armor plates are better than Level IV hard armor plates. Level IV armor plates are also known as Special Threat Plates. Besides meeting the standards of an NIJ certification at this level, there are other standards that bullet resistance at Level IV must meet for military use, such as the U.S Military's SAPI standards. So the answer to the question that everyone asks is "yes, Level IV armor plates can stop an AK-47 or an AR-15.

Premier Body Armor Fortis 1.0 Level III Ballistic Plate

 

CHOOSING YOUR BULLET RESISTANT BODY ARMOR

Choosing the right bullet-resistant body armor and especially a bullet-resistant vest can be difficult. The right fit of your vest is just as important as the ballistic fabric and metal plates. The vest needs to protect the vital organs and not leave large gaps on your sides and belly area. Threat level exposure and the protection level are the most important factors when selecting body armor. Think of all of the scenarios and situations that you could get into where a vest would be pivotable in your survival. I won't list them all because honestly, it's a little scary to think about all of the things that could happen to us, as law-abiding United States citizens. At a time of unrest in our society, is it time for you to consider owning a vital piece of protective armor? Classic Firearms has your protective armor needs met, we have a great selection and you are sure to find the choice for you here. Shop All Tactical Gear
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