Level IV Body Armor (2024)

FAQs

What does level IV body armor stop? ›

Level IV is the highest rifle plate rating under the NIJ personal body armor specs at this time. A level IV must stop a single hit of 7.62MM AP “Black Tip”, which is effectively a . 30-06 Armor Piercing bullet. Note the difference in shot count between a level III (6 shots) and level IV (1 shot) certification.

What is Level 5 Body Armor? Level 5 Armor does not actually exist. The highest rating of body armor on the market to day is Level 4 body armor, which is capable of defeating at least a single round of 7.62 x 63 armor piercing ammunition.

It is legal in all 50 states for law abiding civilians to purchase body armor. You have the right to protect yourself and your family from harm. As a citizen of the United States you have the legal right to purchase and wear body armor for personal or professional use.

UL 752 Level 7 Specifications

Most commonly used as a protection barrier against multiple shots from a military assault rifle, such as the M-16, and the like, with muzzle energy of 1158-1402 foot-pounds (1570-1901J). Nominal Thickness. 1 – 1/8” Nominal Weight.

Level IIIA (.

This armor provides protection against high-velocity 9mm and . 44 Magnum ammunition. It is commonly used by law enforcement officers and offers a higher level of protection than Level II armor. For the everyday citizen, this is the level of needed to protect against most common threats.

Yes. There is no restriction upon civilian ownership of any level, style, of construction of body armor with the exception of those with prior felony convictions.

Most body armor is useless against . 50 caliber rounds, as they are only meant to protect against cartridges with less than 1/3 of the energy of the . 50 caliber. But some special body armor exists that protects against .

Level IV is the highest NIJ standard of protection that body armor can provide. Bulletproof vests in this category also consist of carrier vests and hard ballistic plates, which are tested together as a unit in order to certify them as level IV.

But any level 4 plate that been certified by NIJ should also stop one strike from any round less powerful than M2AP such as 5.56mm, 7.62X39mm, . 308 WIN/7.62 NATO, and all handgun rounds like 9X19mm, . 40S&W, and . 45 ACP.

Convicted felons surrender their right to own body armor. The US has a federal ban on the possession of body armor by convicted felons (18 U.S.C. 931). Felons can only purchase bulletproof vests if their employer requires it and they get written permission to do so.

Why are bulletproof vests illegal? ›

California. In California, lawmakers are in the process of passing Assembly Bill 92, which will restrict the purchase and use of body armor for certain professions. As of February 2023, civilians can purchase and use a bulletproof vest, unless he or she has been convicted of a felony.

Protection Levels:

44 Magnum, while Level IV protects against larger rounds such as those used in Sniper rifles. Level IIIa is the most common type of body armour for regular law enforcement officers, while Level IV is only used in Special Forces such as SWAT teams.

A 12 gauge slug is a soft, blunt, large round. Upon impact, it's not going to punch through armor, it's going to compress into a disc, because of the shape, density and material it's made out of. If it was a copper slug, maybe, but even then it would likely need a good sharp point on it to even stamd a chance.

B6 Armoured protection in vehicles protects the individuals inside the car from weapons such as AK-47 guns, Handguns, Shotguns and Assault Rifles. This means that the armoured vehicle provides the ultimate protection and enhances safety at extreme rates.

Level 1 is the lowest stab proof level and is best suited for vests that can be concealed below clothing. Level 2 is mainly used for overt body armor, for example to police or military. Level 3 is used mainly in high risk areas, such as prison staff or police. This is the highest and most powerful stab proof level.

But any level 4 plate that been certified by NIJ should also stop one strike from any round less powerful than M2AP such as 5.56mm, 7.62X39mm, . 308 WIN/7.62 NATO, and all handgun rounds like 9X19mm, . 40S&W, and . 45 ACP.

Level 3 armor is designed to provide protection against lower caliber, while level 4 armor is specifically engineered to stop things like higher calibers and armor-piercing ammunition, offering a higher level of defense.

Level III+ C hard armor plates are the optimal balance of weight, threat level, and cost for most people. Level IV adds lots of protection that isn't used most of the time, but the weight penalty is permanent.

Level 4 body armor plates are rated to stop rifle rounds including 30 caliber AP (armor piercing) bullets. This bullet is the same size that is fired from a 30-06. Level 4 plates are meant to stop military grade armor piercing rounds which level 3 plates are not designed to stop.