Facts and Options in Bullet Proof Armor

However, it's important that you choose the right type of bullet resistant vest- not all of them are the same. Making the right choice here is vital. Your life depends on it.

Concealable Bullet Proof Armor

This style of vest is most often the choice of law enforcement officers, security personnel, body guards, politicians, and  high level executives  because it is worn beneath the clothes and offers concealment first and foremost and will protect them against most hand gun threats that may come their way. There are 10 levels of ballistic ratings as identified by the (N.I.J.) National Institute of Justus available with each one of them offering a different level of protection. Here are the main six levels, I, IIA, II, III-A, III, IV.

Soft Bullet Proof Armor

Soft armor is ideal for everyday use by those who are at risk of being attacked. It comes in a variety of styles and is generally worn underneath clothing offering concealment and protection to the wearer with out any one else knowing. These vest can be attained from level II-A up to level III-A which is the highest rating in soft flak jacket per the (N.I.J.) National Institute of Justus. Level III-A will protect you from rounds consisting of 9mm FMJ RN, .22 LR, .25ACP, .32 ACP, .38ACP, .40, .45, .357 Magnum SIG FMJ FN, .44 Magnum SJHP, 12 Ga. 00/ Buck/ 12 Ga.slug.

Soft Bullet Proof Armor Ratings

Level - 1   38 Special at 850 fps (feet per second) (259 mps - meters per second, .22 at 1,050 fps (320 mps)

Level - 2A   9 mm FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) at ~1,090 fps, (332 mps) .357 Magnum JSP (Jacketed Soft Point) at ~1,250 fps, (~381 mps).

Level - 2   9 mm FMJ, at ~1,175 fps, (~358 mps) .357 JSP at ~ 1,395 fps, (~425 mps).

Level - 3A   9 mm FMJ at ~1,400 fps (~427 mps) (e.g., sub-machine-gun velocity).44 Magnum Lead Semi-Wad cutter at ~1,400 fps (~427 mps).

Hard Armor Plate Ratings

Level - 3   .308 Winchester Full Metal Jacket =7.62 X 51 mm NATO 6 rounds at ~ 2,750 fps (~838 mps).

Level - 4   .3006 Armor-Piercing   .30 M2 AP One round at ~ 2,850 fps (~869 mps)

Hard Armor

Hard body armor provides the most defense from the widest range of firearms. While softbody armor can protect against a range of handguns, hard armor plates are the most effectivedefense against high-powered rifles and armor-piercing rounds. Hard armor plates are available from many manufacturers, in metal, ceramic and dyneema. While metal plates have long been dominant in the industry, things are changing. As ceramic and dyneema becomes more widely available and more people become aware of the strength, stopping power and lightweight nature of these solutions, they are quickly becoming the preferred choice, even over metals like titanium.

Ceramic and dyneema plates are widely available today, both in full armor solutions and as add-on plates that can help augment bullet proof vests by adding protection to vital areas. Modern ballistic plates are worn by police officers and others only when there is a high chance of an attack with high caliber weapons.