Ask A Firearms Question:
Do so-called Body Armor, Bullet Proof Vests work?
What does the RATING on the 'Vest' mean, and what type of rounds will it stop?
Thank you Glimmer Man.
Here are some basic examples of Modern Body Armor Vest ...
Basic Body Armor, Level II for Executives:
Level IIa Ladies Body Armor Vest:
Body Armor Vest. Turtle Style, Level IIa, can hold Plate:
Body Armor Vest, Level III with Plates:
Body Armor Vest, Full Protected Chest, Neck, and Groin Area, Level IIIa with Plates:
Body Armor Plates - These can be ceramic or composite materials and come in a variety of sizes and shapes:
Body Armor has been around for centuries, here are some photos that show the evolution of Body Armor from Medieval Nights to around 1923:
Answer:
Blog Administrator -
There is NO such thing as a Bullet Proof Vest.
There is, however, Bullet Resistant Body Armor including the most worn apparel, the Vest.
Body Armor or Vest are rated with the highest number offering the most protection. The downside to Body Armor or just a Body Vest is weight. The higher the number to resist a kill shot the heavier the Vest becomes. Also Vest are hot, so in a cold climate this maybe a good thing but in a high temperature climate not so good. Body Armor is also bulky and reduces agility of the user. Body Armor Vest also have a ceramic or composite material plates that are inserted into a pocket of the Vest to increase protection but this adds significant weight. The most used Body Vest is a Lever III, see charts below for a better description of use and bullet resistance (stopping power of incoming rounds). They even make armored vest for dogs.
Important Note: It is a false assumption to assume that a Bullet Armor Vest will protect the user against a knife, or sharp object such as an Ice Pick, or against a heavy blunt object such as a hammer, crowbar, or axe.
Manufacturers do offer, including available to the public, Armor Vest that resist (or stop Handgun and Rifle Rounds); Sharp Objects such as a Ice Pick; and Fragments (shrapnel and debris from exploding rounds, such as mortars and grenades).
Understanding the Body Armor and its Ratings:
ALL Body Armor is categorized into SIX Levels. The HIGHER the Number the more Protection with Level I being the Lowest Protection and Level IV being the Highest.
The
ballistic threat of a round depends on more than just the round
fired. Variables include its composition, shape, caliber, mass, angle
of impact, distance to target, and impact velocity. Because of the
wide variety of rounds and cartridges available in any given caliber
and because of the existence of hand loaded ammunition, body armor
that will defeat a standard test round may not defeat other loadings
in the same caliber.
The
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and
evaluation agency of the United States Department of Justice. It is
from the NIJ where we get the levels of body armor. HOSDB is the British Rating. A good vest will be rated by both.
Current Defined LEVELS of Protection:
Level I - No longer recommended for use. Stops 22 Caliber, 38 Special Light Load, 380 ACP Ammo, and Wax and Rubber Bullets. It might be okay for Range or NRA Instructors for instructional use and introduction to 22 Caliber Rifle and Handguns, in the event of an accident. NOT shown in Chart # 1 below.
Level II - Used primarily for Executives to wear under their Clothing. Lighter weight, more comfortable, not bulky, and not easily shown under clothing. Shown in Chart # 1 below. Basically protects against some 357 Magnum, 9mm, 10mm, 41 Magnum, and 44 Magnum Handgun loads.
Level IIa - Best Civilian Body Armor choice overall for common use. Heavier and a better choice for Executives, VIPs, Witness Protection, and People who can afford standard protection against street thugs and attackers. Basically protects against most standard handgun loads plus 12-Gauge 00 Buck Shot. Shown in Chart # 1 below.
Level III - NOT shown in Chart # 1 below. Vest is heavy, hot, and bulky. This vest mandates the use of hard inserted plates. Protects against most standard load handgun rounds plus 7.62 rifle and the standard 223/5.56 rounds. Excellent for security and body guards.
Level IIIa - Basic Police Model Vest. Shown in Chart # 1 below. Vest is heavy, hot, and bulky. Reduces mobility. This vest mandates the use of multiple hard inserted plates. Not worn all the time, used in police combat and tactic mode. Stops everything shown in Chart #1 plus high velocity 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 9mm fired from an assault style weapon, and 223/5.56 FMJ Rounds.
Level IV - Military Combat Vest. Heavy, very bulky, designed to cover more than just the chest area. Strictly for combat mode. Inserted Plates Required for maximum protection. NOT shown in Chart # 1 below. Will stop all rounds shown in Chart # 1. Designed to stop military and hunting rifles starting with 30 Caliber and including 30 Caliber M1 Carbine, 300 AAC Blackout, 30-30, 243, 22-250, 270, 303 Enfield, 6.5x55, 7mm, 8mm, all 223/5.56, 7.62x39, 7.62x51 (NATO 308), and the Military 30-06 FMJ.
The Level IV Body Armor will NOT stop big game or sniper rifles such as the 300 Winchester Magnum FMJ, Lapua 338, 375 H&H, 45-70, 45-90, 416 Magnum, 458 Winchester Magnum, 480 Ruger, 500 Magnum, and the obvious 50 Caliber BMG.
When considering Body Armor RATINGS there are other types of threats such as Sharp Objects; Spike Weapons such as Needles, Syringes, Stilettos, Ice Pick, Hunting or Combat Knife, Sword, Axe or Hackett, Spear, Arrows (Bow and Arrow, Crossbow). A Vest that affords this type of protection is Rated KR1 or KR2 which rates stab proof defense. Your Vest should have a KR2 Rating.
Also there is Body Armor RATINGS for Fragmentation: Remember Body Armor is primarily designed to stop bullets. But if you are in a situation or area where bombs may be a source of impact from various types of fragments such as pieces of metal (shrapnel), or flying glass and debris then make sure your choice includes this protection. NIJ ratings do NOT cover this type of proaction This rating comes from the Standard U.S. Military Rating 662F or NATO Stannag 2920 to determine the V50 Rating for impact and protection.
IMPORTANT: Body Armor is generally tested using a group of fired rounds at a specified distance. The more rounds that hit an area the weaker the vest in that area becomes allowing for possible penetration. Body Armor is designed to prevent death, therefore injury can occur if hit with significant impact from a round or group of rounds. Bruised or broken ribs, knocked unconscious, or other non life threatening injuries can occur even in Body Armor. Sides, arm pits, arms, groin, neck, legs, and head are vulnerable with most Body Armor for general use.
Body Armor for the most part is NOT designed to stop blunt force trauma such as an attack from a person wielding a hammer, crowbar, or a piece of pipe. It is not fire proof, therefore you are not protected from fire, flamethrowers, flare guns, molotov cocktails, napalm, or acid bombs. It doesn't afford any protection for car or aircraft crashes. They are useless in in chemical, nuclear, or biological attacks you need a special suit with breathing apparatus for this type of incident. For tear gas and smoke you need a Gas Mask. They do not protect you from stun grenades, mace, or pepper spray (Yes stun gun grenades, pepper spray, and tear gas grenades can be purchased by the public in many areas). Another dangerous and possibly deadly device is the Golfball Launcher that can be fired off the end of a 5.56 Assault Rifle using a 5.56 blank round with a standard golfball. So just remember, the Armor Vest is NOT Bullet proof, it is bullet resistant and designed to primarily stop bullets and some sharp objects.
Lifespan: YES, Body Armor including Vest have a Table Life, most are around Five Years. So look at the manufacturing date closely, not the purchase date. Labels should be in the Vest for Ratings and Manufactured Date.
COST: Something simple like a Level I Vest can be purchased for $200.00, with the more sophisticated Level IV Vest can cost around $1,500.00. A Good Vest with the proper rating for civilian use is around $750.00.
Conclusion: If I were to select Body Armor for myself, I probably would select a Level IIa NIG Rated standard vest with a KR2 rating.
Click on Images below to Enlarge:
Chart # 1 ...
Chart # 2 ...
Chart # 3 ...
Chart # 4 ...
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