Levels of Body Armor Protection from AR500 Armor

Learn about the different body armor protection levels from AR500 Armor of the Armored Republic. Wanting to know what body armor will protect against? What is the most protective armor plate? Or unsure of what body armor is right for you? Then read below for further details or take a look at our Body Armor 101 page which will provide body armor basics and answers to commonly asked questions. 

• Level IIIA (pistol rated) body armor
• Level III (rifle rated) body armor
• Level III Lightweight (UHMWPE) body armor
• Level III+ (high velocity rifle rated steel)
• Level III+ Lightweight body armor
• Level IV (Ceramic/PE) body armor

AR500 Armor® Level IIIA (Pistol Rated) Body Armor

Our Level IIIA body armor is Stand-Alone and Multi-Hit capable. Level IIIA Armor covers up to the threat level below:

• Caliber threats up to:
  • .44 magnum at 1,430 feet per second or lower, including all lesser pistol calibers. 
  • .357 SIG at 1,430 feet per second or lower, including all lesser pistol calibers. 

There are three Level IIIA armor types:

• Rimelig:  This soft body armor is for everyone! Constructed with Imported Aramid Fibers, Rimelig armor is designed, cut, sewn, and assembled right here in the USA. All soft armor has a shelf-life of 5-years.
• Hybrid:  Our flagship Hybrid IIIA soft body armor is constructed from industry-leading materials including Honeywell Spectra Shield®, Gold Shield®, and other ballistic fabric from respected manufacturers.  The result is an ultra-light, thin, high strength, and flexible armor system in a 1lb package (10" x 12" ASC model)! All soft armor has a shelf-life of 5-years. 
• Steel:  All the ballistic protection of the Hybrid and Rimelig armor systems, while also being stab and slash-resistant! Steel also has a 20 year warranty period! Our lightweight level IIIA steel plate comes standard with a build-up coating of our Fraglock™ anti-spall and fragmentation material, as well as an ergonomic curve ($45 value!).

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AR500 Armor® Level III (Rifle Rated Steel) Body Armor

Our Level III body armor offers the most protection for your buck, and covers the most common threats one could encounter, including nearly all Military & NATO calibers up to the threat level below:

• Independently tested and rated to NIJ 0101.06 standards to defeat six (6) rounds of 7.62x51 M80 NATO Ball from 51’ at 2,780 feet per second.
• Special threat tested to defeat six (6) rounds of 5.56x45mm M855/SS109 (Green Tip) 62gr penetrator at 2,780 feet per second.

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AR500 Armor® Level III Lightweight (UHMWPE) Body Armor

For when ounces are pounds and mobility is everything, AR500 Armor® Level III Polyethylene Body Armor weighs in at a mere 3.3lb’s per plate (10”x12”). NIJ 0101.06 certified, positively buoyant, stand-alone, and multi-hit capable, our Polyethylene lightweight armor plate is a true contender for those who are willing to sacrifice the benefits of our steel core body armor to save weight.

UHMWPE armor covers up to the threat levels below:

• NIJ 0101.06 Certified - Six (6) rounds of 7.62x51 M80 NATO Ball from 51’ at 2,780 feet per second.
• Special Threat tested to defeat:
  • 7.62x51 M80 Ball at 2,800 feet per second.
  • 5.56x45 M193 at 3,150 feet per second.
  • 7.62x39 AK 47 at 2,380 feet per second.

AR500 Armor® Level III+ (High Velocity Rifle Rated Steel) Body Armor

Our Level III+ body armor features an improved, ultra-hard ballistic steel core, further enhancing performance over our Level III line. With nearly 30% increased core strength, our Level III+ is capable of defeating higher-level rifle threats.

Level III+ armor covers up to the threat level below:

• Independently tested and rated to NIJ 0101.06 standards to defeat six (6) rounds of 7.62x51 M80 NATO Ball from 51’ at 2,780 feet per second.
• Special Threat tested to defeat:
  • 5.56 x45 M193 at 3,100 feet per second.
  • 5.56x45 M855/SS109 (Penetrators) at 3,100 feet per second.
  • 7.62x51 M80 NATO Ball (non-AP) at 3,000 feet per second.
• DEA Certified to:
  • .223 Remington Tactical Bonded Soft Point, 62 grain @ 2,600 +/- 50 fps
  • 5.56 x 45mm M855 (Green Tip), 62 grain @ 3,100 +/- 50 fps
  • 7.62 x 39mm Mild Steel Core, 123 grain @ 2,400 +/- 50 fps
  • 7.62 x 51mm M80 Ball, 149 grain @ 2,750 +/- 50 fps
  • .308 Winchester PSPB Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded, 150 grain @ 2,600 +/- 50 fps

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AR500 Armor® Level III+ Lightweight Body Armor

Our Level III+ Lightweight plates have a genetically similar ballistic core to our standard level III+, except we made it thinner and lighter! The result is an evolved form of steel body armor and is currently the lightest and highest rated ballistic steel core body armor on the market.

Level III+ Lightweight Armor covers up to the threat level below:

• Independently tested and rated to NIJ 0101.06 standards to defeat six (6) rounds of 7.62x51 M80 NATO Ball from 51’ at 2,780 feet per second.
• Special Threat tested to defeat:
  • 5.56 x45 M193 at 3,000 feet per second
  • 5.56x45 M855/SS109 (Penetrators) at 3,000 feet per second
  • 7.62x39 at 2,850 feet per second
  • 7.62x51 M80 NATO Ball at 2,850 feet per second

View products below.

AR500 Armor® Level IV (Ceramic/PE) Body Armor

Our Level IV hard armor plate is a cost-effective, multi-hit rated Certified plate that offers excellent value and performance. NIJ 0101.06 Certified, our Level IV armor is composed of Monolithic Ceramic and Polyethylene. Professionally wrapped, water-resistant, and manufactured 100% in the USA. Level IV Armor covers up to the threat level below.

• Special Threat tested to defeat 30-06 APM2 (7.62x63mm 165gr) Armor Piercing Black Tip Rounds, and all lesser level III and III+ threats.

Additional Information/Features

• Steel: Our steel armor offers heavily-reduced back face deformation when compared to ceramic and PE type armor. AR500 Armor® steel body armor offers stress fracture resistance, an amazing 20-year maintenance-free shelf life, and un-paralleled stand-alone multi-hit performance with rated calibers. Guaranteed to outlast Ceramic, Polyethylene, and UHMWPE body armor in multi-hit capability and shelf life. 
  • Video: Steel plate body armor comparison
• Trauma Pads: Designed to be worn in conjunction with and behind your body armor, our Trauma Pads reduce the amount of energy transfer to your body, reducing felt energy through your armor. Trauma pads are Non-Ballistic and offer no increase in ballistic protection. 
  • Video: Why run trauma pads?
• Spall and Frag Coating:  All of our standard steel plates come with a base coat of our proprietary FragLock™ spall and fragmentation coating. Encompassing each AR500 Armor® steel body armor plate, it adds resistance against the elements and other forms of abrasion. Suitable for hard use applications and storage in less than ideal conditions. With our Build-Up coat applied, our steel body armor is capable of containing rated rounds on impact, substantially mitigating fragmentation and spall, and significantly improving safety from bullet fragments.
• Advanced Shooters Cut: Our Patented Advanced Shooters Cut (ASC) allows an improved stock weld when in the firing position, improving ergonomics and comfort. In some cases, the Advanced Shooters Cut can reduce the need to fully collapse your rifle stock. To further highlight these features, we offer Advanced Shooters Cut in both right and left-handed orientations. Compatible with all standard plate carriers that accept SAPI or traditional shooters cut body armor.
• Form: Our steel body armor is available in both flat and curved formations. Flat plates are typically used as a backplate, or as a more budget-friendly alternative. Multi-Curve plates are unanimously considered to be more comfortable and are always recommended if funds permit. We use a minimally invasive forming technique for each Multi-Curved plate to ensure performance and armor integrity.