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                  Bulletproof Vests to put the odds in YOUR favor

ProMAX Concealable Vest

Rifle Plates OVERVIEW

Front & Back Plates

All Ballistic Protection

100% Made in the USA

Which Rifle Plate to Get?

(Below on this page)

 

For rifle threats you need Level III or Level IV Rifle Plates

Soft Body Armor vests are excellent for fragmentation and pistol protection but will NOT stop rifle bullets. (Even Level III-A is only tested to stop pistol-caliber threats such as 9mm SUB-machine-gun or .44 Magnum.)

Plates, also described as Small Arms Protective Inserts or SAPI, are best deployed in Rifle Plate Pockets on the outershell carrier of Tactical Vests or, more discreetly, in our ProMAX Concealable with Rifle Plate Pockets.   Stand-Alone Rifle Plates may also be used – as appropriate for the threat – with a Plate Carrier with no soft armor supporting.

WARNING:  U.S. EXPORT CONTROL LAWS

Level III and IV armor (Rifle Plates) fall under the jurisdiction of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and is subject to the export control laws of the U.S. Government. Export or retransfer of Rifle Plates by any means to any foreign end user, or for any other end use, whether in the U.S. or abroad, without the written approval of the U.S. Department of State, is prohibited.

There is often an exemption for a U.S. person taking their personal protection with them in their luggage, and returning the armor to the US.  For the requirements, click here. One of the forms required may be found here.

 


Ceramic Rifle Plates are NOT RETURNABLE
(except for warranty).

Ceramic Rifle Plates can be damaged if abused, or improperly shipped, and we cannot accept that legal liability.

Carefully measure your Rifle Plate Pockets for inside dimensions to see what plate size - and shape - you need.

Please know that many Eagle, BlackHawk and other plate carriers are not designed for the more rectangular Back plates (only clipped corner plates even on the back). You may need to order two Front plates to fit your carrier.

It is your responsibility to verify compatibility with your equipment.

 

Why You Want BulletProofME to Ship Your Ceramic Plates


Any
Ceramic Rifle Plate can be damaged if abused - especially if dropped on its' corner. They are not delicate, like fine tea china, but FedEx and UPS drivers are notorious for being rough with packages.

So, every Ceramic Plate we ship FedEx or UPS is bubble-wrapped, and then DOUBLE-boxed with lots of padding to survive rough handling. We overpack, so that it would take a lot of obvious abuse to do any damage.

We stake our reputation of over ten years on doing it right. Don't buy a plate that just gets thrown in a box and shipped out.

Rifle Plates Options

Most sizes in stock for immediate shipment

We also have more expensive, specialized Rifle Plates not listed - let us know if you have specific requirements.

Call us, we are always happy to advise!

Type of Plate

Click a link below to jump to the page for each specific type of Rifle Plate

Ballistic Protection Level

Thickness

Approx.

Approximate
Plate Sizes Available

NOTE: Rifle Plates sizes quoted, industry-wide, are always approximate - see detailed specs for exact coverage

Weight

for a 10" by 12" or Medium Size Front Plate

Price Per Plate


Made in the USA

Ceramic
Stand-Alone


Level IV
Stand-Alone

(No supporting vest needed)

0.7"
  • 8" by 10"
  • 10" by 12"

SAPI Sizes:

  • Small 8.75 by 11.75'
  • Medium 9.5 X 11.5"
  • Large 10" X 13"
  • XL 11" X 14"

10" by 12"

5.5 - 8.3 lbs.

$ 145 - 990

Ceramic
"In Conjunction With a Level III-A Vest"

Level IV with a Level III-A Vest Supporting

AND

Level III with a Level III-A Vest Supporting

0.5"
  • 8" by 10"
  • 10" by 12"

SAPI Sizes:

  • Small 8.75 by 11.75'
  • Medium 9.5 X 11.5"
  • Large 10" X 13"
  • XL 11" X 14"

10" by 12"

6 lbs.

$ 195 - 280

Lightweight SAPI

In Conjunction with a Level III-A Vest

SAPI Mil - Spec

  • AK-47
  • M-16
  • Dragunov
  • .308

with III-A or Interceptor vest Supporting

0.5"

SAPI Sizes:

  • Small 8.75 by 11.75'
  • Medium 9.5 X 11.5"
  • Large 10" X 13"
  • XL 11" X 14

Medium

5.3 lbs

$ 410

PHOTOS

E-SAPI

In Conjunction with a Level III-A Vest

E-SAPI Mil - Spec

Performance, very similar to the NIJ Level IV test, but just a little bit tougher.

with III-A or Interceptor vest Supporting

0.7"

SAPI Sizes:

  • Small 8.75 by 11.75'
  • Medium 9.5 X 11.5"
  • Large 10" X 13"
  • XL 11" X 14"

$ 470 - 1,000+

PHOTOS

Steel

Inexpensive, but a much higher risk of bullet splatter or ricochet.

Level III
Stand-Alone
0.25"
  • 8" by 10"
  • 10" by 12"
  • 10" by 13"
10" by 12" 8.0 lbs.
$ 110
Ultra-light Polyethylene Level III

Stops common assault rifle ammunition
- but NOT AP rounds
NOT rated to stop the semi-armor-piercing .223 (5.56mm) round (SS-109 / M-855) with the steel pin core, or .30 caliber AP rounds

Made in the USA
Stand-Alone Level III Stand-Alone
  • AK-47
  • M-193
  • .308 FMJ
1.15"
  • 8" by 10"
  • 10" by 12"
3.2 - 3.8 lbs.
$ 420 - 440
each
In Conjunction with a Level III-A Vest Level III
with III-A vest Supporting
  • AK-47
  • M-193
  • .308 FMJ
0.9"

SAPI Sizes:

  • Small 8.75 by 11.75'
  • Medium 9.5 X 11.5"
  • Large 10" X 13"
  • XL 11" X 14"
2.9 - 4.2 lb.
$ 410 - 590
each
Rifle Plates Backers

Level III-A

To wear "in conjunction with vest" Plates without a vest

0.3"
E.g., 10" by 13"
1.3 lbs.
$ 120 & up

When comparing weights...
...please be aware that we quote ACTUAL weights – we do NOT play the artificial "weight loss" games you may encounter elsewhere. Ask to have the armor you are going to buy weighed ready to wear.

Rifle Protection Levels

Level III means the plate is tested to stop 6 rounds of .308 Winchester Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) = NATO 7.62 X 51 mm, and, of course it can handle lesser threats, such as AK-47 / Kalashnikov 7.62 X 39 mm Full Metal Jacket (FMJ).

Level IV means the plate is tested to stop ONE round of .3006 Armor-Piercing (AP) at 868 mps and lesser threats.  Though just tested for one hit of .3006 AP, will also stop multiple hits of lesser threats such as:

            • .308 FMJ
            • AK-47
            • M-16 - M855 or SS-109, etc.

             

SAPI Mil Spec - US Military SAPI (Small Arms Protective Insert) mil-spec requires survivability of 3 hits total from:
Caliber
Bullet
Typical Weapon
7.62 X 39mm

API
Armor Piercing Incendiary

AK-47
5.56 x 45mm
.223
M855
aka Green Tip .223 or SS-109
M-16
7.62 × 51mm
.308 Winchester
FMJ
aka NATO ball
Battle Rifles and Machine Guns
7.62 × 54mm Russian Light Penetrating Steel (R LPS) Dragunov Sniper Rifle
Note that Level IV is a little tougher round to stop than the SAPI mil-spec. Level IV is a .3006 Armor-Piercing round, while the SAPI test is for the slower Russian Light Penetrating Steel round.

Rifle Plates Testing Photo Gallery
Rifle Plates Testing PHOTOS

We have many lab tests and NIJ certifications, but – just to see with our own eyes – we put rounds closely spaced into one Rifle Plate at ~25 yards (~23 m)...

Rifle Bullet  ZERO PENETRATION!

Which Rifle Plate to Get?

Call us, we are always happy to consult with you!

1. Weight vs. Protection Level

Most folks get Level IV protection to stop the hardened steel core.3006 AP threat - but know that you will be carrying 14.5 to 17 lbs. of weight with plates Front & Back!  Add side Rifle Plates, plus ammo and other gear, and the pounds add up fast. Look at your total package weight vs. your physical condition, and how far you need to carry it.

Generally in war zones we typically recommend Level IV - but if you can't move as far, or as fast as you need to, - go lighter...  And if you are not exposed to Armor Piercing threats, consider lighter weight Level III or Level III PLUS plates:

  • the Ultra-light Polyethylene stops lead-core rifle threats at only 3.5 lbs! (but not AP rounds)
  • Lightweight SAPIs, stop lead core plus the .223 Green Tip SS-109 / M-855 round at only 5.3 lbs, size Medium (with a Level III-A vest supporting)
  • if you can spend $ 990 for just one plate, the ULTRA-Lightweight Level IV Stand-Alone protection is only 5.5 lbs!


2.
What can you afford?

Steel is the cheapest Level III protection - but not recommended unless you are on a very tight budget, due to the much higher risk of bullet splatter and ricochet. We offer our Standard Level IV Stand-Alone plate as a very affordable Ceramic Rifle Plate - under $ 300 for a pair Front & Back.


3. Stand-Alone vs. "In Conjunction with a Vest" Rifle Plates

Stand-Alone plates are slightly heavier, and thicker than the corresponding size of the "in conjunction" plate. But the advantage is you don't have to carry the weight or thickness of Level III-A armor. If you need full Level IV protection even when you are not wearing Level III-A soft armor, go Stand-Alone. Stand-Alone plates with a Plate Carrier offer maximum freedom of movement and ventilation (at the expense of less of your body being covered vs. a Level III-A vest).

“In conjunction” plates are Level IV with a Level III-A vest supporting. This allows the plate to be slightly thinner, and a bit lighter. The tradeoff is that you must have Level III-A armor behind the plate to get the full Level IV protection. If you are always going to wear your plates with a Level III-A vest - go ahead and save the weight with an "in conjunction" plate. You will also have the benefit of the extra Level III-A vest coverage area.


4. What size are you?

A bigger body needs a bigger plate - but you will carry more weight. A "trick" is to use one size bigger on the back for more coverage where it won't affect freedom of movement.
  • Most males end up with a 10" by 12", or the 9.5" by 12.5" Medium SAPI size - the two sizes are usually interchangeable but there are a few Plate Carriers that need the exact SAPI size, e.g., Crye Precision, or BlackHawk Lo-Vis.
  • 10" by 13" / Large SAPI for taller / bigger guys.
  • Really big guys, 11" by 14" / XL SAPI
  • Smaller frames, 8" by 10" or Small SAPI 8.75" BY 11.75"


4. What size and shape are your Rifle Plate Pockets?

SIZE  It's up to you to get the right size plate for your Plate Carrier. You can put a smaller plate in a bigger pocket if you can sew a bar tack line - but too big a plate will not work

SHAPE  You usually want shooters cut plates on the front for ergonomics, and, ideally, rectangular Rifle Plates on the back for more coverage to protect your shoulder blades' area. But some rear Rifle Plate Pockets are cut to only accept shooters cut, or SAPI cut plates. (If your Rifle Plate Pockets load from the top, this is not an issue.)

Related Pages:

 

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