The National Institute
of Justice (NIJ) has modified the 01.01.03 ballistic standard for
the testing of Body Armor. In general, the new 01.01.04 standard is
almost identical, but just slightly tougher. The interim 05
standard is simply an assurance that no Zylon
is used in the manufacture of 04 Certified vests.
"Is armor
that complies with NIJ Standard-0101.04 "better" than armor that
complies with NIJ Standard-0101.03?
NO. It has
only been tested to a different version of the standard."
...Guide
to Police Body Armor, National Law Enforcement and Corrections
Technology Center (NLECTC.org)
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The
9 mm FMJ test rounds are exactly the same,
it is the secondary test round has been slightly changed...
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01.01.03
- OLD
|
01.01.04
- NEW
|
Level
II-A |
.357
Magnum Jacketed Soft Point at 1,250 fps - feet per second / 381
mps - meters per second |
.40
S&W Full Metal Jacket at 1,025 fps / 312 mps |
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Change
|
Threat
round changed from .357 Magnum at 1,250 fps to .40 S&W at 1,025
fps |
Level
II |
.357
Jacketed Soft Point at
1395 fps / 425 mps |
.357
Jacketed Soft Point at
1400 fps / 427 mps |
|
Change
|
Increase
in velocity of 5 fps / 1.5 mps or 0.4% |
Level
III-A |
.44
Magnum Lead Semi-Wadcutter at
1400 fps / 427 mps
|
.44
Magnum Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point at
1400 fps / 427 mps |
|
Change
|
Bullet
Velocity the same, but different Bullet Type |
To keep blunt
trauma under the 1.7" (44 mm.) maximum, an 01.01.04 vest might
be 1 to 4 layers thicker depending on the over-protection previously
built into the vest. More is not necessarily better, in fact we often
recommend Level III-A in the 01.01.03 Standard to keep the vest slightly
more flexible and comfortable.
The NIJ says:
"NIJ Standard-0101.04
is not intended to restrict or otherwise influence the procurement
and use of NIJ Standard-0101.03 compliant body armors...
... this
revision for new model compliance testing does not invalidate
or render unsuitable any body armor models previously determined
to be compliant using NIJ Standard-0101.03 requirements."
- NLECTC.org
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So, on either
standard, you can rest assured you are getting a high-quality vest.
There are MUCH more important factors to consider such as how
well the vest covers your body, and how comfortable it is.
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