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Steel Rifle Plate Options

Performing to NIJ Level III Standard 0101.05, our Steel Plates are made from specially formed and treated ballistic steel - a 465 - 530 Brinnell hardness, average 500.

Level 3 Stand-Alone means it stops .308 / 7.62 X 51mm FMJ rifle threats, with or without a vest. Easily stops lesser threats such as AK-47 FMJ or Mild Steel Core, 7.62 by 39mm.

Also tested to stop the Green Tip 5.56 mm M-855 (aka SS-109) round with the steel penetrator pin. NOT rated to stop the standard 5.56 mm FMJ round (the M-193) as the higher velocity will penetrate steel with a perfect 90 degree hit at muzzle velocity. At a distance where the round has lost a some velocity it will stop the M-193.

We only sell curved steel plates for Body Armor - flat plates don't hug the body closely enough.  Also, we custom-finish the plates - rounding off all sharp edges to protect your carrier from abrasion.

Why we Recommend Ceramic Rifle Plates OVER Steel

Steel is less expensive than Ceramic, and can take abuse that would significantly degrade a Ceramic Rifle Plate – but still we recommend Ceramic because:

1. Ceramic is better protection - stops Level IV armor piercing threats such as the .30 caliber hardened steel core that will punch right through a Level III plate.

2. Steel will stop the .223 Green Tip (M855 aka SS-109) but is NOT rated to stop the slightly higher velocity .223 Full Metal Jacket (aka M193 or 5.56 FMJ) round with a muzzle velocity, 90 degree hit.

3. Ceramic is lighter.

4. Ceramic is Triple Curved to hug the body more closely than single-curved Steel.

5. Steel is much more likely to cause bullet splatter, or, more seriously, ricochet, than Ceramic. (Of course, you'd probably rather take a chance on a ricochet hit, than a guaranteed hit to the body!)

Frankly, unless you are on a VERY tight budget, we recommend Ceramic over Steel to minimize the risk from bullet splatter or ricochet. Even if you put the Extra-Thick Line-X Coating, or a Spall Cover on Steel to reduce bullet splatter, you still have not solved the ricochet problem.  

The Standard Level IV Stand-Alone Ceramic Rifle Plate  offers more protection with less weight for ~$145 per plate.

Steel IS the most durable material for Rifle Plates - see what kind of a "ballistic torture test" one of our Slick Steel plates endured before finally succumbing - literally over a hundred rounds!

Ballistic Torture Test

What Size Rifle Plate Should I Get?

Asymmetric Shooters Cut for Right Handers is Standard Left Hand Cut Available		AR500 Armor Plate Advanced Shooters Cut (ASC) A thick Line-X coating that doubles the 0.25" Steel thickness to 0.5", and adds weight, but a significant decrease in the spalling or bullet splatter hazard. Note - cheaper flat plate options are available, but we do not recommend flat plates as they don't hug the body closely enough.
Name	Size	Weight ***	Curve	Comments ~0.5" thick ~13 mm	Extra-Thick Line-X Coat
10" by 12" Right Hand Cut	~10" X 12" ~25 by 30 cm	~9.7 lbs. ~4.4 kg.	Single curved Shooter's Cut	The standard size.	SPECIAL ORDER $ 110 per plate
Left Hand Cut	"	"	"	"	SPECIAL ORDER $ 110 per plate
XL	11" by 14" ~25 by 33 cm	~11.9 lbs. ~5.4 kg.	"	The biggest size and most coverage available (if you can carry the weight!)	SPECIAL ORDER $ 140 per plate
8" by 10"	8" by 10" ~20 by 25 cm	~6.4 lbs. 2.9 kg.	"		SPECIAL ORDER $ 105 per plate
		6" by 8" Side Rifle Plates
6" by 8" Side Plate	6" by 8" ~15 by 20 cm	~4.1 lbs. 1.9 kg.	Single Curved Rectangle	Curved for body-hugging ergonomics.	SPECIAL ORDER $ 55 per plate $ 110 per pair $ 40 for Plate Pockets

*** Note: These are ACTUAL measured weights for these plates.
If you see it lighter, ask to have the actual plate weighed.

What Size Rifle Plate Should I Get?

Shooters Cut for Right Handers is Standard Left Hand Cut Available		AR500 Armor Plate Advanced Shooters Cut (ASC) A thin Line-X Coating to help reduce spalling.  We recommend the thicker Line-X Build Up above, or a soft Body Armor Spall Cover, see below Note - cheaper flat plate options are available, but we do not recommend flat plates as they don't hug the body closely enough.
Name	Size	Weight ***	Curve	Comments ~0.3" thick ~8 mm	Line-X Base Coat
10" by 12"	~10.0" X 12.0" ~25 by 30 cm	~8.5 lbs. ~3.9 kg.	Single curved Shooter's Cut	The standard size.	SPECIAL ORDER $ 85 per plate
Left Hand Cut	"	"	"	"	SPECIAL ORDER $ 85 per plate
XL	11" by 14" ~25 by 33 cm	~10.5 lbs. ~4.8 kg.	"	More coverage for the biggest guys.	SPECIAL ORDER $ 105 per plate
8" by 10"	8" by 10" ~20 by 25 cm	~5.5 lbs. 2.5 kg.	"		SPECIAL ORDER $ 80 per plate
		6" by 8" Side Rifle Plates
6" by 8" Side Plate	6" by 8" ~15 by 20 cm	~4 lbs. 1.8 kg.	Single Curved Rectangle	Curved for body-hugging ergonomics.	SPECIAL ORDER $ 42 per plate $ 84 per pair $ 40 for Plate Pockets

*** Note: These are ACTUAL measured weights for these plates.
If you see it lighter, ask to have the actual plate weighed.