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Level
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Tested for:
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Comment
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II-A
|
9 mm FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) at ~1,090 fps .40 S&W Full Metal Jacket at 1,025 fps (312 mps) |
Minimum Recommended... ...for the vast majority of threats encountered on the street, though you would sustain more blunt trauma injury than Level II or III-A. The thinnest and best for concealability and comfort. Level II-A has fallen out of favor, so generally a special order item now. |
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II
|
9 mm FMJ, at ~1,175 fps .357 JSP at ~ 1,400 fps (~427 mps). |
A great balance... ...between blunt trauma protection, versus cost, and thickness / comfort / concealability. Handles the blunt trauma of higher velocity +P rounds better. What we recommend most often for concealable wear. |
|
III-A
|
9 mm FMJ at ~1,400 fps .44 Magnum Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point at ~1,400 fps (~427 mps). |
The highest blunt trauma protection rating in soft body armor. The best for very high-risk situations to cover more of the uncommon or unusual threats.
Minimizes blunt trauma injury to allow more effective return fire. |
It is important to know that Level II-A, II and III-A all stop the overwhelming majority of pistol projectiles you are ever likely to encounter (plus 12 gauge, OO buckshot), and also to know that NO armor is 100% Bulletproof under ALL conceivable circumstances.
However, these ratings often have a safety margin for penetration because blunt trauma is usually the limiting factor in certification. For example, Level II body armor would likely stop the III-A test standard, (9 mm submachine gun at 1400 fps) from actually PENETRATINGthrough the Level II vest. But, the Level II vest would fail on blunt trauma impact (the NIJ deems any dent greater than ~1.7" (~44 mm.) on the soft clay test surface, a FAIL).
So, the advantage in increasing protection Levels from II-A, to II, to III-A, is NOT so much protection from PENETRATION of pistol fire, but a significant reduction in the blunt trauma received.
These items are controlled by the U.S. government and authorized for export only to the country of ultimate destination for use by the ultimate consignee or end-user(s) herein identified. They may not be resold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of, to any other country or to any person other than the authorized ultimate consignee or end-user(s), either in their original form or after being incorporated into other items, without first obtaining approval from the U.S. government or as otherwise authorized by U.S. law and regulations. ”
Ideal Supply Inc. will not engage in any transaction that requires the illegal export of any products and will not assist directly or indirectly with the illegal export or re-export of any products.
An End User Certificate (PDF) will be required to complete the purchase of any of these items.
