Fountain Link

When a person thinks of body armor, they most often think of the Knights of the Round Table, hundreds of years ago. While it is typical to think of “a suit of armor” as more of a decorating tool of grand estates than serve any practical use today, there are still many practical uses for body armor.  Today, the suits of armor have been downsized so to speak.  No longer is it common place to see knights in shining armor marching, instead, everyday, people will see police officers with their Kevlar body armored vests and army personnel in  level 3 and level 4 armored vests. The following paragraphs will explain the different levels of body armor.

These days, there are now comfortable soft body plates made of ceramic that work excellent for fragmentation and pistol protection, these Kevlar vests however will not stop rifle bullets.  Also, despite strict testing requirements, if a person wearing modern body armor is hit in the same place twice, the only thing left to do is look for loose change.

Level III armor is only tested to stop pistol caliber threats such as from a 9-mm sub machine gun or a .44 magnum, and while proven effective for those weapons, for more protection; as in the protection that our military requires, you need to consider purchasing level 3 and level 4 armor.  Of course, these levels or armor fall under jurisdiction of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and are therefore subject to the export control laws of the U.S. Government.  The export or transfer of body armor plates by any means to any foreign end user, or for any other end use, whether in the United States or abroad. Without the written approval of the U.S. department of State is prohibited.  This law is beneficial in the effect that if we are firing at our enemies and they have the same protection as we do, they will continue to fire back.

Ceramic plates are by far the most popular. While steel plates are actually rather inexpensive ($80-$120) they are also very heavy, the larger plates weighing at least 9 pounds.  When used properly and as directed, ceramic rifle plates can be quite effective, most of them being able to defeat multiple spaced hits of common rifle ammunition threats.  Today’s body armor is much more ergonomic than that of the suits of armor of yesterday.  Today’s armor, thanks to new tactical technology has a snugger fit, which makes for less bouncing as you move, provides better protection, and is less bulky.