The date is from the manufacturer suggesting 1. FEATURES: AR500 steel, a type of steel often used to make steel targets, is NOT certified through the NIJ. And while cheap isnt always an indicator of low quality or less-than-desirable, in this case, its not your best option. Ceramic plates do NOT expire, its not food. While steel body armor lasts about 15-20 years before you need to replace it, standard ceramic body armor only last 5-7 years. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Evaluation of Siliceous Cored Armor for the XM60 Tank, "T-72B MBT The First Look at Soviet Special Armor", "UK Ministry of Defence: Army Board of Inquiry Report", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Composite_armour&oldid=1089121834, Articles needing additional references from September 2009, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2016, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2010, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 22 May 2022, at 01:39. Steel is not light; its incredibly rigid and heavy. Civilian users include private investigators, security personnel, home defenders, preppers and other civilians seeking top-tier protection. SAVE 13% OFF STOREWIDE w/ Code [BFCM2021] - HURRY ENDS NOV 29 MIDNIGHT!!! Choosing the right body armor is an important, potentially life-saving decision that involves matching the protection to the types of threats to be encountered. Which armor plates should you get? [citation needed]. (Yes, they do resupply when theyre close to expiration). It is the movement of the steel plates that disrupts the jet, both by feeding more material into the jet's path, and introducing lateral forces to break the jet apart. In sand. Both have a cordura finishing and come in the following sizes: We also offer composite/ceramic body armor packages for those who need a plate carrier. While many of these vehicles feature the composite armour permanently integrated with the vehicle, the Japanese Type 10 and Type 90 Ky-maru MBTs, French Leclerc, Iranian Karrar, Turkish Altay, Indian Arjun, Italian Ariete and Chinese Type 96/98 and Type 99 tanks use a modular composite armour, where sections of the composite armour can be easily and quickly switched out or upgraded with armour modules. Spartan Armor Systems Level III Multi-Curve Elaphros Set Of Two - Only 3.5 Lbs / Plate! The adoption of modular composite armour design facilitates far more efficient and easier upgrades and exchanges of the armour. A major challenge for aviation is to provide ballistic protection in the lightest, most compact means possible. Gift Cards cannot be redeemed for cash. All modern third-generation main battle tanks use composite armour arrays in their construction. Next they can take way more damage than 3 bullets, my buddy took 9! Armor Plate Set Pro - Duritium 10x12 Level IV, Armor Plate Set Pro - Duritium 10x12 Level III+, Armor Plate Set - Ceramic Composite Level III Special Threat - Medium (10x12), Armor Plate Set - Ceramic Composite Level III Special Threat - Large (10.25x13.25), Side Armor Plate Set Pro - Duritium 6x6 Level III+, Which armor plates should you get? *This product will ship out directly from manufacturer. Soviet/Russian main battle tanks such as T-90s T-80Us and the Chinese Type 96/99s use composite armour in tandem with explosive reactive armour (ERA), making it hard for shaped charge munitions such as HEAT projectiles and missile warheads to penetrate the frontal and a portion of their side armour. Put out the most reliable, high quality product we are capable of producing at a reasonable price. , , . . , , If you suspect a fracture in this body armor, then its best to get it looked at if you want to ensure you have optimal protection. Designed to defeat a single round of 30.06 Black Tip APM2, and any lesser rifle round per NIJ standards. Another major concern with steel body armor is spalling. Truncated corners improve Free Shipping (Within USA) available with order over $100. The Soviets also invested heavily in reactive armour, which allowed them some ability to control quality, even after production. Our mission is simple. All body armor, including ceramic body armor, carries NIJ-threat level ratings indicating their stopping capability. [2], The earliest known composite armour for armoured vehicles was developed as part of the US Army's T95 experimental series from the mid-1950s. Under 21 years old - 5 Rounds and 30" minimum length. And those 5-7 years is why you keep getting new armor. The easiest way to do this is simply photograph it with your Smart Phone and email it to info@dark-storm.com with your order number. Items with prices ending in "XX.77" are discontinued and/or clearance items, If you transfer in a firearm that is not compliant or you are unable to possess, the firearm will be shipped back at. The elastomer quickly reaches maximum compression and rapidly expands, pushing the two steel plates in opposite directions. Connect with an engineer to learn more or to request a quote. But, maybe youre not too concerned about getting shot at with armor-piercing rounds. They still save a lot of peoples lives. Newer Post . Ammunition, Magazines and other items are restricted in various jurisdictions throughout the United States. buzzword, , . Well then discuss the alternative; what to replace those heavy steel, fragile and expensive ceramic plates with. Add on your tactical gear and weapons and youve greatly reduced your survivability due to the increased weight and decreased comfort. Your satisfaction is important to Dark Storm Industries. So, even though that full ceramic body armor is lighter than steel armor, the restricted mobility definitely defeats this pro, in our opinion. So, if thats not enough to convince you to switch your steel plates out for something else, consider this. Body armor: hard or soft? We aim to over deliver on our armor, and with reasonable shot placement, have stopped multiple rounds of APM2. If you are purchasing ammunition for a pistol you will need to show your NYS pistol permit. Slam a ceramic plate with a sledge hammer and you will probably need a new plate. Returns or exchanges must be processed within 30 days of purchase. New York State - Ammunition may be ordered online BUT only for in-store pickup. And chances are, if youre wearing body armor to protect yourself, youre also going to need to be able to move, and sometimes move quickly. Or, and its going to really cost you, get a new plate, which can decrease the shelf-life exponentially. Check out our blog post for the details but the tradeoffs you need to consider are weight and price vs protection. For example, a single 10 x 12 steel body armor plate weighs roughly 8 to 10 pounds. ! New York City - Ammunition order up to 200 rounds only. We do our absolute best to accurately estimate said lead times. , SIT. In some cases, the only way to see one is through an x-ray. The strike face plays a critical role in causing the bullet to deform, and tumble, allowing the composite backing to catch and stop the round. * Armor plates are custom-made and can not be returned or cancelled . The U.S. military AND law enforcement agencies use CERAMIC plates. Terms & Conditions | Disclaimers. We wore them A LOT.in the field, on deployment, allllllllll the time. We utilize a durable single panel ceramic strike face to maintain the best ballistic properties for higher level threats, and a composite backing comparable to a traditional armor system; similar to what is currently, standard issue in the military. PDF Documents: A 100% Boron Carbide material for ultimate lightweight performance in ballistic applications. (However, one was destroyed by friendly fire on March 25, 2003, killing two crew members after a HESH projectile detonated on the commander's hatch causing high-velocity fragments to enter the turret. In fact, its one of the heaviest materials used to make body armor. - . In stock Evidently hes never held a ceramic plate because they absolutely do expire. In and out of barracks. Since its introduction during the Vietnam War, ceramic armor has developed into a modern solution for defeating ballistic threats. Weve covered this slightly in our previous blogs, but today we wanted to expand upon why full ceramic body armor isnt your best choice (although it is better than steel). We stand behind all of our products and were here to support you. It used an armour known as combination K, which apparently is glass-reinforced plastic sandwiched between inner and outer steel layers. Smith Defense makes the selection process simple. We purchase our body armor made from the best materials, and we stand behind what we sell. You shouldnt be throwing them in the back of your locker, truck, closet, wherever you might throw it; in fact, you shouldnt be throwing ceramic armor at all. Ceramic armor (placed in plate carriers) are used by the military, law enforcement and first responders. That said, with any ceramic/composite armor system, multiple rounds in a small vicinity will degredate the strike face reducing performance on subsequent shots on that section of the plate, unlike our Steel Armor. When combined with other protective panels, maximum protection is provided. "-" , , . AR500 Armor Level IV Body Armor SAPI CUT - Curved 10"x12" (Composite & Ceramic). A composite material made of Boron Carbide and Silicon Carbide licensed from Precision Ceramics USA for exceptional multi-hit performance against ballistic threats. , . 30.06 APM2 (armor piercing) rounds a concern? , , , , -SIT . If you order a firearm that is NOT legal in your location, a 20% restocking fee will be assessed upon the order being refunded. For instance, if you get shot in the rib while wearing steel plates, youre most likely getting a broken rib or even a collapsed lung in the process. Weve created the lightest weighing hard body armor that doesnt decrease mobility and wont break the bank. DURITIUM III+PS PLATE | Steel, Ceramic, and Polyethylene vs. Duritium Body Armor. Thrown down on concrete. 7.6239 rounds to the front SAPI plate in 2004 oh and his plates were expired.. If youre interested in learning how pounds translate to pain, check out our blog about the Marine captain who figured out exactly how many pounds equal pain in combat. Lightweight and small, HEAT projectiles could nevertheless penetrate hundreds of millimetres of the most resistant steel armours. The Abrams is also unique in its usage of depleted uranium armour plates in conjunction with composite armour, increasing overall vehicle protection. , . New York State - no sales to residents of New York City. The ceramic ESAPI plates not only protect our U.S. Service Members that are downrange but gives them the mobility required to operate in a hostile environment. The effectiveness of the system was amply demonstrated in Desert Storm, where not a single British Army Challenger tank was lost to enemy tank fire. So, when your breakthrough technology is adopted by the military or law enforcement agencies? What Are the Different Types of Body Armor? Armor solutions utilizing ceramics are commonly used to protect vehicles, personnel, aircraft, and marine vessels due to their lightweight and high hardness. Ceramic plates are thick. Nevertheless, they are often surprisingly effective; upgrades with MEXAS ceramic armour to Canadian M113s were carried out in the 1990s, after it was realized that it would offer more protection than newly built IFVs like the M2 Bradley. AR500 Armor level IV Body Armor is rated for just that. buzzword, , . - , , ? No DS-15 or DS-9 pistols. These ESAPI body armor plates, The newest version is ESAPI plates were designed in accordance with the NIJ Level IV specifications which are rated to defeat 30-06 armor piercing rounds. The Soviets/Russians had a similar composite armour to the West's own "NERA", with rubber sandwiches between plates of steel. Armor-piercing rounds can penetrate steel body armor. Be sure to check out Bulletproof Zone'sultimate guide before you make your first purchase! But considering theres a more comfortable, flexible, lightweight option on the market, wouldnt you rather have that? Due to semi-annual warehouse reorganization, order fulfillment will be delayed 7 business days. This results in the person wearing the armor getting fragmentation to the face, arms, and legs. Fixed Mag Pistols varies by County. Chobham was such an improvement that it was soon used on the new U.S. M1 Abrams main battle tank (MBT) as well. , . This, too, could cause your plate to crack, rendering it ineffective. SINTX will develop and manufacture high-performance ceramics for personnel, aircraft, and vehicle armor including: There is an increasing demand for lightweight, comfortable ceramic armor with advanced protection. DS-9 and DS-10 Standard, Post Ban DS-9 only. No returns or exchanges will be accepted. Certain materials have an optimal compromise in terms of density that makes them particularly useful in this role. Gift cards do not expire or charge fees. No DS-15's in NYC. Weve covered it in one of our previous blogs, What Are the Different Types of Body Armor? Among NATO nations and allies, the most common type of composite armour today is Chobham armour,[citation needed] first developed and used by the British in the experimental FV 4211 tank, which was based on Chieftain tank components. SIT, "-" , . I personally can only speak to my military experience, but I know it seems like every few years, theyre issuing me new armor. Using misleading information to push a product is outright garbage. * Armor products are custom-made and can not be returned or cancelled Please know the laws in your local jurisdiction. , . [4]) Chobham-type armour is currently in its third generation and is used on modern western tanks such as the British Challenger 2 and the American M1 Abrams. Whether at the beginning of their issue date, or toward the end. HEAT had posed a serious threat to armoured vehicles since its introduction in World War II. However, theres still a significant amount of cons that come with full ceramic plates. If you need to return a product, we will make every reasonable effort to satisfy you. Older Post , , , , , , . The buyer must provide a copy of their NYC Rifle / Pistol Permit before the order can ship. We are known for offering the most rugged and affordable body armor in the industry; and we've raised the bar again in terms of quality and value with our Level IV body armor solution. So, for all that money, you get a plate that can stop only one, maybe even three bullets, but expires in 5-7 years and significantly reduces mobility because of its thickness. Dont act like you have something great that hasnt even been proven time and time again over the course of YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS, ShotStop Ballistics, LLC1000 Campus Dr., Suite 300Stow, Ohio 44224USA, ShotStop Ballistics, ShotStop, Duritium, BallisticBoard and SS logo mark are registered trademarks of ShotStop Ballistics, LLC, 2011 2022 ShotStop Ballistics, LLC. Heres why steel causes ricochet; body armor absorbs energy. They are not living organic matter. NIJ Tested 0101.06 Coated with our PAXCON protective coating in conjunction with our strike face, spall & fragmentation containment on our Level IV body armor is industry leading. The outer steel "burster" plate detonates the shell and protects the composite array from the blast, increasing the armour's multi hit abilities. If lightweight full ceramic leaves you with no mobility and cheap steel means heavy, uncomfortable, and not rated to withstand armor-piercing ammo, is there something that gives you all the pros? *This product will ship out directly from manufacturer. Body armor is not created equally. Going along with spalling is the risk of ricochets. Duty Use Only w/ Letter Elsewhere, Semiauto rifles prohibited in Aurora, Chicago or Cook County, Modern body armor does an excellent job at controlling and mitigating spalling. Anything less than that and we won't even consider putting it into production. The most common type is soft body armor, which is found in vests, bags, and backpacks. While ceramic body armor plates may seem like an odd choice for stopping rifle rounds, this isnt the same ceramic material used for bathroom tile and flower vases. SINTXs BoroShock is a 100% boron carbide ceramic, offering advanced hardness along with light weight. Pro *All sales are final. Applique armour has also been used in conjunction with composite armour to provide increased amounts of protection and to supplant existing composite arrays on a vehicle. Check out our. Wow the amount of misinformation is strong here! All other counties are ok for retail or shipment. Kind of in line with shattering on impact, ceramic plates have to be treated with care. No returns or exchanges will be accepted. Designed to be used as a front or back plate. * Product will ship directly from the manufacturer Not only are you in danger of catching the fragmentation of the bullets, but so are those around you. 2022 ShotStop Ballistics. How many rounds are yours rated to withstand? ? I suspect the shelf life has to due with liability if the plate fails. Its not because they break down its because the company has a smart attorney. When attempting to defeat 30.06 APM2 rounds, the required thickness of steel adds enough weight and cost to the point of ceramic becoming a viable and very effective solution (with current technology). Although we cant inform you on every option available in the market, we can educate you on which one of the Ferro Concepts current offerings will be best suited for you and why you might choose one version over the other. Later models of the T-64, along with newer designs, use a boron carbide-filled resin aggregate for greatly improved protection[citation needed] . . Running a steel plate in the front of your plate carrier and one in the back alone will decrease your ability to move quickly and hinder your range of motion. But heres a more critical reason to forgo those full ceramic plates: they shatter on impact. 2022 SINTX Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Subscribe and be the first to hear about our exclusive offers and latest arrivals. NIJs threat levels are. Proof of purchase is required for all returns. First, Steel body armor does not absorb the energy once the bullet impacts the armor. This is where ceramic armor excels, offering the best protection at the lightest weight. Are you unsure whether a bulletproof vest or a plate carrier is the right choice for you? Composite armour is a type of vehicle armour consisting of layers of different material such as metals, plastics, ceramics or air. It is possible to design composite armour stronger, lighter and less voluminous than traditional armour, but the cost is often prohibitively high, restricting its use to especially vulnerable parts of a vehicle. Now, lets talk about certifications because that matters. Its rated to stop small arms and explosive shrapnel. The curved contour improves comfort and ergonomics, with a similar design to the contour of our Level III body armor. Mobility equals survivability. It can also be formed into double curved torso plates, making it an ideal material for body armor. After making it through the burster plate, the jet penetrates into the first NERA plate, and begins to compress the elastomer. Tims mentally handicapped, and most likely poor. We get it, there are a plethora of options out there and the selection process can be daunting and confusing to go through. Simply put, a steel level IV solution in 10" x 12" would weigh nearly 13lb's per plate. Fixed Mag only in City of Highland Park, DS-15 Lightning (Standard), other DS-15's HBAR Only. Which armor protection level would you need? The steel armor will more than likely stop the bullet from penetrating, but without absorbing any of the kinetic energy, youre going to be out of the fight with broken ribs or worse, a collapsed lung or stopped heart. And guess what? Pair them up with a high-quality plate carrierfrom brands such as AR500 Armor, Spartan Armor Systems, and Shellback Tactical and ensure that you get the adequate protection you need today. AHAVA SIT. Unfortunately, theres still a chance youll get shot. this armor sucks dawg dont buy this shit, get ceramics. Ceramic armors have been used in land vehicles as well where weight is critical. Please know and keep *All sales are final. If you get hit more than three times, theres a good chance your plate will shatter, and a bullet will penetrate your body. And guess what? SINTX has entered the ceramic armor market through the purchase of B4C, LLC and a technology partnership with Precision Ceramics USA. Another thing to consider about full ceramic plates is how hard it can be to detect fractures. Daily use for X years voids the guarantees the product claims. The easiest way to do this is simply photograph it with your Smart Phone and email it to info@dark-storm.com with your order number. Its primary purpose is to help defeat high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) projectiles. Below are a few examples. , . Effective 30 days from when the NYSP puts their background check system online, you will need to provide any required information (TBD) and pass the background check to complete the transaction. Chobham armour defeats HEAT warheads by disrupting the high speed jet generated by the warhead. So, to expand on that blog a little, here are some reasons you might not want to use steel plates for ballistic protection. Rated for a single 30.06 APM2 (7.62mm x 63mm 165gr Armor Piercing, Black Tip) round, and all lesser Level III threats, AR500 Armor Level IV Body Armor provides protection against a higher threat level than our traditional Level III body armor. If you didnt know, body armor has a shelf-life, and in the case of standard ceramic body armor, its life is underwhelming, especially giving the cost. We want to make sure our views are clear as we foresee a few questions as why we ventured away from steel for our level IV armor solution. ALSO, why dont you mention how many rounds from an AK-47 a SAPI plate is rated to withstand? Fully sealed from the elements, our PAXCON coating creates a water tight seal which protects the inner armor components from liquids, chemicals, UV, sweat, and other harsh elements. A 20% restocking fee will apply to all order cancellations or changes. DURITIUM III+PA PLATE This is your printed register receipt for in store purchases or order # for online sales linked to your account. Unprecedented durability & performance I can tell you right now, that we were not carefully placing our carriers with plates in them lightly on the ground. If theres a chance youre getting in a fire-fight, theres also a chance the enemy is toting around more than 1-3 rounds. And while it can save your life, youre also more likely to be leaving with something broken. The German Leopard 2A5 featured distinctive arrowhead laminated armour modules that was mounted directly onto the turret composite arrays, increasing protection markedly above the previous 2A4 model. | Steel, Ceramic, and Polyethylene vs. Duritium Body Armor, BallisticBoard IIIA Backpack Insert - Rigid, BallisticBoard IIIA Backpack Insert - Soft, Patents: US9,180,623; 10,048046; 15,335216. Although the T95 never entered production, a number of its concepts were used on the M60 Patton, and during the development stage (as the XM60) the siliceous-cored armour was at least considered for use, although it was not a feature of the production vehicles.[2]. In and out of trucks. It makes it difficult to get in and out of vehicles, bend over, and depending on your position; even shooting can be difficult or uncomfortable. Today, the demand for ceramic armor has been propelled in the aerospace & defense industries and is increasingly being used in the manufacturing of vests, backpacks, and vehicle panels for military applications. . Defending you to get you there and back safely, Level III+ AR650 Lightweight Steel Core Armor, Smith Defense Level III+ Ceramic/Composite, IIA: Stops handgun calibers up to 9 mm and .40 S&W, but not rifle fire, II: Handgun rounds up to .357 Magnum; no protection against rifles. Weve covered two prevalent forms of body armor and why you shouldnt use them, which has probably left you wondering where to turn next. Composite armour has since been applied to smaller vehicles, right down to jeep-sized automobiles. Although not an official NIJ rating, independent tests show III+ level armor exceeds level III stopping power, but is less than level IV. - , , ? This includes delayed NICS transactions that are requested to be cancelled. If youre planning to purchase steel for ballistic protection, keep in mind that not all steel is created equally. I cant believe i need to state this but STEEL does not have a shelf life. Alright, well, lets consider those that cant penetrate a steel plate. And this translates to being uncomfortable. Additionally, steel body armor is uncomfortable to wear. However, there is something known as Mil-Spec A46100 steel. There are no returns or exchanges on firearms, ammunition, body armor, stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, discontinued, or clearance items. Now, if you want to be honest and tell people what you actually mean by being able to damage them, then tell them if you drop the plates, out if their vests, on a really hard surface, THEN you very well could damage them easily. And if youre worried about getting shot with a supersonic rifle caliber, then its not guaranteed to stop the round and definitely not guaranteed to save your life. Its the same stuff the military uses for vehicles. Many of these systems are applied as upgrades to existing armour, which makes them difficult to place around the entire vehicle. Through a mechanism called thixotropy, the resin changes to a fluid under constant pressure, allowing the armour to be moulded into curved shapes. All returns or exchanges must be in new, unused, sale-able condition unless it is defective. . The capability of most materials for defeating HEAT follows the "density law", which states that the penetration of shaped charge jets is proportional to the square root of the shaped charge liner density (typically copper) divided by the square root of the target density. Training may be rescheduled without any additional fees, but it non-cancellable / non-refundable. Most composite armours are lighter than their all-metal equivalent, but instead occupy a larger volume for the same resistance to penetration. And thats not all. Level IIIA body armor protects against all previous levels of protectionand is designed to stop .357 Sig FMJ FN (Flat Nose) bullets traveling at a velocity of ~1470 ft/s and .44 Magnum SJHP (Semi Jacketed Hollow Point) rounds at a velocity of 1430 ft/s. There are also Level IIIA hard armor plates and ballistic shields to choose from. On a weight basis, lighter targets are more advantageous than heavier targets, but using large quantities of lightweight materials has obvious disadvantages in terms of mechanical layout. . A lot of materials are actually ceramic, including high-grade boron carbide, which happens to be one of the worlds top ten strongest materials; the material used in the U.S. militarys ESAPI (Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts). So, if you get shot on the side, the bullet could bounce off your body armor and into your arm. NOBODY. Which means you spent all that money, and its not even capable of doing its job.