What Are the Grading Standards for Bulletproof Vests?
2024-10-30
The classification of bulletproof vests is mainly based on the US NIJ standard and is divided into six levels: Level Ⅰ, Level ⅡA, Level Ⅱ, Level ⅢA, Level Ⅲ and Level Ⅳ.
Classification standards of bulletproof vests
Level Ⅰ: Able to resist bare lead bullets or full-jacket bullets fired from .22LR or .38 revolvers.
Level ⅡA: Able to resist 9mm Parabellum full-jacket bullets or soft-point bullets fired from .357 revolvers.
Level Ⅱ: Able to resist pistol bullets fired from long-barreled pistols or short-barreled submachine guns.
Level ⅢA: Able to resist 9mm Parabellum full-jacket bullets or .44 Magnum hollow-point bullets.
Level Ⅲ: Able to resist 7.62mm full-jacket bullets fired from M14.
Level Ⅳ: Able to resist .30-06 armor-piercing bullets.
Differences in materials and performance of bulletproof vests of different levels
Level I to Level II: These levels of bulletproof vests are usually made of soft materials, such as high-strength fibers such as Kevlar, which are light and comfortable to wear, but have limited protection capabilities, mainly against pistol bullets.
Level IIIA to Level IV: These levels of bulletproof vests are made of hard materials, such as metal, ceramic, etc., which are heavy and have strong protection capabilities and can withstand rifle and even machine gun shooting.
