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For rifle threats you need Level III or Level IV Rifle Plates
(either on top of a supporting vest, or Stand-Alone).

Soft Body Armor vests (e.g., Kevlar) are excellent for fragmentation and pistol protection but will NOT stop rifle bullets. (Even Level III-A is only tested to stop pistol-caliber threats such as 9mm SUB-machine-gun or .44 Magnum.)

Plates, also described as Small Arms Protective Inserts or SAPI, are best deployed in Rifle Plate Pockets on the outershell carrier of Tactical Vests or, more discreetly, in our ProMAX Concealable with Rifle Plate Pockets.

Rifle Plates may also be used in a stand-alone configuration – as appropriate for the threat – with a stand-alone Rifle Plates Carrier Harness (very handy if your vest doesn't have Rifle Plate Pockets).

We stock a huge selection of Rifle Plates - if you see too many options below - just call us !

We also have more expensive, specialized Rifle Plates not listed - if you have specific requirements - just call us !

Rifle Plate Carrier

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WARNING:  U.S. EXPORT CONTROL LAWS

Level III and IV armor falls under the jurisdiction of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and is subject to the export control laws of the U.S. Government.

Export or retransfer of Rifle Plates by any means to any foreign end user, or for any other end use, whether in the U.S. or abroad, without the written approval of the U.S. Department of State, is prohibited.

We stock a huge selection of Rifle Plates...
Click an link below to jump down this page...

NOTE: Ceramic Rifle Plates are subject to a 20% restocking fee, if returned, as these must be closely inspected for abuse/damage.

Measure your Rifle Plate Pockets for inside dimensions to see what plate size - and shape - you need.

Please know that many Eagle, BlackHawk and other plate carriers are not designed for the more rectangular Back plates (only clipped corner plates even on the back). You may need to order two Front plates to fit your carrier.

It is your responsibility to verify compatibility with your equipment.

When comparing weights...
...please be aware that we quote ACTUAL weights – we do NOT play the artificial "weight loss" games you may encounter elsewhere. Ask to have the armor you are going to buy weighed ready to wear.

Rifle Protection Levels

Level III means the plate is tested to stop 6 rounds of .308 Winchester Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) = NATO 7.62 X 51 mm, and, of course it can handle lesser threats, such as AK-47 / Kalashnikov 7.62 X 39 mm Full Metal Jacket (FMJ).

Level IV means the plate is tested to stop ONE round of .3006 Armor-Piercing (AP) at 868 mps and lesser threats.

Note that Level IV is a little tougher round to stop than the SAPI mil-spec. Level IV is a .3006 Armor-Piercing round, while the SAPI test is for the slower Russian Light Penetrating Steel round.

Rifle Plates Testing PHOTOS  30k

We have many lab tests and NIJ certifications, but – just to see with our own eyes – we put rounds closely spaced into one Rifle Plate at ~25 yards (~23 m)...

 ZERO PENETRATION!

Rifle Plates' PHOTO GALLERY

Our Ceramic plates are UNSURPASSED...

Reliable...

Ceramic Rifle Plates of Aluminum Oxide 98%, bonded to Aramid fiber:

• exceed protection levels as specified by NIJ 01.0103 or 01.0104 / 05, and
  
  
• manufactured to ISO 9001 quality assurance standards (International Standards Organization).

Plates you can stake your life on with confidence:

Not Just "One-Hit Wonders"

When used as directed, our 8" by 10" and 10" by 12" Ceramic Rifle Plates will defeat MULTIPLE, spaced* hits of common rifle ammunition threats:

* yes, if 2 rounds hit in almost exactly the same spot you are probably out of luck! The NIJ test standard is a minimum 2" (5 cm.) spacing between rounds, and 3" (8 cm.) from the edge of plate.

Our Ceramic Rifle Plates are the full thickness out to the edge of the plate (as far as practical). We DON'T cut corners lightening up a plate by "cheating the test" and thinning the outer edge of the plate up to 3" from the edge.

Lighter...

Besides stand-alone Level IV plates, we offer Rifle Plates options that are designed to work with a vest supporting. Designing the plate to work in conjunction with a vest, as an integrated system, gives you Level III and IV protection and saves ~4 pounds of weight (1.8 kg.) over a pair of plates!

Ergonomic...

Standard plates are curved in one dimension, but all our 10" by 12" plates are curved in THREE dimensions to more closely conform to your body contours – like a moulded breast-plate or back-plate. This means a snugger fit and less bouncing when you move, not to mention better protection, and less bulk to hinder your movement.

Comfortable...

Finally we offer options with specially contoured Front plates that are contoured around the shoulder joint to allow more range of motion versus standard plates. Why? Well, there is one thing even more important than protection – the freedom of movement to carry out your mission, and the ease of shouldering your weapon with a consistent buttstock placement and cheek weld..

Please know that many Eagle, BlackHawk and other plate carriers are NOT designed for the more rectangular Back plates (only clipped corner plates even on the back). You may need to order two Front plates to fit your carrier.

It is your responsibility to verify compatibility with your equipment.

*** These Ceramic Plates are Level III or IV ONLY WHEN COMBINED WITH THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL VEST, i.e., plate is NOT stand-alone III or IV.

MUST be combined with the appropriate, QUALITY vest to get the full ballistic protection.

Rifle Plates' PHOTO GALLERY

• Oversized and double-curved
  
  
• ~20% more coverage than a regular 10" by 12" plate in a body-hugging design.
  
  
• Tapered at the top for more freedom of movement and precise weapon shouldering directly to your shoulder (instead of over armor).
  
  
• fits Interceptor OTVs size Large and up

*** These Rifle Plates stop the specified rounds ONLY WHEN COMBINED WITH THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL VEST

MUST be combined with the appropriate vest to get the full ballistic protection.

Note: These plates require oversize Rifle Plate pockets, which we can provide on some Tactical ProMAX models. Large fits size Large and up Interceptor OTV Military Vests, XL plates fits XL vest, or you can use a modular Rifle Plates Over-vest Carrier.

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When you need to wear Rifle Plates WITHOUT a soft Body Armor vest underneath, you need a Stand-Alone Rifle Plate.

Besides being Level IV NIJ Certified, these plates are Level IV+ - the plus being MULTI-HIT capability.  In independent lab tests they stop two to three of the .3006 AP rounds instead of the one round required! (The actual number depends on how close the impacts are together).

Wear with our Rifle Plates Carrier Harness

Please know that many Eagle, BlackHawk and other plate carriers are NOT designed for the more rectangular Back plates (only clipped corner plates even on the back). You may need to order two Front plates to fit your carrier.

It is your responsibility to verify compatibility with your equipment.

Video of a Customer Test of 10" by 12" Level IV Stand-Alone

(A Plate that is Tough to Kill)

To avoid wear and tear on your ballistic Ceramic Plates in non-hazardous training, use these instead of your regular ballistic plates.

These are old, rectangular Ceramic plates that have been retired after years of police use. Cannot be used for ballistic protection, but great to keep your ballistic plates in pristine condition.

NOT for Ballistic Protection - Non-Hazardous Training Use Only

Please know that many Eagle, BlackHawk and other plate carriers are NOT designed for the more rectangular Back plates (only clipped corner plates even on the back). You may need to order two Front plates to fit your carrier.

It is your responsibility to verify compatibility with your equipment.

Rifle Plates' PHOTO GALLERY

A lighter weight Ceramic (Alumina Oxide) plate that exceeds Mil Spec SAPI performance! You don't get the full Level IV Armor-Piercing rating with the Mil Spec for SAPI, it is designed to stop common military rifle threats when used with an Interceptor OTV / IBAS or Level III-A vest supporting.

Note that Level IV is a little tougher round to stop than the SAPI mil-spec. Level IV is a .3006 Armor-Piercing round, while the SAPI test is for the slower Russian Light Penetrating Steel round.

*** These Rifle Plates stop the specified rounds ONLY WHEN COMBINED WITH THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL VEST

MUST be combined with the appropriate vest to get the full ballistic protection.

Note: Large and XL plates require Extra-Large Rifle Plate pockets, which we can provide on some ProMAX models, or the appropriate size Interceptor OTV, or you can use a modular Rifle Plates Over-Vest Carrier.

ULTRA-LIGHT
Polyethylene Rifle Plates

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Ultra-light Polyethylene plates with a double curve to more closely hug your body - less bulk, and more freedom of movement!

An Ultra-light plate to stop Level III threats. 100% high molecular weight Polyethylene is ~.9" thick (~23 mm.), and more expensive, but INCREDIBLY LIGHT.

The main tradeoff is you don't get a protection rating for Level IV Armor-Piercing (AP) threats such as .3006 or 7.62 by 51mm AP, or the semi-AP 5.56mm SS-109 / M-855 (the M-16 round). Will stop the common AK-47 MILD Steel Core 7.62 X 39mm threat, though.

Important Safety Note

(A safety warning most Polyethylene / Ultra-light Rifle vendors neglect to mention...)

This Ultralight plate is manufactured on an ISO-certified production line, but you should know that the ballistic performance of all Polyethylene may be adversely affected, or permanently reduced, by prolonged exposure to ambient temperatures below ~ MINUS 15°F ( - 26 °Celsius) and over 175 °F (79 ° Celsius).

Polyethylene plates must never be exposed to open flame, excessive direct sunlight, UV exposure or any hot surface. Heat damage to the external surface (e.g., melting) is a visual clue that the plate may have been exposed to elevated temperatures. If damage is found, replace the plate.

So, don't take any chances by leaving your Rifle Plates in extremely cold or hot environments, OR letting them "cook" in the sun, for example:

• a closed vehicle super-heating in the sun
• an engine compartment
• unprotected on asphalt in intense sun
• unprotected on top of metal baking in the sun, etc., etc.

If it's too hot for your body, DON'T LEAVE YOUR RIFLE PLATES THERE!

NOTE: Polyethylene plates are thicker than Ceramic Rifle Plates - you need roomy Rifle Plate Pockets to fit. Check your Rifle Plate Pockets before ordering

Please know that many Eagle, BlackHawk and other plate carriers are not designed for the more rectangular Back plates (only clipped corner plates even on the back). You may need to order two Front plates to fit your carrier.

It is your responsibility to verify compatibility with your equipment.

Rifle Plates' PHOTO GALLERY

 

Our NIJ Certified Level III Steel Plates are made from specially formed and treated ballistic steel - over 470 Brinnell hardness.

Stops .308 / 7.62 X 51mm FMJ rifle threats, with or without a vest. Easily stops AK-47 FMJ or Mild Steel Core, 7.62 by 39mm.

Steel is less than half the cost of Ceramic – the tradeoff is that steel is heavier, and more likely to cause bullet splatter, or deflection, than ceramic. (Of course, you'd probably rather take a chance on a deflection hit, than a guaranteed hit to the body!)

Frankly, unless you are on a VERY tight budget, we recommend Ceramic Rifle Plates over Steel to minimize the risk from bullet splatter or ricochet

.Our Steel plates are custom-finished with a black paint.

Please know that many Eagle, BlackHawk and other plate carriers are not designed for the more rectangular Back plates (only clipped corner plates even on the back). You may need to order two Front plates to fit your carrier.

It is your responsibility to verify compatibility with your equipment.

Call for Quotes on Custom, Made-to-Order Armor Plate for Walls, Doors, Vehicles etc.

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Rifle Plate Pockets, Front & Back, for convenient, modular exterior wear

• Ideal for Stand-Alone Rifle Plates wear,
  OR
  Add-on Rifle Plate Pockets if your vest doesn't have pockets for 10" by 12" Plates (25 X 30 cm.)
  
  
• Quick-release fastening system so you can throw it on in a hurry or pull it off fast as needed. If you are wearing your vest all the time, but Rifle Plates only part of the time, this system is the most convenient.
  
  
• We recommend wearing over a soft body armor vest to help prevent blunt trauma, and help catch bullet splatter.
  
  
• If you order a Tactical vest or the Rifle Plate Pockets option for your ProMAX Concealable vest, this Carrier Harness is not necessary, as you can use built-in Rifle Plate Pockets
  
  
• Rifle Plates Carrier Harnesses give you the convenience to put Rifle Plates on quickly and easily, or take off fast, while keeping a soft Body Armor vest on your body.
  
  (Conversely, Rifle Plate Pockets, built-in to the vest, are more convenient to allow you to put on the vest and Rifle Plates all in one motion - but pulling plates out and leaving the vest on is less convenient.)
  
  
• Highly adjustable to fit all but extreme sizes

Concealable Style Covert Plate Carrier Can be worn concealed under clothing, OR worn on the outside. one size fits both 10" by 12" and oversize Rifle Plates (but NOT XL SAPIs, 11" by 14") similar to the BlackHawk Lo Vis but fits rectangular plates, as well as tapered shooter's cut plates Weight 0.7 lbs. (0.7 kg.)  Black	$ 49 Front & Back complete PHOTOs Rifle Plates sold separately
Concealable Style BlackHawk Low Vis Plate Carrier Can be worn concealed under clothing, OR worn on the outside. fits Large SAPIs (~10 by 13") and rectangular 10" by 12" Rifle Plates Weight 0.7 lbs. (0.7 kg.)  Black - Medium Only (fits up to Medium SAPI, 9.5" by 11.5" and some 10" by 12") COYOTE BROWN  Olive Drab	$ 50 Front & Back complete PHOTOs Rifle Plates sold separately
Tactical Style Blackwater Gear I-O Hard Armor Plate Carrier Vest For external use - very heavy duty: MOLLE webbing to maximize load bearing options. Man Down Drag Handle Water Drain Holes Will accept up to Large SAPI size plate, 10" by 13" Fastex Quick Release Buckles Weight 1.9 lbs. (0.9 kg.)  Black COYOTE BROWN  Olive Drab  ACU - Digital Camo Advanced Combat Uniform	$ 80 Front & Back complete PHOTOs Rifle Plates sold separately
Tactical Style Blackwater Gear I-O Hard Armor Plate Carrier Vest WITH MOLLE Cummerbund  Black  Olive Drab  ACU - Digital Camo Advanced Combat Uniform	$ 160 PHOTOs Rifle Plates sold separately
Tactical Style BLACKHAWK For external use - very heavy duty: MOLLE webbing to maximize load bearing options. Man Down Drag Handle Water Drain Holes Will accept oversize Rifle Plates, including XL SAPIs Weight 1.9 lbs. (0.9 kg.) NSN: 8470-01-517-6329  Black COYOTE BROWN  ACU - Digital Camo Advanced Combat Uniform    Olive Drab	$ 140 Front & Back complete PHOTOs Rifle Plates sold separately

BlackHawk S.T.R.I.K.E. Cutaway Tactical Armor Vest

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Maximum MOLLE Real Estate
in a Quick Release Cutaway Tactical Vest

Sometimes you need to wear Level IV WITH A LEVEL III-A VEST SUPPORTING Rifle Plates with a Rifle Plates Carrier, but no vest.

Add these Level III-A Rifle Plates Backers to backup your Rifle Plate so you get the full Level IV protection.

MULTICAM® + $15
COYOTE BROWN or TAN (Sand)
  Black     Navy Blue     Olive Drab
  Woodland or  3-Color DESERT Camo
Digital Woodland or   DESERT Camo
 ACU - Digital Camo Advanced Combat Uniform

Some sizes stocked, others Custom, Made-to-Order in 3 to 6 weeks

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