The NIJ does not recognize level III+ armor, although many manufacturers use it to denote protection against NIJ threat level III plus M855 and M193 threats. Although level III+ armor or plate covers most threats at a modest weight and expense, making it a very enticing choice, you should be wary of the classification because less scrupulous manufacturers will use the “+” designation to boost the perceived protection level of a plate.

It is crucial that you understand the resistance level of the III armor. On the NIJ’s level system, level III is when we enter the world of rifle plates, also known as hard inserts. Level III plates are designed to withstand six 7.62X51MM NATO (Full Metal Jacket) projectiles traveling at a velocity of 2,750 feet per second. This is basically comparable to the standard.308 Winchester hunting cartridge. With all NIJ armor classifications, it is essential to remember that a plate certified to repel a certain threat may not repel a smaller-caliber bullet. In truth, there are scenarios in which a bullet traveling at a slower speed may penetrate certain forms of armor but the same bullet traveling at a faster speed may not. Such concerns can complicate the selection of armor but purchasing a product without understanding its genuine capabilities is even worse.

While the 7.62x51MM NATO round used to test level III armor is typically considered to be “larger” than the 5.56MM round fired by AR-15s and other weapons, there are variants of the 5.56MM caliber that cause issues for certain armor materials. The M855 “Green Tip” can penetrate pure polyethylene plates, whilst the M193 variation can penetrate AR500 steel. Bullet velocity plays a role in penetration; however, these vulnerabilities are well-known. Consequently, several manufacturers employ a level III+ armor rating for their plates.

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