A Bulletproof vest with NIJ certification ratings of level IIA (HG1) or IIIA (HG2) protect against handgun and shotgun threats. Level IIA or HG1 armor gets engineered to stop rounds such as; 9MM, .357 Magnum, and .38 Special. Level IIIA or HG2 armor goes beyond this by stopping the above-mentioned rounds and; .44 Magnum and 12 GA slugs. In addition to these conventional choices, alternative options like our Safe Life Defense IIIA+ multi-threat soft armor are available on the market. Although not formally recognized by the NIJ, our IIIA+ armor has earned certification as Level IIIA armor from the NIJ.
The New-Era of Soft Armor
At Safe Life Defense, our approach acknowledges that the potential threats that our users face extend beyond firearms. Consequently, we have taken the initiative to meet the standards set by NIJ 0101.06 and 0101.07 for IIIA (HG2) armor and fulfill the NIJ Level 01 spike rating simultaneously. Helping ensure our end-users protection against stabs, slashes, and strikes with energies of up to 36 joules. Going beyond NIJ standards, our over-engineered IIIA+ armor is effective against less common handgun threats such as; Liberty Civil Defense 50 grain 9MM+P and 5.7×28 rounds. Both of these rounds typically penetrate your standard soft armor. However, the “+” in Safe Life Defense IIIA+ armor signifies these enhanced capabilities.
As highlighted earlier, the specific characteristics of ammunition play a pivotal role in determining the performance of armor systems against different rounds. Hollow-point handgun ammunition tends to stop faster than standard full metal jacket ammunition. However, just because hollow point ammunition gets immobilized quicker, it does not equate to less energy transferred to the wearer. Hollow point ammunition is designed to expand upon impact, dispersing the bullet’s energy over a wider area. The round’s expansion causes more ballistic fibers to engage with the projectile, thus decelerating the ballistic projectile at a more rapid rate. In contrast, full metal jacket (FMJ) ammunition lacks this expansion upon impact, making it slightly more challenging for the vest to halt them. Notably, Safe Life Defense armor consistently proves its ability to neutralize both hollow point and FMJ rounds, regardless of the impact.
How Materials Work in a Bulletproof Vest
In the manufacturing of soft armor, the materials used encompass both unidirectional and multidirectional compositions, which influence the rate at which bullets are stopped and consequently impact the user’s experience of trauma. Incorporating fibers that run both horizontally and vertically contributes to slowing down linear and rotational velocities of the incoming projectile. The characteristics of the fibers—such as elongation rate, elongation at break, and tensile strength—within the materials dictate the interaction between the bullet and the armor panel, ultimately determining the outcome of the interaction.
Competitors Kevlar Based Bulletproof Vest
You tend to see older Kevlar-based soft armor “bunch up” after one round impacting it. Not only does this affect the amount of coverage, but it can also compromise other parts of the armor. With advancements in material technology, we see that although UHMWPE is slightly more rigid, it does not react the same way as Kevlar. Instead of the fibers elongating and expanding until it slows the round down to a stop, UHMWPE reacts by creating a very rigid structure upon impact. This material helps break down the bullets, and with the help of some Kevlar to reduce the trauma felt on the user’s body, you can have an ultra-thin and lightweight setup. We here at Safe Life Defense use proprietary blends of these materials to manufacture the THINNEST IIIA VEST in the world.
Safe Life Defense Hyperline IIIA/HG2 Bulletproof Vest
How the two different armor compositions respond drastically differently to 9mm rounds on impact is readily apparent. Safe Life Defense has proprietary technologies that provide a way to keep their armor rigid when it needs to be, yet soft and pliable for comfort when using it for extended periods. Covering a comprehensive range of options, Safe Life Defense presents a complete array of IIIA armor solutions tailored to your requirements—whether you are looking for the most robust soft armor in the world or the thinnest soft armor in the world. Having 26 different sizes, Safe Life Defense caters to individuals of varying heights, weights, and applications, ensuring that the perfect armor solution awaits you.
Stay tuned to learn more about how a bulletproof vest works!
