Spartan Omega AR500 Level III Steel Body Armor Side Plates | Set of Two

***Estimated Delivery: 2-4 weeks

The Spartan Omega AR500 Steel Body Armor Side Plates deliver Level III rifle protection in a 6" x 6" format, sold as a set of two. Each plate is cut from 0.25" thick, lab-certified AR500 ballistic-grade steel sourced from US steel mills and meets NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level III threat requirements. Two coating options are available: Base Coat for corrosion protection, and Full Coat with Encapsaloc spall mitigation, which adds thickness and weight relative to the Base Coat variant.

Who this is for

  • Plate carrier users adding side coverage: anyone running a full chest-and-back plate setup who wants to close the lateral gap with rifle-rated protection on both flanks simultaneously
  • Budget-conscious buyers upgrading existing kits: the AR500 steel format delivers Level III rifle protection at an accessible price point without requiring a new carrier or primary plates
  • Preppers and range shooters building complete loadouts: these plates drop into standard side plate pockets and round out a 4-plate armor system with no special fitment hardware required

Compatibility with primary armor

These side plates are sized at 6" x 6" and fit standard side plate pockets found on most full-featured plate carriers. The Base Coat variant measures 0.25" (6.35 mm) thick, while the Full Coat variant ranges from 0.5" to approximately 0.6" (12.7–15.2 mm) thick due to the Encapsaloc coating layer. Carriers with shallow side pockets may not accommodate the Full Coat variant — confirm pocket depth before ordering, or contact us if you need help matching these plates to your current carrier.

Ballistic performance and coating options

Both variants are manufactured from AR500 ballistic-grade steel at a core thickness of 0.25" and meet NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level III protection requirements. Level III is rated to stop rifle threats up to 7.62x51 M80 Ball. These side plates provide that same rifle-rated coverage to your lateral torso zones, not just your front and back.

The Base Coat option applies a corrosion-resistant finish to the bare steel core. The Full Coat option applies Encapsaloc, a polyurea-based coating that encapsulates the steel and significantly reduces spall and fragmentation after a ballistic strike. For any use case where spall containment matters — close-quarters environments, vehicle use, or any context where bystanders or gear are nearby — the Full Coat variant is the stronger choice.

Specifications

  • Brand: Spartan Armor Systems
  • Model: Spartan Omega AR500 Steel Body Armor Side Plates
  • Set contents: Two (2) side plates
  • NIJ standard: Meets NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level III
  • Threat rating: Level III — rated to stop rifle threats up to 7.62x51 M80 Ball
  • Plate size: 6" x 6"
  • Core thickness: 0.25" (6.35 mm)
  • Full Coat total thickness: 0.5"–0.6" (12.7–15.2 mm)
  • Weight — 6" x 6" Base Coat (set of two): 2 lbs 10 oz (1.1 kg)
  • Weight — 6" x 6" Full Coat (set of two): 2 lbs 15 oz (1.3 kg)
  • Steel material: Lab-certified AR500 ballistic-grade steel, sourced from US steel mills
  • Coating options: Base Coat (corrosion protection) or Full Coat with Encapsaloc (spall mitigation)
  • SKU: SAS-500SP
  • Warranty: 5-year warranty against manufacturer defects

Frequently asked questions

What plate carriers accept these side plates?

These plates fit standard 6" x 6" side plate pockets found on most full-featured plate carriers. Base Coat plates run 0.25" thick and fit virtually any side pocket. Full Coat plates run 0.5"–0.6" thick due to the Encapsaloc layer — confirm your carrier's pocket depth before selecting Full Coat. Contact us if you need fitment guidance for a specific carrier.

Are these NIJ Certified or do they meet NIJ standards?

These plates meet NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level III requirements. The vendor does not explicitly claim CPL listing status for this side plate SKU. If verified NIJ Compliant Products List status is a requirement for your application, check the NIJ CPL at nij.ojp.gov for this product before purchasing.

What is the difference between Base Coat and Full Coat?

Base Coat applies a corrosion-resistant finish only — the steel core is protected from rust but the spall and fragmentation pattern after a strike is unmitigated. Full Coat applies Encapsaloc, a polyurea coating that encapsulates the plate and significantly reduces spall and fragmentation after ballistic impact. Full Coat plates are heavier and thicker but provide meaningful additional protection to surrounding tissue and gear.

What does Level III actually stop?

Level III is rated to defeat rifle threats up to 7.62x51 M80 Ball (NATO 308 Winchester ball ammunition) at standard velocity. It is not rated for armor-piercing rounds, M855 (5.56 green-tip) at close range, or M80A1 enhanced performance rounds. If your threat profile includes those rounds, a Level III+ or Level IV plate is the appropriate choice for your primary coverage zones.

Do I need soft armor backers with these side plates?

These are standalone steel side plates. No soft armor backer is required for ballistic function. A trauma pad behind the plate can reduce blunt-force trauma from a strike — many carriers with side pockets accept thin trauma pad inserts alongside the plate.

Can this set be shipped to my state?

These plates cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor restrictions. All orders are subject to US export regulations. Under 18 U.S.C. § 931, anyone with a federal felony conviction for a crime of violence is prohibited from purchasing or possessing body armor.

 

Bulletproof Zone will ship orders as soon as possible. For example, if you purchase three items, they will be shipped to you based on lead time and availability. This way you get as much of your order as soon as possible, which means that your order may come in separate packages, especially if you order products from different manufacturers.

We will bear the shipping cost for products returned because of product defect, misrepresentation, or false description. Afterward, we will initiate a full reimbursement should you decline an offer to replace the item with the same item of equal value and assured quality.

Order Confirmation:

As soon as you place your order with Bulletproof Zone, you will receive an order confirmation e-mail. This means that your order has been logged in our system and your credit card has been pre-authorized for the purchase. Afterward, we contact our suppliers to confirm the availability of the product you are ordering for immediate shipment. If your item is on backorder or unavailable, we will cancel the pre-authorization and duly inform you via e-mail.

Order Shipment:

Orders are shipped within five business days from the date of your order unless specified otherwise on the product page. The product page will contain the most accurate estimate on shipping and lead times. Shipping and lead times provided on the product page are our best estimates based various factors including order volume, information from our manufacturer, raw material fluctuations, etc., and may vary due to these factors. 

You will receive an email containing the tracking information of your order after the order has been shipped to your location. If you do not receive tracking information from us within seven business days of the lead time specified on the product page, feel free to follow up with us at orders@bulletproofzone.com.

 

Bulletproof Zone is not responsible for lost or stolen packages. A tracking number will be provided when the package is shipped. It is the buyer’s responsibility to provide a safe place to receive mail. Once an item has been marked as delivered by the carrier, the seller is not responsible should that item go missing. 

Some of our products are carried by manufacturers in various countries. Due to the nature and cost of the products that Bulletproof Zone sells, you may be charged additional import duties upon delivery. Our support team can help in investigating abnormally high import duty charges but we are unable to cover the cost of any import duties.

Damages:

We take full responsibility for any obvious damage to your product caused by wrong packaging or delivering an already defective product. Please inspect the packaging of your item(s) when they arrive, if you notice any damage, you should document it when signing for delivery. If the item(s) contained in the package arrives damaged, please send photos to support@bulletproofzone.com, and we will process an insurance claim on your behalf. 

Returns and Cancellation Policy:

We back all our products with a customer satisfaction guarantee, so we created a fair return and cancellation policy.

All sales are final. No Refunds, No Cancellations. In most cases, once the order is processed, it is final and not cancellable. We may allow exceptions due to an order error or wish to return your order after delivery for any reason other than a product defect or misrepresentation. Any cancellation request is subject to an administration and cancellation fee equal to 10% of your order with a minimum of $35, whether order shipment is successful or not. 

 

All sales are final on all closeout items and for custom manufactured bulletproof clothing once the manufacturing process has begun or not returnable unless there is a product defect or misrepresentation. Applicable to brands such as MC Armor, Israel Catalog, BulletBlocker, Tacticon Armament, Wonder Hoodie, and others. 

Before returning any product, you MUST obtain a return authorization from our customer service representative. We can only process AUTHORIZED returns for items.

To make a Return or Exchange: 

  • Obtain authorization for return or exchange by emailing us at support@bulletproofzone.com explaining the reason for the return or exchange.
  • Please use or indicate your order number as attention

Return or exchanges request submission must be within 14 calendar days upon receipt of shipment unless noted otherwise on the product description page.  Your return must be in original packaging and unused.

We encourage using USPS flat-rate shipping in returning products to receive a shipping expense refund. Buyers must ensure all returned parcels delivery receipt AND signature confirmation. We highly recommend insuring your parcel as we cannot issue a refund for an item that we do not receive back should it get lost/damaged during transit.

Refunds:

Should an item be returned because it was defective, misrepresented, not as described, etc., Bulletproof Zone will issue a full refund and will reimburse the customer for all shipping expenses associated with the return.

Please allow 5-10 business days from the time the item is received to process a refund. Refunds will only be issued to the original credit card that you use when placing your order.

We stand behind our products 100%!

By purchasing any of our items, the buyer certifies they have read and agree to our shipping, return, and privacy policies.

The Bulletproof Zone Promise

When you buy body armor, you're buying your safety. We don't take that lightly. Here's what every order from Bulletproof Zone includes.

1. Authorized dealer of every brand we carry

Every plate, vest, and carrier we ship comes from the manufacturer directly to our warehouse. We don't sell gray-market product, surplus, or returns. That means factory-fresh stock, the full manufacturer warranty, and real after-sale support — the kind only an authorized dealer can offer.

We maintain authorized-dealer relationships with America's leading body armor brands, including Spartan Armor Systems, AR500 Armor, RMA Defense, Shellback Tactical, Caliber Armor, DFNDR Armor, Protection Group Denmark, BulletSafe, BulletBlocker, and over 40 more.

2. Best price, guaranteed

If you find a lower price at another authorized dealer of the same product within six months of your purchase, we'll refund the difference.

Why the "authorized dealer" requirement? Because gray-market and surplus armor may not be genuine, may have a compromised supply chain, and almost never comes with a manufacturer warranty. We won't price-match against products that may not actually protect you.

3. Free fitment consultation

Body armor only protects you if it fits. Email us a photo and your measurements before you order, and one of our specialists will help you size your carrier and plates correctly — at no charge, no obligation.

4. Trusted by thousands of customers

Bulletproof Zone has been a trusted authorized dealer of America's leading body armor manufacturers for over five years. We have over 4,000 verified Trustpilot reviews from real customers across all 50 states.

Price Match Guarantee — Terms

  • You must have purchased the item from our website before requesting the price match.
  • Discounted items and "free with purchase" items are not eligible.
  • The item must be in stock on the competitor's website at the time of your request.
  • The price match is valid for six months from the date of your purchase.
  • The competitor must be an authorized dealer of the product. Auction sites (eBay, Overstock), discounters, and gray-market resellers do not qualify.
  • The competitor must operate an online store. Brick-and-mortar-only retailers do not qualify.
  • Price match applies to the item price plus shipping. Sales tax is excluded.

To request a price match, email us a link to the product on our site and the same product on the competitor's site within six months of purchase. We'll process the refund.

Why Bulletproof Zone?

At Bulletproof Zone, we are passionate about protecting lives. Every piece from our catalog is designed and rigorously tested to provide the highest quality of protection you need from firearms, explosives or even close quarters combat.

We’ve partnered with various manufacturers that operate within the United States under a strict set of guidelines both on a national and corporate level so that when you shop with us, you will be able to select from the highest quality body armor, ballistic plates and tactical gear available on the market.

Whether you are a military service member looking to find your own gear, a professional that operates in the security field, or an avid firearms enthusiast that capitalizes the importance of safety when shooting, our tactical gear will provide you the level of protection you need.

Any questions or concerns? Please call us at (408)-909-4938 or email us at support@bulletproofzone.com and a member of our professional support team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

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