- Product Details
- Shipping and Returns
- The BPZ Promise
- Why Bulletproof Zone?
The Shellback Tactical Banshee Level IV Body Armor Kit pairs the original Banshee Rifle plate carrier with two Prevail Series Model 4S17 alumina ceramic hard armor plates rated NIJ 0101.06 Level IV and listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List. The 4S17 plates are stand-alone rated, NIJ-listed, and special-threat-rated to defeat M855A1 armor-piercing rounds in addition to the NIJ Level IV test round (.30 Cal M2 AP at 2,880 fps). Each plate weighs 7.2 lbs, measures a nominal 9.5" x 11.5" in 10x12 Shooters Cut single-curve format, and carries a 10-year ballistic warranty. The Banshee Rifle carrier adds a lifetime warranty against manufacturing and material defects. This kit ships in 24 hours and is NTOA-approved and GSA/TAA compliant.
Who this is for
- Law enforcement officers and first responders who need NIJ-Listed Level IV rifle protection in a low-profile, NTOA-approved carrier ready to deploy without a build-out period.
- Civilians and prepared-household owners seeking a complete, certified plate-and-carrier solution that requires no separate plate sourcing or compatibility research.
- Budget-conscious buyers who refuse to compromise on certification — the kit delivers NIJ CPL-listed Level IV ceramic plates and a battle-tested carrier at a price well below comparable certified setups.
Ballistic performance
The Model 4S17 is constructed of alumina ceramic with a composite backing layer. It achieves full edge-to-edge stand-alone Level IV protection, meaning no soft armor backer is required for the rated threat performance. The plate is NIJ 0101.06 Level IV certified and listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List — not simply "tested to" the standard. It is also DEA hard armor protocol compliant.
Beyond the NIJ test round, the 4S17 carries special threat ratings that cover the 5.56x45 M855A1 enhanced performance round (62 gr at 3,100 fps) and the 7.62x39 BZ API (122 gr at 2,380 fps) — rounds that standard Level III plates do not reliably defeat. Multi-hit rated with full edge-to-edge coverage. The exterior is fully sealed in 1000 Denier Cordura nylon to protect against liquids, chemicals, and harsh environmental exposure.
Independent ballistic test data
| Standard | Projectile | Grain | Velocity (ft/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIJ 0101.06 | .30 Cal M2 AP | 166 | 2,880 |
| DEA 2017 | .223 Tact Bonded | 62 | 2,600 |
| DEA 2017 | 5.56x45 M855 | 62 | 3,100 |
| DEA 2017 | 7.62x39 MSC | 123 | 2,400 |
| DEA 2017 | 7.62 FMJ M80 | 147 | 2,750 |
| DEA 2017 | .308 Win PSPB | 150 | 2,600 |
| Special | 5.56x45 M855A1 | 62 | 3,100 |
| Special | 5.56x45 M193 | 55 | 3,250 |
| Special | 7.62x39 BZ API | 122 | 2,380 |
| Special | 7.62x51 M61AP | 150 | 2,750 |
| Special | 7.62x54R LPS | 145 | 2,880 |
Plate compatibility and cut geometry
The 4S17 plates ship in 10x12 Shooters Cut, single-curve format. The nominal plate size is 9.5" x 11.5" (actual measurement), at 0.95" thick. The Banshee Rifle carrier accepts both 10x12 Shooter Cut and SAPI cut ballistic plates. The removable cummerbund accepts 13.75" x 5.5" soft armor inserts for side coverage, and the front kangaroo pocket accepts kangaroo-style plate inserts. Two ID placard loop areas — front and rear — are pre-installed.
Banshee Rifle plate carrier features
The Banshee Rifle is constructed of 500 Denier nylon with heavy-duty bar tacking at every key stress point. PALS webbing covers the front, back, and shoulders, giving full MOLLE attachment coverage for pouches, accessories, and mission-specific loadouts. The cummerbund is removable and includes both interior and exterior PALS for side plate mounting. Front and rear panels, plus the shoulder areas, are fully adjustable and padded. A quick-release secondary securing system, rear drag handle, and wire/antenna/hydration hose guides round out the functional feature set. The carrier maintains a low-profile design for mobility without sacrificing attachment real estate.
The Banshee Rifle is NTOA-approved and currently approved for use with the Los Angeles Police Department. It is GSA and TAA compliant, making it eligible for government procurement. The carrier is backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing and material defects.
Specifications
- Kit contents: Banshee Rifle Plate Carrier x1 + Prevail Series Model 4S17 Level IV Hard Armor Plates x2
- Plate NIJ certification: NIJ 0101.06 Level IV — listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List
- Special threat rating: M855A1 (5.56x45, 62 gr, 3,100 fps); DEA 2017 hard armor protocol compliant
- Plate construction: Alumina ceramic with composite backing; 1000 Denier Cordura nylon exterior cover
- Plate cut / curve: 10x12 Shooters Cut, single curve (nominal 9.5" x 11.5")
- Plate thickness: 0.95"
- Plate weight: 7.2 lbs each
- Protection type: Stand-alone, full edge-to-edge, multi-hit rated
- Plate warranty: 10-year ballistic warranty
- Country of origin (plates): Made in the USA
- Carrier material: 500 Denier nylon
- Carrier plate compatibility: 10x12 Shooter Cut and SAPI cut plates
- Cummerbund soft armor insert size: 13.75" x 5.5"
- Carrier approvals: NTOA approved; LAPD approved; GSA and TAA compliant
- Carrier warranty: Lifetime against manufacturing and material defects
- Export control: ITAR controlled — cannot be exported without US State Department approval
Fit and carrier compatibility
The Banshee Rifle carrier adjusts at the front, back, and shoulder areas with padded panels throughout. The removable cummerbund provides lateral adjustability and accepts 13.75" x 5.5" soft armor inserts for expanded side coverage. The carrier is sized for 10x12 plates in either Shooter Cut or SAPI cut — the included 4S17 plates fit directly without modification. If you need help confirming fit for your body measurements or want to discuss size options, contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Model 4S17 NIJ Certified or just tested to NIJ standards?
NIJ Certified. The 4S17 is NIJ 0101.06 Level IV certified and listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List — it has gone through the full third-party certification process, not just in-house or preliminary testing. That distinction matters for procurement, department approval, and legal defensibility of use.
What rounds does the 4S17 defeat beyond the standard Level IV test round?
The NIJ Level IV test round is the .30 Cal M2 AP at 2,880 fps. Beyond that, the 4S17 is special-threat-rated to stop 5.56x45 M855A1 (62 gr at 3,100 fps), 5.56x45 M193 (55 gr at 3,250 fps), 7.62x39 BZ API (122 gr at 2,380 fps), 7.62x51 M61AP, 7.62x54R LPS, and several DEA-protocol rounds. See the full ballistic test table above for velocities and grain weights.
Does this plate require a soft armor backer?
No. The 4S17 is stand-alone rated, meaning it meets its full Level IV threat performance without a soft armor backer behind it. Adding a backer is optional — the Banshee cummerbund accepts 13.75" x 5.5" soft armor inserts for side coverage — but the front and rear plates perform to spec on their own.
What is the difference between Level III, Level III+, and Level IV?
NIJ Level III is tested against 7.62x51 FMJ M80 ball at 2,780 fps. Level III+ is a vendor-specific special threat designation (not an NIJ standard) typically covering M855 and M193. Level IV is the highest NIJ hard armor standard and requires defeat of .30 Cal M2 AP (armor-piercing) at 2,880 fps — a round that Level III and most Level III+ plates do not stop. The 4S17 is NIJ-Listed Level IV.
How heavy is a two-plate setup, and does the carrier add significant weight?
Each 4S17 plate weighs 7.2 lbs, so the two-plate load is 14.4 lbs of ballistic material. The Banshee Rifle carrier is built from 500 Denier nylon with a low-profile design — it keeps the system as light as the plates allow. For reference, comparable ceramic Level IV plates from other manufacturers typically fall in the 7–8.5 lb range per plate.
Can this kit be shipped to my state?
This kit cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor purchase restrictions. It is also ITAR controlled and cannot be exported without approval from the US State Department. 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. Check your local and state laws before ordering.
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.
