- Product Details
- Shipping and Returns
- The BPZ Promise
- Why Bulletproof Zone?
The DFNDR Armor Level III+ Rifle Rated Body Armor Plate is the brand's flagship hard armor insert, built from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber bound in a resin matrix. At 2.5 lbs for a Medium size plate, it delivers stand-alone rifle protection against 7.62x39 mild steel core and PS Ball threats — plus standard lead-core .308, 7.62, .223, and 5.56 rounds — in a multi-curve profile engineered for all-day wear. Plates are sold individually; purchase two for front and back coverage. Available in multiple sizes to fit standard plate carriers.
Who this is for
- Everyday carriers and professionals: anyone who needs rifle-rated ballistic protection at minimum areal density and needs to wear plates for extended periods without fatigue
- Responders and civilians seeking AK-47 threat coverage: the plate is specifically engineered to defeat the 7.62x39 mild steel core and PS Ball rounds that standard NIJ Level III plates are not rated for
- Plate carrier users who prioritize ergonomics: the multi-curve profile and Trauma Mitigation Base work together to maintain comfort against the torso while absorbing impact energy
Ballistic performance
The Level III+ plate is built from UHMWPE fiber bonded in a resin matrix — a construction that achieves hard stand-alone armor performance at substantially lower weight than steel or ceramic alternatives. The medium size comes in at 2.5 lbs, making a two-plate front-and-back setup approximately 5 lbs before a carrier.
This system is independently tested and certified to the NIJ 0101.06 protocol at NIJ-certified ballistic laboratories in a stand-alone configuration. The threat profile covers Mild Steel Core 7.62x39 (Chinese) and PS Ball 7.62x39 (Russian) AK-47 loads, along with standard lead-core .308, 7.62, .223, and 5.56 rounds. All threats are tested at muzzle velocity. Spall-Tek is integrated into the plate construction to reduce deflection of projectile fragments after impact.
A Trauma Mitigation Base is built into every plate to minimize the energy transferred to the wearer's body during a ballistic event.
Plate compatibility and cut geometry
The plate uses a multi-curve profile designed to conform to the natural contour of the torso for all-day wear in a stand-alone configuration. The multi-curve geometry fits the majority of plate carriers that accept standard hard armor inserts. If you need confirmation that a specific carrier accepts this plate's profile, contact us before ordering.
Specifications
- Brand: DFNDR Armor
- Model: Level III+ Rifle Rated Body Armor Plate
- NIJ designation: Special Threat Rated Level III+; independently tested and certified to NIJ 0101.06 protocol at NIJ-certified ballistic labs, stand-alone configuration
- Construction: Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber in resin matrix
- Curve profile: Multi-curve
- Configuration: Stand-alone hard armor
- Weight (Medium): 2.5 lbs
- Spall mitigation: Spall-Tek integrated
- Trauma mitigation: Trauma Mitigation Base integrated
- Rated threats: 7.62x39 Mild Steel Core (Chinese), 7.62x39 PS Ball (Russian), .308 lead core, 7.62 lead core, .223 lead core, 5.56 lead core — all tested at muzzle velocity
- Sold as: Individual plate (purchase two for front and back)
- Country of manufacture: USA
- TSA restrictions: None
Fit and carrier compatibility
The multi-curve hard plate is designed to be worn in a stand-alone configuration directly against the body or inside a plate carrier. The profile fits standard plate pockets sized for the purchased plate dimension. To confirm fitment with a specific carrier — particularly if you run a non-standard cut or an older-generation cummerbund system — contact us before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Is this plate NIJ Certified or NIJ Listed?
This plate is independently tested and certified to the NIJ 0101.06 protocol at NIJ-certified ballistic laboratories in a stand-alone configuration. The designation is Special Threat Rated Level III+, which covers the 7.62x39 mild steel core and PS Ball threats that fall outside the standard NIJ Level III round set. For current NIJ Compliant Products List status, check the NIJ CPL at nij.ojp.gov.
What rounds does this plate stop?
It is rated for 7.62x39 Mild Steel Core (Chinese), 7.62x39 PS Ball (Russian), standard lead-core .308, 7.62, .223, and 5.56 — all tested at muzzle velocity. This plate is not rated for Level IV armor-piercing threats such as .30 caliber M2 AP.
What is the difference between Level III and Level III+?
NIJ Level III covers six standard rifle rounds but does not include 7.62x39 mild steel core or PS Ball. Level III+ is a Special Threat designation added by manufacturers to indicate the plate has been independently tested against those additional threats. This plate carries the Level III+ designation because it defeats both 7.62x39 MSC and PS Ball loads that a standard Level III plate may not stop.
How heavy is a two-plate setup?
The Medium size plate weighs 2.5 lbs. A standard front-and-back two-plate setup totals approximately 5 lbs of plate weight before adding the carrier. This is among the lower areal-density configurations available in rifle-rated hard armor.
What does Spall-Tek do?
Spall-Tek is integrated into the plate to reduce the deflection of projectile fragments after a round impacts the plate. Fragment deflection can cause secondary injury even when the primary threat is stopped; Spall-Tek addresses this by containing or redirecting those fragments.
Can this plate be shipped to my state?
This plate cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor purchase restrictions. It is 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.
