- Product Details
- Shipping and Returns
- The BPZ Promise
- Why Bulletproof Zone?
The Level III+ Lightweight Hard Armor Plate from Level 4 Armor combines a silicon carbide strike face bonded to a UHMWPE backer in a stand-alone 10" x 12" plate weighing approximately 3.9 lbs. Rated Special Threat Level III+, it stops rifle rounds up to and including 7.62x54R-L at 2,840 fps and covers the full range of common intermediate and full-power cartridges shown in the ballistic table below. One plate per unit; a standard two-plate chest rig runs approximately 7.8 lbs in ballistic weight.
Who this is for
- Civilian home defenders and range shooters who want rifle-rated protection at a weight that doesn't sacrifice mobility during extended wear
- Armed professionals and security personnel needing stand-alone Level III+ coverage without relying on a soft armor backer
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking a silicon carbide composite plate that addresses M855/SS109 green-tip and mild steel core threats often excluded from standard NIJ Level III ratings
Ballistic performance
Silicon carbide is a hard ceramic that fractures and defeats rifle projectiles on impact. The UHMWPE composite backer captures the fragments and spreads residual energy across the panel. Together they produce a plate that handles both high-velocity 5.56 threats and heavier 7.62 projectiles while keeping weight near the 4 lb mark.
This plate is rated Stand Alone, meaning it stops the listed threats without a soft armor backer installed behind it. The Level III+ designation covers threats beyond the standard NIJ Level III round set, specifically including M855/SS109 green-tip and 7.62x39 mild steel core rounds that standard Level III plates are not tested against.
Ballistic test data
| Round | Bullet Type | Velocity (fps) | Velocity (m/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.62x63mm | JSP | 2,780 | 847 |
| 7.62x54R-LPS | LPS | 2,300 | 701 |
| 7.62x54R-L | L | 2,840 | 865 |
| 7.62x51mm | M80 | 2,780 | 847 |
| 7.62x39mm | Mild Steel Core | 2,380 | 725 |
| 7.62x39mm | Ball | 2,370 | 725 |
| 5.56x45mm | M193 | 3,150 | 960 |
| 5.56x45mm | M855/SS109 (Green Tip) | 3,117 | 950 |
Plate compatibility and cut geometry
This plate ships in a single 10" x 12" size. The cut and curve geometry are not specified by the manufacturer; contact us to confirm fitment with your specific plate carrier before ordering. The 10x12 format is the most common plate pocket dimension and seats correctly in the vast majority of plate carriers designed for that size.
Specifications
- Threat rating: Special Threat Level III+
- Configuration: Stand Alone
- Material: Silicon Carbide + UHMWPE
- Size: 10" x 12"
- Weight: approx. 3.9 lbs per plate
- Maximum rated threat: 7.62x54R-L at 2,840 fps
- SKU: 120
Fit and carrier compatibility
The 10" x 12" plate size fits plate carriers with a standard 10x12 plate pocket. Shooters Cut, SAPI Cut, and square-cornered pockets all accommodate this footprint, though corner clearance varies by carrier model. If your carrier uses a different plate pocket size or you are stacking a soft armor backer behind this plate, contact us before ordering to confirm the fit.
Frequently asked questions
What rounds does this plate stop?
This plate stops 7.62x63mm JSP, 7.62x54R-LPS and L, 7.62x51mm M80, 7.62x39mm mild steel core and ball, 5.56x45mm M193, and 5.56x45mm M855/SS109 green tip. Full velocities for each round are listed in the ballistic table above.
What is the difference between Level III, Level III+, and Level IV?
Standard NIJ Level III plates are tested against six rounds including 7.62x51mm M80 ball. Level III+ is a vendor-defined designation indicating coverage of additional threats such as M855/SS109 green tip and 7.62x39 mild steel core that fall outside the standard Level III test suite. Level IV is NIJ-standardized and covers armor-piercing 30-caliber M2 AP at 2,880 fps. This plate is rated Level III+, not Level IV, and is not tested against M2 AP.
Is this plate NIJ Listed or NIJ Certified?
This plate carries a Special Threat Level III+ designation. The Level III+ rating is a vendor-defined special threat classification, not a separate NIJ standard. It is not currently listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List for Level III+ as no formal CPL category exists for that designation. Buyers who require a CPL-listed plate should look at Level III or Level IV options with confirmed CPL entries.
Does this plate need a soft armor backer?
No. This is a Stand Alone plate, meaning it defeats the listed threats without a soft armor backer installed. Adding a soft armor panel behind it can reduce backface deformation further, but the plate performs to its rated threat levels on its own.
How heavy is a two-plate setup?
Each plate weighs approximately 3.9 lbs, so a standard front-and-back configuration runs approximately 7.8 lbs in plate weight before adding the carrier, accessories, or side plates.
Can this plate be shipped to my state?
Body armor cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state-level restrictions on civilian body armor sales. Outside those states, this plate ships to all US addresses. 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.
