Spartan Armor Omega AR500 Level III Steel Body Armor Plate

The Spartan Armor Omega AR500 Steel Body Armor Plate is a Level III rifle-rated hard plate manufactured from 0.25" thick lab-certified AR500 ballistic-grade steel sourced from USA steel mills. It meets NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level III, stopping rifle threats up to 7.62 M80 Ball. Each plate ships as a single unit and is available in Shooters Cut or High Mobility Cut, in Single Curve or the patented Advanced Triple Curve (ATC) geometry, and in Base Coat (corrosion protection) or Full Coat (Encapsaloc spall-mitigation coating). The 10" x 12" and 11" x 14" sizes cover the two most common plate pocket dimensions found in plate carriers today.

Who this is for

  • First-time plate buyers looking for an entry-level steel plate that meets a published NIJ standard at a price well below comparable ceramic options.
  • Plate carrier owners who run standard 10x12 or 11x14 pockets and want a drop-in rifle-rated plate without additional fitment research.
  • Range and training users who want a durable steel plate that tolerates high round counts and repeated handling without the fragility concerns of monolithic ceramic.

Ballistic performance

The Omega AR500 plate is constructed from 0.25" AR500 ballistic-grade steel — a hardness designation that resists deformation under rifle-caliber impacts. The plate meets NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level III, which covers six rounds of 7.62x51 M80 Ball at up to 2,780 fps. Spartan Armor lists the threat ceiling as 7.62 M80 Ball; rounds above this threshold — including M855A1 (steel penetrator), M193 at close range, and M2 AP — are not rated for this plate.

Two coating options address the spall hazard inherent to all steel armor. The Base Coat applies a corrosion-resistant finish only and does not mitigate spall or fragmentation. The Full Coat applies Encapsaloc, a proprietary coating that significantly reduces fragmentation risks by capturing spall against the plate face. For any use case where the plate may be worn against or near the body, the Full Coat / Encapsaloc configuration is the functionally appropriate choice.

Plate compatibility and cut geometry

The Omega AR500 is available in two cuts. The Shooters Cut trims the upper corners for increased shoulder and rifle-stock mobility while maintaining the full 10x12 or 11x14 coverage area in the chest strike zone. The High Mobility Cut removes additional material from the upper plate to further reduce shoulder interference — at a modest weight reduction compared to the Shooters Cut. Both cuts ship in the same plate pocket sizes and are compatible with any carrier accepting standard Shooters Cut plates.

Curve options are Single Curve and the patented Advanced Triple Curve (ATC). Single Curve bends along one axis and suits flat or minimally contoured plate pockets. The ATC conforms along three axes to follow the natural curvature of the torso, reducing stand-off distance and improving comfort during extended wear. Both curve options share the same weight and thickness specifications.

Specifications

  • NIJ Standard: Meets NIJ 0101.06 Level III
  • Threat rating: Rated to stop rifle threats up to 7.62x51 M80 Ball
  • Material: 0.25" lab-certified AR500 ballistic-grade steel, sourced from USA steel mills
  • Coating options: Base Coat (corrosion protection only) or Full Coat (Encapsaloc spall-mitigation coating)
  • Cut options: Shooters Cut, High Mobility Cut
  • Curve options: Single Curve, Advanced Triple Curve (ATC) — patented
  • Sizes available: 10" x 12", 11" x 14"
  • Thickness — Base Coat: 0.25" (6.35 mm)
  • Thickness — Full Coat: 0.5"–0.6" (12.7–15.2 mm)
  • Weight — 10x12 Shooters Cut, Base Coat: 8 lbs 10 oz (3.91 kg)
  • Weight — 10x12 Shooters Cut, Full Coat: 9 lbs 11 oz (4.41 kg)
  • Weight — 11x14 Shooters Cut, Base Coat: 10 lbs 1 oz (4.56 kg)
  • Weight — 11x14 Shooters Cut, Full Coat: 11 lbs 6 oz (5.16 kg)
  • Weight — 10x12 High Mobility Cut, Base Coat: 7 lbs 7 oz (3.37 kg)
  • Weight — 10x12 High Mobility Cut, Full Coat: 8 lbs 1 oz (3.66 kg)
  • Warranty: 5-year warranty against manufacturer defects
  • SKU: SA-500 / MPN: SAS-AR5001012S

Fit and carrier compatibility

Both the 10" x 12" and 11" x 14" sizes fit the standard plate pockets found in the overwhelming majority of plate carriers sold today. The Shooters Cut profile is the industry default and will seat correctly in any carrier designed around that geometry. The High Mobility Cut occupies the same pocket footprint and does not require a special carrier. The ATC curve variant is designed for carriers with flexible or segmented plate bags; flat-walled rigid pockets may not fully seat an ATC plate — contact us if you need fitment confirmation before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

What rounds does the Omega AR500 stop?

The plate is rated to stop rifle threats up to 7.62x51 M80 Ball under NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level III. Rounds outside this rating — including 5.56x45 M855A1 (green-tip steel penetrator), M2 AP (.30-06 armor-piercing), and 7.62x39 mild steel core at close range — are not covered by this threat rating.

Is this plate NIJ Listed on the Compliant Products List?

The Omega AR500 meets NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level III. For current CPL listing status of specific variants, check the NIJ Compliant Products List at nij.ojp.gov.

What is the difference between Base Coat and Full Coat?

Base Coat applies a corrosion-resistant finish only — it does not capture spall or fragmentation on impact. Full Coat applies Encapsaloc, a proprietary coating that significantly reduces fragmentation risks by containing spall against the plate face. For worn use, the Full Coat configuration is the appropriate choice.

What is the difference between Single Curve and Advanced Triple Curve (ATC)?

Single Curve bends along one axis and fits standard flat-pocket carriers. The ATC bends along three axes to conform to the natural curvature of the torso, reducing stand-off and improving comfort. Both options share identical ballistic performance, weight, and thickness specifications.

What is the difference between Shooters Cut and High Mobility Cut?

Shooters Cut trims the upper plate corners to improve shoulder and stock-mounting clearance. High Mobility Cut removes additional upper-plate material for even greater shoulder range of motion and a modest weight reduction. Both cuts fit standard Shooters Cut plate pockets in most carriers.

Can this plate be shipped to my state?

This plate cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor 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.

Customer Reviews

Based on 8 reviews
75%
(6)
25%
(2)
0%
(0)
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K
Kendall Jackson
Very happy

Very happy with my purchase great plates not to heavy to wear very well made and has the information on the plates unlike some companies

D
Darren

First of all. I am a repeat customer and purchased 5 armor plates. 4 IIIA Soft Shooters Cut, and 1 Shooter's Cut AR500 Steel Armor vest plate. With the active shooters taking out innocent people, I think it's about time to purchase the AR500. I also purchased 2 concealed vest plate carriers.

E
Erik

A+

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Mr.

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