- Product Details
- Shipping and Returns
- The BPZ Promise
- Why Bulletproof Zone?
The Shellback Tactical Prevail Series Model 4S17 is a 10x12 Level IV hard armor plate, NIJ 0101.06 Certified and listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List, manufactured in the USA from alumina ceramic with a composite backing. At 7.2 lbs and 0.95 inches thick, it delivers full edge-to-edge stand-alone protection against armor-piercing rifle rounds — including .30 Cal M2 AP, M855, M855A1, and 7.62x51 M61 AP — and carries a 10-year ballistic warranty. Available in single-curve Shooters Cut at a nominal 9.5 x 11.5-inch actual dimension, sold as a single plate.
Who this is for
- Active-shooter responders: first responders and armed civilians who need NIJ-Listed Level IV stand-alone coverage without a soft armor backer
- Tactical operators: anyone running a plate carrier for patrol, training, or duty use who requires documented, CPL-listed ballistic certification against AP threats
- Budget-conscious buyers: shooters who want verified Level IV ceramic protection at a price well below most comparable NIJ-Listed plates
Ballistic performance
The 4S17 is built around an alumina ceramic strike face bonded to a composite backing, a construction that absorbs and disrupts AP projectiles before the backing captures residual energy. The plate provides full edge-to-edge protection — not just center-plate coverage — and is rated for multi-hit performance. Its stand-alone rating means it functions without a soft armor backer, simplifying loadout and keeping carrier compatibility broad.
The plate is DEA hard armor protocol compliant and special-threat rated to stop M855 and M855A1 armor-piercing rounds, extending its documented performance well beyond the NIJ 0101.06 Level IV baseline (.30 Cal M2 AP at 2,880 fps). The 1,000-denier Cordura nylon cover seals the ceramic core against liquids, chemicals, and field conditions.
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 Threat | 5.56x45 M855A1 | 62 | 3,100 |
| Special Threat | 5.56x45 M193 | 55 | 3,250 |
| Special Threat | 7.62x39 BZ API | 122 | 2,380 |
| Special Threat | 7.62x51 M61 AP | 150 | 2,750 |
| Special Threat | 7.62x54R LPS | 145 | 2,880 |
Plate compatibility and cut geometry
The 4S17 ships in a single-curve Shooters Cut. The nominal size is 10x12 inches; actual measurement is 9.5 x 11.5 inches, which is standard for this cut. Shooters Cut removes material at the upper shoulder corners compared to a SAPI cut, giving better shoulder and arm mobility while still covering the vital zone. The plate seats directly in any carrier with a 10x12 Shooters Cut pocket — including Shellback's own Banshee, Banshee Elite, Patriot, and Rampage carriers — and in the large majority of third-party carriers sized for the same format. No soft armor backer is required due to the stand-alone rating, though a trauma pad can be added for blunt-force trauma mitigation. This listing covers a single plate; order two for a front-and-back set.
Specifications
- NIJ Certification: NIJ Listed under 0101.06 Level IV; listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List
- Special Threat Rating: DEA hard armor protocol compliant; Special Threat rated for M855, M855A1, M193, 7.62x39 BZ API, 7.62x51 M61 AP, 7.62x54R LPS
- Construction: Alumina ceramic with composite backing; 1,000-denier Cordura nylon cover
- Protection type: Stand-alone; full edge-to-edge
- Multi-hit rated: Yes
- Plate cut: Shooters Cut
- Curvature: Single curve
- Nominal size: 10x12 in (actual 9.5 x 11.5 in)
- Thickness: 0.95 in
- Weight: 7.2 lbs per plate
- Ballistic warranty: 10 years
- Country of origin: USA
- Sold as: Single plate
Fit and carrier compatibility
The 4S17 seats in any plate carrier with a standard 10x12 Shooters Cut plate pocket. At 0.95 inches thick and 7.2 lbs, it fits the same pocket envelope as other single-curve 10x12 ceramic plates. Shellback's own Banshee Elite 2.0, Patriot, and Banshee carriers are confirmed-compatible by the manufacturer. Most third-party carriers sized for 10x12 Shooters Cut will accept this plate without modification. If you're pairing with a carrier not listed here, contact us to confirm compatibility before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 4S17 NIJ Certified or NIJ Listed?
Both. The 4S17 is NIJ 0101.06 Certified and listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List, meaning it passed independent third-party ballistic testing under NIJ's formal certification program — not just manufacturer testing. The NIJ certification marking and manufacturing date appear directly on each plate.
What rounds does the 4S17 stop?
At minimum, it stops the NIJ Level IV baseline: .30 Cal M2 AP at 2,880 fps. Beyond that, it is special-threat rated to stop 5.56x45 M855 and M855A1 at 3,100 fps, 5.56x45 M193 at 3,250 fps, 7.62x39 BZ API at 2,380 fps, 7.62x51 M61 AP at 2,750 fps, and 7.62x54R LPS at 2,880 fps, among other DEA-protocol rounds. See the full ballistic test data table above.
Will this plate stop M855A1 enhanced penetrator rounds?
Yes. M855A1 is listed as a Special Threat-rated stop for the 4S17 at 62 grains and 3,100 fps. This goes beyond the NIJ 0101.06 Level IV baseline, which specifies only .30 Cal M2 AP. Many Level IV plates do not explicitly rate for M855A1, so this is a meaningful addition to the certified threat coverage.
What is the difference between Level III, Level III+, and Level IV?
Level III covers common rifle threats including 7.62x51 M80 FMJ at 2,780 fps. Level III+ is a vendor-defined special-threat designation — not an NIJ standard — typically indicating the plate stops M855 green-tip at higher velocities than Level III. Level IV is the highest NIJ standard, requiring a stop of .30 Cal M2 AP (armor-piercing) at 2,880 fps. The 4S17 meets and exceeds Level IV.
Does this plate need a soft armor backer?
No. The 4S17 is stand-alone rated, meaning it functions at full ballistic performance without a soft armor backer behind it. A trauma pad can be added to reduce blunt-force trauma from rounds that do not penetrate, but no additional ballistic panel is required for the plate to perform to its rated level.
Can this plate be shipped to my state?
It cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor restrictions. It is ITAR-controlled and cannot be exported without U.S. State Department approval. 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.
