- Product Details
- Shipping and Returns
- The BPZ Promise
- Why Bulletproof Zone?
The Caliber Armor AV2 is a steel alloy body armor plate tested and verified to meet or exceed the ballistic requirements of NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level III and NIJ Standard-0101.07 RF2, with additional special threat testing against M855A1 and 7.62x54mmR. Available in 10x12 Shooters Cut, 10x12 SAPI Cut, and 11x14 Shooters Cut, the AV2 ships standard with an Advanced PolyShield Anti-Spall coating and an ergonomic multi-curve profile achieved in a single press — at no additional cost. Weighing 7.2 lbs for the 10x12 Shooters Cut variant, it shaves a full pound from the prior AR550 lineup while maintaining a half-inch profile.
Who this is for
- Law enforcement and security professionals who need a durable, long-service-life rifle plate without a mandatory five-year replacement cycle or x-ray inspection requirement.
- Team commanders and procurement officers looking to outfit multiple personnel at a competitive price without sacrificing RF2-rated ballistic performance.
- Civilian shooters and prepared individuals who want a multi-curve steel plate that rides comfortably for extended wear and covers vital organs without excessive bulk.
Ballistic performance
The AV2 is built from a proprietary steel alloy developed through three years of iterative testing across different thicknesses, materials, and heat-treating processes. The goal was to clear the ballistic requirements of both the draft RF1 and RF2 designations while reducing weight relative to earlier steel plate generations. The result meets or exceeds NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level III — six shots of 7.62x51mm M80 FMJ at 2,780 fps — and NIJ Standard-0101.07 RF2, which addresses the performance gap between legacy Level III and Level IV that the industry had previously filled with informal Level III+ designations.
Beyond the core RF2 requirement, the AV2 has been tested against the M855A1 enhanced performance round and 7.62x54mmR, two special threats that fall outside the standard test matrices. Official ballistic test reports are available upon request. The plate will not stop 30-06 M2 AP or other Level IV armor-piercing projectiles; for those threat profiles, a Level IV ceramic or composite plate is required.
Plate compatibility / cut geometry
The AV2 ships in three configurations: 10x12 Shooters Cut, 10x12 SAPI Style Cut, and 11x14 Shooters Cut. The Shooters Cut geometry reduces corner material to lower total weight while maintaining coverage over the vital organ zone. The SAPI Style Cut follows the standard military form factor for carriers designed around that profile. All three configurations feature the same multi-curve geometry, produced in a single-press bend process that Caliber Armor identifies as an industry first for steel plate construction. The multi-curve fit reduces pressure points during extended wear compared to flat or single-curve steel plates. The 10x12 footprint fits the majority of plate carriers on the market; the 11x14 is suited to larger carriers with extended front and rear plate pockets. Contact us if you need fit confirmation for a specific carrier.
Specifications
- Brand: Caliber Armor
- Model: AV2
- Material: Steel alloy
- NIJ rating: Tested and verified to NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level III and NIJ Standard-0101.07 RF2; additionally tested against special threats M855A1 and 7.62x54mmR
- Anti-spall coating: Advanced PolyShield Anti-Spall coating (standard, no extra cost)
- Thickness: 0.5 in (half-inch)
- Weight — 10x12 Shooters Cut: 7.2 lbs
- Weight — 10x12 SAPI Cut: 7.75 lbs
- Weight — 11x14 Shooters Cut: 8.25 lbs
- Curve: Multi-curve (single-press ergonomic bend)
- Available sizes / cuts: 10x12 Shooters Cut, 10x12 SAPI Style Cut, 11x14 Shooters Cut
- Sold: Singles
- Country of origin: Made in the U.S.A.
Fit and carrier compatibility
The 10x12 footprint is the most common hard plate size and seats in virtually all standard-sized plate carriers. The 11x14 Shooters Cut requires a carrier with a large plate pocket; verify your carrier's listed plate pocket dimensions before ordering. The SAPI Style Cut is designed for carriers with SAPI-specific pocket geometry and may not seat flush in carriers designed exclusively for Shooters Cut profiles. The multi-curve geometry means the AV2 is not flat — flat-pocket carriers without a curved seating surface may not achieve a flush fit. Contact us with your carrier model if you have questions about fitment before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What rounds does the AV2 stop?
The AV2 is tested and verified against the NIJ 0101.06 Level III standard (6 shots of 7.62x51mm M80 FMJ at 2,780 fps), the NIJ 0101.07 RF2 requirement, and special threats including M855A1 and 7.62x54mmR. It does not stop 30-06 M2 AP or equivalent Level IV armor-piercing projectiles. Official ballistic test reports are available upon request.
What is the difference between Level III, Level III+, and RF2?
Legacy NIJ 0101.06 Level III covers 7.62x51mm M80 FMJ at 2,780 fps. The body armor industry adopted Level III+ as an informal designation for plates stopping higher-velocity 5.56mm and 7.62x39mm steel core rounds — with no standardized definition. NIJ 0101.07 RF2 is the forthcoming standard's formalized equivalent, filling the performance gap between Level III and Level IV with defined test parameters. The AV2 is tested to RF2, making it a formally verified version of what was previously called Level III+.
What does PolyShield do and why does it matter?
Steel plates produce spall — fragments of bullet material and steel jacket — on impact. PolyShield is an advanced anti-spall coating applied to the strike face of the AV2. It significantly reduces fragmentation risks by containing spall that would otherwise travel toward the wearer's face, neck, and extremities. The coating ships standard on every AV2 at no additional cost.
Does the AV2 require a soft armor backer?
It depends on your threat environment and carrier setup. The AV2 with PolyShield coating addresses spall as a standalone plate. Adding a soft armor IIIA backer behind the plate increases multi-hit performance and provides additional blunt force trauma reduction. The plate functions without a backer, but pairing with soft armor is common in law enforcement configurations.
What is the difference between Shooters Cut and SAPI Cut?
Shooters Cut removes material from the upper corners of the plate, reducing weight and allowing greater arm mobility. SAPI Style Cut follows the military standard form factor with a more tapered top edge. Both cuts are available in the 10x12 size; 11x14 is available in Shooters Cut only. Choose based on your carrier's plate pocket geometry and your mobility requirements.
Can the AV2 be shipped to my state?
The AV2 cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor purchase restrictions on civilians. It is subject to U.S. export control regulations under EAR and ITAR; export or re-transfer to a foreign end user without written approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce or Department of State is prohibited. 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.
