- Product Details
- Shipping and Returns
- The BPZ Promise
- Why Bulletproof Zone?
The Spartan Armor AR550 is a Special Threat Rated Level III+/RF2 hard armor plate manufactured in the USA from American AR550 ballistic-grade steel. Independently tested at an NIJ-accredited laboratory against NIJ 0101.06 threat parameters, the AR550 stops 5.56 M193, 5.56 M855/SS109, 7.62 M80 ball, and 7.62×51 .308 Winchester at velocities up to 3,100 fps. Available in 10x12, 11x14, and Medium ESAPI sizes, in Shooters Cut or High Mobility Cut, with single-curve or Advanced Triple Curve (ATC) geometry, and a choice of Base Coat or Encapsaloc Full Coat.
Who this is for
- Law enforcement officers needing reliable Level III+ rifle-rated coverage at a cost-effective per-plate price.
- Military personnel and security professionals requiring multi-hit hard armor protection with proven AR550 metallurgy.
- Responsible civilians building home defense, range training, or vehicle-staged emergency preparedness setups.
Ballistic performance
AR550 is a through-hardened abrasion-resistant steel rated to Brinell hardness 550 — approximately 15% harder than the AR500 baseline. The added hardness allows the plate to defeat higher-velocity 5.56 rounds that defeat softer steel, including 5.56 M193 at 3,100 fps multi-hit and 7.62×51 M80 ball at 2,780 fps multi-hit. AR550 plates ship lab-certified and are manufactured entirely in the USA from American steel.
The Full Coat option provides superior fragmentation and spall mitigation, enhancing user safety by capturing bullet fragments and copper jacket spall that would otherwise deflect outward at high velocity. Base Coat provides corrosion protection only.
Independent ballistic test data
Threat data below is from Spartan Armor Systems' independent NIJ-accredited lab test report.
| Round | Velocity (fps) | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 5.56×45 M193 | 3,100 | Multi-hit stop |
| 5.56×45 M855 / SS109 | 3,025 | Multi-hit stop |
| 7.62×51 M80 ball (.308 Winchester) | 2,780 | Multi-hit stop |
Specifications
- NIJ threat designation: Special Threat Rated Level III+/RF2; single-curve Full Coat variants are NIJ Listed under 0101.06 Level III
- Material: AR550 ballistic-grade steel, Brinell 550, American sourced
- Weight per plate (10x12 Base Coat): 8 lbs 1 oz (3.66 kg)
- Weight per plate (10x12 Full Coat): 8 lbs 10 oz (3.91 kg)
- Weight per plate (10x12 High Mobility Base): 6 lbs 10 oz (3.01 kg)
- Thickness: 0.25 in (6.4 mm) Base Coat; 0.5 in Full Coat (Encapsaloc applied)
- Sizes: 10x12, 11x14, 9.5x12.5 Medium ESAPI
- Cuts: Shooters Cut, High Mobility Cut
- Geometry: Single Curve, Advanced Triple Curve (ATC)
- Coating: Base Coat (corrosion protection) or Encapsaloc Full Coat (fragmentation and spall mitigation)
- Country of origin: Manufactured entirely in the USA
- Warranty: 5-year warranty against manufacturer defects
Fit and carrier compatibility
The 10x12 Shooters Cut is the standard SAPI/ESAPI plate-pocket size and fits the majority of plate carriers from Spartan, Crye, Ferro, Velocity Systems, and Shellback Tactical. The 11x14 size provides extended coverage for users with larger torso dimensions; the 9.5x12.5 Medium ESAPI is sized for issued military and law enforcement carriers. High Mobility Cut shaves additional weight for prolonged dynamic movement. Refer to the size guide for carrier-specific fit before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the AR550 NIJ Certified or NIJ Listed?
The single-curve Full Coat variants are listed by NIJ as compliant with the 0101.06 standard at Level III. Other AR550 variants in this product family are marketed as Special Threat Rated Level III+/RF2, meaning they are independently tested at NIJ-accredited laboratories against NIJ 0101.06 threat parameters but are not all submitted to NIJ's Compliance Testing Program for inclusion on the Compliant Products List. Verify the specific variant against the NIJ CPL before duty-contract use.
Will the AR550 stop M855A1 or armor-piercing rounds?
No. The AR550 is rated against M193, M855/SS109, M80 ball, and 7.62×51 .308 Winchester at velocities up to 3,100 fps. M855A1 EPR uses a hardened steel penetrator that defeats Level III+ steel armor; choose a Level IV ceramic or composite plate for M855A1, M2 AP, or .30-06 AP threats.
What does the Encapsaloc Full Coat actually do?
When a high-velocity round strikes uncoated steel, the bullet fragments and copper jacket material can deflect laterally at near-original velocity. The Full Coat option provides superior fragmentation and spall mitigation, enhancing user safety by capturing these fragments before they escape the plate face. Base Coat provides corrosion protection only and does not address spall.
How heavy is a full two-plate setup?
Two 10x12 Base Coat plates weigh 16 lbs 2 oz (8 lbs 1 oz each). Two 10x12 Full Coat plates weigh 17 lbs 4 oz. The High Mobility Cut shaves roughly 1 lb 7 oz per plate. Add the carrier weight (typically 2-4 lbs) for total loadout. For prolonged daily wear, a lighter UHMWPE or hybrid composite plate may be more sustainable.
What is the difference between Single Curve and Advanced Triple Curve (ATC)?
Single Curve plates sit flatter against the chest and are comfortable for stationary or short-duration use. Advanced Triple Curve geometry contours more aggressively around the torso, improving ergonomics for prolonged dynamic movement at a marginal weight increase. ATC fits a slightly more restricted set of plate carriers — check the size guide.
Can the AR550 be shipped to my state?
The AR550 cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor restrictions, and 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. By placing an order you confirm you are legally eligible to own body armor in your jurisdiction.
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.
