Best Ceramic & UHMWPE Level III & IV Body Armor: Mira, RTS, RMA, Spartan, LAPG

Published on May 27, 2021
Duration: 30:27

This comprehensive review from Pew Pew Tactical, featuring John, dives deep into Level III and IV body armor. It meticulously tests various plates from brands like RMA, Spartan, Mira, RTS, LAPG, and AR500 against common and armor-piercing rounds, explaining NIJ standards and the nuances of 'Level III+'. The expert analysis highlights performance differences, material science, and failure points, offering valuable insights for armor selection.

Quick Summary

The Mira Tactical Level IV plate excelled in ballistic testing, successfully stopping multiple .30-06 AP rounds and M80 ball hits, outperforming other tested Level IV options like RTS Tactical and RMA Armament Model 1155MC in multi-hit scenarios.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Sales Spike
  2. 01:37NIJ Standards Explained (Level III & IV)
  3. 02:58Understanding 'Level III+'
  4. 05:09Testing Methodology & Calibers
  5. 06:12Spartan Armor Systems Elaphros Test
  6. 08:30LA Police Gear Level III Test
  7. 11:28RMA Armament Model 1092 (III+) Test
  8. 12:47AR500 Armor Model 1078 Test
  9. 14:13Level IV Testing Protocol
  10. 16:07LA Police Gear Level IV Test
  11. 17:14RTS Tactical Level IV Test
  12. 19:35RMA Armament Model 1155MC Test
  13. 21:15Mira Tactical Level IV Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between NIJ Level III and Level IV body armor?

NIJ Level III armor is rated to stop six hits of 7.62x51mm NATO M80 ball. Level IV is the highest rating, designed to defeat a single hit from a .30-06 AP (Armor Piercing) round, offering significantly more protection against rifle threats.

What does 'Level III+' mean in body armor?

'Level III+' is a marketing term, not an official NIJ standard. Manufacturers use it to indicate protection beyond standard Level III, often implying resistance to threats like 5.56mm M855 rounds that can defeat some Level III UHMWPE plates.

Which body armor plate performed best in the Pew Pew Tactical test?

The Mira Tactical Level IV plate was the top performer, successfully stopping two .30-06 AP rounds and two successive M80 ball hits, demonstrating superior multi-hit capability compared to other tested plates.

Are UHMWPE or Ceramic/PE plates better for rifle protection?

UHMWPE plates are lighter and offer good protection against many rifle rounds but can be vulnerable to specific threats like M855. Ceramic/PE composite plates generally offer higher protection levels (like Level IV) but are heavier and can be more brittle.

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