Can This Incredibly Light Armor Hold Up To Heavy Abuse? Shot Stop Duritium III+ PA Armor Test

Published on July 2, 2018
Duration: 9:43

This video tests the Shot Stop Duritium III+ PA armor plate, a lightweight polyethylene option. The plate successfully stops 7.62x51mm M80 and multiple hits of 5.56x45mm M193. Surprisingly, it also stops 5.56x45mm M855A1 when used with a Level 3A backer, a performance exceeding expectations for polyethylene armor.

Quick Summary

The Shot Stop Duritium III+ PA is a lightweight, Level 3+ polyethylene armor plate. It successfully stopped 7.62x51mm M80 and multiple 5.56x45mm M193 rounds. Remarkably, it also defeated 5.56x45mm M855A1 when paired with a Level 3A backer, exceeding typical polyethylene performance.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Shot Stop Armor
  2. 00:36Test 1: 7.62x51mm M80
  3. 01:17Test 2: Multiple 5.56x45mm M193 Hits
  4. 01:53Back Face Deformation Analysis
  5. 02:34Challenges and Next Steps
  6. 03:03Preparing for M855A1 Test
  7. 03:27Test 3: M855A1 with 3A Backer
  8. 05:05Initial M855A1 Impact Observation
  9. 06:29M855A1 Defeated: Results and Surprise
  10. 07:00Instructor's Reaction to M855A1 Stop
  11. 07:38Performance Implications
  12. 08:30Viewer Suggestions and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of armor is the Shot Stop Duritium III+ PA?

The Shot Stop Duritium III+ PA is a Level 3+ rated armor plate made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). It is designed to be lightweight and features a multi-curved profile for better body fit.

How did the Shot Stop Duritium III+ PA perform against common rifle threats?

The plate successfully stopped 7.62x51mm M80 rounds and multiple hits from 5.56x45mm M193. It also surprisingly defeated 5.56x45mm M855A1 when used with a Level 3A soft armor backer.

Is Level 3+ an official NIJ armor rating?

No, Level 3+ is a manufacturer designation, not an official NIJ (National Institute of Justice) specification. It indicates that the armor can perform beyond the requirements of a standard Level 3 plate.

What is back face deformation and how did it appear on this armor?

Back face deformation is the indentation on the back of the armor plate after impact. During testing with 5.56x45mm rounds, significant deformation was observed, causing the back cover to split but without complete penetration.

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