Bullet-proof Vest Ratings

NIJ Standard-0101.06 is used by law enforcement that has specific performance standards for bullet resistant vests. It describes resistance levels, processes used to test body armor, sampling methods, testing with inserts and labeling standards.

Different vest ratings are used against penetration and also blunt trauma protection. There are six bullet proof vest levels namely: Type I, Type IIA, Type II, Type IIIA, Type III and Type IV.

Each level will protect against different kind of bullets. Type I will protect against 2.6 g (40 gr) .22 Long Rifle Lead Round Nose (LR LRN) bullets at a velocity of 329 m/s (1080 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and 6.2 g (95 gr) .380 ACP Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets at a velocity of 322 m/s (1055 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

Type IIA will protect against 9mm FMJ 124 grain at 1090 Feet Per Second(FPS) and .40 S&W FMJ 180 grain at 1025 FPS. It also provides protection against the threats mentioned in [Type I]. Type II is a new armor which protects against 8 g (124 gr) 9 mm FMJ RN bullets at a velocity of 398 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1305 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and 10.2 g (158 gr) .357 Magnum Jacketed Soft Point bullets at a velocity of 436 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

Type IIIA will protect against 9mm FMJ 124 grain at 1400 FPS and .44 Magnum 240 grain at 1400 FPS. It also provides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the threats mentioned in [Types I, IIA, and II]. Type III will protect against 7.62mm FMJ 150 grain at 2750 FPS. Type IV provides at least single hit protection against the threats mentioned in [Types I, IIA, II, IIIA, and III].