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Ballistic Body Armor & Tactical Protection Gear

Ballistic Body Armor & Tactical Protection

NIJ-Tested · Level IIIA Through Level IV

EXPORT NOTICE: Rifle-rated Level III and higher body armor, plates, or shields cannot be shipped outside of the USA (APO/FPO exempt)

Shop by Ballistic Category

Select a category below to browse specific protection types

Plate Carriers

Full Coverage Armor Vests

Package Comparison & Threat Scope

Choose Your Configuration: Carrier Only vs. Armor-Inclusive Kits

Compare what is included in the box versus purchased separately before ordering. Plate carriers ship as load-bearing vests only unless bundled in an Active Shooter Armor Kit.

Before You Order: Verify whether your selection is an unarmored load-bearing carrier or an armor-inclusive kit, and confirm threat rating vs. NIJ certification below.

VISM Expert Heavy Duty Plate Carrier

$59.00 Sizes XS-SM, MED-2XL, 2XL+ · 4 Colors

Available to order · Ships in 48-72 hrs (1-3 wk fulfillment window)

Included in Package

1× VISM Expert Heavy-Duty Plate Carrier (~4.0 lb in MED-2XL)
Full front, rear & cummerbund PALS/MOLLE webbing + padded shoulder covers
Front/rear plate pockets (accepts 10"×12" up to 11"×14" plates) & 6"×8" side pockets

Purchased Separately

Ballistic armor is NOT included. Hard armor plates, soft armor panels, 6"×8" side plates, and medical/mag pouches must be purchased separately.

Protection vs. Certification

Load-Bearing Platform Only: The carrier itself has no ballistic rating or NIJ certification. Ballistic protection depends entirely on the plates or soft panels you install.

Lead Time & Restrictions: Available to order from South Florida HQ (in-stock merchandise ships within 48-72 hours; allow 1-3 weeks for fulfillment). Standard 30-day unopened return policy applies to unarmored carriers. No body armor shipments to CT or NY.

Chase Tactical LVPC-ELITE Active Shooter Armor Kit - Level IIIA

Chase Tactical LVPC-ELITE Active Shooter Kit - Level IIIA

$399.99 - $429.99 $399.99 Solid Colors · $429.99 Multicam

Available to order · Armor kit lead time: 2-3 weeks

Included in Package (~3.5 lb Total)

1× Chase Tactical LVPC-E Low-Vis Plate Carrier Elite (500D Cordura, removable elastic cummerbund with 6 integrated pockets)
2× 10"×12" Shooter's Cut SA3100 Level IIIA Soft Armor Panels (front & rear; 0.287" profile, Sonobond water-resistant cover)

Purchased Separately

Rifle-rated hard plates are NOT included (the LVPC-E carrier accepts 10"×12" hard plates when upgrading for rifle threats). Pouches and trauma/IFAK supplies sold separately.

Certification & Threat Scope

NIJ Standard 0101.06 Certified Level IIIA (Handgun Only): Included SA3100 panels (HighCom Armor OEM) are certified under NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA for standalone handgun protection (9mm, .357 SIG, .40 S&W, .44 Magnum). Does NOT stop rifle ammunition (5.56mm, 7.62mm).

Lead Time, Shipping & Final Sale: Available to order; armor kits may take 2-3 weeks for shipment. All Sales Final (warranty/manufacturer defects excluded). No civilian shipments to CT or NY (LE/MIL only for CT).

Chase Tactical LOPC Active Shooter Armor Kit - Level III+

Chase Tactical LOPC Active Shooter Kit - Level III+

$489.99 Black, Coyote Tan, Multicam, Ranger Green

Available to order · Armor kit lead time: 2-3 weeks

Included in Package

1× Chase Tactical LOPC Lightweight Operational Plate Carrier (2.5 lb empty, 500D Cordura, mesh MOLLE cummerbund, removable vertical-clip MOLLE placard)
2× 10"×12" Shooter's Cut AR1000 Steel Hard Armor Plates (~5.9 lb/plate, 0.35" thinness, Rhino Extreme 11-50 FR spall coating)

Purchased Separately

Soft armor backer panels, side plates, magazine pouches, and IFAK trauma gear are NOT included (carrier accepts optional 10"×12" soft armor backers behind the hard plates).

Manufacturer Designation vs. NIJ Standard

Manufacturer Designation: Quoted by Chase Tactical as "Level III+ Stand Alone High-Velocity Rifle Rounds", "compliant to NIJ 0101.06", "DEA: Hard Armor Protocol Compliant", and "RST: Rifle Special Threats Validated" (M80 ball, M43 MSC PS, SS109/M855, .223 REM). Note: "Level III+" is a manufacturer special-threat designation, not an official NIJ classification.

Lead Time, Export & Final Sale: Available to order; armor kits may take 2-3 weeks for shipment. All Sales Final (warranty/manufacturer defects excluded). Export Restricted: Rifle-rated Level III/III+ armor ships within the USA only (APO/FPO exempt). No shipments to CT or NY.

All Ballistic Protection Gear

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NIJ Standard 0101.07 SDVOSB Certified

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Hard armor plates, soft armor panels, plate carriers, tactical vests, and armor accessories tested to NIJ standards — Level IIIA through Level IV. Sourced from established manufacturers and authorized distributors for military, law enforcement, executive protection, and civilian preparedness. Clinician-founded, veteran-led — we carry armor we'd trust in the field.

NIJ Protection Levels at a Glance

NIJ Standard 0101.07 defines the test protocols — velocity, caliber, and shot count — behind every level below. Match the level to your threat profile, then choose the plate material and carrier that fit how long you'll be wearing it.

NIJ Level	Armor Type	Threats Defeated	Typical Use
IIIA	Soft armor (aramid / UHMWPE)	Handguns up to .44 Mag, 9mm FMJ	Daily patrol, concealed wear
III	Hard plate (steel, PE, ceramic)	7.62×51mm NATO M80 ball	Military, patrol rifle threat areas
III+ / Special Threat	Hard plate (ceramic, PE composite)	M193, M855 / SS109, M855A1 EPR	Active shooter response, SWAT
IV	Hard plate (ceramic composite)	.30 cal armor-piercing (M2 AP)	High-threat military, HRT, SOF

Plate Materials: Ceramic, Polyethylene, Steel

Material	Strengths	Trade-offs
Ceramic composite	Defeats high-velocity rifle rounds by fracturing the projectile on the strike face; reaches Level IV	Multi-hit capability varies by design; vulnerable to invisible damage from drops
Polyethylene (UHMWPE)	Best strength-to-weight ratio at Level III; buoyant, moisture-resistant	Limited against AP threats; heat-sensitive storage
Steel	Lowest cost per plate; strong multi-hit performance	Heaviest option; requires anti-spall coating to manage fragmentation

Compare specifications side by side in the Armor Plates & Panels collection, or view soft panels in Soft Armor Panels.

Choosing a Carrier

Plate carriers are worn externally with MOLLE webbing for pouches, admin panels, and medical kits — the standard for military and tactical law enforcement. Duty tactical vests integrate soft armor in a carrier worn over the uniform for patrol and patrol-rifle roles. Concealable carriers ride under clothing for plainclothes and executive protection work. Many high-threat LE assignments layer both: soft armor underneath, hard plate carrier over the top.

Configure the full system across Plate Carriers & Tactical Vests, Premium Body Armor Vests, and Armor Accessories for cummerbunds, quick-release systems, and side armor. Medics running armor and a medical load-out simultaneously should start with Plate Carriers for Tactical Medics and mount an IFAK pouch to the MOLLE grid.

Build Your Ballistic Protection System

Plates, carriers, and soft armor — tested to NIJ standards, sourced from authorized manufacturers.

SHOP ARMOR PLATES SHOP PLATE CARRIERS SHOP SOFT ARMOR

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "tested to NIJ standards" mean?+

It means the armor has been ballistically tested against the threat levels defined in an NIJ standard — currently NIJ 0101.07. Separately, the NIJ maintains a Compliant Products List (CPL) for models manufacturers voluntarily submit for independent laboratory verification. For law enforcement or duty use, verify CPL status before purchase.

How long does body armor last before replacement?+

Most manufacturers warrant soft panels for 5 years and hard plates for 5–10 years under normal conditions. Service life depends on storage, UV exposure, moisture, and wear. Never machine wash ballistic panels — wet/dry cycling degrades the fibers. Inspect ceramic plates after any significant drop; structural damage is often invisible from the outside. Follow the manufacturer's inspection intervals and replace on schedule.

Can civilians legally purchase Level III and Level IV armor?+

In most of the United States, yes. Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a violent felony from possessing body armor. A small number of states restrict online or mail-order purchase and require an in-person transaction with a licensed dealer — Connecticut is the long-standing example. Body armor laws change; confirm current requirements in your state before ordering. MED-TAC does not ship to restricted addresses.

What plate size should I order — 10×12, SAPI, or ESAPI?+

10"×12" (254×305mm) is the most common civilian and LE size and fits most commercially available carriers. Military SAPI and ESAPI plates run XS through XL on their own dimensional standard — Medium SAPI is 8.75"×11.75". Carrier pockets are cut for specific geometry (shooter's cut, SAPI cut, or full cut), so measure your plate pocket before ordering. Compatible carrier sizes are listed on individual product pages.

Do ballistic helmets integrate with plate carrier systems?+

They function as complementary but independent systems. Helmets mount comms, night vision, and cameras via NVG shrouds and accessory rails; carriers connect to chest rigs and MOLLE pouches. When building a full kit, check that the helmet-and-carrier combination doesn't create pressure points at the collar or restrict head movement under load. See the Ballistic Helmets collection.

Related Collections

Armor Plates & Panels Soft Armor Panels Plate Carriers & Tactical Vests Premium Body Armor Vests Ballistic Helmets Armor Accessories Backpack Armor Rescue Task Force Equipment

All products sourced from the brand manufacturer or an authorized master distributor. CoTCCC-recommended status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.