Frequently Asked Questions

When were the first effective bullet resistant vests made?

The first effective bullet resistant vests made an appearance in World War II and were known as Flak Jackets. These first vests only provided protection against small arms munitions fragments. The big change came in the 1960’s when Kevlar was discovered and became the first lightweight body armor fiber, which opened the door for today’s lightweight concealable body armor.

What is “blunt trauma”?

Blunt trauma is the damage to internal organs caused by the transfer of kinetic energy to the body from the vest, or the degree of deformation of the armor that occurs when body armor is struck by a projectile, such as a bullet. The highest acceptable level of deformation by the body armor industry and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is currently 1.73" and this deformation is measured in the backing material used to simulate flesh or tissue during a ballistic testing procedure.

What is deformation?

Deformation is also known as backforce deformation, which is a measure of how far into the vest wearer's body, even though the vest does not completely fail, the projectile penetrates before it is stopped.

What is the difference between hard armor and soft armor?

Hard armor is made out of ceramic or metal plates designed to prevent bullet penetration, which acts like an iron suite that traps the round to prevent spalling (cracking and flaking of particles out of a surface) or fragmentation (breaking of the projectile into smaller pieces). Soft armor acts like a high performance “web” of fibers that absorbs the projectile and disperses the energy from the impact over a wide area.

Is body armor actually bullet-proof?

No, there is no body armor that is truly 100% bullet-proof. Both soft and hard armor, used separately or together, defeat the vast majority of ballistic threats; however, there is always the chance of bullet penetration. Furthermore, most projectiles stopped by body armor will produce some level of injury, whether the injury is bruises and/or broken bones.

What is V-50?

V-50 is the theoretical velocity at which a bullet is going to penetrate the ballistic material 50% of the time and be defeated by the armor material 50% of the time. The higher the V-50 rating, the greater the ballistic protection is at that level.

How long is American Body Armor’s vest warranty and how often should a vest be replaced?

Each unit of body armor is made up of two parts: the ballistic panels and the carrier. The panels are warranted for five years, and a replacement is recommended at the end of that period. The carriers are warranted for 12 months and should be replaced as needed. The warranty is null and void if improper care, misuse or neglect occurs.

How do I make sure my vest fits properly?

There are two ways to be fitted for a vest. You can measure yourself by following the instructions on our sizing sheets and submitting the forms to the factory, where your vest size will then be determined. You may also go to one of our many distributors to be fitted. The advantage of a dealer sizing you is that he or she may be able to put a vest on you to determine the proper fit and ensure your vest will offer maximum protection and optimum mobility.

Does American Body Armor guarantee the fit of my vest?

What if my vest doesn’t fit properly? American Body Armor guarantees the custom fit of each vest for 30 days following the date of purchase. We will gladly exchange or alter your vest until a satisfactory fit is achieved. First and foremost, your vest must be comfortable and fit properly. Our customer-service team will be notified by the distributor and will help make ensure that your vest is altered so it is a precise fit and as comfortable as possible.

To what standards are American Body Armor vests certified?

Please refer to the product details on this website, each of which include NIJ threat levels. All American Body Armor vests are NIJ certified and are compliant with NIJ 05’ Interim Requirements. We are currently working to ensure all our vests will be compliant with the new NIJ 07’ standards, once released. All test reports, including special threat testing, are on file at American Body Armor, and you may contact us for additional information.

What level of ballistic protection should I choose?

Each officer faces different situations, but we recommend that your vest be rated to stop both your personal service weapon and that of your partner. The threat you are most likely to face is that of your own weapon, seized by an assailant. When choosing the level of protection for your body armor, we recommend that you refer to the explanation of NIJ threat levels in the “Learning Center” on this website. For optimal protection and flexibility, select only the product and extra trauma reduction inserts that you will wear routinely. Remember – extra protection will not help you if it is in the trunk of your car!

Can I buy American Body Armor factory direct?

American Body Armor vests are only sold by authorized distributors. To locate a dealer near you, please use our dealer locator or contact us.

American Body Armor is committed to delivering professional, personal and complete customer service. If you have any additional questions, please contact us.