Bullet Resistant Vests FAQ

    A quotation request form can be Found at the Bottom of the Page

    Who can purchase your Bullet Resistant Vests and Body Armor Products?

    Our products are available to any law abiding citizen, company, or country. If we export or sell outside of the country some of our Bullet Resistant Vests/Body Armor products may require an export license either from the U.S. Department of State and or the U.S. Department Of Commerce, depending on the level of protection. This is required by Federal Law. While this is a very simple process, it may add 30-45 days to the order. We would not sell to anyone with a felony conviction, or with regards to export sales any person, company, or country that is on the U.S. Government’s “Denied Parties List”. Please see the following: Denied Parties List Defense Trade Controls. All of our bullet resistant products are proudly made in the U.S.A.

    Are all our your Bullet Resistant Vests and Body Armor Products available for sale to the general public?

    No, some of our Bullet Resistant Vests/Body Armor products are a Restricted Sale to Police Departments, Government Agencies and/or the U.S. Military only. You will find a notice on the product page, if there is a restriction. Please do not submit a pricing request if you are not eligible to do so.

    What would the best bullet resistant vest and body armor product for my application?

    If you need Bullet Resistant Vests/Body Armor for a low profile concealable use, we would suggest our Concealable Vests. These vests are very light weight and hardly noticeable under clothing.

    How do I obtain a price quotation on your Bullet Resistant Vests/Body Armor?

    We make it very easy to obtain a quick price quotation on any of our Bullet Resistant Products. You will find a  Quotation Request Form on each of our product pages. Simply fill out the form with the requested information, hit the “Submit” button and you will receive an email price quotation quickly. Most of our price quotations are answered with in 3-4 hours of being submitted M-F 9:00AM to 5:00PM EST. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 513-281-6700. We are sorry, but we do not provide pricing over the phone. Please Note: We WILL NOT respond to quotation requests submitted with False, Missing, or Incorrect information.

    How do I know if your Bullet Resistant/Bullet Proof products work?

    All of our Bullet Resistant/Bullet Proof products are designed to defeat National Institute of Justice (N.I.J.) and Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) threat levels, as tested by HP White laboratories Inc.

    How does body armor work?

    When a bullet strikes a body armor panel, the fibers absorb and disperse the energy of the impact across a generalized area. Most concealable body armor is made of a number of layers. These layers assist in the energy dispersion process and help to reduce the effects of blunt trauma caused by the force of impact energy that is delivered by the projectile.

    How long does body armor last?
    There are a number of factors that can influence the service life of body armor. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has done research (detailed in the publication entitled Old Armor Tests As Good As New and available from NLECTC at 800-248-2742 or 301-519-5060) that indicates that age is not the only determining factor. Other factors to consider include: how regularly the armor was worn; how it was cared for; whether the armor fit the wearer properly (most people lose or gain weight over a period of years); and the overall condition of the armor (do the fasteners still work properly, and so on). We encourage departments that issue body armor to have a routine inspection program for body armor, just as they would for weapons, vehicles, and other types of issued equipment.

    What types of materials are used to make body armor?
    There are a number of materials used in the manufacturing of body armor. Concealable, or “soft” body armor can be made from a number of different types of woven or non woven materials. The most recognized of these is Kevlar®, which is made by DuPont. Other materials include Spectra®, which is made by AlliedSignal, and Twaron®, made by Akzo Nobel. These materials are manufactured in a variety of styles and weaves. Hard armor plates can be made from a number of materials, including metals, ceramics, and other composite materials.

    Which ballistic material is better?
    Each fiber has its own advantages and disadvantages. The construction of the vest (what type or types of materials and the number of layers of each material used) and the weave of the fibers can influence the performance of the vest. To determine which is best for you, look at and try out a number of vests in the protection level you desire. When you narrow your choice to several vests, call NLECTC for the test data. In the end, it is your choice based on the factors that are most important to you.

    What threat level of armor should I wear?
    First, assess the type of threat you face on a daily basis. Review data from shooting incidents in your area, as well as the types of weapons being confiscated from suspects. Also factor in what type of sidearm you are carrying; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data indicate that approximately one in six officers killed in the line of duty were shot with their own weapon. Other considerations are: the climate in which you work, typical duty assignment, and personal preference considerations (comfort and fit). Again, the decision is ultimately yours.

    Which manufacturer makes the best body armor?
    NLECTC tests body armor from many manufacturers to verify their products meet minimum performance standards necessary for police use. The test does not compare one manufacturer or their products with another. We recommend that you look at armor from a number of manufacturers. Inquire about their customer service/support, and talk with other agencies about the armor they have purchased and used. You can call NLECTC at 800-248-2742 or 301-519-5060 to get the most current information on models that comply with the standard.

    How to I decide which size bullet resistant vest to purchase?

    Please check our Measurement Guide for the information that we need to manufacture a vest that is made to your exact size.

    How do I purchase your Bullet Resistant/Bullet Proof Products?

    If you are a customer in the U.S.A., you can make payments by bank wire transfer, company or personal check, bank check or by credit card. If you are a customer from outside the USA we will accept payment by bank wire transfers. If you are a U.S. Military or U.S. government agency customer, we will accept your Government Purchase Order with agreed payment terms. For our U.S. Military or U.S. Government agency customers, we will provide our CAGE Code, D & B and Federal Tax I.D. information in our price quotations. If would like to go over our payment policy please call us at 513-281-6700.

    Do you have any ballistic standards or testing information?

    Yes: the following Ballistic Standards will provide you information on National Institute of Justice (N.I.J.) and Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.) threat levels, as tested by HP White laboratories Inc.