U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Understanding NIJ 0101.06 Armor Protection Levels

NCJ Number
250144
Date Published
July 2016
Length
1 page
Annotation

This report indicates the ammunitions protected against for various levels of protection afforded by ballistic body armors on the Compliant Products List (CPL) of armors that meet the NIJ 0101.06 standard.

Abstract

Level IIA armor tops 9mm and .40 S&W ammunition fired from short-barrel handguns (no rifle ammunition protection). Level II armor stops 9mmFMJ (Full Metal Jacket) and .357 Magnum rounds from short-barrel handguns (no rifle ammunition protection). Level IIIA armor has been tested to stop 9mm FMJ and .44 Magnum rounds from longer barrel handguns (no rifle ammunition protection). Level III armor stops 7.62mmFMJ lead core rifle ammunition, and Level IV armor has been tested to stop .30cal steel core armor piercing rifle ammunition. Ammunition 5.56mm/.223 Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) has a lead core. Level III armor or greater is the best choice for protection among the armors on the CPL. Ammunition 5.56mm/.223 Green Tip Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) ammunition has a part steel core. Level IV armor is the best choice for protection among the armors on the CPL.

Date Published: July 1, 2016