What Is The Difference between Tactical Vest And Bulletproof Vest?

As a professional tactical equipment manufacturer, KIANG produces a variety of high-quality tactical equipment, such as tactical backpacks, bulletproof vests, tactical vests, riot control equipment and other tactical accessories. So what is the difference between tactical vests and bulletproof vests?

Tactical vests are lighter, more flexible, and easy to put on and take off, but they are not bulletproof, which is equivalent to you not buying "O1" in CS. In contrast, bulletproof vests are more cumbersome, but they are bulletproof, and the protection can be changed by replacing bulletproof plates of different materials.

First is the tactical vest. Overall, it looks very similar to a vest and a photography vest. There is usually a zipper in the middle for easy putting on and taking off. The fabric material used is also breathable, but the mounting capacity is much stronger, and its function is to facilitate the mounting of various items needed for combat.

Special police wear tactical vests

The modular design of tactical vests used by soldiers is stronger, such as the U.S. military's lightweight load-bearing equipment (MOLLE). Its basis is a combat load-bearing vest (FLC), which is covered with mountable strips. Various accessories can be added according to mission requirements, just like gun accessories.

Composition of MOLLE system

Bulletproof vests are much more complicated than bulletproof vests.

First of all, in terms of name, there are three types: Bulletproof Vest, Plate Carrie, and Body Armor. Although they can all be called bulletproof vests, their protection levels are different, from low to high.

According to the material of the bulletproof vest, it is divided into soft bulletproof vests (Vest), hard bulletproof vests (PC) and soft and hard combination (AC).

Let's talk about the more common bulletproof vests and plate carriers first.

Bulletproof vest and plate carrier

Bulletproof vests belong to soft vests. It is like a hurdle vest. It can be worn outside or layered to achieve a concealed effect.

And because it is soft in itself, it is also matched with soft bulletproof plates (Soft Armor Plates). For example, the "Kevlar" aramid fiber material that we are more familiar with, and the lighter and stronger ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) are all materials for soft bulletproof plates. They all rely on high-density, strong and flexible fibers to absorb and disperse the energy of bullets passing through to achieve the purpose of defense.

Soft bulletproof plate

Overall, bulletproof vests are very light and can cover the front and back of the torso and the sides of the body, but their protective ability is weak and can only defend against most pistol bullets. To defend against rifle bullets, you have to rely on a plate carrier, which needs to be inserted with bulletproof plates to provide defensive capabilities, and it also belongs to hard bulletproof vests.

As for the defensive power, it depends on the performance of the bulletproof plate. Including the bulletproof vests mentioned above, there are detailed defense standards. For example, the NIJ 0101.06 standard of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) of the United States is divided into 5 protection levels, from low to high, they are Level IIA, Level II, Level IIIA. Level III and Level IV.

Among them, IIA, II, and IIA are usually soft bulletproof plates, but there are also some hard bulletproof plates of level IIIA. And III, and IV are hard bulletproof plates.

NJI 0101.6 standard bulletproof vest bulletproof level standard

First of all, IIA is the most entry-level level, which can block 9mm caliber full metal jacket (FMJ) and 10.16mm (.40 inch) Smith & Wesson full metal jacket (FMJ), with initial velocities of 373.4 m/s and 352 m/s respectively. In general, although IIA has the least protective ability, it is also the lightest and most flexible.

Level II is called "Handgun Armor", which is still very light and can block at most .357 caliber Magnum bullets (9×33 mmR), the famous "Desert Eagle" pistol started with this caliber, and later developed larger .44 and .50 calibers.

Level IIIA is the most commonly used protection level in soft bulletproof vests. It is heavier than the previous two levels, but can still be worn under clothes. It can block 9mm pistol bullets with an initial velocity of 426.7 meters per second and 0.44 caliber Magnum bullets (10.9x33mmR), and even 12-gauge shotguns. Law enforcement officers such as police generally use this level. It is the most balanced in weight and defense.

Level III is the first level of defense against rifle bullets. From it on, it will also be hard bulletproof plates. It Made of ceramic, polyethylene and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), it can block NATO 7.62×51mm bullets with an initial velocity of 847.3 meters per second. M14 and M60 use this type of bullet. It can also defend against AR-15's 5.56mm and AKM's 5.45mm bullets.

Finally, there is the highest level IV, which is the thickest and has the best defense capability. It is generally made of steel plates or composite materials. It can defend against armor-piercing bullets with an initial velocity of 878 meters per second and 7.62mm. In addition, it also includes .30/06 bullets, which are the bullets used by the M1903 rifle in "Saving Private Ryan".

In general, NJI 0101. is a relatively mainstream classification method at present. In addition, some bulletproof vest manufacturers have launched their own set of defense standards. For example, AR500 has removed IIA and II levels in soft bulletproof vests and directly adopted the strongest IIIA in soft bulletproof vests as the entry level, and added a III+ standard between Level III and IV for defending rifle bullets to defend against armor-piercing bullets of 5.56mm and 5.45mm rifles.

Level III of rifles has also become RF1, Level IV has become RF3, and then an RF2 has been added between the two to specifically defend against armor-piercing bullets of 5.56mm and 5.45mm rifles.