{"id":29303,"date":"2024-06-21T08:39:45","date_gmt":"2024-06-21T08:39:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/?p=29303"},"modified":"2024-06-24T10:00:56","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T10:00:56","slug":"what-does-level-3a-body-armour-stop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/what-does-level-3a-body-armour-stop\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does Level 3a Body Armour Stop?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"29303\" class=\"elementor elementor-29303\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a2be965 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a2be965\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f28e01a top column-style-top\" data-id=\"f28e01a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-014d62c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"014d62c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/sarkar-ranger-scout\/\"><b>NIJ Level 3a (IIIA) body armour<\/b><\/a><b> is manufactured to defend the wearer against types of handgun ammunition. This type of armour will also offer protection against blunt force, and reduces the risk of injury from falls and other blows to the torso.<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this guide from the team at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sarkar Tactical<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we will focus specifically on NIJ level 3a body armour &#8211; what exactly it protects against, its capabilities in the field, and how it compares to armour with different <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/what-are-the-different-levels-of-body-armor\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NIJ levels of protection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><h2><b>Table of Contents<\/b><\/h2><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#what-calibre-rounds-can-level-3a-body-armour-stop\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Calibre Rounds Can Level 3a Body Armour Stop?\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#what-cant-level-3a-body-armour-stop\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Can\u2019t Level 3a Body Armour Stop?<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#all-body-armour-levels\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All Body Armour Levels<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#faqs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Level 3a Body Armour FAQs<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#conclusion\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion: What Does Level 3a Body Armour Stop?<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#level-3a-body-armour-plates-at-sarkar-tactical\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Level 3a Body Armour Plates and More At Sarkar Tactical<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h2 id=\"what-calibre-rounds-can-level-3a-body-armour-stop\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Calibre Rounds Can Level 3a Body Armour Stop?<\/span><\/h2><p><b>Level 3a body armour is designed to stop and protect against damage from handgun calibre bullets, such as high-velocity 9mm and .44 magnum ammunition.\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically made from flexible materials like Kevlar, Spectra, or Dyneema, level 3a body armour is made to provide higher levels of protection than level 2a armour. Level 3a armour plates stop everything level 2a plates protect against, in addition to more powerful pistol rounds with increased penetration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When is Level 3a Body Armour Typically Worn?<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Level 3a body armour is primarily worn by law enforcement officers and security personnel because of how effectively it stops lower calibre ammunition from handguns. Depending on where they operate and their specific roles, these are the types of firearms they are more likely to face on the streets. Level 3a body armour is also suitable for concealment, ideal for plain clothes or undercover forces.<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does the NIJ Rate Body Armour?<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) tests body armour vests that claim to be \u201cbulletproof\u201d rigorously to determine how resistant they are to different ammunition types and calibres. These tests determine if a wearer would still be \u2018alive\u2019 after impact by judging the depth of bullet impact, the degree of deformation, and whether significant injury would be sustained &#8211; just stopping a bullet doesn\u2019t ensure that the life is saved.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h2 id=\"what-cant-level-3a-body-armour-stop\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Can\u2019t Level 3a Body Armour Stop?<\/span><\/h2><p><b>Whilst Level 3a body armour is a useful and effective defence against a wide variety of ballistic threats, it is important to recognise its limitations and where you might need to consider a higher rated option.\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Level 3a body armour will not offer suitable protection against rifle rounds or any type of armour piercing ammunition. To defend against these types of threats, you will need body armour rated at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1GVtttQ1FN_H5DAh4wrIRFM7UVvuEkA-1qQfDQUN9vK0\/edit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NIJ level 3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or above. These are typically encountered in war zones or areas of conflict.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a common misconception surrounding NIJ Level 3a vs Level 3 rated body armour, with some people thinking that level 3a armour is stronger because of the nomenclature. In actuality, level 3a body armour can be considered as \u2018level 2.5\u2019, providing an upgrade on level 2 rated plates.<\/span><\/p><h2 id=\"all-body-armour-levels\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All Body Armour Levels<\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Body armour is categorised into levels determined by its effectiveness in shielding against different ballistic dangers. The NIJ establishes the standards for these armour levels.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read our full guide to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/what-are-the-different-levels-of-body-armour\/\"><b>the different levels of body armour<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to learn more.<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Body Armour Levels Chart<\/span><\/h3><p><b>Here is the current body armour levels chart from the NIJ:<\/b><\/p><table><tbody><tr><td><b>Former Threat Level<\/b><\/td><td><b>New Threat Level<\/b><\/td><td><b>Notes<\/b><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>NIJ Level II<\/b><\/td><td><b>NIJ HG1<\/b><\/td><td><b>HG = handgun<\/b><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>NIJ Level IIIA<\/b><\/td><td><b>NIJ HG2<\/b><\/td><td><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>NIJ Level III<\/b><\/td><td><b>NIJ RF1<\/b><\/td><td><b>RF = rifle<\/b><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>NA<\/b><\/td><td><b>NIJ RF2<\/b><\/td><td><b>NIJ RF2 is a new intermediate rifle protection level that includes all the threats at the NIJ RF1 protection level plus an additional threat<\/b><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><b>NIJ Level IV<\/b><\/td><td><b>NIJ RF3<\/b><\/td><td><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><h2 id=\"faqs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Level 3a Body Armour FAQs<\/span><\/h2><h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will level 3a armour stop a knife?<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on the specific fabric and materials making up the composition of level 3a armour, these plates can provide effective protection against knives and spike injuries, reducing the risk of injury. For the most accurate information, it is recommended to consult the manufacturer.<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will level 3a armour stop shotgun rounds?<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Level 3a armour can stop many shotgun rounds, including buckshot and birdshot. However, it might struggle to stop a slug. If an individual wearing Level 3a body armour is hit by a shotgun round, they will likely survive but may be incapacitated due to the significant force of the impact.<\/span><\/p><h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does level 3a armour expire?<\/span><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like other types of armour, level 3a armour does have an expiration date that should be included within the manufacturers documentation. Factors like environmental exposure, wear and tear, and ageing can weaken materials and reduce effectiveness overtime.<\/span><\/p><h2 id=\"conclusion\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion: What Does Level 3a Body Armour Stop?<\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NIJ Level 3a (IIIA) body armour is designed to protect against all high-powered pistol ammunition, including high-velocity 9mm and .44 magnum rounds, excluding armour-piercing rounds. This type of body armour is suitable for law enforcement and security personnel due to its effectiveness against threats from handguns. These plates are not suitable for protection against rifles and other higher calibre ammunition types &#8211; Level 3 + rated armour should be worn in scenarios where these threats are anticipated.<\/span><\/p><h2 id=\"level-3a-body-armour-plates-at-sarkar-tactical\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Level 3a Body Armour Plates and More At Sarkar Tactical<\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sarkar Tactical are a leading manufacturer and provider of tactical gear and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/protective-armour\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">protective armour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Browse our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/sarkar-delta-3\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">level 3 body armour plates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/sarkar-ranger-scout\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">level 3a plates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/sarkar-ranger-solo\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">level 4 plates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As well as our armour plates, we also offer an extensive range of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/headgear\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">helmets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/eod-demining\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EOD and demining equipment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/tactical-communications\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tactical communications gear<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/contact\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get in touch<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with our helpful team for a bespoke quotation on any of our products, or visit our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/factory-shop\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">factory shop<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to make a quick purchase on available stock.<\/span><\/p><h2>Related Articles<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/what-can-level-4-body-armour-stop\/\">What Can Level 4 Body Armour Stop?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/what-does-level-3-body-armour-stop\/\">What Does Level 3 Body Armour Stop?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/what-are-the-different-levels-of-body-armour\/\">What are the Different Levels of Body Armour<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/what-are-bulletproof-vests-made-of\/\">What are Bulletproof Vests Made of<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/how-to-set-up-a-plate-carrier\/\">How to set up a Plate Carrier<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore the capabilities and applications of Level 3a body armour, and learn which ammunition types it can stop in Sarkar Tactical&#8217;s comprehensive guide. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26517,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[144],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29303","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29303"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29303\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29303"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sarkartactical.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}