HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HARD BODY ARMOR PLATE
When selecting the right hard body armor plate, it's essential to consider the specific threats you may encounter, the level of protection required, and the weight and comfort of the armor. Assess your needs based on your environment, whether it's for personal protection, law enforcement, or military use. Understanding these factors will help you choose the armor plate that offers the best balance of safety, mobility, and wearability.
EXECUTIVE PLATE
The Rook Armor EXECUTIVE Plate is ½ inch thick, and weighs under 1.5 pounds (small) and 2 pounds (medium). This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 7.62 x 51 M80 Ball
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • 5.56 x 45 M193
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 39 Mild Steel Core
The Rook Armor EXECUTIVE Plate is ½ inch thick, and weighs under 1.5 pounds (small) and 2 pounds (medium). This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 7.62 x 51 M80 Ball
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • 5.56 x 45 M193
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 39 Mild Steel Core
BASS REEVES PLATE
The Rook Armor Bass Reeves Plate is 1.5cm thick, and weighs 3.5 pounds. This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 5.56 x 45 M193, M855/SS109, M855A1
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 51 M80 Ball
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 39 Mild Steel Core
The Rook Armor Bass Reeves Plate is 1.5cm thick, and weighs 3.5 pounds. This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 5.56 x 45 M193, M855/SS109, M855A1
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 51 M80 Ball
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 39 Mild Steel Core
ULTRA LIGHT LEVEL 4
The Rook Armor ULTRA LIGHT LEVEL 4 Plate is 1.7cm thick, and weighs 3.5-4 pounds. This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 30-06 M2 AP
- • 5.56 x 45 M193, M855/SS109, M855A1
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 51 M80 Ball
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 39 BZ API (Armor Piercing Incendiary), Mild Steel Core
- • 7.62 x 54R B32 API (Armor Piercing Incendiary)
The Rook Armor ULTRA LIGHT LEVEL 4 Plate is 1.7cm thick, and weighs 3.5-4 pounds. This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 30-06 M2 AP
- • 5.56 x 45 M193, M855/SS109, M855A1
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 51 M80 Ball
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 39 BZ API (Armor Piercing Incendiary), Mild Steel Core
- • 7.62 x 54R B32 API (Armor Piercing Incendiary)
C PLATE
The Rook Armor C Plate is 1.8cm inch thick, and weighs 4.5 pounds. This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 30-06 M2 AP
- • 5.56 x 45 M193, M855/SS109, M855A1
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 51 M80 Ball
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 39 BZ API (Armor Piercing Incendiary), Mild Steel Core
- • 7.62 x 54R B32 API (Armor Piercing Incendiary)
The Rook Armor C Plate is 1.8cm inch thick, and weighs 4.5 pounds. This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 30-06 M2 AP
- • 5.56 x 45 M193, M855/SS109, M855A1
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 51 M80 Ball
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 39 BZ API (Armor Piercing Incendiary), Mild Steel Core
- • 7.62 x 54R B32 API (Armor Piercing Incendiary)
MAKO PLATE
The Rook Armor MAKO Plate is 1.8cm inch thick, and weighs 5 pounds. This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 30-06 M2 AP
- • 5.56 x 45 M193, M855/SS109, M855A1
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 51 M80 Ball
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 51 M993 (Tungsten Armor Piercing) - Not officially rated
- Disclaimer: Rook Armor does not guarantee that our plates will stop a M993 round, or that a wearer will survive being shot by a M993 round whether it penetrates or not.
The Rook Armor MAKO Plate is 1.8cm inch thick, and weighs 5 pounds. This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 30-06 M2 AP
- • 5.56 x 45 M193, M855/SS109, M855A1
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 51 M80 Ball
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 51 M993 (Tungsten Armor Piercing) - Not officially rated
- Disclaimer: Rook Armor does not guarantee that our plates will stop a M993 round, or that a wearer will survive being shot by a M993 round whether it penetrates or not.
MEGALADON PLATE
The Rook Armor MEGALODON Plate is 2.5cm thick, and weighs 6 pounds. This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 5.56 x 45 M995 (Tungsten Armor Piercing), M193, M855/SS109, M855A1
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 39 Mild Steel Core
- • 7.62 x 54R B32 API (Armor Piercing Incendiary)
- • 7.62 x 51 M993 (Tungsten Armor Piercing)
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • .50 cal BMG (not officially rated)
- Disclaimer: Rook Armor does not guarantee that our plates will stop a .50 cal BMG round, or that a wearer will survive being shot by a .50 cal BMG round whether it penetrates or not.
The Rook Armor MEGALODON Plate is 2.5cm thick, and weighs 6 pounds. This hard armor plate is capable of stopping the following rounds:
- • 5.56 x 45 M995 (Tungsten Armor Piercing), M193, M855/SS109, M855A1
- • .223 Commercial Ammunition
- • 7.62 x 39 Mild Steel Core
- • 7.62 x 54R B32 API (Armor Piercing Incendiary)
- • 7.62 x 51 M993 (Tungsten Armor Piercing)
- • .308 Commercial Ammunition
- • .50 cal BMG (not officially rated)
- Disclaimer: Rook Armor does not guarantee that our plates will stop a .50 cal BMG round, or that a wearer will survive being shot by a .50 cal BMG round whether it penetrates or not.
GOVERNMENT-ISSUED PLATE TESTING DATA
The following data is not from Rook Armor. These tests were done utilizing standard government-issued plates. They are provided to showcase the performance difference between Rook Armor plates and government-issued plates.
- 101 current government law enforcement plates failed against M855A1 rounds.
- 102 current SOCOM plates failed against M993 rounds.
- 103 current XSAPI plates tested without soft armor failed against M993 rounds.
FREQUENCY ASKED QUESTIONS
Properly sized plates and correct plate carrier adjustments are crucial for protecting vital areas such as the heart, major arteries, lungs, and spine. Most individuals find that 8.5"x11.5" small SAPI plates or 9.5"x12.5" medium SAPI plates are suitable for optimal coverage. The plates should be positioned high, and centered to cover the diaphragm, heart, major thoracic vessels, and most of the lungs without restricting movement.
Ideally, the top of the plate should align with the sternal notch, and the plate should cover or line up with the nipples laterally. The bottom of the plate should extend 1.5 to 2 inches below the inferior aspect of the sternum. The rear plate should be positioned in alignment with the front plate for complete protection.
Rook Armor uses a higher standard for testing our plates, compared to the NIJ stated standards. We only test our plates at NIJ-certified facilities, and ensure that all stated NIJ criteria and protocols are met during the testing process.
Probability plays a crucial role in our decision-making process. Many NIJ testing protocols are designed to ensure a 90% or higher chance of stopping a bullet from completely penetrating the armor, and a 70-80% success rate on the second shot for plates rated for multiple impacts.
This means that 1 out of 10 rounds could penetrate the armor, leading to a 10% failure rate for the first shot, or up to a 30% failure rate for a second shot. These are alarmingly high failure rates!
At Rook Armor, we set our standards much higher to ensure our armor far exceeds the NIJ criteria. Would you want to wear a plate that could fail 10-30% of the time?
Yes, please contact us to find out what we can do for you or your team.
We use different thickness levels of proprietary ceramic, along with the best backer materials to manufacture our plates.
Rook Armor offers warranty on all of our hard armor plates. If you are shot in the line of duty, please contact us.
We adhere to all relevant state and federal laws, as well as arms export and import regulations. All plates are custom made, and will be shipped after they are manufactured. Some products may experience a delay based on production backlog. If you have any questions or specific requests, please feel free to contact us.
Choosing the right plate carrier is like selecting the perfect pair of shoes—everyone has unique needs and preferences. While we don’t currently offer plate carriers, we’re here to help you find the best option for your specific requirements. Please contact us to answer any specific questions.