Have you seen this?

[RCL-09]

Wanted to add that NIJ has just done a complete revamping of their ratings and come up with new ratings related to ballistic protection.

https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/307347.pdf

It will be interesting to see what the transition is like.

 

[D10]

Snazzy advertising for, imo, an overpriced item.

Such ballistic panels have been around for a long time and can be had in a variety of shapes and up to Lev. IV rating. I know and have several backpack panels that are Lev. III-A. They basically could be used any way one wants as all they are is rectangular panels. The "designer" and "wall art" aspect is somewhat new and an interesting concept.

The armor business has boomed over the years and is full of good products but also flooded with garbage. The play on wording for NIJ "certification" is imaginative to say the least. NIJ "compliance" or "meets NIJ standards" and other such verbiage is meant to fool customers to think it is NIJ Certified when it is not. Very often the products do not come close to what they claim their rating is.

If it doesn't say NIJ Certified and contain the NIJ stamp/watermark is should be considered suspect.

I searched the website of the panels cited in the OP and did not find any mention of the product(s) being "NIJ Certified". I also could not find anything on "UL 7.52-certified level 3 and 4 ballistic panels"

I spent several months searching for a shield that is light and same time does not have a scary look. I found this product. Take a look at my posts, I must be advertising S&W in all my previous posts.
As far as NIJ I did call the company and the answer I got was: this is a new product, in 2014 NIJ changed their classification and as it stands there is not a single company that has New NIJ certification, They only have old Level IIIA or Level IV old ratings. These ratings no longer be used in 2024 as I was told. So obviously new company can't have NIJ certification.
If you know other options that can look good at home or office environment and not look like police shield please post the link.

 

[RCL-09]

I spent several months searching for a shield that is light and same time does not have a scary look. I found this product. Take a look at my posts, I must be advertising S&W in all my previous posts.
As far as NIJ I did call the company and the answer I got was: this is a new product, in 2014 NIJ changed their classification and as it stands there is not a single company that has New NIJ certification, They only have old Level IIIA or Level IV old ratings. These ratings no longer be used in 2024 as I was told. So obviously new company can't have NIJ certification.
If you know other options that can look good at home or office environment and not look like police shield please post the link.

Their claim on the NIJ certification is inaccurate. That in itself makes me Leary.

Compliant Products List: Ballistic Resistant Body Armor | National Institute of Justice

We purchase nothing but NIJ Certified body armor. No certification, no purchase.

As to other options, it depends on what you want. There are plenty of different inserts for backpacks, binders briefcases, etc. There are also standard rectangular and square panels.

As to the "designer" panels with pretty art on them, don't know of any.

Edited to add: As Old cop said above "I wouldn’t trust this unless I’d personally range tested it."

 

[D10]

I don't necessarily agree about the pricing. I do have an issue with the 5 year life they warranty as being too short.

As to tiles and flex seal, you could also use a couple of phone books taped together. At least they would provide multi hit protection...

Yes, warranty is important for me, and products I found that had longer warranty they were made out of metal. I see this product as a furniture piece that is used every day. I can't imagine how any material surface can last for 10 years if you use them every day. The couch I got for my office lasted 2 years and the manufacturer only had 2 year warranty. Armored Shield police have they get almost no use at all and are made out of metal. Obviously, they can last 10 years.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I shoulda used stick figures.

 

[RCL-09]

Yes, warranty is important for me, and products I found that had longer warranty they were made out of metal. I see this product as a furniture piece that is used every day. I can't imagine how any material surface can last for 10 years if you use them every day. The couch I got for my office lasted 2 years and the manufacturer only had 2 year warranty. Armored Shield police have they get almost no use at all and are made out of metal. Obviously, they can last 10 years.

It all depends on use and care.

Steel (AR500) plates go anywhere from 5 to 10 years.

Ceramic go for 5 years.

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene and other materials seem to be mostly a 5 years but I have heard some go to 7.

Any vest or other product you take care of will outlast its warranty. Heat, cold, moisture, dropping, etc. can shorten the life. By how much, I can't say, but a cracked ceramic vest/plate would not be something I would recommend using. A polyethylene that spends a couple of summers in a trunk in Tucson, would also be something I would be suspect of. Doesn't mean they would fail, but I'm not willing to accept that risk.

 

[D10]

Their claim on the NIJ certification is inaccurate. That in itself makes me Leary.

Compliant Products List: Ballistic Resistant Body Armor | National Institute of Justice

We purchase nothing but NIJ Certified body armor. No certification, no purchase.

As to other options, it depends on what you want. There are plenty of different inserts for backpacks, binders briefcases, etc. There are also standard rectangular and square panels.

As to the "designer" panels with pretty art on them, don't know of any.

Edited to add: As Old cop said above "I wouldn’t trust this unless I’d personally range tested it."

That's exactly my point, I also couldn't find anything that can be on the desk in the office or home and not look like a police shield. Obviously, no one will let you do that in any office. This Armored Shield was the only product I found that blends in and same time one can use it as a shield.
As far as the claim, I only found the threat level this shield is intended for. I didn't see that they claim they have certification from NIJ.

 

[old bear]

The simple answer to someone using one of these shields, is shoot them in the knee and see how fast he drops his big dollar life shield. Then you can take care of business as needed.

 

[D10]

The simple answer to someone using one of these shields, is shoot them in the knee and see how fast he drops his big dollar life shield. Then you can take care of business as needed.

Funny... I see an advantage If one is sitting in the office and they can shield their entire exposed upper body so their legs are not a target and bad guys don't really plan where to shoot or if your 1/4 inch leather panel is going to stop his bullet. Or at home one could shield himself instead of hiding behind a wall or chair which doesn't really stop any bullets.

 

[BB57]

Is that what they were putting in kids' back packs/book bags for drive-bys gone bad? I would think what was sewn into them would be cheaper since they were giving them out for free, and probably smaller.

Those were usually level IIIA ballistic panels made from conventional soft armor materials.

They cost around $100 IIRC.

 

[BB57]

I could see a very small niche use for this, *if* people trained with it and *if* it were slightly redesigned so it could be used like a Scottish Targe where it was a potential close quarters weapon in its own right to be used with their handgun.

But for $1250? They are obviously targeting police departments with government funds to waste on equipment.

 

[RCL-09]

That's exactly my point, I also couldn't find anything that can be on the desk in the office or home and not look like a police shield. Obviously, no one will let you do that in any office. This Armored Shield was the only product I found that blends in and same time one can use it as a shield.
As far as the claim, I only found the threat level this shield is intended for. I didn't see that they claim they have certification from NIJ.

I agree the "art" looks good and innocuous. Some of the binder panels, backpack inserts,, etc. can be "disguised" too.

That there is no indication that the product is NIJ Certified and with the suspect "UL 7.52-certified level 3 and 4 ballistic panels" citation I would wager the do not have the Cert. Also, if it was them that told you the story about NIJ certification, that makes me more uncomfortable with the product.

Yes, it may be ballistically sound, it may indeed meet the NIJ standards, it certainly may meet your particular needs but, me personally, I want that NIJ watermark.

I would be very interested if they ever do an actual shooting test...

 

[RCL-09]

Those were usually level IIIA ballistic panels made from conventional soft armor materials.

They cost around $100 IIRC.

Over the years I have seen them made of kevlar or similar cloth, ceramic, polyethylene, and AR500 steel. With levels all the way from II to IV. Of course the steel ones weigh about 8-10 pounds... The ceramic and polyethylene are lighter.

 

[D10]

I agree the "art" looks good and innocuous. Some of the binder panels, backpack inserts,, etc. can be "disguised" too.

That there is no indication that the product is NIJ Certified and with the suspect "UL 7.52-certified level 3 and 4 ballistic panels" citation I would wager the do not have the Cert. Also, if it was them that told you the story about NIJ certification, that makes me more uncomfortable with the product.

Yes, it may be ballistically sound, it may indeed meet the NIJ standards, it certainly may meet your particular needs but, me personally, I want that NIJ watermark.

I would be very interested if they ever do an actual shooting test...

I called another very large and reputable company in Florida. they make everything including armored shields for police and they said NIJ does not certify Armored Sields. As they explained NIJ certifies only torso-worn body armor. So not sure what you found on their website that is incorrect.
This is only video I found that shows shooting this product. I woild love to test it.
Bulletproof leather. Armored new material. #shorts Armored Boss - YouTube

 

[RCL-09]

I called another very large and reputable company in Florida. they make everything including armored shields for police and they said NIJ does not certify Armored Sields. As they explained NIJ certifies only torso-worn body armor. So not sure what you found on their website that is incorrect.
This is only video I found that shows shooting this product. I woild love to test it.
Bulletproof leather. Armored new material. #shorts Armored Boss - YouTube

https://ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/099859.pdf

NIJ Standard-0108.01
Supersedes NILECJ-STD-0103.00, Portable Ballistic Shields, May 1974, and NIJ Standard-0108.00, December 1981

Page 4

4.3 Labeling
The Sample item and each full size panel of ballistic resistance material shall be permanently and
legibly labeled and shall include the following information.
a) Name, designation, or logo of the manufacturer
b) Type of material, according to section 2 of this standard
c) Month and year of manufacture
d) Lot number
e) Strike face, if any
f) Certification of compliance with this edition of this standard
Items c and d may be incorporated into a single number, e.g., a serial number

 

[D10]

https://ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/099859.pdf

NIJ Standard-0108.01
Supersedes NILECJ-STD-0103.00, Portable Ballistic Shields, May 1974, and NIJ Standard-0108.00, December 1981

Page 4

4.3 Labeling
The Sample item and each full size panel of ballistic resistance material shall be permanently and
legibly labeled and shall include the following information.
a) Name, designation, or logo of the manufacturer
b) Type of material, according to section 2 of this standard
c) Month and year of manufacture
d) Lot number
e) Strike face, if any
f) Certification of compliance with this edition of this standard
Items c and d may be incorporated into a single number, e.g., a serial number

Thanks for the PDF. I read the PDF but don't see anywhere that they are certifying Armored Shields. They set the guidelines for how tests should be performed and what calibers to use for testing but certification is something else. I could be wrong but so far no one has told me that NIJ gives certification for Shields. I'll do more research. Thanks
I do see in the photo the back of the shield they have some label. Can't really read if it has a serial number.

 

[D10]

https://ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/099859.pdf

NIJ Standard-0108.01
Supersedes NILECJ-STD-0103.00, Portable Ballistic Shields, May 1974, and NIJ Standard-0108.00, December 1981

Page 4

4.3 Labeling
The Sample item and each full size panel of ballistic resistance material shall be permanently and
legibly labeled and shall include the following information.
a) Name, designation, or logo of the manufacturer
b) Type of material, according to section 2 of this standard
c) Month and year of manufacture
d) Lot number
e) Strike face, if any
f) Certification of compliance with this edition of this standard
Items c and d may be incorporated into a single number, e.g., a serial number

Went directly to NIJ website and this is what I got: "NIJ certifies torso-worn ballistic resistant body armor for law enforcement that complies with the requirements the NIJ Compliance Testing Program (NIJ CTP). The following table presents the list of compliant ballistic-resistant body armor. (Find compliant stab resistant and combo armor.)

Note that NIJ has never tested nor certified ballistic items, such as backpacks, blankets, or briefcases, other than body armor for law enforcement. See DOJ Statement on Claims of NIJ Certification of Ballistic Backpacks."

It is clear that Amored Shields don't get certification from NIJ

 

[IAM Rand]

how much can a metal shield cost?

 

[Rustyt1953]

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MIzAfXcCX3c[/ame]

 

[D10]

Pan shot - YouTube

Now, that is a perfect shield. I need to visit a kitchen store. Love it! Last time I visited Williams-Sonoma I doubt I'll be saving money Which kitchen store do you recommend to shop? Walmart pots and pans can't stop a slingshot.