🛡️ FROM IIIA TO IV: WHAT MODERN ARMOR LEVELS REALLY MEAN (AND WHY AP ROUNDS CHANGE EVERYTHING)
Posted: September 30, 2025
Category: Tactical Gear Education
Tags: body armor, NIJ 0101.07, III+, RF1, AP rounds, ballistic protection
🗓️ armor levels IIIA to IV – Quick Read
Confused about what armor levels IIIA to IV armor actually protects you from? Wondering how the new NIJ .07 standards affect your gear? Here’s the updated breakdown for armor levels IIIA to IV and what it really means for you in 2025.
🔍 Classic Armor Levels Explained – armor levels IIIA to IV (NIJ 0101.06)
Before the NIJ’s newest updates, armor was classified like this:
Level IIIA – Soft armor designed to stop common handgun rounds like 9mm, .357 SIG, and .44 Magnum
Level III – Hard armor designed to stop non-AP rifle threats like 7.62 NATO
Level III+ – A manufacturer term for enhanced protection above III (usually capable of stopping M855/SS109)
Level IV – Designed to stop one round of .30-06 M2 armor-piercing (AP) rifle ammunition
🔄 The New 2025 NIJ Standards armor levels IIIA– – HG2 to IV RF3 (0101.07 & 0123.00)
NIJ has modernized the rating system with more clarity:
| Old Level | New Label | Protection Type |
|---|---|---|
| Level IIIA | HG2 | Handgun threats (soft armor) |
| Level III | RF1 | Baseline rifle (non-AP) |
| (NEW) | RF2 | Intermediate rifle/AP-lite |
| Level IV | RF3 | Full AP rifle protection |
These fall under new spec 0123.00 (threat profiles) and testing standard 0101.07, separating how armor is tested from how threats are defined — making updates easier as new ammo types evolve.
🎯 Pistol vs. Rifle vs. AP: What Are You Really Up Against?
🔫 Handgun Rounds
Statistically, the majority of shootings — especially civilian or police — involve handguns. HG2 (formerly IIIA) armor remains the go-to for concealment, comfort, and daily wearability.
🔥 Rifle Threats
As 5.56 NATO, 7.62×39, and .308 become more common, so does the need for hard plates like RF1 or III+. RF2 is finally filling the long-missing gap for green tip/M855-level threats.
💥 AP (Armor-Piercing) Rounds
Rare in most real-world encounters but lethal when they show up. Only RF3 (formerly Level IV) is certified to stop these. They’re heavier and pricier — but they stop the unthinkable.
🌐 nij Links
📝 Key Takeaways
Choose armor based on real-world likelihood, not fantasy gunfights.
Stick to NIJ-certified levels — avoid sketchy claims like “Level V.”
The new RF2 level is a practical middle ground between RF1 and RF3.
Weigh mobility vs. protection carefully for your environment.
⚖️ Need Help Choosing the Right Armor?
Browse our Armor Collection drop us a question or visit us at the Stetson Country Christmas Show this December in Las Vegas. We’ll guide you through what works best for your setup, threats, and budget — whether you’re on patrol, on the range, or off-grid.
FKTG Tactical — Tested in the West. Built for the Fight.
#StayInTheFight | #NIJStandards2025 | #BodyArmorEducation