Description
10″ x 12″ SAPI plate style inserts to upgrade protection level on offer on your existing body armour or used alone. NIJ Level 4 rated by manufacturer against rifle rounds, the ideal bulletproof plates.
SAPI is a terminology first coined by the US Forces to refer to the Small Arms Protective Inserts or simply as bulletproof plates, these were used then and now still to upgrade the protection available to troops on the ground from small arms fire and hence it has now become a standard term worldwide.
NIJ LEVEL 4 RATED BY MANUFACTURER AND ALL ARE SAME SIZE. TESTED BY UKRAINE CUSTOMERS, SEE VIDEO ON INSTAGRAM
Sold in pairs
The 30cm x 25cm plate is the standard fitting size for the majority of plate carriers on the commercial market and is also compatible with existing military plate carriers which may be found cost effectively on the surplus market so it is no small wonder that the 30cm x 25cm size is in popular demand.
The SAPI plate retailed here are sold in pairs and provide the most essential protection to the chest and back areas of the body where any ballistic threat may strike the body and cause permanent damage during wartime or peacekeeping military operations or any officer in their course of duty during law enforcement proceedings.
The National institute of Justice has long been the international standard to which manufacturers seem to meet the minimum requirements when desiring a level of certification according to the threat level involved and the scale of protection may be scaled up or down according to the expected changing dynamics on the ground.
These plates shown here can be used in a STA aka Standard Alone capacity so they can be used either in conjunction with vests which may have a “soft filler” which is designed to provide low-level stopping power and most important protection from the most common threat being shrapnel when indirect fire capabilities are encountered.
Standalone plates can be removed from all plate carriers for the purpose of cleaning the outerwear of the vest and are easy to care and maintain as well as replace in the event the plates themselves take any form of small arms fire.
Please note some countries may have import restrictions on these types of products and it is impossible for us to check every country requirement so please ensure you are legally allowed to import ballistic protection items; it is known in some countries that it is prohibited and in some states of the USA.
Alumina Ceramic SAPI Plate 30cm x 25cm Specifications
- Standalone
- Can be used with majority of standard commercial plate carriers which hold 30cm x 25cm size inserts
- Removable for the purpose of cleaning the plate carrier
- NIJ Level 4
- Designed for protection from rifle rounds ranging from 5.56mm to 7.62mm
- Weight: 2.7kg per plate
Andrew Chadderton (verified owner) –
Provisional Rating as have not put a round into them – will report back if I get chance to do so.
Service was very swift, but item a bit from the norm for KP; hence some of the detail lacking that you may have found on other web sources – if you are hunting for plates. Given the stakes here, that can be off-putting and I will admit I was doubtful. But reviews and rating for every other aspect of their product range and a need for something – plus in my budget and one of the few places with actual stock available were persuasive.
The instagram video’s are ok – but not detailed enough nor conclusive of anything really.
Chinese plates – yep big worry for me too – but review after review demonstrated good Chinese plates are actually very, very good indeed. However no one gives clues of how to pick the good from the not so good.
KP blurb indicates they are getting various plates as markings vary. Mine came simply with IV on the inner face. They may be designed to NIJ Level 4 and Chinese tested, but are not strictly NIJ tested ( refering to above bit about good plates, this is not essential and worth not getting too hung up on it ) . This is pretty common across the plate market and no reflection on KP.
It would be nice to know the ceramic compound and actual backing plate composition – PE, Kevlar epoxy etc. But ultimately edging toward too geeky.
The plates are single curve are to broadly 30x25cm dimension, shooter cut and fit the plate pockets on my Safeguard Vest perfectly. Thickness is about 23mm ( via wife’s tape measure, so dont quote me! ) .
Construction is pretty neatly executed. with a very thin protective layer over the ceramic face – good feature. Finger pressing causes me to guess its mosaic tiled, but cannot really tell. Research suggests that mono tile or mosaic is less crucial than the quality of the bonding to the backer. Be aware the backer is full dimension, but the ceramic front is surrounded by a 1 inch protective foam packing. NIJ standards do not rate edges in any case, but the effective full ceramic/ backer protection is 10×8 inches. Swings and roundabouts – more robust and far less risk of cracking ceramic from a drop or hard bump which might weaken the whole plate, but potentially exposed margins. I m wearing ICW ( In conjunction with ) and am pretty sanguine about the trade off. Recall Clint Smith says – ‘the other guy needs to be good enough to hit your armour’!
Its all about insurance and risk balance. Until I see actual rounds under some degree of controlled conditions hit the actual model of plate I have, a niggle will remain. But far happier with a plate that appears to be all it says it is and I can afford now than gazing at a full spec, NIJ direct certified mutts dooda set of plates that are out of stock, cant be shipped or I just plain cannot afford. And if some reviews are believed ARE NO BETTER than the best Chinese stuff!
I am in a position to put 7.62 Ball and 5.56 M193 & SS109 into plates if the opportunity presents, film it, have meaningful conditions and gift that all to Kitpimp should the opportunity arise ( subtle hint ;-))… but then that might put the price up! Be nice to make it 5 stars and have full peace of mind though….
Andriy (verified owner) –
Needed for some friends, recieved within 2 days of payment, so all was good
Nesmachniy (verified owner) –
Good service, thanks