Nothing is built to last forever. Even our dear earth is reaching its end sooner or later. So, it is safe to infer that ballistic shields too are not created to last forever, neither were they created to stop every kind of ballistic threat. If you own a ballistic shield, it is crucial for you to know the kind of ballistic threat it can stop. Before throwing yourself towards any kind of ballistic threat, be sure that you stand it. This is because ballistic shields can give way when hit by a higher caliber of bullet rounds than they were made to stop. To prevent casualties, the NIJ, the National Institute of Justice, breaks down ballistic protection by levels of ballistic protection of ballistic shields.
When it comes to ballistic performance, there are critical differences in NIJ ballistic levels for shields and the range from levels II to IV. Level II will stop most common handgun rounds including 45 ACP, 9mm, .40 s&w, .357, etc. These can be made of soft armor. Level IIIA will protect against nearly all handgun rounds up to .44 magnum, 9mm submachine gun rounds, and even 12-gauge shotgun slugs. These can be made of soft armor or hard armor.
Level III is made of hard armor and is rated for rifle protection. Level III armor is designed to withstand 7.62 mm FMJ (US military M80) rounds with a mass of 147 grains and a velocity of 2780 ft/s. Level IV will stop armor-piercing rounds as well as rifle threats. However, there is a lot to consider when choosing a ballistic shield for a department.
While the Level IV ballistic shield option seems like a great option due to its better protection and longer lifespan, it always comes with a heavy weight. When choosing a ballistic shield, be sure not to tradeoff between protection and mobility. Softer armor tends to be lighter weight, easier to maneuver, and less expensive. These are easier and more comfortable to use when shooting on the move but tend to offer less protection. Harder armor offers increased protection but retarded mobility.
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