Ballistic protection levels cannot be compared by level number alone. Each standard specifies its own projectile construction, mass, velocity, number of shots, shot spacing, conditioning and acceptance criteria. The following tables translate the principal data presented in the original article.
United States NIJ 0101.06
| Level | Test projectile | Nominal mass | Velocity | Shots | Allowed penetrations | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIA | 9 mm FMJ/RN | 8.0 g (124 gr) | 373 ± 9.1 m/s | 6 | 0 | 5 m |
| IIA | .40 S&W FMJ | 11.7 g (180 gr) | 352 ± 9.1 m/s | 6 | 0 | 5 m |
| II | 9 mm FMJ/RN | 8.0 g (124 gr) | 398 ± 9.1 m/s | 6 | 0 | 5 m |
| II | .357 Magnum JSP | 10.2 g (158 gr) | 408 ± 9.1 m/s | 6 | 0 | 5 m |
| IIIA | .357 SIG FMJ/FN | 8.1 g (125 gr) | 448 ± 9.1 m/s | 6 | 0 | 5 m |
| IIIA | .44 Magnum SJHP | 15.6 g (240 gr) | 436 ± 9.1 m/s | 6 | 0 | 5 m |
| III | 7.62 x 51 mm M80 FMJ | 9.6 g (147 gr) | 847 ± 9.1 m/s | 6 | 0 | 15 m |
| IV | .30-06 M2 AP | 10.8 g (166 gr) | 878 ± 9.1 m/s | 1 to 3 | 0 | 15 m |
UL 752
| Level | Weapon | Cartridge | Projectile | Mass | Distance | Velocity | Shots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 mm pistol | 9 x 19 mm | FMJ lead core | 124 gr | 4.6 m | 358–395 m/s | 3 |
| 2 | .357 Magnum | .357/.38 | Jacketed lead soft point | 158 gr | 4.6 m | 381–419 m/s | 3 |
| 3 | .44 Magnum | .44 | Lead semi-wadcutter, gas check | 240 gr | 4.6 m | 411–453 m/s | 3 |
| 4 | .30-06 rifle | .30-06 | Lead soft point | 180 gr | 4.6 m | 774–852 m/s | 1 |
| 5 | 7.62 mm/.308 rifle | 7.62 x 51 mm | Lead-core FMJ military | 150 gr | 4.6 m | 838–922 m/s | 1 |
| 6 | UZI submachine gun | 9 x 19 mm | FMJ lead core | 124 gr | 4.6 m | 427–469 m/s | 5 |
| 7 | 5.56 mm rifle | 5.56 x 45 mm | FMJ lead core | 55 gr | 4.6 m | 939–1,033 m/s | 5 |
| 8 | 7.62 mm M14 rifle | 7.62 x 51 mm | Lead-core FMJ military | 150 gr | 4.6 m | 838–922 m/s | 5 |
Abbreviations: FMJ = full metal jacket; JSP = jacketed soft point; RN = round nose; FN = flat nose; SJHP = semi-jacketed hollow point. The original source also specifies environmental conditioning and test-temperature requirements that should be reviewed in the complete standard.
European EN 1063
| Level | Weapon | Cartridge | Projectile | Mass | Velocity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BR1 | Rifle | .22 LR | Round-nose lead | 2.6 g | 360 ± 10 m/s | 10 m |
| BR2 | Pistol | 9 mm Luger | FMJ/RN/soft core | 8.0 g | 400 ± 10 m/s | 5 m |
| BR3 | Pistol | .357 Magnum | FMJ/conical nose/soft core | 10.2 g | 430 ± 10 m/s | 5 m |
| BR4 | Pistol | .44 Magnum | FMJ/flat nose/soft core | 15.6 g | 440 ± 10 m/s | 5 m |
| BR5 | Rifle | 5.56 x 45 mm M193 | FMJ/pointed/soft core | 4.0 g | 950 ± 10 m/s | 10 m |
| BR6 | Rifle | 7.62 x 51 mm M80 | FMJ/pointed/lead soft core | 9.5 g | 830 ± 10 m/s | 10 m |
| BR7 | Rifle | 7.62 x 51 mm | FMJ/pointed/hard steel core | 9.8 g | 820 ± 10 m/s | 10 m |
| SG1 | Shotgun | 12/70 | Lead slug | 31 g | 420 ± 10 m/s | 10 m |
| SG2 | Shotgun | 12/70 | Lead slug | 31 g | 420 ± 10 m/s | 10 m |
Abbreviations: RN = round nose; CN = conical nose; FN = flat nose; PB = pointed bullet; SC = soft core; HSC = hard steel core; FMJ = full metal jacket.
China GA 141-2010
| Level | Projectile | Mass | Velocity | Construction | Cartridge / firearm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Type 64 7.62 mm pistol, lead core | 4.87 g | 320 ± 10 m/s | Round-nose lead core, copper jacket | 7.62 x 17 mm; Type 77/64 pistol |
| 2 | Type 51 7.62 mm pistol, lead core | 5.6 g | 445 ± 10 m/s | Round-nose lead core, copper-plated steel jacket | 7.62 x 25 mm; Type 54 pistol |
| 3 | Type 51 7.62 mm pistol, lead core | 5.6 g | 515 ± 10 m/s | Round-nose lead core, copper-plated steel jacket | 7.62 x 25 mm; Type 79 light submachine gun |
| 4 | Type 51 7.62 mm pistol, steel core | 5.68 g | 515 ± 10 m/s | Round steel core, copper-plated jacket | 7.62 x 25 mm; Type 79 light submachine gun |
| 5 | Type 56 7.62 mm ball, steel core | 8.05 g | 725 ± 10 m/s | Pointed boat-tail steel core, lead sleeve, copper-plated steel jacket | 7.62 x 39 mm; Type 56 semi-automatic / Type 81 automatic rifle |
| 6 | Type 53 7.62 mm ball, steel core | 9.6 g | 830 ± 10 m/s | Pointed boat-tail steel core, lead sleeve, copper-plated steel jacket | 7.62 x 54 mm; Type 79/85 sniper rifle |
Protection above Level 6 may be specified separately. The Type 56 cartridge is associated with the same family as the AK-pattern 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge. GA 141 places particular emphasis on limiting backface deformation to 25 mm, compared with 44 mm in NIJ 0101.06. Levels 2 and 3 cover handgun and submachine-gun threats broadly comparable to the upper handgun-threat range in NIJ, with Level 3 using a higher velocity.
Selection Guidance
Always compare the exact projectile, velocity, shot pattern, conditioning and deformation criteria required by the procurement specification. Certification to one standard does not automatically establish equivalence to another standard, even where the level numbers appear similar.
