SAPI Plates

SAPI stands for Small Arms Protective Insert. In military and commercial use, SAPI cut refers to a hard-plate shape with clipped upper corners and a set of named sizes, so the plate can sit in a matching carrier or vest pocket. Many plates in this collection are also offered in shooter cut, and some in full cut or swimmer cut. Those cuts are not the same outline as a SAPI-cut plate of a similar inch size, so match the cut and the dimensions to the pocket you will use.

ESAPI stands for Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert, a later U.S. military plate specification. A commercial plate sold in a SAPI cut or SAPI size is not an ESAPI plate unless the maker and the listing say it is. This collection is HighCom SAPI-cut hard plates. Rescue Supply does not currently stock ESAPI plates.

Use the width and height listed on the product page, not the size name alone, and match that plate to the carrier or vest pocket it will sit in. On the HighCom listings in this collection, SAPI-cut sizes are stated as:

• Extra Small (XS): 7.25 in x 11.5 in
• Small (S): 8.75 in x 11.75 in
• Medium (M): 9.5 in x 12.5 in
• Large (L): 10 in x 13.25 in
• Extra Large (XL): 11 in x 14 in

Not every model offers every size. For example, the Guardian 3S18M is currently listed in SAPI Small, Medium and Large, plus a 10 in x 12 in shooter cut. Several models also offer a 10 in x 12 in shooter-cut plate, which is a different footprint from a SAPI Medium or SAPI Large. Some Level IV and Level III+ models also list smaller full-cut sizes, such as 5 in x 7 in or 8 in x 10 in, that are not SAPI torso sizes. Confirm the cut, curve (single or multi) and exact dimensions on the product page, then check fit standing and seated so the plate covers the torso area you intend to protect without riding into the throat or hips.

This collection includes plates titled to NIJ 0101.06 Level III and Level IV, plates titled Level III+ (a special-threat industry label), and plates titled to NIJ RF1 and RF2. Read the product page for the standard and the exact claim on that model. Certification and special-threat claims below are as stated on the current listings; confirm the label and, where a buyer requires NIJ compliance, the NIJ Compliant Products List for that model.

NIJ 0101.06 Level III and Level IV. NIJ Standard-0101.06 classifies hard plates as Type III or Type IV by the test threat used. Type III hard armor is tested with 7.62 mm FMJ, steel jacketed bullets (U.S. Military designation M80), 147 grain, at 2780 ft/s ± 30 ft/s. Type IV hard armor is tested with .30 caliber armor piercing bullets (U.S. Military designation M2 AP), 166 grain, at 2880 ft/s ± 30 ft/s. Level III+ is not one of the five standard NIJ 0101.06 types. The standard instead defines a Special Type class for threats a purchaser specifies outside those types.

NIJ 0123.00 RF1, RF2 and RF3. NIJ Standard 0123.00 names the current rifle levels RF1, RF2 and RF3, used with the NIJ 0101.07 test method. NIJ maps former Level III to RF1 and former Level IV to RF3. RF2 is a new intermediate rifle level with no former NIJ equivalent. It includes all RF1 test threats plus an additional threat. Per NIJ 0123.00, RF1 is tested with 7.62x51mm M80, 7.62x39mm mild steel core (MSC), and 5.56mm M193. RF2 adds 5.56mm M855. RF3 is tested with .30-06 M2 AP. This collection lists RF1 and RF2 plates. It does not currently list an RF3 plate.

Do not treat Level III+ as the same rating as RF2, or Level IV as the same certification as RF3, unless that exact model is listed to both standards. Choose the level that matches the threat your agency requires, then confirm the claim on the product page.

The current mix is HighCom hard armor plates sold in SAPI cut and, on many models, other cuts. Claims below are as stated on the product listings.

• Level III: Guardian 3S18M, RSTP Gen 2, Guardian 3S14M and Guardian 3S11M. The 3S18M, 3S14M and 3S11M listings state NIJ 0101.06 Level III stand-alone certification. The RSTP Gen 2 listing describes certified stand-alone Level III performance and special-threat testing; it does not name a specific NIJ edition.
• Level III+: Guardian RSTP, Guardian 3S9M, Guardian 3S15M and Guardian 3I10M. The 3S9M and 3S15M listings state NIJ 0101.06 Level III compliance plus Level III+ special-threat testing. The RSTP and 3I10M listings describe special-threat rifle testing and do not state a specific NIJ certification. Confirm stand-alone versus in-conjunction use on each page, especially the 3I10M.
• NIJ RF1: Guardian 3S7M. The listing states NIJ 0101.07 Level RF1 certification.
• NIJ RF2: Guardian 3S21M. The listing states NIJ 0101.07 Level RF2 certification.
• Level IV: Guardian 4SAS7, Striker 4S17M and Guardian 4S16. The 4SAS7 listing states NIJ 0101.04 (2005IR) Level IV stand-alone certification. The 4S17M and 4S16 listings state NIJ 0101.06 Level IV compliance, stand-alone.

It depends on the model. A stand-alone plate is tested to its stated rifle level without a soft-armor backer. An in-conjunction (ICW) plate is tested only as a system with the soft armor it was qualified with. NIJ Standard-0101.06 requires that NIJ-approved hard armor tested as an in-conjunction design be clearly labeled as providing ballistic protection only when worn with the NIJ-approved flexible armor system with which it was tested.

Most listings in this collection describe stand-alone use. The Guardian 3I10M listing does not clearly state stand-alone or in-conjunction performance, so confirm that on the product page before you order. If your policy requires a specific soft-armor backer, use the combination the maker tested.

Yes, when the carrier or vest pocket matches the plate's cut and size. SAPI-cut plates are made to sit in SAPI-sized pockets. A 10 in x 12 in shooter-cut plate needs a pocket cut for that outline, not a different SAPI size. See plate carriers and bulletproof vests and plates for carriers and vests. Confirm pocket dimensions on the carrier or vest page, and confirm cut, curve and size on the plate page. For department or program orders, request a quote.