Ballistic Shields

Rescue Supply Ā· Police & Correctional

Ballistic Shields for Law Enforcement, Corrections and Security Teams

Handheld, mobile and rolling ballistic shields, organized the way agencies actually evaluate them — form factor, documented protection rating, size and weight — with quote support for unit and facility purchases.

Agency purchasingDocumented ratingsMulti-unit quote support
Officer holding a ballistic shield during outdoor training

Types of ballistic shields: handheld, mobile and rolling

Two formats cover nearly every assignment — carried shields for movement, wheeled shields for holding a position.

  • Handheld shields — carried by one operator, and the default for patrol response, entries and warrant service: they move fast, work in stairwells and vehicles, and trade total coverage for mobility.
  • Mobile and rolling shields — ride on wheels or a trolley and hold a position — a corridor, a booking area, a school entrance, a checkpoint — where the shield stays deployed far longer than anyone could hold one.
  • Larger mobile formats — give the fullest coverage, and are moved into place rather than carried.
  • The mix most agencies land on — handhelds in vehicles, and a mobile unit where a post needs standing protection.

The full range is in our Ballistic Shields collection.

Handheld ballistic shield beside a larger rolling ballistic shield in a training facility

Protection ratings, in plain language (and what to verify)

  • Level IIIA — the highest legacy handgun rating; the common rating for patrol handheld shields.
  • Level III — rifle-rated; heavier shields built for rifle threats.
  • Level IV — the legacy top rifle rating, against armor-piercing rifle rounds.

NIJ’s updated standard work is transitioning terminology to HG1/HG2 (handgun) and RF1–RF3 (rifle) designations, so the same shield may be described in either vocabulary depending on when its documentation was written. Before any purchase, verify the specific model’s current test documentation with the manufacturer — and be wary of any seller who rates a shield with adjectives instead of documents.

Close-up of a ballistic shield viewport and layered composite edge construction

Sizes, viewports and weights

Three trade-offs drive the spec:

  • Size — a larger shield covers more of the operator and can shelter a second person, but is slower in doorways and vehicles: match the format to where it will actually be used.
  • Viewport — most tactical shields include a ballistic viewport (a rated window) so the operator can see without exposing their head above the shield; viewport size and placement vary by model and are listed on each product page.
  • Weight — weight climbs steeply with size and rating, and a handheld shield is carried at arm’s length: check each model’s listed weight against how long your operators realistically hold a position.
  • Rolling, as the weight answer — consider whether a rolling format solves the same problem with no carry weight at all.
  • Secondary features — some models add weapon lights or rests; treat those as secondary to format, rating and weight.
Officer holding a full-size ballistic shield, seen from behind, showing its scale and viewport

Shields for patrol and tactical teams

Patrol shields live in vehicles and get deployed on the worst call of the shift:

  • Patrol — compact handheld formats, handgun-rated for the threats patrol most often faces, light enough to run one-handed while the other hand works.
  • Tactical teams — step up to rifle-rated shields with viewports and light options for entries and deliberate approaches.
  • The bracket — the EDI SWAT and HighCom Bellfire lines below bracket that range: III-A patrol practicality on one end, rifle-rated entry shields on the other.
Officers training with a ballistic shield beside a patrol vehicle
Corrections officer carrying a ballistic shield in a facility corridor
A corrections officer carrying a shield down a facility corridor during training.

Shields for corrections and facility security

Corrections and facility buyers deploy shields differently: less vehicle work, more standing posts and planned movements — intake and booking areas, corridor control, disturbance response, and the entrances of schools, courthouses and public buildings. Mobile and rolling formats earn their keep here, because the shield holds a position for a whole shift. Corrections buyers outfitting a facility often spec shields alongside the building’s furniture and fixtures — see our Behavioral Health & Correctional Furniture hub for the other half of that purchase.

Ballistic shields vs. ballistic plates and vests

Ballistic shield Plates & vests
Coverage A movable wall — covers the operator and can shelter others behind it Covers the wearer’s torso only
Mobility Carried or rolled to where it is needed; shared team equipment Worn on the body; moves with the individual
Typical role Entries, approaches, standing posts, protected positions Personal protection worn throughout a shift or operation
Where to browse Ballistic Shields Ballistic Plates Ā· Ballistic Vests
Ballistic shields racked in an equipment storage room
Shields racked on the wall and staged on a storage cart in an agency equipment room.

Agency purchasing: quotes, quantities and lead times

Shields are usually bought as a program — several units, sometimes across facilities, on a requisition. Send the models and quantities (or the post and threat profile you are speccing against) through our institutional quote form or at (800) 239-1797 and our quotes team will price the order with freight and current lead times. Rescue Supply is operated by Prosperity Guard, LLC, a minority-owned Small Business Enterprise set up for secure government procurement; purchase orders are accepted on approved accounts.

Shop ballistic shields

Product Maker Rating, per the manufacturer Price
Bellfire B-3 Ballistic Shield HighCom Level III — rifle-rated, standalone $3,030.95
SWAT Ballistic Shield EDI USA Level III-A, with viewport $1,495.00
Ballistic Riot Shield Legacy Safety and Security Level IIIA, with viewport $962.95
Shooters Cut Ballistic Shield EDI USA See the product listing for its documented rating $2,299.00
Classic Ballistic Shields EDI USA See the product listing for its documented rating $1,999.00
HighCom Bellfire B-3 Rifle-Rated Ballistic Shield | Standalone Level III Rifle Threat Protection for Law Enforcement and Tactical Units

HighCom Bellfire B-3 Rifle-Rated Ballistic Shield | Standalone Level III Rifle Threat Protection for Law Enforcement and Tactical Units

Rifle-rated (Level III, per the manufacturer) standalone shield for law enforcement and tactical units.

$3,030.95

View product
EDI SWAT Ballistic Shield | NIJ Level III-A Tactical Protection with Viewport

EDI SWAT Ballistic Shield | NIJ Level III-A Tactical Protection with Viewport

Level III-A tactical shield with viewport, per the manufacturer — the patrol and entry format.

$1,495.00

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EDI Shooters Cut Ballistic Shield

EDI Shooters Cut Ballistic Shield

Shooters-cut profile, shaped so the operator can present a weapon around the shield’s edge.

$2,299.00

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EDI Classic Ballistic Shields

EDI Classic Ballistic Shields

EDI’s classic shield format for patrol, posts and facility security.

$1,999.00

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Legacy Safety and Security Ballistic Riot Shield | Lightweight NIJ Level IIIA Tactical Protection Shield with Viewport

Legacy Safety and Security Ballistic Riot Shield | Lightweight NIJ Level IIIA Tactical Protection Shield with Viewport

Ballistic-rated shield in a riot format (Level IIIA per the manufacturer), with viewport.

$962.95

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EDI Ballistic Shield Trolley

EDI Ballistic Shield Trolley

Wheeled trolley that converts a handheld shield into a mobile, hold-the-position unit.

$466.95

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Frequently asked questions

What is a ballistic shield used for?

To give officers and security staff movable ballistic protection during approaches, entries, warrant service and evacuations, and to hold protected positions at posts and entrances. Unlike a vest, a shield is shared team equipment that can also shelter a second person behind it.

What is the difference between a mobile and a handheld ballistic shield?

A handheld shield is carried by one operator — faster and more versatile, but the operator holds its full weight. A mobile or rolling shield rides on wheels or a trolley, trades carry speed for endurance and coverage, and suits standing posts, corridors and facility entrances.

How much does a ballistic shield weigh?

It depends on size, material and protection rating — rifle-rated and larger shields are substantially heavier than compact handgun-rated ones. Every shield in our collection publishes its weight on its product page; compare models there, and weigh how long an operator must hold or move it in your use case.

What protection level do police ballistic shields carry?

It varies by model and role: handgun-rated (legacy Level IIIA) shields are common for patrol, and rifle-rated (Level III) shields are built for tactical use. Ratings belong to the specific product’s manufacturer test documentation — verify the model you are buying, and note that NIJ terminology is transitioning to HG and RF designations.

Do ballistic shields have viewports or lights?

Many do. A viewport is a ballistic-rated window that lets the operator see without rising above the shield, and some models offer weapon lights or light-ready setups. Viewport size, placement and light options are listed on each product page.

Can a ballistic shield be used by one officer?

Yes — handheld shields are designed for a single operator, and mobile/rolling shields are also positioned and used by one person. Larger formats may take a second person to move over distance or rough ground.

How do agencies buy ballistic shields in quantity?

Through a quote: send the models and quantities, or the role you are equipping, via our institutional quote form or at (800) 239-1797. Our team prices freight and current lead times into one quote, and purchase orders are accepted on approved accounts.

What is the difference between a ballistic shield and a riot shield?

A riot shield is a polycarbonate impact shield for thrown objects, strikes and crowd pressure — it carries no ballistic rating. A ballistic shield is built and tested to a documented ballistic protection rating. A few products combine the formats, so always check the documentation rather than the name.

Agency Purchasing

Spec a shield program, not just a shield.

Tell us the posts, vehicles and teams you are equipping and our quotes team will price shields, quantities and lead times together — one quote, freight included.

Product selection guidance is informational. Check current specifications, availability, manufacturer instructions and any applicable clinical, safety or regulatory requirements before purchasing.