Plate Carriers & Armor Carriers

Law enforcement and military personnel require the best body protection while out in the field serving our community. Protecting their bodies from projectiles and having the duty gear they need is important. 

Police and military personnel face many different threat levels each day on the job. They require varying levels of protection from their body armor plates. There are many levels of plates that are carried in their ballistic carriers, concealable plate carriers, and outer vest carriers.

Here is a breakdown of the different threat levels that need to be considered when purchasing a body armor carrier.

• Level IIA – Tested to withstand 9mm and .40 S&W ammunition fired from short barrel handguns. No rifle ammunition protection.
• Level II – Tested to withstand 9mm and .357 Magnum ammunition fired from short barrel handguns. No rifle ammunition protection.
• Level IIIA – Tested to withstand .357 SIG and .44 Magnum ammunition fired from longer barrel handguns. No rifle ammunition protection.
• Level III – Tested to withstand 7.62mm (M80) lead core rifle ammunition
• Level IV – Tested to withstand .30 caliber Armor Piercing Rifle Round (M2 AP) ammunition

Outer Vest Carriers

Body armor plate carriers are available with a variety of features, such as a cummerbund-style stretch waist, moisture-wicking technology, extended shirttails, and MOLLE compatibility. One of the most popular types of plate carriers is an outer vest carrier.

Outer vest carriers are solutions to several different problems for our police officers. A carrier is a shell or an overlay that is placed over external body armor, like an armored vest or bullet resistant vest, aka “bulletproof vest”. A proper external vest carrier makes standard tactical vests look more like shirts and they usually come with extra internal pockets for inserting additional ballistic plates.

Different styles of law enforcement plate carriers are required for the variety of uniforms that law enforcement must wear. There are three classifications; Class A, Class B, and Class C uniforms. There are plate carrier vest options for each type of uniform.

Class A Uniforms

Class A police uniforms are often referred to as the “dress uniform” for law enforcement officers. The Class A uniform is reserved for ceremonies, receptions, funerals, and other special occasions, not for everyday wear.

The 5.11 Class A uniform Outer Vest Carrier allows you to enjoy the comfort and convenience of a police outer vest carrier while providing a seamless, professional look. This police vest is designed with a perfect blend of durability, performance, and comfort. This ballistic vest also has a Teflon finish with stain and soil release as well as a Flex-Tac mechanical stretch for superior mobility.

Class B Uniforms

Class B uniforms, sometimes referred to as a duty or operational uniform, features a more casual style with a relaxed fit. Class B uniforms are built for rough and tumble police activities and for street duty wear. Class B uniforms maintain a tailored look but include some tactical features, such as cargo pockets. Class B accessory-type items may include body armor, duty belts, tactical gear, and other headwear.

The 5.11 Class B Outer Vest Carrier is designed with real-world input from active-duty officers. This police tactical vest includes all of the functional details you demand in a working uniform combined with a professional Class B appearance. This tactical plate carrier also features a Teflon finish, two chest pockets, and Flex-Tac mechanical stretch for superior mobility.

Class C Uniforms

Tactical BDU uniforms are frequently classified as a Class C style. Class C uniforms offer a less tailored appearance, with a heavy focus on comfort and durability for more intense tactical situations. Class C uniforms are used by SWAT teams, K9 units, and other special operations teams that need a uniform with attention to mobility and comfort.

Best Plate Carriers

The Condor MOPC Modular Operator Plate Carrier is lightweight, mobile, and intelligently designed to meet harsh job demands. This military plate carrier accepts full-size plates, up to 10” x 13” plate front/ back and up to 6” x 8” side plates. This NTOA-approved armor vest also boasts a highly mobile operator cut, front and back, plus both the shoulders and cummerbund are fully adjustable.

Designed for active shooter response, the 5ive Star Gear Bodyguard Plate Carrier comes loaded with the same features found on more expensive carriers. This tactical vest carrier is made from durable 1200D ballistic nylon with a padded mesh interior and has MOLLE webbing on the front and back for attaching pouches. This MOLLE plate carrier also includes hook and loop guides for hydration or radio lines as well as an emergency drag handle.

Offering our law enforcement and military professionals the most trusted ballistic protection options including NIJ Compliant Police Body Armor is a priority here at Galls. We carry top brands including Point Blank, Second Chance, Elbeco, Condor, and Galls to name a few that offer the newest technology along with the highest quality of products.

Whether you need tactical gear, rifle slings, body armor, holsters, or ballistic helmets, we have a large selection for you to choose from.