The Hesco 4601 is a stand-alone NIJ Level IV rifle plate, certified to stop armor piercing rounds up to and including .30-06 M2 AP with no soft armor backer required. It sits in the middle of our Level IV lineup, lighter to wear than the budget 4403MC while costing far less than the premium 4800.
In the SAPI Medium cut each plate weighs about 6.6 lb, more than a pound lighter than the same size 4403MC, which adds up over a long day in a carrier. The tradeoff is a slightly thicker plate at 1.18 inches and a higher price. The multi-curve shape wraps the torso for comfort, and every plate is NIJ 0101.06 certified, built on a ceramic strike face, and ships as a set of two.
For most people who want certified Level IV protection and care about weight without paying for the lightest plate on the board, the 4601 is the balanced choice.
If budget is the priority and you can carry a little more weight, the Hesco 4403MC is the most affordable Level IV we sell. If you want an even lighter Level IV and certification is not a must, the Hesco 4800 is the lightest we carry (NIJ .06 compliant). If you only face common rifle threats and not armor piercing, a special threat plate like the Hesco U210 will save weight and money.
Best for: buyers who want certified Level IV armor piercing protection with a real weight savings over the entry model, at a mid-tier price.
Made in the USA by HESCO.