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Have you ever found yourself pondering the unthinkable scenario of a Thanksgiving feast turning into a chaotic showdown, with grandma, fed up with her daughter-in-law's cooking, brandishing a 12-gauge semi-auto shotgun from beneath the dining table? No? Excellent, that means you're sane.

Yet, with Turkey Day swiftly approaching, we at BulletSafe saw an opportunity to shed light on a rather unique form of protection. Picture this hypothetical situation: a dining table, accommodating six to eight guests, stretches to 78 inches or 2 yards in length. If shotgun-toting grandma were to open fire from one end of the table, every shot would be considered point-blank. Shotguns, originally crafted for close-quarters combat within the confines of World War I trenches, can wreak havoc at such close range.

While some hunters may argue that they've taken shots at a turkey only for it to flee, likening it to shooting a bulletproof vest encased in stuffing, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. First, a live turkey is protected by a robust layer of feathers designed to shield it from the elements. Second, when a turkey is hit in the body by a shotgun with turkey loads from distances exceeding 40 yards, it might be wounded but is unlikely to meet its demise due to the aforementioned protective feather layer.

At point-blank range, however, the tables turn, and the turkey's fate is sealed.

That is unless you take two crucial steps: a vigilant weapons check at the entrance to prevent any potential dinner table disruptions and the fortification of your beloved turkey with a BulletSafe IIIA bulletproof vest. Even at point-blank range, the BulletSafe IIIA vest can thwart large-caliber slug rounds and heavy buckshot like 00. While it may result in some unsightly deformation on your centerpiece, you can rest assured that none of the shotgun pellets will breach its defenses.

Soft armor vests, such as the BulletSafe VP3, boast a NIJ Level IIIA rating, primarily designed to halt pistol caliber rounds ranging from 9mm to .44 magnum. However, in practice, they also provide protection against shotgun rounds, either from buckshot or slugs.

In one of our videos, BulletSafe’s very own Jake demonstrated the dependability of our VP3 vests by actually up-armoring a turkey and blasting it with a round of buckshot followed up with a slug to the back. Just as predicted, there was no penetration.

While we sincerely hope that no one has to grapple with shotgun-wielding, holiday-induced chaos this Thanksgiving, we, at BulletSafe, encourage you to prioritize your safety in this unpredictable world. Consider acquiring one of our bulletproof vests for added peace of mind.

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As Halloween approaches, it's not just the spooky costumes and haunted houses that capture our imagination. At BulletSafe, we decided to combine the spirit of the season with a bit of science and firearms expertise in a fun and unconventional way. Jake, a Brand Manager at BulletSafe, took the stage to test whether pumpkins could withstand the impact of various handgun and rifle calibers. The result? A fascinating and entertaining experiment that left us all in awe and reinforced an essential safety message.

Jake kicked off the experiment with a 9mm FMJ round. The round managed to punch its way through four pumpkins before coming to rest in the fifth. The soft, fleshy interior of the pumpkins didn't prove to be a significant challenge for this relatively small caliber bullet.

Next up was a .45 caliber round. This bullet, with its larger size and greater force, was able to penetrate five pumpkins and even nick the sixth. The pumpkins seemed to offer little resistance to this bullet's path.

But the real excitement came when Jake decided to bring out the big guns, in this case, a .44 Magnum. Firing a soft-point jacketed round, the .44 Magnum plowed through all the way to the seventh pumpkin. It was becoming evident that pumpkins were no match for these powerful bullets.

In a playful twist, Jake then had some Halloween-themed fun with a 12-gauge shotgun, systematically eliminating a row of frightening pumpkins. It was a reminder of the sheer force and impact that shotguns possess.

But what's the takeaway from this entertaining experiment? Beyond the festive spirit and the impressive demonstration of bullet penetration, it's a crucial reminder of the need for effective personal protection. Pumpkins, while they might make excellent Halloween decorations, are no match for real-world ballistic threats.

As the video concludes, Jake artfully transforms a makeshift Jack-O-Lantern into the final menacing pumpkin, showcasing a bit of Halloween spirit amidst the ballistic excitement.

So, this Halloween, while you're enjoying the spookiness and fun of the season, remember that if you ever need vital protection, a pumpkin definitely won't cut it. BulletSafe offers a range of ballistic protection equipment, such as the VP3  bulletproof vest, designed to provide you with the peace of mind you need in a world where safety is paramount.

Happy Halloween from the folks at BulletSafe, where science, bullets, and pumpkins collide to create an unforgettable holiday spectacle!

In the realm of fiction, a concealable vest is capable of defeating anything from a 9mm to a Libyan AK round. In reality, not all vests are created equal. The protective power of a bulletproof vest depends largely on the type of material the vest is made from as well as the round used to hit it.

Just like its many inaccurate portrayals of romantic relationships and one-man armies, Hollywood gets bulletproof vests wrong. Here are just a few examples:

Alien Nation (1988): In this science fiction thriller, a .454 Casull casually blows a hole through a soft armor vest at a police firing range. In reality, soft armor vests used by police are rated at Level IIIA, capable of stopping most handgun rounds up to .44 Magnum. While the .454 Casull is a larger round than the .44 Magnum, independent testing has shown that it will not likely be able to penetrate soft armor. However, even if a victim wears a IIIA vest, they will still suffer from heavy internal bleeding from the sheer force of the round.

Back to the Future (1985): In this classic time travel action-comedy, the eccentric scientist Doc Brown gets riddled with AK rounds by angry Libyan terrorists who were cheated out of their plutonium, an event which forced his assistant Marty McFly to travel back in time to warn him. One full-length feature film and a time skip later, Doc Brown dons a bulletproof vest and gets shot again, but is saved thanks to his new bulletproof armor, which in reality would have not done much to stop the 7.62x39mm AK rounds. Being soft armor, the maximum rating for these bulletproof vests would be Level IIIA and the vast majority of centerfire rifle rounds would have punched straight through. In contrast, Level III and IV bulletproof armor is made of rigid ceramic, steel, or UHMWPE plates, and these are the only types of armor meant to stop centerfire rifle rounds like the .223 or the AK’s 7.62x39mm.

Batman Begins (2005): Batman’s bat suit is both flexible and bulletproof. It is made from a Nomex outer shell with a sublayer of bulletproof armor. This armored layer would be feasible if it was made from a lightweight material like ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, the same material BulletSafe bulletproof vests are made from.

Realistically, though, Bruce Wayne asks his head of R&D, Lucis Fox, to make a suit that’s more resistant to dog bites. Even though a vest might be rated to stop high velocity ballistic rounds, the same vest might not be rated to stop things like knives or other sharp, narrow objects like dog fangs from piercing it.

Hollywood often portrays bulletproof vests as being capable of stopping any round, regardless of the caliber or type. However, the reality is that bulletproof vests are not perfect, and they can only stop certain types of rounds up to a certain caliber.

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has a rating system for bulletproof vests, which goes from Level I to Level IV. Level I vests are the least protective, and they can only stop pistol rounds up to .357 Magnum. Level IV vests are the most protective, and they can stop rifle rounds up to .30-06 Springfield.

It's important to note that even Level IV vests cannot stop all rifle rounds. There are some very powerful rifle cartridges, such as the .50 BMG, that can penetrate any bulletproof vest.

So, if you're looking for the best possible protection, you need to choose a bulletproof vest that is rated to stop the types of rounds you're most likely to encounter. And, it's important to remember that even the best bulletproof vest cannot guarantee complete protection.

BulletSafe bulletproof vests are made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), which is one of the strongest and lightest materials available. BulletSafe vests are rated to stop a wide range of pistol and rifle rounds, up to and including .30-06 Springfield.

BulletSafe vests are also comfortable to wear and can be concealed under clothing. They are ideal for law enforcement, security personnel, and anyone else who needs the best possible protection from ballistic threats.

Click here to learn more about our bulletproof vests and to place an order.

The concept of a person wearing a bulletproof vest often conjures up images of invincibility, with some assuming that it should provide complete protection from gunfire. However, the reality is that bulletproof vests are designed not to make the wearer impervious to injury but to save lives. Even if someone is wearing a bulletproof vest when they’re shot, it’s highly likely that he or she will sustain grievous injuries from the event and may even be knocked out. Still, there are some who wonder why it does not cover the entire torso since modern bulletproof vests typically do not extend below the navel.

One of the foremost reasons bulletproof vests do not extend below the navel is to ensure the wearer's freedom of movement. While the primary goal is to protect against ballistic threats, it is equally important for individuals wearing these vests to be able to perform essential tasks, such as running, sitting, and even driving, without hindrance.

Most bulletproof vests cover this area above the pelvis, allowing freedom of joint movement while protecting the most vital internal organs.

A bulletproof vest that covers the entire torso, including the abdominal region, would limit the wearer's flexibility and comfort significantly. Blocking the body's flexible abdominal muscles with rigid armor material would make sitting down in a patrol car or armored vehicle uncomfortable and restrictive. In emergency situations, officers and security personnel need to be agile and quick on their feet, and cumbersome armor could impede their response time.

The practice of designing armor to end at or slightly above the navel has a historical precedent dating back to the Middle Ages. Medieval breastplates or cuirasses featured a lower front piece known as the "plackart" that ended at the "natural waist," which is just above the belly button. Below this section, metal strips known as "faulds" flared out, resembling a skirt. This design allowed knights and men-at-arms to move freely, whether on foot or horseback. The faulds, in particular, played a crucial role in enabling mobility without sacrificing protection.

In modern law enforcement and security, duty belts are essential equipment for officers and security personnel. These belts come equipped with various accessory pouches, containing items like handcuffs, tourniquets, radios, and firearms. Easy access to these tools is vital for professionals who may need to respond swiftly to a wide range of situations.

A full-torso bulletproof vest that extends below the navel would obstruct the duty belt and make it challenging to reach these critical tools quickly. In high-stress situations, any hindrance in accessing equipment could have dire consequences. Therefore, maintaining a clear and unobstructed path to the duty belt is a practical consideration that influences the design of bulletproof vests.

While some armor solutions with more extensive body coverage do exist, such as the U.S. Army's Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV), these vests are often met with disdain by troops due to their weight and mobility issues. Carrying additional weight can be physically demanding, especially for those who need to be agile and responsive in dynamic situations. Balancing protection with the ability to move swiftly is a delicate trade-off.

In summary, the design of bulletproof vests not extending below the navel is a deliberate choice to strike a balance between protection and practicality.

The arms race between offensive weapons and defensive armor has spanned centuries, and with the advent of the firearm, so has the quest to find the most effective and efficient bulletproof materials. A combination of innovations and accidental discoveries have led to the development of modern bulletproof materials like Kevlar and UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene). However, those who want to be prepared for future situations where they might not have the opportunity to don body armor may want to consider the benefits of proper cover and the types of materials capable of protecting them.

Relying solely on armor like bulletproof vests may not always be an option, particularly when you’re caught unaware. It's crucial to understand that not all materials are created equal, but anything capable of rapidly decelerating a bullet or stopping it outright is considered "bulletproof." Thin corrugated sheet metal and wooden planks, for example, are far from effective at stopping bullets. In fact, wooden barriers can shatter upon impact, sending bits of wood flying at whoever was unfortunate enough to choose the wood for cover.

Steel, however, with its exceptional strength and durability, was one of the earliest materials used for bulletproofing. In the early days of firearms, steel armor was effective at deflecting low-velocity musket rounds. However, as bullets evolved into the powerful centerfire cartridges of the modern era, steel had to become thicker and heavier to provide adequate protection. This made it impractical for armor, particularly for personal use.

Contrastingly, earth or tightly packed sand can be remarkably effective at stopping bullets. Sand, for example, can absorb over 85 percent of the energy exerted against it, its resistance increasing with projectile speed. This means that sand can outperform even steel when it comes to absorbing ballistic impacts. If you're ever in a situation where you need to fortify your home, consider filling your barriers with sand.

I say this because the walls of modern American homes are not normally rated to stop bullets. Small caliber pistol ammunition has been known to penetrate the cheap, thin walls characteristic of American architecture, as was demonstrated in a recent incident in San Antonio in July 2023. A man who was doing nothing but lying in his bed was shot through the walls by a shooter who was seemingly attacking apartments at random. In the same way, another victim was killed in May of the same year when his next door neighbor was modifying his loaded weapon and accidentally fired it through the wall. This highlights the importance of understanding the limitations of common construction materials.

When it comes to bulletproof construction materials, the ballistic resistance of concrete largely depends on its thickness. A solid 4-inch section of wall can effectively stop bullets ranging from .40 S&W to .308, while a 6-inch brick wall reinforced with 4 inches of clay can withstand even .50 caliber rounds.

However, when it comes to protecting the human body, we need materials that offer high tensile strength while remaining lightweight and flexible. This is where UHMWPE and Kevlar enter the scene.

UHMWPE, or Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, derives its strength from its unique molecular structure. Its long, overlapping molecular chains provide enormous tensile strength, making it an ideal material for bulletproof applications. In comparison, Kevlar derives its strength from numerous short inter-chain bonds. Both materials have revolutionized personal protection.

Kevlar, accidentally discovered by the Dupont tire company, is seven times stronger than steel, while UHMWPE takes it a step further by being fifteen times stronger than steel. In fact, UHMWPE holds the distinction of being the world's strongest fiber, and the material used in BulletSafe bulletproof vests.

The pursuit of bulletproof materials has come a long way from the days of heavy steel armor. Today, innovative materials like UHMWPE and Kevlar provide lightweight, flexible, and incredibly strong protection against ballistic threats. As technology continues to advance, we can expect further breakthroughs in materials science, pushing the boundaries of what we consider "bulletproof." In a world where personal safety is paramount, the evolution of these materials brings us one step closer to a safer and more secure future.