Notes and Disclaimers
soft armor can be bullet resistant, but nothing is "bullet proof"
Different armor models are designed to protect against very specific types of ammunition. However, no body armor will stop every threat. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) conducts testing and offers certification on various armor formats and many different levels of ballistic armor. While the NIJ certifies certain armor packages as compliant within internal testing protocols, this is not meant to convey any warranty or guarantees by the NIJ, the armor manufacturers, related sub-contractors or end retail sales agents. Soft armor technologies have made tremendous advancements in recent years and are capable of providing protection against most handgun threats faced by citizens today. Level IIIA soft armor is designed to resist various handgun ammunition calibers, bullet grain weight and velocity levels. However there is virtually an unlimited combination of handgun platforms, calibers, bullet grain weight, new ammunition technologies/materials and variable bullet velocities seen in the market today. The NIJ certifies that Level IIIA soft armor can protect against specified bullet calibers and grain weights travelling at various velocity limits when shot from a specific handgun platform. The NIJ generally structures their testing protocols to represent the most frequently seen scenarios typically found in the market today. By testing the more popular handgun platforms, calibers and ammunition, this testing provides a reasonable proxy as to how the soft armor will perform against any specific handgun threats, known or unknown, or not yet tested. The NIJ certification is used as a proxy to understand how the test armor will perform against MOST handgun threats seen today. However the NIJ cannot and does not test every known handgun, caliber, ammunition type, velocity range and independent variable. Furthermore, just because a particular armor package has been laboratory certified by the NIJ to protect against certain combinations of handgun, caliber, ammunition style and velocities, this does not guarantee that the armor technology will work in each and every instance. The customer or end user should never interpret NIJ certification on a ballistic armor product as any form of product performance guarantee (implied, stated or otherwise). Level IIIA soft armor is not intended to protect against rifle fire or sharp-edged or pointed instruments. Soft armor can become damaged without proper care. Please follow panel care instructions accordingly.
images, video & other Content
Some images and video on this website are for illustrative purposes only. They are intended to showcase a wide range of technologies, scientific concepts and to promote a greater overall understanding of ballistic armor. Not all technology displayed on this site is incorporated into every single product we offer. Please consult the technical data sheets or your sales representative for exact details on the product and model number for your particular jacket.
Embedded YouTube videos seen on this site: Dyneema® and Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™ are trademark(s) (applications) owned by Royal DSM N.V. All information supplied by or on behalf of DSM Dyneema LLC and/or DSM Dyneema B.V. (“DSM”) in relation to its products, whether in the nature of data, recommendations or otherwise, is supported by research and/or experience and believed reliable, but DSM gives no warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, those of correctness, completeness, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and DSM assumes no liability whatsoever in respect of application, processing or use of, or reliance on, the aforementioned information or products, or any consequence thereof, including but not limited to any infringement of the rights owned or controlled by a third party regarding intellectual, industrial or other property. Any information provided by DSM does not release the user from the obligation to verify such information and to perform its own testing and analysis to determine the suitability of the products for the intended process, use or specific application. The user accepts all liability in respect of or resulting from the application, processing, use of, or reliance on, the aforementioned information or products or any consequences thereof.
Corporate trademarks and content ownership
References to Dyneema®, Nomex®, DSM®, GORE-TEX® and Dupont® are property of their respective owners. Videos embedded on this site, via YouTube, remain property of their respective owners. Dark Saint Technology, LLC., claim no rights or ownership of this material. Some images and videos are for demonstration purposes only and do not represent the actual materials or process involved in manufacturing our soft armor ballistic panels. See product manual, data sheet and retail sales representative for exact components of the particular ballistic panels pertaining to your exact jacket. All other content contained on this website that is not expressly owned by third parties will be considered the intellectual property of Dark Saint Technology, LLC.
Notice
We do not accept any liability for the results of the use of these products. The technical data contained in this website reflects our best knowledge at the time of publication. The content of this website is subject to change, depending on new developments and findings, and a similar reservation applies to the properties described in it. Data sheets are for informational purposes and should not be used at a substitute for independent testing or expert analysis.
The information conveyed by Dark Saint Technology, LLC., and contained within this website, printed material, emails, phone conversations, face to face meetings or any other digital or printed formats is intended solely for general guidance and any data contained within those mediums or conversations may change at any time, without further notice. Any information conveyed by Dark Saint Technology, LLC., does not constitute an offer, warranty, representation, approval, terms or condition. Any information conveyed by Dark Saint Technology, LLC., does not substitute the need for seeking adequate independent technical expertise, testing or judgment employed on the behalf or used by any potential customer. Any information provided by Dark Saint Technology, LLC., does not release the user from the obligation to verify such information and to perform its own testing and analysis to determine the suitability of the products for the intended process, use or specific application. The customer, user, purchasing agent or purchasing agency accepts all liability in respect of or resulting from the application, processing, use of, or reliance on, the aforementioned information or products or any consequences thereof.
Testing
Absolutely under no circumstances should body armor be worn by a live human and test fired upon. Specialty ballistic gel, ballistic dummies and ballistic clay blocks are dedicated for testing purposes and can provide reasonable estimates on human-like properties and results. For more information on ballistic armor testing, see the NIJ website.
Page last updated Feb. 15, 2023