First of all "Interceptor Body Armor" is a Department of Defense name for a Mil Spec body armor system. Most people think it is only the armor made by Point Blank Body Armor. Most of the armor is made by Point Blank, but other companies produce it for the DOD, and also Point Blank subcontracts some of their orders out to other manufacturers.  

   Another misconception is that Interceptor panels are NIJ level IIIa rated. They ARE NOT !  Point Blank or any other manufacturer has never submited any panels for testing. NIJ will confirm this fact. All Interceptor panels are manufactured to DOD Mil Spec ballistic standards instead. The Interceptor is constructed of kevler only. They are tested by being shot with a 9mm +P slug from a test barrel 18" long, and by impact from specific 17g fragmentation projectiles. The military is not concerned with .44 magnum, so they are not tested with .44 magnum. So Interceptor armor is great for protection from IED and grenade blasts, because that is their primary purpose. But if you are looking primarily for protection from gunshots and blunt trauma, especially a .44 magnum, you should look for a civilian level IIIa rated vest. Most civilian vests are kevlar and either goldflex or spectrashield, which gives them better high velocity and blunt trauma protection and lighter weight than an all kevlar vest. An interceptor vest panel will probably stop a .44 magnum slug, but the blunt trauma may still severly injure you. It will stop lesser rounds with reasonable blunt trauma injury.

  So Interceptor vests ARE good vests, but they may not be the BEST vest for your needs. Check around before you buy!

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thanks,

Frank, Product Design Manager, Rhino Armor Ballistics