I get asked a lot , will NIJ Level 3 ( UL Level 5 ) Ballistic Glass stop the Green tip M855 (5.56) round. My answer is Yes , but let me explain how I arrived at that answer. In the field I`ve never seen this round penetrate this level of glass glad poly carbonate. With that said , I`ve seen the M855 bounce off Mil. Spec. 46-A- 100 (.250) hardened steel plate shot from a 1in9 16" barrel , only to see it penetrated with XM 193 (ball) ammo shot from a 1in7 20" barrel . When we chanced the M-16 (AR15) rifle to the modern shorter version of the M-4 rifle we lost a lot of what Eugene Stoner had in mind for this round. When I first started working will ballistic composites I developed a Phenolic Kevlar / Polyethylene hybrid that stopped the green tips cold " in the field " , but when I sent it out for independent testing all 3 shots of a 3 on 3 special threats test when through the test sample the witness plate and as far as I know they are still headed south. I could not understand what the disconnect was because the key hole effect on the face of the samples was apparent . I was later schooled by a friend " Who has forgotten more about ballistic fiber than I will ever know" . He explained that all samples tested at the lab were shot a zero obliquity from a bench mounted rifle at max speeds . It`s the worst case scenario , not something you would ever see in the field. He went on to explain my success in the field was a result of a plus or minus 5 to 10 degree variation of the strike face from zero and level. This difference is what makes sloping armor so much more effective. For my money , the chances of taking a level, zero, on center view port shot in the field are about the same as winning the lottery. "But I think we will independently test it later this season just to be sure".

Tactical Response Magazine - Ballistic Shields for the Patrol Officer

Tactical Response Magazine June 2014

Patrol Use of Shields

Written by Bevan, Melanie, Lord, Robert

A More Ambitious Practice

In June 2010, Polk County, Fla. Sheriff’s Deputies Paul Fairbanks and Michael Braswell were shot in the line of duty during an early morning encounter with a person riding a bicycle with no light. The suspect was shot and killed and both deputies survived the attack. Shortly thereafter, Polk County Florida Sheriff Grady Judd formed a committee, wherein the decision was made to provide every patrol deputy with a ballistic shield, likely the first large agency in Florida and perhaps the only agency of its size in the nation to do so.

In order to purchase and deploy one shield for every deputy, the agency chose 17-inch by 29-inch ballistic shields. These are smaller than the more common full size 24-inch by 36-inch shields; however, they provide adequate head, neck and upper torso Threat Level IIIA ballistic protection with a viewport. The smaller size allows for easier, front seat storage and deployment of the shields, an advantage over standard size shields.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office also worked with a shield manufacturer, Venture Ballistics, to slightly modify the standard design to one that better accommodated their agency’s needs. This new design is currently sold under the name “First Responder.” Every officer received shield training and, according to then Sgt. Mike Hughes of the training unit, a strong emphasis was placed on when and when not to deploy the shields, what rounds they can stop, and what rounds they can’t.

The shields have been in use in the field for more than two years and have been put to good use. They have an expected life span of five years, according to the manufacturer, and at around $600 per shield were reasonably priced.

http://www.venture-ballistics.com/apps/blog/show/42327233-tactical-response-magazine-ballistic-shields-for-the-patrol-officer

Once Again Venture Ballistic Composites is designing and deploying a new line of custom aerospace designed ballistic shields.  From the Childs NIJ Level-3A back pack inserts, to the newly Armored NIJ Level-3 Hum-V for SWAT Deployment, VBC stays on the edge of demand in ballistic shield protection.  After only three (3), years VBC has carved out a name in the Industry as creating custom ballistic shield protection at the lowest prices on the market today.

The VBC "shield in every car" program is already creating a buzz  in Florida with over 2000 "First Responder" Patrol Shields deployed in south Florida.  The "First Responder" was designed to meet the requirements of the Polk County Florida Sheriff's Office.  It is the most affordable, rugged, and extreme shield of its kind.  

Perhaps the biggest selling point for this revolutionary NIJ Level IIIA "patrol shield" is it's "interchangable view port".  When view ports get damaged over the years, the shield is usually rendered useless and replaced at a great cost.  The revolutionary "First Responder" patrol shield can stay deployed for the duration of its five year warranty.

Check out Venture Ballistics at http://venture-ballistics.com

Click to view the awesome new pics of VBC Custom shields and projects.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ventureballisticcomposites/" target="_blank">http://https://www.flickr.com/photos/ventureballisticcomposites/

Once Again Venture Ballistic Composites is designing and deploying a new line of custom aerospace designed ballistic shields.  From the Childs NIJ Level-3A back pack inserts, to the newly Armored NIJ Level-3 Hum-V for SWAT Deployment, VBC stays on the edge of demand in ballistic shield protection.  After only three (3), years VBC has carved out a name in the Industry as creating custom ballistic shield protection at the lowest prices on the market today.

The VBC "shield in every car" program is already creating a buzz  in Florida with over 2000 "First Responder" Patrol Shields deployed in south Florida.  The "First Responder" was designed to meet the requirements of the Polk County Florida Sheriff's Office.  It is the most affordable, rugged, and extreme shield of its kind.  

Perhaps the biggest selling point for this revolutionary NIJ Level IIIA "patrol shield" is it's "interchangable view port".  When view ports get damaged over the years, the shield is usually rendered useless and replaced at a great cost.  The revolutionary "First Responder" patrol shield can stay deployed for the duration of its five year warranty.

Check out Venture Ballistics at http://venture-ballistics.com

Click to view the awesome new pics of VBC Custom shields and projects.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ventureballisticcomposites/" target="_blank">http://https://www.flickr.com/photos/ventureballisticcomposites/

Tactical Response Magazine June 2014

Patrol Use of Shields

Written by Bevan, Melanie, Lord, Robert

A More Ambitious Practice

In June 2010, Polk County, Fla. Sheriff’s Deputies Paul Fairbanks and Michael Braswell were shot in the line of duty during an early morning encounter with a person riding a bicycle with no light. The suspect was shot and killed and both deputies survived the attack. Shortly thereafter, Polk County Florida Sheriff Grady Judd formed a committee, wherein the decision was made to provide every patrol deputy with a ballistic shield, likely the first large agency in Florida and perhaps the only agency of its size in the nation to do so.

In order to purchase and deploy one shield for every deputy, the agency chose 17-inch by 29-inch ballistic shields. These are smaller than the more common full size 24-inch by 36-inch shields; however, they provide adequate head, neck and upper torso Threat Level IIIA ballistic protection with a viewport. The smaller size allows for easier, front seat storage and deployment of the shields, an advantage over standard size shields.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office also worked with a shield manufacturer, Venture Ballistics, to slightly modify the standard design to one that better accommodated their agency’s needs. This new design is currently sold under the name “First Responder.” Every officer received shield training and, according to then Sgt. Mike Hughes of the training unit, a strong emphasis was placed on when and when not to deploy the shields, what rounds they can stop, and what rounds they can’t.

The shields have been in use in the field for more than two years and have been put to good use. They have an expected life span of five years, according to the manufacturer, and at around $600 per shield were reasonably priced.