Bulletproof shields have appeared in large and small battles since the beginning of human wars, and have a long history of development.
Bulletproof shields have always been regarded as a magic weapon to protect one's own life on the battlefield.
With the development of human civilization, bulletproof shields have also been continuously evolved and upgraded, from animal furs that initially only defended against swords and bows and arrows, to metal shields, to today's various high-performance advanced materials with powerful bulletproof function shields, During that time, great changes took place.
In operation, it is common to hold a shield in one hand and use a weapon such as a gun in the other.
So how much does a bulletproof shield weigh?
What level of protection does it have?
Is it difficult to use a shield with one hand?
The following will give you a detailed introduction to the problems you need to pay attention to when choosing and using bulletproof shields:
1. Protection level
The protection levels of bulletproof shields are NIJ IIIA, NIJ III and NIJ IV.
NIJ Class IIIA: Protects against pistols, usually 9 mm FMJ and .44 MAGNUM JHP or lower.
NIJ Class III: Generally resistant to threats from 7.62 x 51 mm M80 FMJ or lower class weapons.
NIJ Class IV: Protects against rifle armor-piercing rounds, usually against threats from 7.62 x 63mm M2 armor-piercing (AP) or lower-rated weapons.
2. Type of use
At present, there are three main types of bulletproof shields on the market: handheld bulletproof shields, hand-held cart-type bulletproof shields and special bulletproof shields.
Handheld Shield:
Hand-held shields are usually equipped with 2 handles on the back, which can be used by left-handed or right-handed users at the same time, and are also equipped with bulletproof glass viewing windows or sight glasses for easy observation of external conditions.
Hand-held shields are mainly suitable for combat scenarios with complex terrain. For example, hand-held bulletproof shields are more flexible to use in narrow stairs or passages, and can also be better matched with weapons such as guns.
Handheld Cart-Type Bulletproof Shield:
The hand-held cart-type bulletproof shield is equipped with a cart, which is more labor-saving for long-distance movement. In addition, it is equipped with a handle on the back like the hand-held bulletproof shield, which can be used by hand, and is also equipped with a bullet-proof glass speculum. Generally, shields with higher defense levels are usually heavy and require a cart for long-term use.
The hand-held cart-type bulletproof shield is mainly suitable for relatively open and flat combat scenarios. When using, the shield can be moved freely over a long distance by placing the shield on the cart, which is more labor-saving. It can also be used by hand when the cart cannot be used due to changes in space and terrain.
Special bulletproof shield:
Special bulletproof shields usually have special structures in order to achieve more diverse functions. For example, the ladder-type bulletproof shield has a special structure behind it that can be turned into a ladder to deal with complex terrain, such as helping users view and control the environment at higher altitudes when necessary. At the same time, the bottom of the shield is also equipped with wheels, which is more convenient and labor-saving to move.
There are also many shields with different special features on the market, such as shields that can be quickly deployed and concealed shields that can be turned into briefcases.
3. Size and weight
The larger the size of the bulletproof shield, the larger the protective area, but the higher the weight.
If the size is too large, the shield will be too heavy, it will be more difficult to use, and the flexibility of the user will be affected; and if you blindly pursue light weight and choose a shield with a smaller size, then its small protective area may not be able to provide users with effective protection. protection.
4. Materials
Like bulletproof inserts, there are many materials used to make bulletproof shields. At present, there are mainly metals, ceramics, pure bulletproof fibers, etc.
Metal shields are the first to be used, and their weight is heavy and their protective performance is not very high. But if you only need to deal with low-level threats, such as pistols, or if you only need to use it regularly, it is also a good choice;
With the development of material science, people began to use ceramics to make shields. Ceramics have better ballistic resistance and are much lighter than metals.
And bulletproof fibers such as PE and aramid are high-performance bulletproof materials developed in recent decades, which is a big leap in material application. Their appearance greatly increased the defensive capabilities of the bulletproof shield while reducing its weight.
Now most bulletproof shields are made of various materials such as ceramics and fiber materials, and according to special designs, they can achieve a good protective effect.
Having said all that, do you know anything about bulletproof shields?
