The HighCom Guardian 4sas7 is a Level IV stand-alone ceramic hard armor plate rated for armor-piercing rifle threats and certified compliant by NIJ to NIJ Standard 0101.04 (2005 Interim Revision). Built with a ceramic strike face and polyethylene backing, the 4sas7 also carries DEA Hard Armor Protocol compliance and has been Rifle Special Threats Validated (RST). The exterior wraps in 1000D CORDURA with a textured nylon finish, and the plate ships in a wide range of sizes and cuts — from compact 5" x 7" side plates up to 11" x 14" SAPI — in both single-curve and multi-curve configurations.

Who this is for

• Law enforcement officers and agencies needing NIJ-certified Level IV rifle protection at a cost-effective price point across standard and specialty plate sizes.
• Civilians and armed professionals seeking stand-alone Level IV coverage with DEA Hard Armor Protocol compliance and RST validation against common intermediate and full-power rifle threats.
• Buyers fitting SAPI-compatible plate carriers who require a multi-curve ceramic plate in SAPI dimensions from Small (7.25" x 11.5") through XL (11" x 14").

Ballistic performance

The 4sas7 is a Level IV stand-alone plate. It does not require a soft armor backer to achieve its rated protection. The ceramic strike face absorbs and disrupts an incoming projectile while the polyethylene backing captures and contains the defeated round and ceramic fragments. The plate is certified compliant by NIJ to NIJ Standard 0101.04 (2005 Interim Revision), which requires defeat of .30 Caliber M2 AP rounds at 2,880 fps.

Beyond the NIJ 0101.04 (2005 IR) threat, the 4sas7 holds DEA Hard Armor Protocol compliance and RST (Rifle Special Threats) validation. Tested rounds include 5.56x45 M855 at 3,100 fps, 7.62x39 mild steel core at 2,400 fps, 7.62mm M80 FMJ steel jacketed at 2,750 fps, .223 Remington 62 gr tactical bonded soft point at 2,600 fps, and .308 Winchester 150 gr PSPB Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded at 2,600 fps.

Ballistic test data

Plate compatibility and cut geometry

The 4sas7 ships in four cut profiles: Shooters Cut, Swimmers Cut, SAPI, and Full Cut. The 10" x 12" Shooters Cut is dimensionally nominal at 9.5" x 11.5". SAPI cuts are available in five standard sizes — Small (7.25" x 11.5"), Medium (8.75" x 11.75"), Large (9.5" x 12.5"), XL (10" x 13.25"), and 2XL (11" x 14") — all in multi-curve. Shooters Cut and Swimmers Cut options are available in 8" x 10" and 10" x 12". Full Cut covers the widest range of sizes, from 5" x 7" through 10" x 12", all in single-curve.

Single-curve plates fit the majority of plate carriers with a standard-radius front pocket. Multi-curve plates conform more closely to the torso and suit carriers designed for SAPI-spec or ESAPI-spec pockets. If your carrier specifies a SAPI cut, the multi-curve SAPI options are the correct choice. For Shooters-cut pockets, both the single-curve and multi-curve 10" x 12" Shooters Cut variants are available. Contact us if you need guidance matching a specific cut and curve to your carrier.

Care and lifespan

The ballistic material carries a 5-year warranty. The exterior CORDURA cover and workmanship carry a separate 1-year warranty. Follow HighCom's published product use and care guidelines to maintain the plate's protective integrity — improper storage, modification, or failure to follow use instructions can affect performance.

Specifications

Size and weight reference

Fit and carrier compatibility

The standard plate carrier pairing for the 4sas7 depends on the cut and curve selected. The single-curve 10" x 12" Shooters Cut fits most commercially available plate carriers with a 10" x 12" Shooters-cut pocket. Note that the 10" x 12" Shooters Cut ships at nominal 9.5" x 11.5" dimensions — verify your carrier's pocket tolerance before ordering. The multi-curve SAPI variants fit carriers with SAPI or ESAPI-spec pockets in the corresponding size. Swimmers-cut variants suit low-profile carriers with reduced plate pocket depth at the upper corners. Contact us for help confirming compatibility with a specific carrier model.

Frequently asked questions

Can this plate be shipped to my state?

This plate cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor restrictions. Level IV plates are classified as ITAR-controlled personal protective equipment, so purchases are restricted to lawful U.S. persons and cannot be exported from the United States. Under 18 U.S.C. § 931, anyone with a federal felony conviction for a crime of violence is prohibited from purchasing or possessing body armor.

Is this plate NIJ Listed under 0101.04?

Yes. The 4sas7 is certified compliant by NIJ to NIJ Standard 0101.04 (2005 Interim Revision) at Level IV Stand Alone. Note that NIJ 0101.04 is a legacy standard; the current NIJ standard for hard armor is NIJ 0101.06. Buyers comparing products across standards should confirm which standard each plate is listed under before purchasing.

What is the difference between Level III, Level III+, and Level IV?

Level III plates are rated to defeat 7.62mm M80 FMJ at 2,780 fps under NIJ 0101.06. Level III+ is a vendor-specific special-threat designation — not an official NIJ tier — typically indicating defeat of M855 green tip and similar enhanced threats beyond Level III. Level IV is the highest NIJ hard armor tier and requires defeat of .30 Cal M2 armor-piercing rounds at 2,880 fps. The 4sas7 is Level IV.

Does this plate need a soft armor backer?

No. The 4sas7 is rated Stand Alone, meaning it achieves its full Level IV protection without a soft armor backer behind it. A soft armor backer can be added for additional behind-armor blunt trauma (BABT) mitigation if your carrier accommodates one, but it is not required for ballistic performance.

What is the difference between Shooters Cut, SAPI Cut, Swimmers Cut, and Full Cut?

Shooters Cut removes material at the upper corners to increase shoulder and arm range of motion — it is the most common civilian and law enforcement cut. SAPI Cut matches U.S. military Small Arms Protective Insert geometry and pairs with SAPI or ESAPI-spec plate pockets. Swimmers Cut removes more material at the top corners than Shooters Cut, maximizing mobility in low-profile or maritime carriers. Full Cut is a rectangular profile offering maximum coverage area and suits carriers with rectangular pockets.

What is the plate's warranty and how should I store it?

The ballistic material carries a 5-year warranty. The exterior CORDURA cover and workmanship carry a 1-year warranty. Store the plate away from prolonged heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Follow HighCom's published product use and care instructions — improper storage or modification can reduce the plate's protective performance and may void the warranty.