The Shellback Tactical Banshee 4 LT Armor Kit pairs the minimalist Banshee 4 LT plate carrier with two NIJ 0101.06 Listed Level IV 4S17 ceramic hard armor plates in a single ready-to-wear package. The 4S17 plates stop .30 Cal M2 AP at 2,880 fps — the benchmark NIJ Level IV threat — plus eleven additional rounds including 5.56x45 M855A1 and 7.62x54R LPS under DEA 2017 and special-threat protocols. The Banshee 4 LT carrier weighs just 1.8 lbs empty, and each plate weighs 7.2 lbs at 0.95 inches thick. The complete kit ships ready to wear in 10x12 Shooters Cut, single-curve configuration.

Who this is for

• Law enforcement and duty personnel who need a DEA hard armor protocol-compliant Level IV system that ships in 24 hours and installs without additional fitting work.
• Home defense planners who want a fully matched, rifle-rated armor kit without sourcing a carrier and plates separately and verifying compatibility.
• Trainers and range users who need genuine multi-hit-rated Level IV coverage with a carrier light enough to wear through extended training evolutions without restricting shoulder movement on a rifle.

Ballistic performance

The 4S17 plates are NIJ 0101.06 Certified Level IV and listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List. Level IV is the highest NIJ hard armor rating and requires the plate to defeat .30 Cal M2 AP rounds — the hardest armor-piercing standard in the NIJ 0101.06 framework. Each plate provides full edge-to-edge, stand-alone protection, meaning no soft armor backer is required for the rated threat coverage.

Beyond the NIJ Level IV requirement, the 4S17 carries DEA 2017 Hard Armor Protocol compliance and special-threat ratings covering M855A1 enhanced penetrator, M193 ball, 7.62x39 BZ API, 7.62x51 M61 AP, and 7.62x54R LPS — a notably broad envelope for a single-plate system. The alumina ceramic strike face backed by composite material absorbs and fractures the projectile on impact while the composite layer manages the residual energy. Spall protection is built in. Multi-hit protection is confirmed across the rated threat set.

Independent ballistic test data

Plate compatibility and cut geometry

The 4S17 plates measure a nominal 9.5 x 11.5 inches (listed as 10x12 nominal size) in Shooters Cut with a single curve. Shooters Cut removes material from the upper plate corners, lowering the plate's top edge so it clears the shoulder and collarbone when raising a rifle. This geometry suits most standard-profile plate carriers sized for 10x12 plates. The Banshee 4 LT carrier is designed around this exact plate, so fitment requires no modification. The plates are fully sealed in 1000 denier Cordura nylon covers that protect against liquids, chemicals, and environmental exposure.

Banshee 4 LT carrier features

The Banshee 4 LT carrier uses laser-cut laminated nylon construction and weighs 1.8 lbs empty. Two front-mounted QASM buckles accept Velcro-backed placards and chest rigs without additional hardware. The quick-release cummerbund uses Taktic buckles on both sides for rapid donning and doffing, with three rear locking attachment points that prevent the cummerbund from shifting under load. Front and rear plate bags each include a center airflow channel between the comfort padding layers to allow ventilation during extended wear.

The cummerbund sizes in three ranges: Small/Medium fits a 32- to 40-inch torso circumference measured at the bottom of the plate position (13 inches below the sternum notch, plus 3 inches for final measurement); Large/XLarge fits 40 to 48 inches; 2XL/3XL fits 48 to 58 inches. The Banshee 4 LT is handcrafted in the USA and backed by a lifetime warranty covering manufacturing and material defects — repair or replacement at no charge.

Specifications

Fit and carrier compatibility

The Banshee 4 LT is sized to accept 10x12 plates in Shooters Cut — the exact profile of the included 4S17 plates — so no fitment guesswork is involved with this kit. The cummerbund fits torso circumferences from 32 to 58 inches across three sizes. To find your cummerbund size, measure around your torso at a point 13 inches below the sternum notch, add 3 inches, and match that number to the sizing chart in the Specifications above. Contact us if you need help confirming your size before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

Is this plate NIJ Certified or NIJ Listed?

Yes — the 4S17 plate is NIJ 0101.06 Certified Level IV and listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List. That means it passed independent third-party testing at an NIJ-recognized laboratory and cleared the .30 Cal M2 AP standard at 2,880 fps. The Banshee 4 LT carrier is not a ballistic component and carries no NIJ rating, but it is backed by a lifetime manufacturer warranty.

What rounds does the 4S17 stop?

The 4S17 stops .30 Cal M2 AP at 2,880 fps under NIJ 0101.06. Under DEA 2017 protocol it also stops .223 Tactical Bonded, 5.56x45 M855 and M80 7.62 FMJ, 7.62x39 MSC, and .308 Win PSPB. Special-threat testing adds M855A1, M193, 7.62x39 BZ API, 7.62x51 M61 AP, and 7.62x54R LPS. The full test table with grain weights and velocities appears in the ballistic data section above.

Will this plate stop M855A1 enhanced penetrator rounds?

Yes. The 4S17 carries an explicit special-threat rating for 5.56x45 M855A1 at 62 grains and 3,100 fps. M855A1 is not part of the NIJ 0101.06 standard test matrix, so this rating comes from separate special-threat testing — not from the Level IV NIJ certification itself.

Does this plate require a soft armor backer?

No. The 4S17 is rated stand-alone, meaning it provides full edge-to-edge Level IV protection without a soft armor insert behind it. Adding a Level IIIA soft armor backer is optional and can provide additional coverage for areas the plate does not cover, but it is not required for the plate's rated performance.

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

NIJ Level III requires defeat of 7.62x51 M80 ball at 2,780 fps. Level III+ is a vendor-defined special-threat designation — not an official NIJ standard — typically covering M855 and similar enhanced-penetrator rounds at higher velocities. Level IV is the highest NIJ hard armor standard and requires defeat of .30 Cal M2 AP at 2,880 fps, a significantly harder test. The 4S17 meets Level IV, the most demanding of the three.

Can this kit be shipped to my state?

This kit cannot be shipped to New York or Connecticut due to state body armor restrictions. 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. Check your local and state laws before ordering. Contact us with any questions about your specific situation.