Body armor maker AR500 Armor of Phoenix, Arizona, is recalling Level III Body Armor plates shipped between Feb. 23 and March 23, 2016 and bears a manufacture date for those same months.
“The [product] can fail to meet performance requirements for Level III body armor, allowing a bullet to penetrate, and pose a risk of gunshot injury or death,” the Consumer Products Safety Commission states in the announcement on its webpage. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
The recall involves about 10,000 armor units, including chest and side plates and ABS panels. According to the CPSC the armor is rated for protection against rifle calibers up to 7.62X51 M80 Ball (.308) at 2,800 feet-per-second.
AR500 Armor of is recalling Level III Body Armor plates shipped between Feb. 23 and March 23, 2016. The manufacturing date is to be found in the back of the body armor plate.
The recall was voluntary, the company says on its webpage, and there will be no cost to customers for the return shipping and replacement armor. Additionally, customers will be given a $40 web store credit upon return of the recalled armor, the company said.
“This recall and replacement is necessary because a supplier of some certified ballistic grade steel failed to disclose to AR500 Armor that some of its steel failed certain ballistic tests until after the body armor had been distributed,” the company statement said.
Customers may call the company toll free at 844-887-8824 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, via email at support@AR500armor.com or online at www.ar500armor.com and clicking on “Safety Recall.”
