The 4s17m is an ergonomic, multi-curve (MC) ballistic armor plate by HighCom Armor as part of its Guardian line. It is a curved variant, made in either SAPI (featured) or shooter cut design, from the same core ceramic strike face and materials and other HighCom products, is DEA compliant and certified by the National Institute of Justice to meet Level IV protection.
The 4s17m-MC-SAPI comes in various sizes/dimensions based on the qualifying cut type made at the time of purchase. HighCom offers a “Shooter’s Cut” that has the standard 10” (W) x 12” (H) x 0.95” (D) strike face, and allows for more opening in the shoulder pocket and range of motion. The company also offers five different sizes in its SAPI Cut (XSmall to XLarge) that provide for a more full-torso coverage, but sizing and weight vary. For the purposes of this review, a SAPI-Large with 10” (W) x 13.25” (H) x 0.95” (D) dimensions was selected. The MC variant has a single axis vertical curve, and two horizontal curves to allot for tapered corners more ergonomically correct to the upper torso.
The 4s17m-MC-SAPI plate is made from a standard monolithic aluminum oxide ceramic core, with a composite backer, and a poly honeycomb strike panel that enables the plate to sustain multiple hits edge-to-edge. Around the entire plate, HighCom uses a 1000D water-resistant nylon cover to help mitigate heat and moisture from the upper body.
The 4s17m was submitted by HighCom and certified by the National Institute of Justice in 2015. To date no Notice or Warning has been issued and the product has met any requisite FIT test to maintain certification.
As with most of its products, the 4s17m-MC-SAPI is made entirely in the USA. The 4s17m plate itself is available in only in Black, and in sizes ranging from XSmall to XLarge.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Average (3/5): The MSRP for the 4s17m model of ballistic plate varies based on selected cut and size at the time of purchase, however the evaluated SAPI-Large from HighCom was $269.99 per plate, or sold as a set by third-party retailers (such as Nightfall Solutions) for $538. The 4s17m are NIJ certified (as of this review) and meet DEA special threat ratings for inter-agency usage. The plates are curved along a single (vertical) axis, and at two points (top & bottom), and consists of a ceramic core commonly found in much of the industry. In contrast, market alternatives to the 4s17m include a set of the Level IV Hercules ($550) from Spartan Armor Systems, a set of Level IV 4400 Multi Curve ($512) from Hesco, or a set of Level IV Triple Curve (Model # 26605) ($539) from Hoplite Armor. All of which placed the 4s17m at an appropriate (or average) price point for the consumer amid its competitors, which all share a similar Level IV evaluated threat level using stated NIJ standards. What separates the 4s17m from its listed competitors is its added ability to also meet DEA special threats requirements.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect, the 4s17m was an improvement over other single curve body armor in that the multi-curve angles more appropriately contoured to the upper torso, specifically the shoulders, with less pressure points experienced from the corners. Females could find this curvature more comfortable than a single curve, although it would be dependent on individual upper body types. Perhaps the largest factor in the comfort of the 4s17m was the overall weight, as when worn for longer durations (1+ hours) fatigue did became apparent in the shoulders and lower lumbar region. This was the tradeoff for using a plate tested to meet various protective ratings, made from traditional ceramics, vice newer and lighter industry composites. With its 1” thickness, the 4s17m had a good profile off the torso and (properly sized for the individual) the corners curved more appropriately. Perhaps one recommendation to HighCom to improve the comfort aspect of the 4s17m would be to add a padding/buffer layer around between the core ceramic material (however this would add a minimal amount of weight as well) and the torso.
- Durability – Good (4/5): The durability of ballistic plates often lays in its ability to defeat a threat level to a consistent standard. The 4s17m was tested at one of four NIJ approved laboratories to meet NIJ Standard 0101.06 to stop projectiles under 3200fps (otherwise considered Level IV threats), or (as the NIJ also tests for) a single hit from a 30-06 AP round. With the advent of the newer NIJ Standard 0101.07, the rating of the 4s17m has not been placed within the newer R3 category (nor has any plate as of this review), but it still meets that previous Level IV protection rating. Additional research also showed how the 4s17m can handle accidental droppage and sudden impact, while still providing enough protection without evidence of cracking or structural failure (excluding ammunition with a velocity higher than that of 3200fps). Assuming the end-user does nothing that would otherwise compromise the integrity of the plates, research has shown the 4s17m will withstand some of the most common rifle-rated threats found in the civilian market. HighCom does offer a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty with all its ballistic plates, so HighCom does support its product and its performance for the appropriate (or average) timeframe as other manufacturers. As noted in part three of our editorial series on body armor, the warranty for ceramic body armor merely reflects the manufacturer’s interest to support the customer while still ensuring performance. Ceramic as a core material does not “expire” in the sense of the ceramic material deteriorating over time, but 10 years is average for what manufacturers are willing to ensure the product for. Separately, adding to the durability of the 4s17m it was noted in a BUFFMAN Range destructive field test, the plates have a unique poly honeycomb layer (which is only revealed after dissection of the plate) and did mitigate some frontal impact from repetitive droppage.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the 4s17m were readily found on the Compliance List of the NIJ at the corresponding Level IV threat rating (this will eventually become R3 under new NIJ guidance), with HighCom identifying the 4s17m certification was attained in 2015. As a policy, HighCom does not publish its testing data, thus there is no public transparency aside from consumer confidence in the NIJ testing process. Furthermore, research showed few reviewers (aside from BUFFMAN Range) have tested the performance aspect of 4s17m in any informal setting. As such, given there has been no change to the 4s17m since first introduced, there is little functionally that could be done to the plates in terms evaluation (such as submersion/soak testing, drop-testing, and ballistic testing) that hasn’t already been performed and documented in a scientific lab with controlled settings. It is the position of High Ground Media that “backyard destructive testing” alone is neither a scientific nor credible means to evaluate body armor. While such informal “tests” can provide a glimpse into the performance of armor to a degree—it is not one that could be considered wholly reliable due to lapses or omission in measurable data, variances in ammo velocities, projectile materials, barrel length, and even ambient air temperature. Ergo the importance of body armor having either an NIJ certification, or publicly accessible testing data from an NIJ-approved laboratory as the principle comparator for the consumer. Ultimately, while the multi-angle curvature of the 4s17m provided a good level of functional comfort for the wearer, improved transparency of performance data beyond merely NIJ certification would add value for the consumer to have confidence in the product beyond what is minimally presented.
- Weight – Average (3/5): As stated above, the weight for each HighCom 4s17m varies based on size and cut of the plate selected. For comparison, the 4s17m “Shooter’s Cut” is a more common industry-sized 10” (W) x 12” (H) x 0.95” (D) that weighed 7.2 pounds per plate, whereas the one selected for this review (a SAPI-Large) was slightly larger in dimension and weighed in at 9.4 pounds per plate. This weight is appropriate (or average) within the market as the aluminum oxide ceramic core is also commonly found within the industry. In contrast, both the 1155MC (8.2 pounds) by RMA and the Level IV Hercules (6.9 pounds) from Spartan Armor Systems have the universal sizing of 10×12 and are on par with HighCom’s “Shooter Cut”, whereas the Level IV 4601 (7.6 pounds) from Hesco, or a Level IV Triple Curve (Model # 26605) (8.5 pounds) from Hoplite Armor are like HighCom’s larger 10.25×13.25 sizing but lighter. This difference illustrated HighCom’s smaller plates are consistent and appropriate (or average) with the market of alternatives, but differs the larger the coverage area becomes, and is likely attributed to differences in the larger strike face plate and/or drop protection.
Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)
Product Link: https://www.highcomarmor.com/product/guardian-4s17m/
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, LLC, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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