Frequently Asked Questions
What is BulletSafe? BulletSafe makes a great bulletproof vest at an unbeatable price. Our vest offers Level IIIA protection for only $299.97. It will meet the needs of most every customer, will stop almost all handgun bullets, and will keep you safe, all for a price that many people cannot believe. Read below to determine if our bulletproof vest is right for you.
What is so great about the BulletSafe Vest? It's a really nice bulletproof vest and will stop handgun rounds up to a .44 Magnum, but what is really amazing is the price. $299.97 is way less than any equivalent bulletproof vest. Our vests offers all of the safety, and all of the features, at an unbeatable price. The Bulletsafe Vest is the best value in bulletproof vests.
The BulletSafe vest is available in six sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, and 4XL.
The BulletSafe Bulletproof Vest Size Chart: Please use this helpful BulletSafe size chart. We use your height and weight as a good way to fit a bulletproof vest. This size is probably be different from your shirt size. Please check the chart before you order your vest.
You can download a full spec. sheet about the BulletSafe Vest here.
Another note on bulletproof vest sizing: Your bulletproof vest needs to fit across your stomach. So the most important thing is how big your belly is. That's why we use your height and weight to pick your size. The length of the vest is adjustable. We are only concerned with the diameter of your midsection and chest. If you are a thin man with a large belly, try to order at the top of your size range so that you can fasten the vest around your mid-section. If you are a very fit, order at the bottom of your size range. If you are very fit and muscular, you will probably be surprised at how small of a size you will need because you have a small mid-section.
What is the best way to put on a bulletproof vest? The first time you put on a bulletproof vest you should adjust the straps exactly as you want them. Make sure the bottom of the vest is where your navel is located. That will allow you to sit down and stand up all day in comfort while still protecting your vital areas. After you have your vest adjusted, you only have to undo one of the side straps to get the vest on and off.
How do you clean a bulletproof vest? First take out the ballistic panels and then wash the outer portion (called a carrier). The carrier can be machine washed. You can use detergent and everything. When you are done, insert the ballistic panels back into the carrier and you are ready to go.
Do you have bullet proof vests in XXXL (3XL), and XXXXXL (5XL) sizes? We have U.S. sizes S, M, L, XL, and XXL. Our XXL vest is really generous and is almost a XXXL, and we make a size 4X vest. Use the height and weight chart on this page to see what size is best for you.
What payment methods do we offer? Our website takes payments from Visa, Mastercard, Amex., Discover, Paypal, and we offer payment plans using ShopPay Installments. This allows you to receive your vest now and pay in four installments.
Municipal customers (like Police, Fire, and EMS departments) are welcome to purchase with a purchase order. Please contact us at 1-248-457-6877 for that.
Can you make a custom-sized vest? Unfortunately, we cannot. Bulletproof vests are made from over 60 pieces of fabric, so making custom sizing is very expensive. BulletSafe offers great value, so we do not offer custom fitting.
What level of protection did you choose for your vest and why? We choose a NIJ Level IIIA (3A) vest. This is the highest level you will find in soft armor. We didn't want to sell a bulletproof vest with any compromises. Our vest is more protective than a level I (1), level IIA (2A) or II (2) vests. Our level IIIA (3A) vest will protect you from almost all handgun rounds. It is tested for rounds up to a .44 Magnum. That's a big, powerful bullet that will easily kill you if you are not wearing a vest.
Does your vest offer complete side protection? Everyone has a different sized belly and a large belly keeps the vest panels from overlapping on the sides. Some people will get complete protection from this, some very thin people may even see a little overlap. However, if you are a little bit larger in the belly, there may be a gap on the side. If you want complete side protection, we made armored side straps to cover the gap. You can find our side armor here.
What is your ballistic material made from? Our ballistic panels are made from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE or High Strength Polyethylene). Most bulletproof vest manufacturers have moved beyond Kevlar into stronger materials and so have we. Our material is not a brand name, but comparable brand names are Dyneema or Spectra. UHMWPE is incredibly strong. It is the same material used in the US Military's Interceptor Body Armor. UHMWPE has been used successfully in body armor since the 1970's. UHMWPE is also used in cut-resistant gloves, bow strings, fishing line, parachutes, sales, yacht rigging and climbing equipment.
How long does a bulletproof vest last? The generally accepted length of service is 5 years, but we have never seen scientific data available beyond that. They may be effective beyond 5 years, but no one has run tests to determine if this is true. Our research into the materials used would indicate a longer life if it is kept dry and out of the sun, but the testing to prove that vests are durable past five years does not exist.
What is the warranty on BulletSafe Vests and Products? Our vest is warrantied to maintain it's ballistic performance for 5 years. BulletSafe products are warrantied against manufacturer defects for a period of 5 years, not including normal wear and tear.
Do bulletproof vests last for more than one shot? Tough Question. During the testing of bulletproof vests they are shot six times and required to protect against all six. But the six shots are done in six different spots on the same vest. What happens if two bullets hit in the same spot? On our Videos page we have a video where we shot a vest repeatedly in the same spot and even after multiple rounds there still was no penetration. After examining the vest post-test, however, the bullets were traveling further and further into the fabric of the vest, so the impact would be more and more severe. It was obvious that bulletproof vests will protect you really, really well. That said, if you are shot wearing one, you will probably want to get a new one.
Anything I shouldn't do with a bulletproof vest? You shouldn't take the inserts out and leave them in the sun. This will degrade the performance of the vest.
Does it hurt when you are shot wearing a bulletproof vest? Yes. The vest doesn't make the energy of the bullet disappear, it just dissipates it to a wider area. This is why people who are hit often suffer significant pain, bruising, and often have a few broken ribs. Our testing indicates that being shot while wearing a bulletproof vest is about the equivalent impact as being struck in the gut with a rubber mallet. Of course, that's much better than having a bullet penetrate your body and pierce internal organs. In short, a bulletproof vest allows you to trade death for pain.
What do you think of a "plate carrier" type of vest? Armor plates usually offer less than 1/2 the protection area of a full vest, we prefer if people choose a vest design.
Who buys these vests? We sell vests mainly to people who live, play, and work in potentially violent environments. These folks include: Armor Car Companies, Cops, Security Guards, Shop Owners and Workers, Surveyors, Park Rangers, Volunteers, Bank Employees, Couriers, War Photographers, Urban Explorers, Paramedics, People Who Don't Trust The Other Patrons At The Gun Range, Repo Men, Process Servers, Bail Bondsmen, Bounty Hunters, Bouncers, ATM Repairmen, Jewelers, people who transport cash, etc.
Who can buy a bulletproof vest? As a resident of the US, you have the right to buy and own a bulletproof vest. The only people who cannot own a bulletproof vest are those people who have been convicted of a violent felony. If you have been convicted of a violent felony you have forfeited the right to own body armor.
There is no background check, waiting period, or federal registration required. You can order a vest here, on this website, and have it delivered to your home or office. You do not need to register it with any authorities and we do not share your information with anyone.
Who cannot buy a vest? If you have been convicted of a violent felony, you cannot own a bulletproof vest. If you have been convicted of a violent felony AND your job requires a vest, you may be able to contact the chief of police in the city where you reside and request a written waiver.
Where can BulletSafe ship a bulletproof vest? We can send bulletproof vests to 49 states. We cannot ship vest to individuals in Connecticut, where vests must be purchased face-to-face. Connecticut customers should use our Find A Dealer page to locate their nearest BulletSafe Dealer.
Why are parts of your vest manufactured outside the USA?: We do everything we can to bring you the most protection at the lowest price. The majority of the vest is manufactured outside the USA because the quality is the same, but the price is lower. Our vest passes the same United States NIJ standard as other vests and it is assembled here in Troy, Michigan so you can be assured you get great quality. Also, Police and military all over the world use bulletproof vests, and many countries have high-tech companies that can make them. Here at BulletSafe we are allowing more people to afford a bulletproof vest.
Should I buy a US-made vest or your vest? Honestly, if you have a few hundred extra dollars and you feel that you want to keep it within the borders of the US, you might want to shop elsewhere. If you have a limited budget and still want the protection of a well-made, safe bulletproof vest, you should shop here at BulletSafe.com.
What percentage of your vest is made in the US? Final assembly and inspection of your vest is done here in the USA. Your vest was also engineered and tested in the USA. All of the warehousing, packaging, marketing, and sales are handled in the US as well. All told, about 60% of the money you spend goes to workers in the USA.
Do you test the vests on yourself? The President of our company is a former military equipment Test Engineer. Mr. Nardone has handled the testing and certification of our vests. He won't wear one during the testing process though; here is what he has to say about that: "As a Test Engineer it is not unusual for things to go wrong. The simplest part of a test can go badly. I've been witness to some accidents and they are always ugly. If anyone were to ever be injured just so that we could have made a cool YouTube video, I would never be able to live with that. The test standard is enough to determine if the vest works or not. We don't need to risk anyone's life.
Do you wear a bulletproof vest? Fortunately for us, we work in a warehouse in a nicer suburb of Detroit, so there is no reason for us to protect ourselves every day. We do participate in volunteer work in Detroit and wear a vest when we are in Detroit parks. See our volunteer group at http://www.MowerGang.com.
Do you sell vests specifically for women? Not specifically. But some women find that our vest fits them well enough to use. If a woman is especially busty (D-Cup or Larger), our vest will not fill well. In that case, we suggest a custom-made vest.
Do you sell other colors? Nope. We sell black only. We do this to simplify our manufacturing. This keeps our prices unbelievably low.
Are bulletproof vests comfortable? Is yours better than others? Bulletproof vests are much more comfortable than being shot or dying, but bulletproof vests are not all that comfortable. We'll be honest: they weigh five to six pounds. Our vest is just as comfortable or uncomfortable as any other. Most vests are very similar in design and performance. Ours just costs less, so it is more comfortable for your budget.
This vest will only protect me from handguns, what should I do if someone threatens me with a rifle? We sell ballistic plates that can be inserted into the vest carrier. These plates will upgrade your BulletSafe vest to level IV and will protect you from rifle rounds up to a 30-06.
Can I buy your vest and put the inserts in a different carrier? While our inserts are removable, they cover a larger area than most vests, so they probably won't fit in your existing carrier. If you have a custom fitted vest, it probably has custom fitted inserts and won't work.
What is the difference between your vest and DragonSkin Body Armor? The BulletSafe vest is made up of woven high density polyethylene. This same material is used by police and security departments all over. It is a flexible material, not an armor plate. The BulletSafe vest is very similar to the vests by Second Chance, American Body Armor, BulletBlocker, Point Blank, and GH Armor Systems. It is not the same type of material as DragonSkin. DragonSkin was a series of small hard plates that overlap like scales. They were meant to create hard armor that was flexible. DragonSkin was designed to protect against rifle fire that soldiers see in combat. Our vest and the vests most police officer/security wear are designed to protect against handgun rounds because that is what is used in most crime situations. We do offer ballistic plates to protect against rifle rounds; our plates are ceramic, and are not flexible. They are 10 x 12 inches and fit in the plate pockets on the front and rear of the BulletSafe vest.
Do we offer Wholesale Sales? Yes! We are always looking for new dealers. Call us at 817-225-1699 for wholesale sales information or fill out this dealer application form. Retail stores do really well with our products. Many customers want to buy a vest, they want it right away, and some want to pay cash. It is a great vest for an unbelievable price. We have a few requirements for becoming a dealer, but if you own a retail store that is open to the public, we are interested in working with you.
Can I come in to your office and buy a BulletSafe vest? Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic we loved having people come in and buy a vest, but since the pandemic we have become more careful. We have formed a bubble in our work environment where we do not have to wear masks. If we allow outside visitors into the space, we will all have to wear masks and that isn't good. For this reason, we are asking retail customers to find a dealer near you on this page to make an appointment.
Can I exchange a vest for a different size? Yes, but only if it is still in new condition and within 30 days of your purchase. If you would like to exchange for a different size, the vest must be returned in as-new condition (clean, dust-free, unworn, not covered in animal hair, doesn't smell like cologne). Please include a note with your return telling us what size you would like to receive. We will mail the correct size free of charge.
Please contact BulletSafe/Sellmark Corporation Customer Support at 817-241-5745 to discuss your exchange and return process
Can I return a vest for a refund? Yes, but only if the vest is in new condition and you do it quickly. Returns are accepted if they are postmarked within 7 days of receipt. All returns are charged a 15% inspection/restocking fee. The vest must be returned in as-new condition (clean, dust-free, unworn, not covered in animal hair, doesn't smell like cologne). All returns require a Return Authorization.
Please contact BulletSafe/Sellmark Corporation Customer Support at 817-241-5745 to discuss your refund and return process.
Your vest saved my life, what should I do with it? Call us up. We celebrate every time a vest saves someone and we want to hear about you. Did a BulletSafe Vest save your life? If you want to keep it to show it to everyone you know, we understand, but if you don't want it, we want it! We want to get it back to test it out and see how it works. We'll be able to use that information to make improvements to future vests. So, if your vest saved you, please contact us.