Preview: Full Forge Gear Shooter’s Cut Armor Plates

by
posted on January 26, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Full Forge Gear Shooter’s Cut Armor Plates

A maker of durable backpacks, range bags and gun cases—Full Forge Gear recently leveraged its knowledge of heavy-duty materials to leap into the personal-armor market with the introduction of the Shelter plate carrier and two different lightweight plate options compatible with it.

Both offered in a shooter’s cut, which provides a greater coverage area than swimmer’s cut plates but grants the arms less range of motion, the Extreme Lite plates are Level IIIA (rated to stop handgun bullets up to .44 Mag.) by the National Institute of Justice, while the Feather Weight plates meet NIJ’s Level IV standard and are thus capable of countering even many high-velocity rifle cartridges. Incredibly light for their respective ratings, Extreme Lite plates weigh only 1 lb., 5 ozs., each and the Feather Weights run 6 lbs., 11 ozs., apiece.

MSRPs are as follows: Shelter, $180; Extreme Lite (Level IIIA), $136; Feather Weight (Level IV), $216. For more information, visit fullforgegear.com.

Latest

Mossberg 990 Aftershock Rr 1
Mossberg 990 Aftershock Rr 1

Rifleman Review: Mossberg 990 Aftershock

In 2025, Mossberg added to the non-NFA, shotshell-firing firearm category with its 990 Aftershock, which uses a semi-automatic operating mechanism while still maintaining a compact form factor.

Next-Gen Micro Red-Dot: The Steiner MPS 2.0

Steiner Optics has introduced the next-generation version of its Micro Pistol Sight, a red-dot optic that first hit the market in 2021.

Rifleman Interview: Banish Suppressors

The “Plinkapalooza” event in May saw a rimfire extravaganza, with hearing protection from Banish suppressors.

Hunting for the “Grail” Gun in the Modern Era

To really enjoy hunting for “that gun,” burn shoe leather instead of your mouse pad.

5 New Rimfire Suppressors for 2026

Generally speaking, rimfire suppressors tend to be less-expensive than their centerfire counterparts, providing an entry point in the world of suppressor use for many firearm enthusiasts.

Top Firearm Manufacturers Estimated from ATF Report

Orchid analyzed the ATF’s Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report for 2024 (the most recent data available) and compiled a list of the industry’s top 30 domestic firearms manufacturers.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.