Br2 Body Armor: What the Br2 Protection Class Stops

Br2 is a protection class under GOST 34286-2017, the Russian body armor standard, against the 9×21 P (7N28) handgun bullet. It is granted to a pack that withstood shots from a Serdyukov pistol (SR-1) at 5 meters: the bullet weighs 7.93 g, has a lead core and flies at 390±10 m/s. Withstood means the bullet did not go through, and the behind-armor effect stayed within the permitted limits.

What the Br2 class protects against

Of the six main classes in the standard, Br2 is the second. Its test bullet carries about 600 J, almost twice the 330 J of the Br1 bullet. We calculated these joules from the bullet mass and velocity; the GOST text does not list them.

Stops:

• shots from the SR-1 with 9×21 P cartridges under the test conditions;
• a knife: any of our models of class S and higher protects against a blade, and a Br2 pack has even more layers than Br1.

Does not stop:

• the armor-piercing 9×19 Pst (7N21) handgun bullet - that is Br3. Its energy is slightly lower, but the heat-hardened core deforms less and passes through fabric more easily;
• assault rifle and rifle cartridges of classes Br4-Br6: only hard plates work against them, not a soft pack;
• a bullet that hits outside the pack.

What is not in the table, the class does not promise. Neither the ordinary 9×19 nor the TT pistol in 7.62×25 is in the current standard: only a test report with that weapon can tell you about them.

How Br2 differs from Br1

Compare the test bullets. For Br1 it is the 9×18 Pst from the APS: 5.9 g and 335 m/s. The Br2 bullet is a third heavier and 55 m/s faster, and only a pack with more layers can stop it. We make our packs from UHMWPE with a density of 160 g/m². The Br2 version has more layers, the stack is thicker, and for the same area the pack weighs more. Under a thin shirt you can see it.

The price goes up as well. M-3 is made with packs of either class: Br1 costs $400, Br2 $456, and in the Big Size version $478 and $567. We covered how to choose in the article "Br1 or Br2: what each protection class protects against", and the lower class in "Br1 body armor: what the Br1 protection class stops".

What Br2 S2 and S mean

Each mark in the name is a separate class with its own test:

• Br2 - the 9×21 P bullet from the SR-1;
• S2 - fragment resistance: the pack is fired at with a 1.05 g steel ball, and the velocity it must withstand (V50) is set in the product documentation;
• S - edged weapons: a 6Kh5 bayonet, strike energy 49 J;
• S1 - a 12-gauge hunting shotgun, a 34 g lead slug.

Our certificate covers all the classes listed here, plus Br1. Which of them apply to a particular model is shown in the documents for its configuration.

How much Br2 body armor weighs

Weight depends on the pack class, coverage area, size and cover. Three of our models with Br2 packs, weight without packaging:

• 2.6 kg for DARK ARMOR M-3. The catalog has one figure for both Br1 and Br2, not split by class, and a Br2 pack is heavier than a Br1 pack of the same area;
• 3 kg for ELITE BLACK;
• 3.1 kg for DARK ARMOR M-5.

All three cover the sides. The tactical ELITE BLACK and M-5 have MOLLE webbing on the cover for pouches and pockets for plates. Plates are not included in these figures: plate weights for different classes are collected in our article on body armor plates.

How to check that a vest really is Br2: certificate and test report

1. Find GOST 34286-2017 and class Br2 in the certificate, and check the validity period and the product name.
2. Open the test report. Look for three things: the 9×21 P (7N28) cartridge, a bullet velocity of about 390 m/s, a distance of 5 meters. The shots may come from an SR-1 or from a ballistic barrel with the same parameters; the standard allows this. A different cartridge means the test was not for Br2.
3. "Br2+" or "reinforced Br2" are not classes; the standard has no such thing.

Ours is certificate РОСС RU.32623.ОС10.04969 under a voluntary certification system, valid from March 11, 2024, to March 10, 2027. You will find a copy of the certificate and the test report with the vest, the scan is posted in the "Documents" section, and on request we will send copies in advance.

Which IRON TACTICA models come in class Br2

For concealed carry in class Br2 we have one model, DARK ARMOR M-3, with a Big Size version for sizes 60-62. You choose the class on its model page. ELITE BLACK and DARK ARMOR M-5 are tactical, and their pockets take plates up to Br5. M-3 also has a plate pocket. Plates are not included and are bought separately. We also fit Br2 packs in the tactical DELTA, the assault OBSIDIAN models and the children's IRONkids; they are all in the catalog.

If your build is non-standard, we will make the vest to measure, men's or women's, at the same price. Doubts between Br1 and Br2 are easier to settle in a conversation: call our toll-free 8 800 101-76-37 and tell us what you want protection from and how long you will wear the vest.

Frequently asked questions

What does Br2 body armor protect against? The class is confirmed with a 9×21 P bullet from a Serdyukov pistol fired from 5 meters, as GOST 34286-2017 requires. A soft Br2 pack is powerless against assault rifles and rifles; those need hard Br4-Br6 plates.

How much does Br2 body armor weigh? According to our catalog, ELITE BLACK weighs 3 kg and DARK ARMOR M-5 3.1 kg. DARK ARMOR M-3 has one weight listed for both classes, 2.6 kg. Plates are not counted.

Is class 2 body armor the same as Br2? No. "Class 2" is a designation under GOST R 50744-95, where the pack was fired at with PSM and TT pistols. Since March 2019, GOST 34286-2017 has replaced it, with classes Br1-Br6 and different cartridges; one does not convert into the other.

Can I put plates in Br2 body armor? Yes, if the vest has pockets. On ELITE BLACK and DARK ARMOR M-5 they take plates up to Br5, and M-3 has a plate pocket. Plates are sold separately.

Is there concealable Br2 body armor? Yes, we make DARK ARMOR M-3 in this class. A Br2 pack is thicker, so for everyday wear under a shirt Br1 is more comfortable.