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$942.00 – $1,180.00
HESCO 3612 – 600 Series | NIJ Level III+ Standalone Plate
The 3612 is the entry point in the HESCO lightweight tactical lineup: NIJ .06 Certified Level III+ standalone protection on 600 Series advanced composite construction at 3.8 lb in the 10×12 shooter cut. Core threat coverage including M855/SS109 green tip, M80 (.308 NATO), and 30.06 JSP at the lowest price point in the certified lightweight lineup.
- Weight: 3.8 lb (10×12 Shooter Cut), 1.00″ thick
- Curve: Multi-curve, ergonomic fit for extended wear
- Construction: 600 Series advanced composite with CORDURA nylon wrap
- Protection: NIJ Level III+, NIJ .06 Certified, standalone, no additional backer required
- Best for: Tactical Teams and SWAT Units needing certified lightweight Level III+ coverage at the most accessible price point in the lineup
- Level III+ lineup: 3612 (entry) to 3810 (proven/800 Series) to 3811 (lightest/800 Series) to 3411 (full threat)
- Available in Shooter Cut and SAPI sizes
- Ships in 1-3 days
Why the 3612?
The information below is organized to support both individual selection and team procurement decisions. Coverage, weight, and construction trade offs are explained in operational terms to help professionals make the right call for their mission and their team. For teams navigating a formal procurement process, the plates below are organized to support a tiered selection approach a baseline option that meets the requirement, a proven recommendation that hits the right balance, and a premium option that represents the best the lineup has to offer, as budgets allow.
Most professionals who research HESCO lightweight tactical plates land on the 3810. The 3612 is less well known, and that is worth addressing directly, because for many units it is the better value at effectively the same protection.
The 3612 is NIJ .06 Certified Level III+ standalone protection on 600 Series advanced composite construction. It defeats the same threat set as the 3810, including 5.56 M193, M855/SS109 green tip, AK-47 M67 and M43, 7.62×51 M80 (.308 NATO), and 7.62×63 30.06 JSP. At 3.8 lb in the 10×12 shooter cut it sits within a tenth of a pound of the 3810 at 3.9 lb, on the same certified threat coverage, at a meaningfully lower price point.
Within the certified III+ family, the plates share the same III+ threat coverage and differ by series, weight, and cost. The 3612 is the value entry on the 600 Series, the 3810 is the proven 800 Series flagship, and the 3811 is the lightest option at a premium. For units that need the broadest threat coverage in the lineup, the 3411 adds M855A1, API, and LPS on the 400 Series.
HESCO Level III+ Plates for Tactical Teams and SWAT Units
The 3612, 3810, and 3811 share the same certified III+ threat coverage and differ by series, weight, and cost: the 3612 is the value entry on the 600 Series, the 3810 is the proven 800 Series flagship, and the 3811 is the lightest option at a premium. The 3411 trades weight for the broadest threat coverage in the lineup, adding M855A1, API, and LPS.
| 3612 | 3810 | 3811 | 3411 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series DNA | 600 Series | 800 Series | 800 Series | 400 Series |
| Construction | Advanced composite | Advanced composite | Advanced composite | Advanced composite |
| Curve | Multi-curve | Multi-curve | Multi-curve | Multi-curve |
| Weight (10×12) | 3.8 lb | 3.9 lb | 3.4 lb | 5.5 lb |
| Thickness | 1.00″ | 0.98″ | 1.11″ | 1.09″ |
| NIJ Rating | III+, .06 Certified | III+, .06 Certified | III+, .06 Certified | III+, .06 Certified |
| Key Coverage | Certified M80 (.308) and 30.06 JSP | Certified M80 (.308) and 30.06 JSP | Certified M80 (.308) and 30.06 JSP, lighter | Broadest coverage: adds M855A1, API, LPS |
| Approach | Value entry, 600 Series, lowest cost | Proven 800 Series flagship | Lightest option, premium | Broadest coverage, 400 Series |
| Best For | Certified III+ coverage at the lowest cost in the family | The proven, most-requested III+ plate | Certified III+ coverage at minimum weight | Maximum threat coverage, budget-conscious units |
| You are here | View 3810 | View 3811 | View 3411 |
Construction and Features
The 3612 is built on HESCO’s 600 Series advanced composite platform, finished with a CORDURA nylon wrap that is water-resistant and built for the daily wear of extended field use. Multi-curve design provides ergonomic fit for longer wear periods without sacrificing coverage.
- 600 Series advanced composite construction
- Multi-curve comfort design for extended wear
- CORDURA nylon wrap, water-resistant and abrasion-resistant
- Polyurethane coated finish
- Precision quality control
- NIJ Level III+, .06 Certified, standalone, no additional backer required
- Compatible with HESCO 3110 Level III+ Side Plates for full torso coverage
Ballistic Performance
All shots tested at maximum velocity. Shot counts reflect NIJ Standard-0101.06 test protocol requirements and represent the standardized certification test, not a limit on the plate’s capability.
10×12 Shooter Cut | XL / Large / Medium SAPI
| Shots | Caliber | Round | Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead Core | |||
| 6 | 5.56×45 | M193 | 3,280 ft/s |
| 6 | 7.62×39 | M67 | 2,410 ft/s |
| 6 | 7.62×51 | M80 (.308 NATO) | 2,810 ft/s |
| 2 | 7.62×63 | JSP (30.06) | 2,794 ft/s |
| Mild Steel Core | |||
| 6 | 5.56×45 | M855/SS109 | 3,150 ft/s |
| 6 | 7.62×39 | M43 | 2,410 ft/s |
Small SAPI
| Shots | Caliber | Round | Velocity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead Core | |||
| 3 | 5.56×45 | M193 | 3,280 ft/s |
| 3 | 7.62×39 | M67 | 2,410 ft/s |
| 3 | 7.62×51 | M80 (.308 NATO) | 2,810 ft/s |
| 1 | 7.62×63 | JSP (30.06) | 2,794 ft/s |
| Mild Steel Core | |||
| 3 | 5.56×45 | M855/SS109 | 3,150 ft/s |
| 3 | 7.62×39 | M43 | 2,410 ft/s |
Tested and verified to meet or exceed ballistic resistance as specified under NIJ Standard-0101.06 plus Special Threats validated. Download the official HESCO 3612 Tech Sheet.
Sizing
| Cut | Dimensions | Weight | Part Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×12 Shooter Cut | 10.00 x 12.00 in | 3.8 lb | 3612-SH-MC-L |
| XL SAPI | 11.00 x 14.00 in | 5.3 lb | 3612-SA-MC-XL |
| Large SAPI | 10.25 x 13.25 in | 4.6 lb | 3612-SA-MC-L |
| Medium SAPI | 9.50 x 12.50 in | 4.0 lb | 3612-SA-MC-M |
| Small SAPI | 8.75 x 11.75 in | 3.4 lb | 3612-SA-MC-S |
Thickness: 1.00″ | Not sure what size you need? HESCO Armor Fit Guide
Complete Your Protection Zone
The 3612 pairs with HESCO Level III+ side plates for full torso coverage:
About HESCO
HESCO has been manufacturing body armor for military and law enforcement for over 20 years. Every plate is produced at their facility in Aberdeen, Washington and tested to exceed NIJ standards across ballistic, blast, fragmentation, drop impact, vibration, UV, temperature, and chemical resistance.
Administrative
Federal export regulations apply. Sold only to verified purchasers. All armor orders require identity verification and a signed end user affidavit. Read our Armor Orders page before placing your order.
| Weight | N/A |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | N/A |
| Armor Plate Level | |
| Plate Size | 10×12 Shooter Cut, Large SAPI Cut – 10.75×13.25, Medium SAPI Cut – 9.5×12.5, Small SAPI Cut – 8.75×11.75, XL SAPI Cut – 11×14 |