AR500 Armor
AR500 Armor (Armored Republic Holdings LLC) manufactures and sells steel alloy body armor plates, plate carriers, ballistic shields, helmets, and tactical accessories online to prepared civilians, law enforcement, and military customers from its Phoenix, Arizona facility.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersPhoenix, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AR500 Armor does
AR500 Armor (legal entity Armored Republic Holdings LLC, founded 2012) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based manufacturer of body armor and tactical equipment sold primarily to prepared civilians, with secondary reach into domestic and international law enforcement and military buyers. Its core technology centers on AR500 and AR600 steel alloy plates (including titanium blends) manufactured in-house and finished with FragLock, a proprietary fragmentation coating that captures or redirects bullet fragments on impact. The product line spans Level III through Level III++ hard armor plates, soft armor (S3 Level HG2), plate carriers (Testudo Gen 2/3, Invictus, Concealment, Regicide), rifle-rated ballistic shields (Echo, Delta Pro/Special, Gamma), the Salutis ballistic helmet, concealed armor backpacks (Firebird), and an expanding accessory ecosystem (MK I harness/placard/med sleeve, cummerbunds, pouches).
The business operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model through ar500armor.com, supplemented by a domestic dealer network, a walk-in Phoenix showroom, and a quote-based international channel for law enforcement and military orders. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales across a wide price spectrum — from roughly $9.99 accessories to $7,500 ballistic shields and a $9,999 shield in development — with bundled kits (e.g., Family Defense System at $1,500), promotional discounts, and financing options on higher-ticket items like the $999 helmet. The company is privately held with no parent or disclosed subsidiaries; in December 2023 it raised $6,000,000 from Frontwell Capital Partners, its first disclosed institutional capital event, supporting continued product expansion and channel build-out.
AR500 Armor firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AR500 Armor
- Legal name
- Armored Republic Holdings LLC
- Website
- https://ar500armor.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AR500 Armor (Armored Republic Holdings LLC) manufactures and sells steel alloy body armor plates, plate carriers, ballistic shields, helmets, and tactical accessories online to prepared civilians, law enforcement, and military customers from its Phoenix, Arizona facility.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AR500 Armor industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Body Armor Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing (332994)
- SIC
- Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Armor Systems (Passive/Reactive/Active Protection) & Survivability Kits (IMABAJAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Protective & Work Accessories Manufacturing (Safety Gloves/Hi-Vis Accessories) (IMAOAFAH), Protective Armor & Impact Protection Retail (Body/Back/Chest) (CRAMANAC)
Keywords
Where AR500 Armor is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Phoenix
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AR500 Armor business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Body Armor Plates Sales: Direct sales of steel alloy, ceramic, polyethylene, and soft armor plates at various protection levels (Level III, III+, III++, Level IV). Products sold individually or in kits with plate carriers.
- Plate Carriers and Accessories: Sales of plate carriers (Testudo Gen 2/3, Invictus, Concealment, Regicide), tactical pouches, magazine carriers, chest rigs, and tactical accessories. Components sold separately or bundled in kits.
- Ballistic Shields: Sales of rifle-rated ballistic shields including Echo Shield, Delta Pro, Delta Special, and Omega Shield for law enforcement and security applications.
- Ballistic Helmets: Sales of ballistic helmets including The Salutis helmet offering rifle-rated protection.
- Armored Backpacks: Sales of concealed armor backpacks (Phoenix, Firebird) that provide discrete ballistic protection for civilians.
- International/Law Enforcement Sales: Custom and bulk orders for international law enforcement and military forces, with in-house R&D capability to design situation-specific products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Level III Armor Plates |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Plate Carriers |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Ballistic Shields |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Armor Kits and Bundles |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Ballistic Helmets |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Tactical Accessories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
AR500 Armor product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AR500 Armor manufactures and sells steel-alloy body armor plates, plate carriers, ballistic shields, ballistic helmets, armored backpacks, and tactical accessories. The company primarily serves prepared civilians, law enforcement, military, and security professionals, selling through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, an authorized dealer network, and quote-based channels for government and international buyers. All products are designed, coated, and assembled in-house in Phoenix, Arizona.
Product overview
AR500 Armor (Armored Republic) is a manufacturer of tactical body armor and protective equipment based in Phoenix, Arizona. The product portfolio centers on ballistic armor plates (steel alloy and soft armor), plate carriers, ballistic shields, armored backpacks, chest rigs, and tactical accessories. Core armor plates include the A2 (Level III+), A4 (Level III++), and Heritage (Level III) lines made from steel/titanium alloys with proprietary FragLock coating. The company offers complete armor kits combining plates with carriers, as well as individual components and accessories like magazine pouches, med sleeves, and cummerbunds. All manufacturing is performed in-house at their Phoenix facility with testing conducted at independent laboratories including Oregon Ballistics (OBL) and H.P. White Laboratories. Products are designed for law enforcement, military, and civilian defensive use.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AR500 Armor: Primary brand name for body armor plates and tactical gear products
- Armored Republic
- Firebird
- FragLock
- Testudo Gen 3
- Invictus
- MK I
- Regicide
Quantifiable outcome
- 20-year shelf life on FragLock coated steel plates
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use AR500 Armor
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AR500 Armor technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
AR500 Armor partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AR500 Armor competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BulletSafe: Budget-priced body armor plate and vest manufacturer selling directly to civilians and LE. Comparable to AR500 on price point and DTC positioning, particularly as an entry-level alternative to AR500's Heritage steel plate line.
- Premier Body Armor: US-based manufacturer of Level III/III+ polyethylene and steel body armor plates and vests sold via DTC and LE channels. Direct competitor to AR500 in the civilian/LE hard armor market with overlapping price points and a comparable online storefront model.
- Spartan Armor Systems: Manufacturer and retailer of Level III/III+/III++ steel and ceramic armor plates, plate carriers, and tactical gear via DTC e-commerce. Directly comparable to AR500 in product mix, customer base (civilians, LE, military), and channel strategy (online storefront).
- MIRA Safety: DTC retailer/manufacturer of body armor plates, gas masks, and CBRN protective gear aimed at civilians and preppers. Comparable to AR500 as a civilian-leaning protective equipment brand with overlapping hard armor plate offerings and similar end-user personas.
- Velocity Systems: Manufacturer of plate carriers (Velocity Operator, Scarab) and tactical accessories, often bundled with hard armor. Comparable to AR500 because both compete in plate carriers and tactical load-bearing equipment for military/LE/civilian customers, though Velocity is more carrier-focused while AR500 sells plates as well.
- Highcom Armor Solutions: US-based NIJ-listed manufacturer of hard armor plates, soft armor, shields, and helmets serving military, LE, and civilians. Closely comparable to AR500 because both offer Level III/III+/III++ plates, shields, helmets, and similar price bands; Highcom differentiates with more ceramic/PE options versus AR500's steel/titanium focus.
- ShotStop Ballistics: US manufacturer of Duritium polyethylene and ceramic body armor plates for military, LE, and civilian markets. Direct competitor to AR500's A2/A4 alloy plates, particularly on weight reduction and multi-hit capability at similar price points.
- Hoplite Armor Systems: DTC-focused body armor plate manufacturer selling Level III, III+, and Level IV ceramic and steel plates to civilians and LE. Highly comparable to AR500 as a direct online competitor in the civilian hard-armor market with overlapping protection levels and price points ($80-$300 range).
Broad incumbents
- Safariland (The Safariland Group): Large incumbent body armor and tactical-gear manufacturer (owned by Cadre Holdings) supplying US military, federal LE, and law enforcement worldwide. Comparable to AR500 because both sell ballistic plates, plate carriers, shields, and duty gear, but Safariland operates at much greater scale with deep federal contracting relationships that AR500 lacks.
- Point Blank Enterprises: One of the largest US body armor manufacturers serving US DoD, federal agencies, and law enforcement with NIJ-certified ballistic vests and hard armor. Direct competitor to AR500 in the hard armor plate category but at significantly larger institutional scale and with a focus on government contracts rather than DTC civilian sales.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AR500 Armor social profiles
Digital presenceAR500 Armor financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AR500 Armor leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
AR500 Armor funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AR500 Armor M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AR500 Armor
What does AR500 Armor do?
AR500 Armor manufactures and sells steel-alloy body armor plates, plate carriers, ballistic shields, ballistic helmets, armored backpacks, and tactical accessories. The company primarily serves prepared civilians, law enforcement, military, and security professionals, selling through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, an authorized dealer network, and quote-based channels for government and international buyers. All products are designed, coated, and assembled in-house in Phoenix, Arizona.
Is AR500 Armor a public or private company?
AR500 Armor is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was AR500 Armor founded?
AR500 Armor was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AR500 Armor based?
AR500 Armor is headquartered in Phoenix, United States, in the North America region.
How does AR500 Armor make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Body Armor Plates Sales are the primary driver. The others are plate Carriers and Accessories, ballistic Shields, ballistic Helmets, armored Backpacks and international/Law Enforcement Sales.
Who are AR500 Armor's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BulletSafe, Premier Body Armor, Spartan Armor Systems, MIRA Safety, Velocity Systems, Highcom Armor Solutions, ShotStop Ballistics and Hoplite Armor Systems. Broad incumbents are Safariland (The Safariland Group) and Point Blank Enterprises.
Does AR500 Armor have an API?
No public API is recorded for AR500 Armor.
What industry is AR500 Armor in?
AR500 Armor's product category is Body Armor Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAJAJ, Armor Systems (Passive/Reactive/Active Protection) & Survivability Kits, with a secondary code of IMAOAFAH, Protective & Work Accessories Manufacturing (Safety Gloves/Hi-Vis Accessories). Its NAICS code is 332994 and its SIC code is 3480.