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If you've been following my testing, you've seen this plate tolerate a LOT of abuse. So far it has stopped everything I've thrown at it except for M855 from an 18" barrel. It's rated RF1, so it's supposed to be able to stop 7.62x51mm NATO, but it isn't necessarily intended to do so after being...
This was constructed from used milk jugs and tiles I found in front of my neighbor's house. Will two floor tiles backed by a "plate" made from melted milk jugs stop rifle rounds? I hit it with 7.62x39mm, .223 Rem, and 7.62x51mm.
UHMWPE plates are known to be vulnerable to M855. This surplus RF1 plate was able to stop it, but only from a 14.5" barrel. Can it stop 7N6 from a 16" barrel?
I think I forgot to mention that they'll jam up your shotgun. They also said rude things about your mom. And shotguns are a poor choice for defense, anyway.
A lot of folks asked for this one. Steel core 7.62x39mm from a 20 inch SKS fired at an RF1 (similar to NIJ level III) in conjunction UHMWPE plate with no soft armor backing. Which wins? You know the drill. Place your bets before watching the video. No cheating.
TulAmmo 124 gr 8M3
2,396 fps
2,448 fps
2,479 fps
2,448 fps
2,439 fps
Avg: 2,442 fps
The largest fragment measured 0.686" x 0.352" x 0.167" and penetrated to 14.7"
The fragments seen in the photo below weighed, from left to right: 55.9gr 13.5gr 25.5gr 6.1gr 1.3gr 6.8gr
I tested this same load from a six inch revolver a while back, but I have a new Model 69 Combat Magnum with a 4.25" barrel and I to try with this gun. Results are somewhat predictable. Good velocity (1,266 fps) and incredible penetration (30"), but no expansion.
Looking deeper into the idea of homemade body armor. This plate is about 1.5" thick, weighs about 6lbs, and is composed entirely of melted milk jugs. How do you think it does against .45 auto, 9mm, and .44 mag?
This one was fun because I really had no idea how it would turn out. The Underwood loaded Lehigh 115 gr Extreme Defense produces about 1,600 fps, which is pretty respectable, but not exactly ludicrous speed. The nose profile has very little surface area, though, and I thought that might help...
Can a .300 AAC 147 gr FMJ at about 1,900 fps be stopped by one level IIIA panel, one level IIA panel, and two IBA groin protector panels? For reference, this velocity is roughly equivalent to M80 7.62x51mm at about 400 yards so another way of looking at it is whether any reasonable amount of...
I've had several people tell me that at "close range" birdshot is fine for defense because it all hits in a single mass and acts like a slug. That's obviously stupid but hey, why not? Let's see what happens. I place the barrel of my shotgun a few inches from the gel block to see if it's possible...
Just as steel plates are known for their vulnerability to M193, UHMWPE plates are known for their vulnerability to M855. I wanted to find out if that was true for shorter barrels or longer distances so I fired M855 at this surplus UHMWPE plate from a 14.5" carbine. The velocity was approximately...
A man contacted me to ask if I wanted to test some armor samples. Turns out he sells police surplus body armor. This plate is an RF1 ICW plate, which is roughly equivalent to lvl III ICW. Now, I thought it was a ceramic plate because I had it mixed up with another one the guy sent that is a...
The results may shock you!
(probably not)
Part of G2's marketing pitch on the RIP was that it acted like a "buzz saw," whatever that is. I tested that claim and the results are probably not surprising, but definitely entertaining.
Golden Tiger is highly recommended on the forums for SHTF ammo in 7.62x39mm because it is supposed to yaw very early, like M67. Is this perception warranted? If you were to sully yourself with peasant ammo, would you buy Golden Tiger? What's your favorite 7.62x39mm round for a rainy day...
Last week we argued about the myth that .22lr could get through soft armor. What about .17 HMR? It's considerably faster, but the mass is tiny. Half the mass of a .22lr bullet. Is it enough? Also do some gel testing because reasons.
Here's a video where I take a look at HQ Innovations, Harry's Holsters, and Vedder IWB holsters. Still learning about making reviews (as opposed to testing videos) so I'd welcome any criticism you care to offer. I think I'm getting better, though. I still need a better camera.
Skip to HQ...
I've heard people claim that .22lr is small enough to slip between the fibers on soft armor. I put on my figurative black beret and test this myth. No walrus mustache, though. What do you think? Can .22lr "poke through" soft armor?
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