Police shield / 7.62 x 39 penetration (From Paris incident)

[T2K]

This was posted online as a shield used by the police who stormed the music venue in Paris and killed the terrorists there.

The terrorists were stated to be using AK's. So, this would be the effect of 7.62x39mm FMJ rounds, I believe.

I think we're looking a the rear of it (they look like exits to me)? EDIT - It's the front, read below.

 

[GarySTL]

I think that's the front because I don't see any method to hold or carry.

 

[T2K]

Duh. Wow. Yes, great point!

It looks like many rounds didn't penetrate but a few did (far edge on the right).

 

[fireman 9731]

Thats the front. I would assume the damage is from the "splash" of the bullets impacting the armor.

Whoever the guy was carrying it probably had to change his shorts afterwards and still has more gumption than 99% of most people.

 

[taliv]

fascinating. would be great to see the back of it.

 

[MaterDei]

What is the source for this picture? It looks a bit crudely made to me. Looks plenty thick though, I would like to know what it is made of.

 

[T2K]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ned-kill-one-five-minutes-police-went-in.html

More photos here, including the back. There are several clear penetrations.

 

[kcofohio]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ned-kill-one-five-minutes-police-went-in.html

More photos here, including the back. There are several clear penetrations.

Look at the patterns. All are front photos. Just one is a close-up. In the close-up, it looks like they dug the bullets out.

Incredibly, no police or hostages were killed

 

[lemaymiami]

Heavy, bulky, not easy to maneuver - but better than relying on our leader's promises every time.....

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Looks like a lot of the visual damage is some sort of soft nylon coating, more superficial than anything? If the shield only has to hold up to 27 rifle rounds once, it doesn't take a hugely thick piece of steel to do that.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Looking at the photo, the four evenly spaced symmetrical round things are probably the attachment bolts for the carrying grips or straps which would be on the other side.

The three photos I see posted by dailymail.co.uk show the same shield from the front (judging by the placement of bullet impacts relative to bolt heads).

The damage to the shield resembles the frontal impacts of pistol bullets (which often don't penetrate) on the flaps of industrial conveyor belt we use at the gun club for hanging targets at 100 yds. (On the otherhand, centerfire rifle bullets tend to have neat entry holes, more damage on exit.) I suspect that shield is more substantial than a conveyor belt section.

 

[fireman 9731]

I have also heard reports that the police fired over 5,000 rounds yesterday in the most recent raids. Thats a firefight...

 

[Jlr2267]

I have also heard reports that the police fired over 5,000 rounds yesterday in the most recent raids. Thats a firefight...

I heard that too. Surely that's an exaggeration...5000 rounds to overcome 8 people in an apartment...??

I also read that the police were "surprised" by the violent resistance....really?

 

[Paddy]

Badasseire

 

[Paddy]

I can easily see 5000 rnds in a fight that makes a shield look that way. If I was charging into that, which I never would because I'm a pussy, I'd want a lot of suppressing fire, which could eat up a lot of ammo and if you got it, why not?!

 

[mshootnit]

Thats the front. I would assume the damage is from the "splash" of the bullets impacting the armor.

Whoever the guy was carrying it probably had to change his shorts afterwards and still has more gumption than 99% of most people.

If it were me carrying it I would be quite excited also. I would be like " oh no you're not gonna do that to me in my country!"

 

[DMZ]

The guy that was carrying that, as the bullets smacked into it, was no doubt dropping multiple French F bombs as he moved forward with fear and fortitude, thinking I must protect my brothers behind me.

Welcome to the Tougher Than S... Club mon frere!

 

[MechAg94]

Either way, if you are taking fire on a shield like that you would either want to pull back or charge forward. There is no such thing as staying put.

 

[redneck2]

If you're the dude carrying that shield, you gotta be thinking with every step that they may either have AP, or that the place is rigged with high explosives.

I guess this answers any question as to the courage of the French.

 

[mshootnit]

They just interviewed one of the team behind that shield. 25-30 rounds fired at them, one hit in the hand, a suicide vest detonated and 20-30 hostages in the area. Amazing.

 

[rcmodel]

At one point in the TV coverage of the firefight, I saw what looked for all the world like a two-wheel trailer, or cannon caisson with a sloping armor shield mounted on it covered by a green plastic tarp.

2-3 cops were pushing it down the street by the tongue, closer to the action.

rc

 

[The Alaskan]

I guess this answers any question as to the courage of the French.

I'm glad to see someone recognize this. We're always quick to crack jokes about the French losing every war, and French rifles dropped once and never fired, but throughout history, French soldiers have often put up one hell of a fight. Places like Cameroon, Verdun and Dien Bien Phu come immediately to mind...sure their government surrendered in WWII, but that's like equating our own armed forces with the impotence of our political leadership.

The guy that was carrying that, as the bullets smacked into it, was no doubt dropping multiple French F bombs...

As far as I know, there is no French translation for the F-Bomb, which is a purely American iteration. I once spoke with my French tutor, who grew up in France, but spoke like 4 languages, about how to say it and she said (and here I quote) "You can't. Nobody cusses like the Americans."

 

[rcmodel]

Anderson Cooper just interviewed the French SWAT guy who was holding the shield, leading the charge.

He was very down to earth, very humble.
Typical combat hero.

He said, 'no bravery involved, we just knew we had to stop them'.

One bullet that penetrated the shield hit another officer behind him in the hand.

He said after it was over, they stayed up most of the morning talking it out.
'So much blood! So much death'.

When ask, he said he was getting along OK with the thoughts, but some others were not.
And what they saw will be with them forever.

This man, and the others behind him deserve the highest medal France can bestow on them!

rc

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Confidence in the equipment goes a long way to helping individuals do their jobs better.

 

[goon]

I thought 5,000 rounds in the apartment raid was a lot at first too. But after thinking it over - lots of police and military not taking chances and knowing they absolutely had to keep the terrorists there and stop them... I'd have used as much ammo as it took too.