BULLET VS PLASTIC ACRYLIC - Edwin Sarkissian

Published on April 2, 2016
Duration: 7:21

This experiment tests the penetration capabilities of a 5.56mm NATO round through multiple sheets of Optix acrylic plastic. The AR-15 rifle, chambered in 5.56mm, fired Winchester ammunition at a target constructed of approximately 25 spaced acrylic sheets followed by a dense block. Results showed significant bullet deflection and limited penetration, with the final shot penetrating all spaced sheets but failing to pass through the dense block, indicating the material's resistance and the projectile's energy loss.

Quick Summary

A 5.56mm round fired from an AR-15 was tested against Optix acrylic sheets. The round penetrated approximately 20 sheets before deflecting in the first shot. The final successful shot penetrated all 25 spaced sheets, demonstrating significant energy loss and deflection due to the material's hardness.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Setup: Acrylic Sheets Prepared
  2. 00:52Experiment Goal: 5.56 Penetration
  3. 02:04AR-15 & 5.56mm Ammo Used
  4. 02:41First Shot Analysis: Deflection
  5. 04:06Second Shot: Bullet Deviation
  6. 05:24Third Shot & Conclusion: Penetration Limit

Frequently Asked Questions

What firearm and ammunition were used in the bullet vs. acrylic test?

The test utilized a Smith & Wesson M&P AR-15 rifle chambered in 5.56mm NATO. The ammunition fired was Winchester 5.56mm NATO, with Independence 5.56mm also shown as a comparison.

How many sheets of acrylic plastic did the 5.56mm round penetrate?

In the successful third shot, the 5.56mm round penetrated all 25 spaced sheets of Optix acrylic and reached the final dense block, indicating a penetration limit around that number for this setup.

What happened to the bullets after impacting the acrylic sheets?

Bullets often deflected significantly after impacting the hard acrylic surface. The first round escaped sideways, the second deflected downward, and the third, while penetrating more sheets, lost energy rapidly.

What is the thickness of the acrylic sheets used in the test?

Each individual sheet of Optix acrylic was described as being roughly equivalent to the thickness of two stacked quarters or pennies. The final target section consisted of 10 sheets stacked directly together.

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