Can Water Save You From A Bullet?

Published on November 21, 2025
Duration: 3:00

This video tests the myth of water being bulletproof by firing various firearms, from 9mm handguns to a .50 BMG rifle, into a water tank. Results show that even high-powered rounds like the .50 BMG are significantly slowed or stopped by water, failing to penetrate to the target. The tests demonstrate water's effectiveness in dissipating projectile energy.

Quick Summary

Water can significantly slow or stop bullets from various firearms, including 9mm handguns, 12 gauge shotguns, AR-15s, AK-47s, and even powerful .50 BMG rifles. Tests show water effectively dissipates projectile energy, preventing penetration to submerged targets.

Chapters

  1. 00:009mm Handgun Test vs. Water
  2. 00:1312 Gauge Shotgun Test vs. Water
  3. 00:38AR-15 Rifle Test vs. Water
  4. 01:02AK-47 Rifle Test vs. Water
  5. 01:25.50 BMG Rifle Test vs. Water

Frequently Asked Questions

Can water stop a 9mm bullet?

In the test conducted by Kentucky Ballistics, a 9mm handgun round lost all its energy within a water tank and did not reach the submerged target, indicating water can effectively stop this caliber.

Does water stop rifle rounds like an AR-15 or AK-47?

Yes, tests showed that high-velocity rifle rounds from an AR-15 and AK-47 were significantly slowed, warped, or flattened by water resistance, rendering them ineffective against a target behind the water.

Is water bulletproof against a .50 BMG?

Even the powerful .50 BMG rifle round, fired from a Serbu BFG-50A, failed to penetrate 6.5 feet of water in the test. The bullet's steel core was recovered undamaged, showing water's significant stopping power.

How much water is needed to stop a bullet?

While exact depths vary by projectile, the tests demonstrated that even 6.5 feet of water was sufficient to stop rounds from a 9mm handgun up to a .50 BMG rifle, dissipating their kinetic energy effectively.

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