Can 9mm defeat IIIA body armor?

Published on January 10, 2015
Duration: 9:04

This video tests the effectiveness of 9mm ammunition against Level IIIA body armor. While standard 9mm rounds, including high-velocity variants, are stopped by Spartan Armor Systems' Level IIIA panels, specialized 9mm armor-piercing (AP) ammunition from the 1980s easily penetrates the armor. The test utilized Clear Ballistics Gel to simulate tissue and demonstrate projectile performance.

Quick Summary

Level IIIA body armor effectively stops standard and high-velocity 9mm rounds. However, specialized 9mm armor-piercing (AP) ammunition, such as the rare 1980s American Ballistics Company steel-core rounds tested, can easily defeat Level IIIA protection.

Chapters

  1. 00:10Intro: 9mm AP Ammo
  2. 01:00Body Armor Overview: Level IIIA Panels
  3. 01:49Test Setup & Baseline Rounds
  4. 03:00Standard 9mm vs. Armor Test
  5. 04:439mm AP Round vs. Armor Test
  6. 06:06High Velocity 9mm Test
  7. 07:34Conclusion: AP Ammo Threat

Frequently Asked Questions

Can standard 9mm ammunition defeat Level IIIA body armor?

No, standard 9mm rounds, including high-velocity variants fired from longer barrels, are effectively stopped by Level IIIA body armor. Tests show only minor bulges on the back of the armor panels when struck by these common rounds.

What type of 9mm ammunition can defeat Level IIIA body armor?

Specialized 9mm armor-piercing (AP) ammunition, particularly older steel-core rounds like those from the American Ballistics Company tested, can easily defeat Level IIIA body armor.

How was the body armor tested against 9mm rounds?

The test used Spartan Armor Systems Level IIIA panels and Clear Ballistics Gel torsos. Standard 9mm rounds (115gr and 124gr) and a rare 9mm AP round were fired from an HK VP9 and an IWI Tavor.

What is the performance difference between standard and AP 9mm rounds against Level IIIA armor?

Standard 9mm rounds are stopped by Level IIIA armor. However, 9mm AP rounds, like the 1980s American Ballistics Company rounds tested, penetrate the armor and pass through ballistic gel completely.

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