Does It Really Matter? Winchester Silvertip .380 Ballistic Gel Test With The S&W Bodyguard & EZ!

Published on May 21, 2022
Duration: 10:23

This video conducts a ballistic gel test comparing Winchester Silvertip .380 ACP 85-grain jacketed hollow points fired from two handguns with different barrel lengths: a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard (2.75-inch barrel) and a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard EZ (3.5-inch barrel). The test reveals minimal practical difference in penetration and expansion between the two barrel lengths, with both demonstrating inadequate penetration for self-defense.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic gel test comparing a 2.75-inch S&W Bodyguard and a 3.5-inch S&W EZ with Winchester Silvertip .380 ACP, the barrel length difference yielded only about one inch more penetration and negligible expansion differences. The ammunition itself showed poor penetration, making it a questionable choice for self-defense.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Setup
  2. 00:14Ammunition: Winchester Silvertip .380 ACP
  3. 01:00Firearm 1: S&W Bodyguard (2.75" Barrel)
  4. 01:15Firearm 2: S&W EZ (3.5" Barrel)
  5. 01:47Velocity Testing: S&W Bodyguard
  6. 02:43Velocity Testing: S&W EZ
  7. 03:36Ballistic Gel Test: S&W Bodyguard Shot
  8. 04:25Ballistic Gel Test: S&W EZ Shot
  9. 04:44Gel Test Results Analysis
  10. 05:43Penetration Measurements
  11. 06:39Projectile Examination
  12. 07:09Weight and Expansion Measurements
  13. 07:47Conclusion: Barrel Length Impact
  14. 08:22Ammunition Performance Verdict
  15. 09:12Viewer Engagement and Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

How does barrel length affect .380 ACP performance in ballistic gel?

In this test, a 0.75-inch difference in barrel length between a 2.75-inch S&W Bodyguard and a 3.5-inch S&W EZ resulted in only about one inch more penetration and minimal expansion difference for Winchester Silvertip .380 ACP. The impact was deemed insignificant for practical self-defense.

What was the performance of Winchester Silvertip .380 ACP 85-grain JHP in ballistic gel?

The Winchester Silvertip .380 ACP 85-grain JHP demonstrated good expansion but critically lacked penetration in ballistic gel tests, regardless of the firearm's barrel length. This suggests it may not be an ideal choice for self-defense where adequate penetration is crucial.

Is the Smith & Wesson EZ significantly better than the S&W Bodyguard for .380 ACP?

For the Winchester Silvertip .380 ACP tested, the Smith & Wesson EZ with its 3.5-inch barrel offered only a slight increase in velocity and penetration (about one inch) compared to the S&W Bodyguard's 2.75-inch barrel. The practical difference was considered negligible.

What are the key takeaways from the .380 ACP barrel length comparison test?

The primary takeaway is that for .380 ACP, especially with certain ammunition like the tested Silvertip, the difference in barrel length between compact and subcompact models often yields insignificant gains in penetration and expansion for self-defense purposes. The ammunition's inherent performance is a more critical factor.

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