Gun vs. Cast Iron Pan

Published on March 21, 2026
Duration: 6:23

This video humorously tests the ballistic resistance of a Lodge cast iron skillet against various calibers, from 9mm to .50 BMG. The experiment, conducted by Louisiana Firearms, highlights the destructive power of different ammunition types and questions the viability of a cast iron pan as makeshift body armor. The instructor's practical demonstrations and commentary provide insights into caliber effectiveness.

Quick Summary

A Lodge cast iron skillet was tested against 9mm, 5.56mm, .308, and .50 BMG rounds. The experiment revealed that even 9mm rounds penetrate the pan, and larger calibers cause significant destruction. The video humorously debunks the idea of using a cast iron skillet as effective body armor.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Pan as Body Armor
  2. 00:28Channel Intro Montage
  3. 00:53Mock NIJ Certification
  4. 01:219mm Test Setup
  5. 01:479mm Test Results
  6. 02:015.56mm Test Setup
  7. 02:225.56mm Test Results & .308 Prep
  8. 02:44.308 Test Setup
  9. 03:00.308 Test Results & Caliber Discussion
  10. 03:26Caliber Comparison Discussion
  11. 04:09Skit Break
  12. 04:29.50 BMG Test Setup
  13. 04:59.50 BMG Test Firing
  14. 05:15.50 BMG Test Results
  15. 05:54Conclusion & Humor
  16. 06:14Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a cast iron skillet stop bullets?

No, a cast iron skillet cannot effectively stop bullets. This video demonstrates that even common handgun rounds like 9mm can penetrate a Lodge cast iron skillet, and rifle calibers like 5.56mm, .308, and .50 BMG easily destroy it. It is not a viable alternative to certified body armor.

What caliber is most effective against a cast iron pan?

While all tested calibers penetrated the cast iron pan, the .50 BMG round caused the most significant destruction, creating a large, ragged hole. The 9mm round, however, showed a slight 'bloom' effect, suggesting it deformed the pan more than the high-speed rifle rounds which punched cleaner holes.

What firearms were used in the cast iron pan test?

The test featured a Taurus GX4 for 9mm, an AR-style rifle (likely an AR-15 variant) for 5.56mm, a SIG Cross rifle for .308 caliber, and a Barrett M82A1 for the .50 BMG rounds. The video showcases the effectiveness of each caliber against the pan.

Is a cast iron skillet comparable to NIJ-certified body armor?

Absolutely not. The video humorously implies NIJ certification for the pan, but its performance clearly shows it is not comparable to actual body armor. Certified body armor is specifically designed and tested to stop ballistic threats, unlike kitchenware.

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