Pistol vs. Rifle

Published on January 6, 2026
Duration: 0:17

This video demonstrates a ballistic comparison between a pistol and an M16-style rifle by firing at a fixed-blade knife. The pistol round impacted and deflected without damaging the knife, while the rifle round successfully cut the knife in half, highlighting the significant difference in projectile energy and terminal ballistics. The demonstration was conducted by an experienced shooter on an outdoor range.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic test, a 9mm pistol round impacted a fixed-blade knife, shattering or deflecting without breaking the steel. Conversely, a 5.56x45mm NATO rifle round successfully cut the same knife in half, demonstrating the rifle's significantly greater energy and penetration capability.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Pistol vs Rifle
  2. 00:04Target Setup: Fixed Blade Knife
  3. 00:05Pistol Ballistic Test
  4. 00:09Rifle Ballistic Test: Knife Cut

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when a pistol is fired at a steel knife blade?

When a 9mm pistol round was fired at a fixed-blade knife in this test, it impacted the steel edge, causing the bullet to shatter or deflect without breaking the knife. This indicates the pistol round lacked sufficient energy to penetrate the hardened steel.

What happens when a rifle is fired at a steel knife blade?

A 5.56x45mm NATO rifle round fired from an M16-style rifle successfully cut the fixed-blade knife in half. This demonstrates the significantly higher velocity and energy of rifle rounds compared to pistol rounds when impacting hard targets.

What is the difference in terminal ballistics between a pistol and a rifle?

The test showed a stark difference: a pistol round deflected off a steel knife, while a rifle round cut it in two. This highlights the rifle's superior energy and velocity, making it more effective for penetration and destructive force against hard targets.

Related News

All News →

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from Guns Blazing Ranch

View all →