Will Thick Clothing Stop A Bullet? Or Clog A Hollow Point?

Published on February 2, 2025
Duration: 20:03

This video debunks the myth that thick clothing can stop bullets, demonstrating through ballistics gel tests that even multiple layers offer minimal resistance to most common firearm rounds. It also highlights how heavy fabrics consistently clog hollow point ammunition, preventing expansion and turning them into FMJ-like projectiles. Specialized 'barrier blind' ammunition like Hornady Critical Duty and G9 is shown to overcome this clogging issue, achieving reliable expansion.

Quick Summary

Thick clothing does not reliably stop bullets; it may only slightly reduce penetration. Heavy fabrics consistently clog hollow point ammunition, preventing expansion and causing them to act like FMJ rounds. Specialized 'barrier blind' ammo like Hornady Critical Duty resists clogging.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Can Clothing Stop Bullets?
  2. 01:31.22 LR vs. T-Shirt Test
  3. 03:29.22 LR vs. Sweatshirt Layers
  4. 05:20Extreme Layer Ballistics Test
  5. 07:07Hollow Point Clogging Test
  6. 11:15Barrier Blind Ammo Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can thick winter clothing stop a bullet?

No, thick clothing like winter coats and leather jackets generally cannot stop common firearm rounds. While they might slightly reduce penetration depth, bullets will still pass through, as demonstrated in ballistics gel tests.

Does clothing clog hollow point bullets?

Yes, heavy clothing layers consistently clog the hollow point cavities of ammunition. This prevents the bullet from expanding, causing it to behave like a Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) projectile with increased penetration.

What ammunition works best against clothing?

Specialized 'barrier blind' ammunition, such as Hornady Critical Duty with its FlexLock tip or G9's fluted solid copper rounds, are designed to resist clogging and expand reliably even after passing through heavy fabric.

What is the effect of clothing on bullet expansion?

Clothing, especially multiple heavy layers, acts as a barrier that often clogs the hollow point of ammunition. This obstruction prevents the bullet's cavity from opening, thus inhibiting its expansion and altering its terminal ballistics.

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