How Much Leather Does It Take To Stop A Bullet?

Published on July 10, 2019
Duration: 8:58

This guide details an experiment testing the bullet-stopping capability of leather holster material. Conducted by Scott from Kentucky Ballistics, the test involved firing various handgun calibers into stacks of 1/4-inch thick leather backings provided by Hidden Hybrid Holsters. Results show significant penetration differences across calibers, highlighting leather's surprising effectiveness.

Quick Summary

Kentucky Ballistics tested various handgun calibers against stacks of 1/4-inch thick leather holster material. Results showed significant penetration differences, with smaller calibers like .22 LR stopping in 4 layers, while larger calibers like .50 AE required 26 layers to be stopped.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Sponsorship
  2. 01:10.22 LR Test
  3. 01:359mm Test
  4. 02:25.45 ACP Test
  5. 03:0010mm Test
  6. 03:27.44 Magnum Test
  7. 04:17.460 S&W Magnum Test
  8. 05:46.50 AE Test
  9. 06:29.500 S&W Magnum Test
  10. 07:26Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

How many layers of leather does it take to stop a .44 Magnum bullet?

According to the Kentucky Ballistics test, a .44 Magnum round (220 grain Underwood Xtreme Penetrator) penetrated 23 pieces of 1/4-inch thick leather and stopped in the 24th piece.

What caliber handgun was used to test the .500 S&W Magnum against leather?

The .500 S&W Magnum was tested using a Smith & Wesson Performance Center revolver. The bullet penetrated 23 pieces of leather before stopping in the 24th.

Which ammunition brand provided bullets for the leather stopping test?

Underwood Ammo and Buffalo Bore provided the high-performance ammunition used in the Kentucky Ballistics leather stopping test, including calibers like 10mm, .44 Magnum, .460 S&W Magnum, .50 AE, and .500 S&W Magnum.

Does leather offer significant protection against handgun rounds?

Yes, the experiment demonstrated that leather holster material is surprisingly effective at stopping handgun bullets. Even powerful rounds like the .50 AE required 25 layers of 1/4-inch thick leather to be fully penetrated.

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