Is A Trip Alarm Deadly?

Published on December 26, 2025
Duration: 1:15

This video tests the lethality of a 12-gauge birdshot round fired from a trip alarm into ballistic gelatin. While the high-brass casing split and ejected forcefully, the projectile did not penetrate the gelatin head and caused superficial damage. The instructor notes that while not lethal, it poses a significant eye hazard.

Quick Summary

Testing a 12-gauge birdshot round in a trip alarm against ballistic gelatin revealed that while the high-brass casing split forcefully, the shot did not penetrate the target. The impact caused superficial damage, indicating it is not lethal but poses a significant eye hazard.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: 12 Gauge Birdshot in Trip Alarm
  2. 00:14Test Setup: Ballistic Gelatin and Trip Wire
  3. 00:20Loading the Trip Alarm with Birdshot
  4. 00:35Following the Trip Wire
  5. 00:44Firing the Trip Alarm
  6. 00:50Damage Review: Casing and Impact
  7. 01:00Penetration Analysis
  8. 01:07Conclusion: Safety and Lethality Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the outcome of testing a 12-gauge birdshot round in a trip alarm against ballistic gelatin?

The test showed that a 12-gauge birdshot round fired from a trip alarm caused a forceful ejection of a split high-brass casing. However, the shot did not penetrate the ballistic gelatin head, hitting it in a single chunk rather than shrapnelizing.

Is a trip alarm loaded with 12-gauge birdshot considered lethal?

Based on the ballistic gelatin test, a trip alarm loaded with 12-gauge birdshot is not considered lethal as it failed to penetrate the target. However, it is deemed unsafe due to the potential for severe eye injury.

What type of ammunition was used in the trip alarm test, and what was its effect?

The test utilized a 12-gauge high-brass birdshot round. The high-brass construction led to a significant split of the casing upon firing, with a forceful ejection onto the target, but the shot itself did not achieve lethal penetration.

Who provided the trip alarm and ballistic gelatin for this test?

The trip alarm and ballistic gelatin head used in this experiment were supplied by Hickory Flatboard. The video expresses thanks to them for providing the equipment for testing purposes.

More Tactical & Gear Videos You Might Like

More from Civilian Tactical

View all →