Liberty Civil Defense 9mm and Body Armor

Published on March 4, 2015
Duration: 11:10

This guide details a ballistic test protocol for evaluating handgun ammunition penetration against Level IIIA body armor, as demonstrated by Military Arms Channel. It emphasizes the role of velocity in defeating soft armor and compares the performance of high-velocity rounds like Liberty Civil Defense 9mm +P and 7.62x25mm against standard threats. The test utilizes firearms with varying barrel lengths to assess velocity differences and employs a clay block backstop to visualize penetration depth and cavity formation.

Quick Summary

Ballistic testing revealed that projectile velocity is the most critical factor in defeating Level IIIA soft body armor. High-velocity rounds like Liberty Civil Defense 9mm +P (approx. 2000 fps) successfully penetrated the armor, while standard 115-grain 9mm ball ammunition did not, highlighting velocity's dominance over bullet design for penetration.

Chapters

  1. 00:10Introduction and Context
  2. 00:25Liberty Civil Defense Ammo Overview
  3. 01:08Body Armor Specifications
  4. 01:37Test Firearms
  5. 02:28Ballistic Testing: Sig P226
  6. 04:21Ballistic Testing: CZ Scorpion
  7. 06:00Comparison: 7.62x25mm Tokarev
  8. 07:38Control Test: Standard 9mm Ball
  9. 08:22Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What ammunition was tested against Level IIIA body armor?

The primary ammunition tested was Liberty Ammunition's Civil Defense 9mm +P, featuring a 50-grain nickel-plated copper hollow point designed for high velocity (around 2000 fps). Bulgarian surplus 7.62x25mm and standard 115-grain 9mm ball rounds were also used for comparison.

Which firearms were used in the body armor test?

The test utilized firearms with different barrel lengths to assess velocity impacts: a Sig Sauer P226 MK25 with a 4.4-inch barrel and a CZ-USA Scorpion EVO3 S1 with a 7.7-inch barrel. Both fired 9mm ammunition.

What was the key finding regarding defeating body armor?

The primary conclusion was that projectile velocity is the most critical factor in defeating soft body armor like Level IIIA. High-velocity rounds, regardless of bullet design, were more effective penetrators than standard velocity rounds.

Did standard 9mm ammunition penetrate the Level IIIA armor?

No, a standard 115-grain 9mm ball round failed to penetrate the Spartan Armor Systems Level IIIA panel, confirming the armor's effectiveness against common handgun threats. High-velocity rounds were required for penetration.

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