PSM Shooting: 5.45x18mm vs 7.62x25mm on Soft Armor

Published on July 1, 2017
Duration: 6:02

This guide details a ballistic test comparing the penetration capabilities of the 5.45x18mm PSM pistol and the 7.62x25mm Tokarev pistol against NIJ Level 3A soft body armor. The test, conducted by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, reveals that while both calibers can penetrate this level of armor, the 7.62x25mm Tokarev round imparts significantly more energy and causes greater damage to the vest and backing material. The PSM, despite its thin profile, creates cleaner holes with less energy transfer.

Quick Summary

In ballistic tests by Forgotten Weapons, both the 5.45x18mm PSM and 7.62x25mm Tokarev rounds penetrated NIJ Level 3A soft body armor. However, the 7.62x25mm Tokarev round imparted significantly more energy and caused greater damage to the vest and backing material compared to the cleaner holes made by the PSM rounds.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and PSM Handling
  2. 01:35Steel Target Test
  3. 02:08PSM vs Soft Armor Test
  4. 03:18Tokarev vs Soft Armor Test
  5. 04:30Ballistic Analysis and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 5.45x18mm PSM pistol penetrate NIJ Level 3A soft body armor?

Yes, according to tests by Forgotten Weapons, all five 5.45x18mm FMJ rounds fired from a PSM pistol successfully penetrated NIJ Level 3A soft body armor and the plywood backing board used in the test.

How does the 7.62x25mm Tokarev perform against NIJ Level 3A soft body armor?

In tests conducted by Forgotten Weapons, four out of five 7.62x25mm rounds from a Tokarev pistol penetrated NIJ Level 3A soft body armor, with one round being stopped by the vest itself.

Which round, 5.45x18mm or 7.62x25mm, transfers more energy to body armor?

The 7.62x25mm Tokarev round transfers significantly more energy and causes more physical damage to the body armor and backing material compared to the 5.45x18mm PSM round, despite both penetrating Level 3A armor.

What is the primary difference in impact between the PSM and Tokarev rounds on body armor?

The 5.45x18mm PSM rounds create cleaner penetration holes with less energy transfer, while the 7.62x25mm Tokarev rounds cause more deformation and damage to the armor and backing due to higher energy impact.

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