Shooting Thru a Car Door Range Test - TheFireArmGuy

Published on April 11, 2012
Duration: 4:49

This video demonstrates the limited ballistic protection offered by a 1988 Dodge Caravan door against common handgun calibers. The instructor tests 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP rounds, all of which penetrate the door and continue through a wooden fence. The key takeaway is that vehicle doors are not reliable cover.

Quick Summary

Vehicle doors, even those from older models like a 1988 Dodge Caravan, offer negligible ballistic protection against common handgun calibers. Tests with 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP rounds show they easily penetrate the door and continue through, highlighting that cars should never be relied upon for cover.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction: 1988 Dodge Caravan Door
  2. 00:15Test Setup: Calibers and Firearms
  3. 01:139mm Kahr CM9 Test
  4. 02:24.40 S&W Glock 27 Test
  5. 03:16.45 ACP XD .45 Test
  6. 04:14Conclusion: Vehicle Doors as Cover

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a car door stop handgun rounds?

No, a car door, even from an older vehicle like a 1988 Dodge Caravan, offers very little ballistic protection against common handgun calibers such as 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. These rounds easily penetrate the door and continue through.

What calibers were tested against the car door?

The test included 9mm ammunition fired from a Kahr CM9, .40 S&W from a Glock 27, and .45 ACP from an XD .45. All were standard Federal Full Metal Jacket rounds.

What is the main takeaway from shooting through a car door?

The primary lesson is that vehicle doors should never be used for ballistic cover. They are not designed to stop bullets and provide a false sense of security, making them a dangerous place to seek shelter.

Did the tested rounds penetrate the wooden fence behind the car door?

Yes, in all three tests (9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP), the rounds not only penetrated the car door but also continued through the wooden fence located behind it, demonstrating significant residual energy.

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