Which Handgun Rounds Will DEFEAT Body Armor??? (It Might Surprise You)

Published on July 14, 2023
Duration: 16:04

This video provides an expert-level demonstration of which handgun rounds can defeat NIJ Level 3A body armor. The 1ShotTV host, with high authority and extensive experience, tests specialized ammunition like Liberty Civil Defense .357 Sig and Underwood 10mm Extreme Penetrator, alongside common calibers, using ballistic gel and cinder blocks. The results highlight how modern ammunition technology can overcome standard soft armor, with a .45-70 Government round showing extreme destructive power.

Quick Summary

Expert ballistics testing reveals that specialized handgun rounds like Liberty Civil Defense .357 Sig and Underwood 10mm Extreme Penetrator can defeat NIJ Level 3A body armor. While standard 9mm rounds are stopped, high-velocity and armor-piercing designs pose a significant threat, penetrating ballistic gel and impacting backstops.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Level 3A Body Armor
  2. 01:26Testing Liberty Civil Defense .357 Sig
  3. 02:56Testing Liberty Civil Defense .40 S&W
  4. 04:53Testing 22 TCM 9R
  5. 07:33Testing 10mm Underwood Extreme Penetrator
  6. 09:20Testing 5.7x28mm Green Tip
  7. 10:48Control Test: Standard 9mm
  8. 11:47Testing .45-70 Government (Hand Cannon)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can common handgun rounds defeat Level 3A body armor?

While Level 3A body armor is rated to stop most handgun rounds up to .44 Magnum, specialized ammunition like Liberty Civil Defense .357 Sig and Underwood 10mm Extreme Penetrator have demonstrated the ability to defeat this armor in testing, penetrating ballistic gel effectively.

What is the purpose of ballistic gel in armor testing?

Ballistic gel is used to simulate soft human tissue. By measuring how deep a projectile penetrates the gel and observing its terminal performance (like expansion or fragmentation), testers can assess the potential damage a round could inflict after defeating body armor.

Which handgun caliber showed the most power against body armor and tissue?

The .45-70 Government, fired from a Magnum Research BFR revolver, demonstrated overwhelming power, completely destroying the test setup including a cinder block. Among the tested handgun rounds designed for penetration, the 10mm Underwood Extreme Penetrator showed significant energy retention after defeating the armor.

Does standard 9mm ammunition defeat Level 3A body armor?

No, in the conducted tests, a standard 9mm round was successfully stopped by the Level 3A body armor panel. This confirmed the armor's functionality and highlighted that the defeat of the armor by other rounds was due to their specific high-performance ballistics.

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