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I was at the range yesterday with a buddy of mine that's an active duty 1st LT in the USMC. I brought a Level IIA kevlar soft body armor panel with me. It's composed of 12 layers of Kevlar.

We tested it against all of the following rounds and pistol combos:

9mm:

Sig P228 firing Corbon 115gr+P Sierra JHP: No penetration

HK P7 firing Buffalo Bore 115gr+P+ Montana Gold match HP: Full penetration (jacket was shed in the kevlar)

10mm:

Glock 29 firing Nosler 180gr JHP: No penetration

.45ACP:

Colt Government 1911A1 firing Winchester 230gr Ranger SXT JHP: No penetration

5.7x28mm:

FN Five SeveN firing FN SS197SR 40gr Vmax: Penetrated 10 of 12 layers, severe backface deformation of panel.

FN Five SeveN firing FN SS195LF 28gr OTM(1900fps): Complete penetration

FN Five SeveN firing FN SS192 28gr OTM(2100fps): Complete penetration

............

After those tests the panel was still in use-able condition, so we decided to ramp up the tests. We folded it in half, giving 24 layers of Kevlar. Approx threat level would be IIIA.

HK P7 firing Buffalo Bore 115gr+P+ Montana Gold Match HP: No penetration

FN Five SeveN firing FN SS195LF 28gr OTM(1900fps): No penetration

FN Five SeveN firing FN SS192 28gr OTM (2100fps): Full penetration

............

Hugely impressed that the SS192 was able to penetrate 24 layers, we decided to really put it to the test, and folded the panel over on itself again. 48 layers of Kevlar. The rough equivalent to two Level IIIA panels stacked.

FN Five SeveN firing FN SS192 28gr OTM(2100fps): Full penetration.

And the FN stuff is downright wimpy compared to the Elite ammunition i have on order.

All i can say is ......Dayum.

Pix:


HK P7 and Buffalo Bore 9mm+P+ 115gr MGM JHP, hole is visible just to right of the bullet.


FN Five SeveN and SS192. Several holes are visible.

As for the panel, i took it apart, offset the layers so none of the holes lined up, and then duct taped it all together as a packet, and threw it in the rear threat panel pocket of my US Armor Level IIIA vest. Hey, it stops .45 acp, so why not, right?

Wow

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\"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives\"

Great test and results.

I bumped into the Sheriff of Goshen County WY this weekend, we'd met before as he's part owner of the main gun shop in town, and I noticed he carried a P7. I was kind of surpised and asked him about it. Said he loved the things, and owns several of them. Rare as hen's teeth these days though. The one he carries is a satin nickle finish. I told him I had a friend back east who swears by them. He said to tell you, you have good taste.

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Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option

Tell him i said he does too.

And steer him to the Buffalo Bore 9mm+P+ Montana Gold Match BHP round. A sheriff might find it handy to carry a spare mag of ammo that will punch right through car doors, auto glass, and light body armor.

Just got in 100rds of Elite Ammunition S4M.

28gr moly coated OTM at 2600fps/405fpe.

I've seen online videos of this round blasting through Level II steel trauma plates and both sides of the Level II vest it's affixed to.

I've also seen this round shot through an 8\"x8\" piece of wood.

Brassfetcher independent ballistics laboratory did gel tests on this specific load and stated that it is as effective as modern .45ACP JHP ammunition in soft tissue.

High speed video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeICBc0_M7I