Ballistic gelatin test results : 9x19mm Speer 124gr +P Gold Dot vs. windshield

[Brass Fetcher]

Many thanks to Glockman30 for providing the ammunition used in this test and thank you as well to JB for their monetary support of this test and others.

The ballistic gelatin block was covered in light clothing and placed 18" behind the rear face of a piece of laminated automobile windshield glass. This glass was offset 45degrees with respect to the ground and turned at a ~ 15degree angle with respect to the vertical (this test is effectively FBI Test #6). 5 shots were fired, two missed the block due to deflection by the glass.

Weather conditions at the test site were: 33degF, <5 mile per hour wind and heavy clouds/fog.

Cartridge : Speer 124gr +P Gold Dot JHP and Cor-Bon 115gr DPX

Firearm : Glock 19 with 4.0" barrel length

Block calibration : All depths corrected (From 8.7cm @ 552 ft/sec)

Shot 1 - Speer 124gr +P Gold Dot JHP. Impacted at 1137 ft/sec, penetrated to 12.4" and was recovered at 0.548" average diameter.

Shot 2 - Speer 124gr +P Gold Dot JHP. Impacted at 1168 ft/sec, penetrated to 13.5" and was recovered at 0.547" average diameter.

Shot 3 - Cor-Bon 115gr DPX. Impacted at 1147 ft/sec, penetrated to 15.7" and was recovered at 0.421" average diameter.

 

[BsChoy]

Makes me glad to see that I have the wife lading that for her home defense G17 when I am at work....thanks for the test JE223

 

[Mad Magyar]

And your conclusions are.....? What was your hypothesis going into the testing? Seriously....

 

[massglockman]

nice set-up always nice shooting at windshields with gel blocks behind them

 

[gudel]

why don't people ever try the golden saber???
it's always gold dot. geez, how many times do you have to test it?

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

seems liek pretty good performance to me. Gives me a more confidence since that's what I carry

 

[Working Man]

The two heaviest rounds:

The slowest (1137 ft/sec) expanded the most (0.548" average diameter) and penetrated the least (12.4")

The fastest (1168 ft/sec) expanded just a hair under the slowest (0.547" average diameter) and penetrated
more (13.5") than the slowest and most expanded round.

The lightest round 2nd in speed (1147 ft/sec) expanded the least (0.421" average diameter) and penetrated
the most (penetrated to 15.7")

Question: is the difference in expansion vs. speed enough to make the Cor-Bon penetrate that much more or
was it a matter of the windshield & gelatin being compromised already?

 

[GuidoTorpedo]

Question: is the difference in expansion vs. speed enough to make the Cor-Bon penetrate that much more or
was it a matter of the windshield & gelatin being compromised already?

(please correct me if I understood your question wrong)

I'm guessing the reason why the CorBon penetrated more is due to the fact that it didn't expand as much. Something with smaller cross-sectional area (expansion) should penetrate more if shot at a similar velocity than one with a greater cross-sectional area.

 

[Halo is for Kids]

why don't people ever try the golden saber???
it's always gold dot. geez, how many times do you have to test it?

IIRC there was a poll here on THR to determine the rounds to be tested. 124 Grn GDHP +P was the winner.

ETA: here they are...

What pistol cartridge would you like to see tested against auto glass and gelatin?
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=314616&highlight=windshield

Which 9x19mm Luger cartridge(s) to test against auto glass and gelatin?
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=315334&highlight=windshield

Which 124gr 9x19mm JHP(s) to test against auto glass and gelatin?
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=317066&highlight=windshield

 

[19-3Ben]

Guido- my thoughts exactly.

Gudel- I remember we had a poll here a while ago where people voted on this test and most people voted for the gold dot since apparently Gold dot is the more popular carry choice right now.

 

[Spyvie]

I wonder how the 115gr solid copper DPXs from Corbon would fare in this test.

 

[Halo is for Kids]

I wonder how the 115gr solid copper DPXs from Corbon would fare in this test.

Shot 3 - Cor-Bon 115gr DPX. Impacted at 1147 ft/sec, penetrated to 15.7" and was recovered at 0.421" average diameter.

 

[Spyvie]

Thanks, I'm a little slow.

I guess I was thinking about the non DPX Corbons I just bought...

 

[PPGMD]

What rounds were deflected, and what was the distance and angle (with respect to the glass) that it was fired at?

 

[GuidoTorpedo]

What rounds were deflected, and what was the distance and angle (with respect to the glass) that it was fired at?

Not the answer to your specific question, but it may shed some light.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/buickot2.htm

 

[Working Man]

Guido

You understood my question correctly.

I'm guessing the reason why the CorBon penetrated more is due to the fact that it didn't expand as much. Something with smaller cross-sectional area (expansion) should penetrate more if shot at a similar velocity than one with a greater cross-sectional area.

I'm amazed that such a small difference in diameter (especially since it was traveling at 21 ft/sec slower) allowed
almost 2 inches more of penetration. I would have imagined that the faster heaver round would have penetrated farther.

The fastest (1168 ft/sec) expanded just a hair under the slowest (0.547" average diameter) and penetrated
more (13.5") than the slowest and most expanded round.

The lightest round 2nd in speed (1147 ft/sec) expanded the least (0.421" average diameter) and penetrated
the most (penetrated to 15.7")

I wonder (if at all) would at greater distance the depth of penetration become closer if not reversed.

 

[Brass Fetcher]

Working Man,

I'm amazed that such a small difference in diameter (especially since it was traveling at 21 ft/sec slower) allowed
almost 2 inches more of penetration. I would have imagined that the faster heaver round would have penetrated farther.

It never ceases to amaze me either at the increase/decrease in penetration that can occur with a small change in bullet diameter. But - what should be mentioned is that a critical component in penetration is the amount of pressure produced by the object. Pressure is the force of the object divided by the frontal area. The larger the diameter of the bullet, the greater the pressure would be needed to propel a bullet of the same mass to the same depth in gelatin. If you could neglect the drag from the air, the final pressure that was working on the base of the bullet when it exited the muzzle is pretty much the same amount of pressure that the bullet would exert on the target at the instant it impacted.

I wonder (if at all) would at greater distance the depth of penetration become closer if not reversed.

Not sure that I understand the question?

 

[eldon519]

Based on a quick guestimation assuming the expanded bullets are still basically circular, a 0.547" diameter projectile has about 69% more frontal area than a 0.421" projectile. That accounts for a lot more drag and a lot less penetration.

 

[strambo]

Good performance...I'm still satisfied with my current carry load (the 124gr GD ). Thanks for posting.

 

[douglasd53]

Three shots mean nothing. There are so many variables in play here that in order to come to any meaningful conclusion, you'd have to shoot a lot more than that...like at least 25 to 50 shots with each cartridge.

 

[HB]

O tay...

Three shots mean nothing. There are so many variables in play here that in order to come to any meaningful conclusion, you'd have to shoot a lot more than that...like at least 25 to 50 shots with each cartridge.

You're right, but I guess you can buy the ammo... and the jello.... and a few dozen windshields.

HB

 

[R12GS]

It at least gives a very basic understanding of what can be expected from the same weight and bullet construction. In real life, you probably wouldn't shoot 25-50 rounds into a windshield unless you were with NYPD, which incidentally is exactly what they shoot, 9mm 124gr Gold dots.

 

[ugaarguy]

Three shots mean nothing. There are so many variables in play here that in order to come to any meaningful conclusion, you'd have to shoot a lot more than that...like at least 25 to 50 shots with each cartridge.

I'm sure JE223 would be glad to fire that number of rounds if you'll provide him with the ammo, funds for the gelatin blocks, funds for more auto glass, and funds to compensate him for his time. Please understand that he does this testing in his spare time, largely at his own expense, and graciously makes the data available for free to all at his website www.brassfetcher.com.