M855A1 vs level III+ Spartan 3610 GL armor plate

[chopinbloc]

https://youtu.be/yX0KMDUp8fA

The Army's new M855A1 62 gr EPR fired from 20" AR-15 into Spartan 3610 GL level III+ composite plate. M855A1 is not AP, but it can penetrate body armor that is able to stop M193 and other high speed .223/5.56mm. Care to make a prediction?

 

[entropy]

Dang, I guessed wrong. Impressive!

 

[Panzerschwein]

Wow, what a tough plate!

I love the new M855A1 ball round. Just wish it was "civy legal" as it were.

 

[chopinbloc]

It's not illegal. It just isn't very available. Hopefully Liberty either starts producing it or licenses someone to make it for us plebes

 

[lysanderxiii]

It did not penetrate, but I believe it 'defeated' it.

I am guessing there was excessive deformation on the back side....

 

[chopinbloc]

You may be right, but remember that this plate had already been shot three times. In the previous test, the first shot showed virtually zero back face deformation but subsequent shots showed greater deformation.

 

[lysanderxiii]

The NIJ standard to "successfully defeat" the round in question is survive three shots of the subject caliber, none penetrating, nor having excessive backface signature.

But, this is only a Level III plate no shame in being defeated by a HV rifle caliber round.

How'd it do against a lead projectile? (A more likely threat, unless you plan on pissing off the Army.)

 

[Neo-Luddite]

I was surprised by this. The M855a1 is supposed to be the new wunderkind of 5.56 penetration. And I know, it has had many detractors as well. I would still like to get some to test out. To my knowledge, ATF has not made a specific ruling on it being AP pistol ammo , etc. Mostly this is likely a function of the fact that it is not available on the civilian market owing to contract agreements and self-regulation by the firm(s) making the ammo for the Mil/LE. I have seen some on the secondary market, but only here and there---and the manner in which it got there highly questionable.

 

[chopinbloc]

Here is there previous test:


https://youtu.be/T2qP8LapTW0