How Strong is bulk Kevlar? How Powerful is the 9mm Luger?

[Frontier Firearms]

For a while we have been asked about what the level of protection is on the bulk Kevlar that we have sold. We decided to test it out.

Test 1, 9mm Luger Fired from a handgun.

The bullet was able to penetrate 4 Layers of Kevlar. To get an idea of how much this is, there is 30 Layers on each piece. Each piece is aprox 7mm Thick. It only took aprox 1mm Of Kevlar to stop the 9mm Luger.

Test 2, 9mm Luger Fired from a 18.6" Sub 2000 Rifle.

The next test came as quite a surprise. The bullet was able to go through 12 Layers of Kevlar or aprox 2.8mm of a 7mm Thick piece!

It is interesting to note the conditions of the 9mm rounds retrieved. The round fired from the Sub 2000 (on the right) was deformed and flattened significantly more than the bullet from the handgun. While the 9mm is far from been a hunting round, the power from the 18.6" barrel is significant in penetration is significant.

 

[call2arms]

Big difference between pistol and rifle performance.

 

[greentips]

1100 fps vs 1350 fps - energy gets more boost from velocity 1/2 MV^2

 

[Gmoney47]

Wow that's interesting. How far away did you shoot it from?

 

[Frontier Firearms]

At the 10 meter mark.

 

[hypa]

Wow, now this is a cool test.
I love the fiber marks on the spent projectile.

 

[ShawnC6]

Do you have any still for sale?

I have a bunch of yellow, none of the white.

Interesting fact, a 7.62x39 steel core will stop at around 150 layers of the yellow Kevlar.

5.56 blasts through.

 

[Frontier Firearms]

We have a bit of it. We are going to be selling it by the piece instead of by the pound this time around. You will be able to order based on the size of the panel, so if you are planning to make a back stop, you will know the exact size.

 

[JohnnyP636]

Big difference between pistol and rifle performance.

Even more so with rifle rounds, seen it first had with a kevlar panel and bullet proof glass window from an armored truck. Kevlar panel stopped .45 ACP and deformed and imprinted the kevlar into the head of the bullet. Next up 5.56 went through like a hot knife through butter.

 

[Frontier Firearms]

 

[Frontier Firearms]

Some of the pieces have holes to attach to the armored vehicle. The sizes listed with a * will indicate this. If it does not have the *, it will be a piece with no holes.

 

[ShawnC6]

Is anything left of the white stuff tested?

 

[mbogo3]

http://www.historic-firearms.com/artillery-luger.html

 

[Frontier Firearms]

Is anything left the white stuff tested?

Im not sure what the question is,

 

[ShawnC6]

Im not sure what the question is,

The white Kevlar that was tested in the original post, or only yellow left like in the photos for sale?

 

[Frontier Firearms]

The Kevlar that we tested is yellow as well. It is just the difference in lighting.

 

[tinman304]

How was the Kevlar suspended when shot? Pulled tight with nothing behind or laid against something?

 

[ShawnC6]

Good enough. Bought the biggest piece with no holes. Going to get some resin and build a shield.

 

[Frontier Firearms]

How was the Kevlar suspended when shot? Pulled tight with nothing behind or laid against something?

We put a 5/8 inch piece of plywood on a slight angle against the target stand and folded a large piece over.

 

[Frontier Firearms]

We should have a few more level 4 vests added by this afternoon. There is currently a 25% off sale on all kevlar and body armor until Monday of the next week.