A standard weight 17hmr out of rifle barrels will destroy a level 3A body armour without any questions, there are a lot of Youtube video tests can verify this.
So it got me thinking, how about a 17HMR round out of a handgun?
Because if it does, it would be one of the only pistols can penetrate 3A body armour and available in Canada. Well actual availability is abysmal since only 3 or so
manufacturers(Excel Arms, Ruger, Taurus) made pistols in this caliber, and I believe all of them are discontinued.
But the appeal is the ammo itself is not banned in Canada, unlike the FN 5.7x28mm 27gr rounds(muzzle velocity is about 2100FPS out of A FN57, and it penetrates 3A armour)
is banned. Only 5.7x28mm available is 40gr loads, those heavier bullets drop the velocity to 1700FPS, and the bullet will bounce off 3A armour.
With some google research, it appears a standard 17gr 17hmr will have a muzzle velocity of around 2250FPS out of a 10inch barrel.
But I couldn't find any data for shorter barrels, so I can only speculate at this point.
My theory is if a 17gr 17hmr travels above 2000FPS, it will reliably defeat 3A armour. A 2000FPS projectile will probably just make through the armour with almost no kinetic
energy left. Be aware this is just my theory without any evidence backing, could be totally wrong, but that's what I saw from different calibers.
If a 10inch barrel can produce 2250FPS, I think a 7-8inch handgun barrel has very good potential to get above 2000FPS muzzle velocity and a very good chance to defeat 3A armour.
So what do you guys think? I really hope some company will revive 17HMR handgun so I can put it to test.
So it got me thinking, how about a 17HMR round out of a handgun?
Because if it does, it would be one of the only pistols can penetrate 3A body armour and available in Canada. Well actual availability is abysmal since only 3 or so
manufacturers(Excel Arms, Ruger, Taurus) made pistols in this caliber, and I believe all of them are discontinued.
But the appeal is the ammo itself is not banned in Canada, unlike the FN 5.7x28mm 27gr rounds(muzzle velocity is about 2100FPS out of A FN57, and it penetrates 3A armour)
is banned. Only 5.7x28mm available is 40gr loads, those heavier bullets drop the velocity to 1700FPS, and the bullet will bounce off 3A armour.
With some google research, it appears a standard 17gr 17hmr will have a muzzle velocity of around 2250FPS out of a 10inch barrel.
But I couldn't find any data for shorter barrels, so I can only speculate at this point.
My theory is if a 17gr 17hmr travels above 2000FPS, it will reliably defeat 3A armour. A 2000FPS projectile will probably just make through the armour with almost no kinetic
energy left. Be aware this is just my theory without any evidence backing, could be totally wrong, but that's what I saw from different calibers.
If a 10inch barrel can produce 2250FPS, I think a 7-8inch handgun barrel has very good potential to get above 2000FPS muzzle velocity and a very good chance to defeat 3A armour.
So what do you guys think? I really hope some company will revive 17HMR handgun so I can put it to test.
