Orange County Sheriff’s Office frangible bullet penetration test

Orange County Sheriff Ballistic Test of Frangible Ammunition Penetration

8/13/02

Conducted by: Weapons:

Pat Dooley 9mm Beretta 92F

Dooley Enterprises, Inc. Smith & Wesson SW99-40

Ballistic Material Supplied by:
Steve Armellino
U.S. Armor Corporation

Test #1 – Gold Flex/Spectra Flex, Vest model GSF3a-7 Threat Level IIIa (28 layers)

Round Velocity (fps) Penetration

1) 9mm 85gr. +P frangible 1474 3 layers ballistic material

2) 40cal 115gr. frangible 1256 2 layers ballistic material

3) 9mm 127gr. +P+ SXT 1250 8 layers ballistic material

Test #2 – Gold Flex/Spectra Flex, Vest model GSF2a Threat Level IIa (18 layers)

Round Velocity (fps) Penetration

1) 9mm 85gr. +P frangible 1471 2 layers ballistic material

2) 40cal 115gr. frangible 1302 1 layer ballistic material

Test #3 – Gold Flex/Kevlar/Spectra Shield+, Vest model TV2a-12 Threat Level IIa

(19 layers)

Round Velocity (fps) Penetration

1) 9mm 85gr. +P frangible 1451 8 layers ballistic material

2) 40cal 115gr. Frangible 1437 no penetration

3) 9mm 147gr. SXT 962 3 layers ballistic material

Test #4 – Kevlar, Vest model USA2a Threat Level IIa (20 layers)

Round Velocity (fps) Penetration

1) 9mm 85gr. +P frangible 1451 no penetration

2) 40cal 115gr. Frangible 1308 4 layers ballistic material

CONCLUSION: No total penetration of any of the ballistic vests with frangible or non-frangible ammunition.