Safariland Blog

How to Choose a Fighting PIstol

(John Burdock) — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:54:00 -0400

Many have weighed in on the topic of the fighting pistol, yet the debate and search for the “one” still continues today. The questions go round as to make, model, caliber and more. The definition of the fighting pistol is a full-size pistol with the primary mission of being openly carried in a duty holster or leg holster by the person who goes armed into harm’s way on a daily basis. Based on my experience, I believe the following factors should be considered when choosing the best fighting pistol to meet your needs.

The fighting pistol must be highly reliable. One should not tolerate any malfunction in 250, 500 or 1000 rounds. Which malfunction would be ok in combat and when? A new fighting pistol should be combat-ready out of the box and not require the trendy 500 round break-in period to function properly, nor should it need polishing, aftermarket magazines, special type or brand of ammunition or gunsmith fitting to work correctly.

The fighting pistol should have useable sights and a good trigger. A good trigger is not to be confused with a light trigger meant for competition or bull’s eye shooting. The gold standard on a fighting pistol trigger pull should be no less than 5 pounds, based on detailed research conducted by Massad Ayoob.

The fighting pistol should be accurate. Match grade accuracy is truly only needed by the highly skilled shootist. The average person does not invest the amount of time or ammunition to become proficient enough to out shoot the pistol. Two-inch accuracy at twenty-five yards is more accurate than many could ever muster under stress. Invest in training from knowledgeable and credible instructors and range time, not gadgets. Learn to run the fighting pistol under all conditions, with either hand, be able to clear stoppages, reload, use a flashlight and stay in the fight. Remember there is brilliance in basics and understand that advanced pistol skills are only the execution of the basic fundamentals under stress.

The fighting pistol should be durable. It needs to have a simple manual of arms, be easy to take down and assemble and not require special tools, gadgets or the level of maintenance required to keep a formula one race car on the track. The fighting pistol should not need to be handled with kid gloves to perform.

The fighting pistol should hold as many rounds as possible. High capacity affords the ability to stay in the fight. I recently interviewed an officer who fired a total of fifteen, 40 caliber rounds in a lethal force encounter. I reviewed the autopsy results and crime scene pictures; the officer hit the subject eleven times out of fifteen. The fastest way to win a gunfight is to hit first, hit accurately and repeat as needed. The officer involved told me he was very thankful that his duty pistol had a high-capacity magazine on that day.

The fighting pistol should be selected on function and not cosmetics. I truly love a finely-engraved ivory-gripped pistol or revolver; however if it does not meet the criteria of a fighting pistol I would not take it to the fight. I agree with, and support all the other reasons for owning pistols and revolvers, such as historic value, collecting, plinking, hunting, competition use and the most important reason “because I want to”!

On a side note, the topic of caliber has become a smoke and mirror parlor game often debated by the “tacti cool” and “internet commandos”. If the one true defensive caliber existed, then why do so many shooters make an argument for theirs? As a general rule, pistols are poor fight stoppers in comparison to shotguns or rifles. The one true equalizer with the fighting pistol is shot placement. The shooter should select a caliber they can manage and shoot well, but should strive to keep the caliber somewhere between .38 and .45, since all calibers in that range have won fights! I have spoken to medical examiners and officers who have used lethal force and have not been able to define the “one” caliber nor have those I have spoken to. I have interviewed officers who fired as few as three, 9mm rounds in a lethal encounter, worked crime scenes where one, .38 caliber round ended the encounter and have interviewed officers who have fired to slide lock with .40’s and .45’s to end the encounter. I do not claim my research and interviews to be all-inclusive, scientific or the final word on this topic, I will leave that to the experts; they are merely my own observations during a 23-year law enforcement career and perpetual student of the fighting pistol.

Using the thoughts above one should be able to find the pistol that truly fits their needs if it is a fighting pistol they are searching for. The fighting pistol is a tool; mindset and commitment are truly the real “weapons” in the fight.

John Burdock is veteran of the United States Marine Corps with 23 years in law enforcement including 17 years as a firearms instructor, SWAT team member and contract trainer. He is currently a Lieutenant with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and an instructor with the Safariland Training Group

Are You Wearing Your Body Armor Backwards?

rod.dornsife@baesystems.com (Rod Dornsife) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:15:00 -0400

As strange as that may sound, there is a very good chance that you, or one of your fellow officers, will go on duty tonight wearing body armor that may provide far less ballistic protection than expected.

Modern body armor is designed to protect the wearer from deadly high-velocity handgun rounds using a sophisticated combination of bullet-stopping materials, strategies and tactics.

From the moment a bullet tears through an officer’s uniform shirt at supersonic speed, it engages several different layers of an amazing “ballistic sandwich” engineered to take on many different roles during an extremely violent ballistic event that takes place–from beginning to end–within 3 nanoseconds. All in a distance of less than two inches. A nanosecond is one-billionth of a second (1/1,000,000,000), so all of this interaction with the bullet and the vest is happening very very quickly.

In fact, Safariland’s body armor engineers use ultra-high speed digital photography to slow this incredibly destructive event down to the point where they can study, frame-by-frame, how each layer of material and individual vest component interacts with the bullet during each phase of the ballistic event. Unimaginable forces are created by these devastating impacts, and they are being transmitted through, and absorbed by, your vest’s ballistic panel and your upper torso.

Concealable body armor is designed to both stop bullets and reduce serious injury in a multi-step process:

Armor panels must first slow and deform the projectile, blunting its tip and increasing its footprint.
Since bullets also spin and violently twist anything in their path, engineers then seek to engage and entangle them with as many high-strength ballistic fibers as possible. That blunting and entangling action “catches” the bullet in a net-like fashion, ultimately slowing and stopping it.
In addition, the vest panel must keep the bullet and the back of the vest panel from protruding (in a net or trampoline-like fashion) deep into an officer’s muscle tissue and chest cavity (called backface deformation). Currently the new NIJ Standard and federally mandated backface limit is 44mm or 1.73 inches.
Finally, the panel must also absorb and dampen the resulting shock wave, which by itself is capable of tearing skin, breaking bones and damaging organs (backface trauma injuries).

The resulting multi-material (hybrid), multi-layered vest panel designs (ballistic sandwiches) are often patented and considered closely guarded trade secrets. Safariland alone offers many patented constructions and innovative approaches to solving these ballistic protection challenges.

Unfortunately, these highly sophisticated panel structures are usually directional in nature. That means if they were shot from the opposite or back side, the complex methods they use to stop bullets and protect officers become all but useless.

So, wearing vest panels in the proper strikeface/body-side orientation is a serious life and death issue. Federal requirements are already in place to make sure all NIJ compliant vests are properly labeled to indicate which side is which. Unfortunately, many officers still don’t take the time to read the labels and double-check their vests.

So, the next time you wash your vest carrier and head back to work after a few days off, take a moment to read the label on your vest panels to be absolutely sure the strikeface side of your panels are facing the bad guys. It could save your life.

Holsters Need Love Too - How to Clean and Care for your Safariland Holster

james.m.dawson@baesystems.com (James Dawson) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:42:00 -0400

There are not many shooters among us who neglect their firearms after a hard day’s shooting. Whether they get cleaned that day (best case scenario) or a few weeks after they've been used, the fact remains that they eventually get the care and attention they deserve. For many of us, there's always that tinge of guilt hiding in the back of the brain that keeps reminding us, "Your guns are dirty…you're neglecting them…why exactly do you hate your guns so much, what have they ever done to you…" and so on. The question is though, if this much attention is paid to the firearms, why neglect what houses, protects, and makes your handgun available, the holster?

Although made to work in the worst environments around the world, even the best holsters (Safariland, of course) need some care and respect before, during, and after use. This doubly applies when working in extremely wet, sandy, or hot environments. There are a few rules to always keep in mind when caring for your holster:

Always keep it out of direct sunlight for extended periods of time. This obviously does not mean it can't sit on your waist while you go about your business, whether on duty, out hunting, or for a day of competition shooting at the range. I'm talking about leaving it on the dashboard of your car or even in the trunk in an Arizona summer. All of these situations exceed 140°, which is a no-no. And did you know that the temperature in the dashboard of a vehicle or direct sunlight through the glass window can exceed 190° Fahrenheit? If a Safariland holster is exposed to these kinds of temperatures, visually inspect the product and if deformation has occurred, discontinue use immediately.
Keep it clean of debris. This applies to both the interior and exterior of the holster. The SafariLaminate™ or STX finish makes this extremely easy to do on the outside. A quick wipe down with a clean cloth and warm soapy water will do. The interior, especially when covered with suede (which is often the case), can also be cleaned with warm soapy water. It can then be washed down and sprayed with any easy to find silicone spray for best results. Obviously, make sure there is never any large debris in the holster as this will affect holstering and possibly cause an accidental discharge.
Let it dry. Although Safariland holsters will work under wet conditions, it's best to let it dry when given a chance. If your holster becomes submerged or soaked with water, the following steps should be taken to bring the holster back to satisfactory working condition.

Remove the holster from wet conditions and ensure all excess water is drained from the holster.
To enhance quick drying of the suede interior, use a towel or piece of cloth to pull through or dab the inside of the holster until contact dry.
To fully dry the suede interior while concurrently drying the rest of the holster, place in a dry location and let air dry for 24 hours or accelerate the process with cool air from a fan or other cool air source. DO NOT use an oven, microwave, hair dryer, heat gun, or any other heat source.
Spray a shot of silicone spray inside the holster on the suede.

Specific products will need specific care. If you have an SLS™, ALS^®, or other acronym titled Safariland holster, other care may be needed for its distinct retention device, such as re-lubing the retention mechanism, then locking and unlocking until the lubricant is fully in place. It's best to check your manual if you still have it, visit our website, or call our Customer Care department at (800) 347-1200.

Below is a short video on how to adjust and care for a new 6280 SLS Duty Holster. Most of the tips mentioned in the video apply to all of our holsters. It also demonstrates how to care for a wet holster.

In short, when in doubt, just think about giving that holster of yours the same love and attention your firearm gets.

OC Spray Training - To Be or Not to Be Sprayed

terry.smith2@baesystems.com (Terry Smith) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:00:00 -0400

Few, if any, officers are overjoyed when coming into contact with OC Spray (oleoresin capsicum). The taste and intense burning sensation in the eyes or face is unpleasant to say the least. Regardless, in essentially every training course on OC Spray, students are regularly exposed to OC or worse.

For example, the United States military has used a time honored and progressive educational approach to introduce recruits to ‘gas warfare’. It begins with classroom instruction, equipping them with protective mask and, if necessary clothing, and then having them practice getting in and out of that equipment prior to entering a ‘gas house’ where they are exposed to various chemical agents.

Why do instructors do this to their students? Well, in the case of the military, recruits that pass in and out of the ‘gas house’ gain confidence in their ability to survive should they ever be exposed to ‘gas warfare’ on the battlefield. Similarly, officers who work in the criminal justice profession will likely be exposed to OC spray at some point. Unfortunately, OC doesn’t take sides and because it takes the form of a spray, it tends to drift everyone and affects everyone, be it Good Guy or Bad Guy.

In a worst case scenario, such as this news event in Winnipeg, Canada shows, law enforcement officers may not be the only individuals to have an incident with OC Spray. The most common area affected by OC is a person’s vision. However, breathing can be affected too whenever OC enters a person’s lungs. If you aren’t prepared for the effects of OC, the delay in combat can give a combatant enough time to flee or worse.

In early OC training for officers, officers were sprayed in a manner that would affect mostly their vision. Once ‘blinded’, they were directed to water by a fellow officer so they could begin to decontaminate by applying copious amounts of water in hopes of eliminating, as quickly as possible, that intense burning/stinging sensation in their eyes, as well as on their face. This was the state of OC training in those early days, which was good for exposure, but not for officer survival. Officers often believe that once blinded they were helpless and had to be guided to safety. Again, this belief doesn’t build the kind of confidence officers have to have in order to survive on the job.

Today, many trainers have created specific learning objectives for OC training whereby officers learn how to ‘fight through’ OC induced ‘blindness’ by rapid blinking. Officers then learn how to transition to performing various empty-hand skills like punches or knee strikes and/or using less-lethal technologies like a baton to protect themselves, as well as their firearm, from an attacker. This ‘dry-run’ practice leads to the actual spraying and demonstration of skills for self-defense and, when possible, subject is taken into custody.

It is not a case of if officers will be exposed to OC spray either directly or indirectly but rather when it will happen to them on the job. Consequently, officers have to learn how to survive and win in an actual OC environment that they or someone else has exposed them too.

Debate Reigns in Supreme Court Hearing for Chicago’s Handgun Ban

james.m.dawson@baesystems.com (James Dawson) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:29:00 -0400

For those following my blog posts regarding firearms rights or to anyone closely following the news at all, last week was a big week for those involved on either side of the gun rights argument, with the recent arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of McDonald v. City of Chicago. However, it only appeared to be a good day for one side…

With Alan Gura (of Heller fame) and Paul Clement (strangely, also of Heller fame in a different way…) on the gun rights side and James Feldman representing the City of Chicago, the scenario was set for an impressive face-off. Alan Gura took the more difficult road of arguing for incorporation via the Privileges and Immunities Clause with Paul Clement taking the Due Process avenue. Without getting into too many technical details, the P&I clause is thought to be by many as a legitimate road to incorporation but could have larger implications outside of gun rights if it is successfully argued and old case law thrown out. Although the Justices certainly appeared interested in the idea, there was very apparent hesitation on their part to change over a 100 years of case precedence to go this route. Clement, on the other hand, took the NRA’s position of incorporation through Due Process, an argument first heard in the oral arguments when Justice Scalia actually brought it up to Gura as being the easier route. Clement calmly breezed through his portion with no mention from the Justices of his previous involvement on the other side of the equation with Heller. After Gura and Clement were done presenting their respective arguments, it was obvious the odds were favoring incorporation of the 2nd Amendment.

When James Feldman’s turn arose, it was clear he would have his work cut out for him in arguing that the 2nd Amendment should not be incorporated to the States. That work load appeared to be too much as Justices Scalia and Roberts continually questioned what argument he was trying to make while Feldman appeared to avoid questions, change arguments and revert back to pre-Heller arguments. Although some of the liberal leaning Judges would occasionally “throw him a bone”, there did not appear to be too much going well for Feldman or who he is representing, the City of Chicago.

While incorporation is hardly a done deal, it looks like a major point of the outcome of these arguments will be (if incorporation is indeed granted) what level of scrutiny will be relevant when gun laws are challenged on a Constitutional basis. If “reasonable regulations” are accepted, as they almost certainly will be, what will encompass “reasonable”? Although Chicago’s handgun ban will likely not be found to be reasonable (just as D.C.’s ban was not in Heller), will “assault weapons” bans in some states or locales hold up? How about gun registration? These are all questions that probably won’t be explicitly answered by the Court’s decision, but there will be a much better idea than we currently have.

Here is a link to the Supreme Court oral arguments (PDF) for those of you who are interested. Although long, they are certainly intriguing and a relatively quick read. Look for a decision sometime in June of this year.

12 Steps for Better Drug Testing Results

eric.schellhorn@baesystems.com (Eric Schellhorn) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:50:00 -0400

Chemical presumptive narcotics identification systems, such as the NIK^® Polytesting System and the ODV NarcoPouch^® lines are some of the most widely-used field drug testing systems used in law enforcement today. Law enforcement officers are expected to combine their investigative skills and experience, knowledge of the characteristics of suspected narcotics and familiarity with the expected color reactions from field tests to correctly identify suspected narcotics.

To gain the maximum benefit from using these test kits, officers should incorporate the following twelve points into their testing protocols to generate accurate and consistent results and successfully establish probable cause to support arrests.

1) Use more tests
Presumptive drug testing systems are designed to identify compounds based on probabilities and the use of multiple tests in succession. The more tests used in the identification of a substance, the greater the probability of positive indication.

2) Don’t overload the test
Always use the correct amount of drug sample when testing. Never overload the pouch. If necessary, adjust the amount of sample according to the strength of the color reaction observed.

3) Break the ampoules in the right spot
Always break the ampoules in the middle of the special ampoule holder by pinching the holder between the thumb and index finger. Never use another instrument to break the ampoules. Most presumptive drug tests include glass ampoules. Break the ampoule in the wrong place and the glass can puncture the test kit (and your finger).

4) Not shaken or stirred
Completely agitate the pouch with the index finger while holding the pouch by the plastic clip in the opposite hand. Never shake the pouch up and down.

5) Use a white background
Always use a white background behind the test pouch to accurately identify the color results. If you view the test on a colored background, it will skew your perception of the test results and could result in a false identification.

6) Your results may vary
Color results are based on the quality and quantity of the drug in the sample. Cutting agents may shift the color hue from the color example printed on the pouch. These shifts should be expected and should be considered when interpreting results.

7) Always consider age
When testing for the presence of marijuana, the age of the plant should be considered when interpreting the results. Older plant material will take longer to react than fresher material.

8) Consider form when testing for Cocaine
Depending on the form of the Cocaine, the first ampoule of a Modified Scott Reagent test (Test G of the NIK Polytesting System) will vary in its reaction.

9) Take the high road AND the low road
Some compounds have multiple tests for presumptive identification. By using more than one test, the chances of a presumptive identification are greatly increased.

10) Three is better than two
Three ampoule tests are more discriminating than tests with one or two ampoules. This is particularly true with the Duquenois Levine and Modified Scott tests.

11) Never introduce liquids
When testing for liquids, place a small amount on a clean white tissue or paper. Never introduce liquids directly into the pouch for testing, except when testing for GHB.

12) Neutralize your tests
Always use an acid neutralizer before disposing of NIK tests, and ALWAYS wait for the test pouch to be completely neutralized before placing the safety clip back on the pouch. Do not handle the pouch after adding neutralizer, as it may generate substantial heat.

Why Training is Even More Important in a Down Economy

dani.deyton@baesystems.com (Dani Deyton) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:52:00 -0400

The economic crisis is taking a toll on just about every aspect of American business. As well, many of our state and local Agencies are undergoing budget cuts for 2010 that may force them to cut officers at a time when some cities are experiencing crime rates that are higher than ever. So, the question is, how can we be better or at least “as efficient” with a reduction in force?

By training the people you’ve got to be even BETTER. If agencies began to look at training as a way to build their employee brand as opposed to being an expense, they can get ahead of the criminals and the technology while the economy improves, and in the end, come out better than ever.

There’s a reason why more millionaires are created during down economic periods than during times of prosperity: Wise investors snap-up great deals. Similarly, while most businesses cut back on what they consider “unnecessary or “additional” expenses, such as marketing or training, wise business leaders capture significant market share by snapping-up the recession-adjusted advertising rates their competitors are passing on, enabling them to win over new customers.

The same comparison can be applied to an agency’s human assets: its officers. How your talent “stacks up” within your agency can mean the difference between life or death in some cases. Are you actively leveraging this economic opportunity to upgrade and solidify your roster of current talent?

Why not? Currently many training companies are offering great specials for training that should be investigated and utilized while the deals are hot! More importantly though, make sure you investigate the quality of training your people will receive. Does the company offer training by former or current law enforcement officers with real world experience? Are they in classes that can significantly improve their current skills and make a difference on the street or in the courtroom? Will they be working with products that officers actually use in their everyday experiences? Do they employ proven tactics that will enhance the performance of your team? Check out all the aspects of a training company’s program before making your decision.

Another point that I also think many Agencies miss is that while they are trying to save money by cutting back on training, it only takes one good lawsuit due to a “failure to train,” “deliberate indifference” or an ”improper or ineffective reaction” by an Officer that could result in an unfavorable judgment that would cost a lot more money than sending a few officers to a training class.. So the old saying comes to mind, “pay now, or pay later.”

No one performs at their peak under duress. Giving your officers the additional training and skills they need to be more effective in their jobs, especially with reduced forces, and personnel can make a difference in a wide range of situations. You can still get the best training available and maybe even catch a deal…

Check out some Safariland Training Group law enforcement training classes

Chicago Handgun Ban: Date Set for Supreme Court Hearing of McDonald vs. City of Chicago

james.m.dawson@baesystems.com (James Dawson) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:00:00 -0400

A date has been set for the McDonald v. City of Chicago Supreme Court case. On March 2nd, 2010 the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments addressing whether the city of Chicago is in violation of the Constitution in banning handguns, the annual taxation of firearms, and other items. Although the SC’s previous Heller decision would seem to clearly oppose those regulations, since the case involved Washington D.C., it only applies to that location for the time being.

Although important in its own right, the case takes on a much greater importance in that it will also decide whether the 2nd Amendment is incorporated into local jurisdictions and states, much as the 1st Amendment is. In an earlier blog post, I wrote about the Nordyke decision in the 9th Circuit which incorporated the 2nd amendment as an individual right for western states, but several months later (after an en banc review) the decision was delayed in anticipation of the Supreme Court hearing this case.

This, in addition to the Heller ruling, is one of the most important firearms rights cases to ever go to the Supreme Court and the legal ramifications could be huge and long lasting. The Plaintiffs will be represented by Alan Gura (the same person that argued Heller) and a decision is expected at approximately the end of June.

Selecting an OC Aerosol Delivery System

james.morgan5@baesystems.com (Jim Morgan) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:15:00 -0400

To get the most effect out of your OC aerosol, you need to be aware and trained on how it should be deployed. Is the aerosol in a Foam, Stream, or Fog delivery system? With this information, a subject or assailant can be targeted appropriately and the best effect will be achieved from the aerosol.

Foam is intended to stick to the target area and stay there, lessening cross contamination.
Stream is an excellent delivery system as it is target specific and can be easily “aimed” at a subjects’ eyes – the intended target area.
Fog is another option, designed to affect the eyes and respiratory system by utilizing smaller particles in a mist-like pattern.

Each form has great advantages, but also individual disadvantages. Foam, although designed to stick to the subject, can also be thrown back at the officer. It can also cause smooth flooring surfaces to become slick. Stream is target specific and therefore requires the user or operator to be target specific when deploying. Fog is greatly affected by the environment and a breeze can cause cross contamination.

All OC and its various delivery forms are intended to create a pause in combat, giving the officer an eventual opportunity to complete an arrest. To quote a buddy of mine; “OC is not intended to be Karate in a can”, but if used properly and in conjunction with other tools and tactics, OC is a very effective tool that can be used to provide both officer and subject safety.

Selecting a Ballistic Guard Shack – Part I: Bullet Resistance

geoff.patti@baesystems.com (Geoff Patti) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:00:00 -0400

What makes a guard booth “ballistic”? What one may visualize as a metal “box”, can actually be much more involved. Especially when it comes to a bullet resistant “box”, which is intended to be a potential live saving device. There are essentially two factors to consider when selecting a bullet resistance structure: Bullet Resistance and Points of Vulnerability. We’ll be focusing exclusively on bullet resistance in this post.

There are three main elements to consider when discussing the bullet resistance of armor:

Handgun vs. Rifle Protection

Unlike armoring for a vehicle or a person where weight can be an issue, when considering a bullet resistant structure it’s almost always better to over protect than under protect. The projectile velocity of a rifle is generally twice that of a handgun. To give you a general understanding, a standard 9mm full metal jacketed (FMJ), 124 grain, lead round fired from a common handgun has a muzzle velocity of approximately 1100-1400 feet per second (FPS). A standard .30 caliber (7.62 x 51mm), FMJ, 150 grain, lead core round fired from a .308 rifle has a muzzle velocity typically ranging from 2400-2800 FPS. In virtually all cases, the 7.62mm round will penetrate handgun armor as if it were not there at all.

In short, when choosing one level over another, it’s important to clearly understand just what it is you’re specifying. Make sure your armoring will protect you against any reasonable threat.

Special Threats

Not only should the handgun vs. rifle protection question be considered, but one should consider the types of ammunition that may be encountered.

With the abundance of ammunition types available today, this is a critical element when specifying your product. It’s simple (and common) to select your protection level based on an existing standard. For example, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) or Underwriters Laboratories (UL). These are excellent standards and can be very effective. However, does this truly address all of the ballistic threats your environment may encounter? Probably not. A diligent security manager will determine what other threats exist and could realistically be encountered.

Ballistic Testing

There’s nothing like getting a response from someone that starts with ”well, we took it out back and shot it with my buddy’s .22.” Over the years I have had countless groups approach me with a new material that “no one has”, that is “better and lighter” and “costs almost nothing to make”. When I inquire about threats and testing it usually starts with, “well we took it out behind the shop and…”

A ballistic test should be conducted in an independent, controlled environment by skilled technicians. There are several ballistic testing laboratories in the United States that do just this. The result is a test which validates that the armor meets the specified performance criteria set forth by the buying authority. These tests ensure that a specific ammunition type (including bullet weight and composition) is tested in accordance with the appropriate velocity and that the test sample is impacted at the proper “obliquity” (or angle of incidence), along with the number of impacts required over a specified surface area.

The most common criteria is to defeat the projectile at muzzle velocity (the velocity at which the projectile exits the barrel of the weapon) and 0-degree obliquity (otherwise defined as perpendicular to the plane tangent to the point of impact).

Lastly, when working with metallic armor there should be no exception to testing each individual Lot of armor that goes into the fabrication of your product. Not all armor is created equal. Just because one ½" armor plate defeats a certain projectile, it should in no way be assumed that all ½" plate will defeat it. Though it’s not common for Lots to vary, it can and does happen.

To sum it up, ensure your armor is rated to protect against any reasonable threat, including potentially uncommon threats. You should also require that armor is tested accordingly and that there is traceability from the steel mill to your end product, which includes mill certifications and ballistic testing of each Lot.

Stay tuned for part II of this series, where we discuss points of potential vulnerability in structural armor and how to reduce or eliminate those vulnerabilities.