This Is What Happens When You Shoot a Kevlar Vest at Point-Blank Range (2024)

This Is What Happens When You Shoot a Kevlar Vest at Point-Blank Range (1)

Image: YouTube/Screenshot

Kevlar is some pretty cool sh*t. It's made of ultra-strong plastic polymers, is relatively light, can withstand most chemical attacks, and is, obviously, bulletproof.

But about that last thing… Just how bulletproof is it, really? To unscientifically test this question, Jeff over at the don't-try-this-at-home YouTube channel TAOFLEDERMAUS outfitted a dummy with a soft Kevlar vest to see what would happen if you theoretically shot someone at point-blank range while they were wearing body armor.

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The vest in the video is a 3A armor level, which is tested to sufficiently withstand 9mm rounds, .44 magnums, and most other handguns. According to industry standards, this level of Kevlar is the best you can get for protecting yourself against blunt trauma injury.

As you can see, at a distance of approximately 45 feet, a 9mm Glock pistol shot at a velocity of 1,100 feet per second was easily deflected by the vest. In slow motion, it appeared to simply absorb the force of the bullet and bounce it off the dummy's chest.

Tested against the same 9mm ammunition, but in a semi-automatic rifle, the vest was still pretty effective. And by that, I mean if a real human were wearing it, they'd likely be alive. If you look at the shot in slow motion, the force of impact was inarguably stronger, but the Kevlar managed to absorb and deflect the bullet as intended.

Even a 590 shotgun, as the video shows, didn't stand a chance against the vest. Again, at a distance of 45 feet, none of the rounds of buckshot succeeded in penetrating the body armor.

Now, at point-blank, using a regular handgun, things got a little tricky. The top of the vest did a terrible job at protecting the dummy from the bullet. When shot at one inch from its edge, the body armor crumpled under the force of the ammunition, and sort of folded inward toward the chest. Not good. But surprisingly, a bullet fired at the center of the vest ended up trapped, and never penetrated the back panel of the armor.

Kevlar worked in all of these scenarios (except for the shot at the edge of the vest) by utilizing interwoven strands of plastic polymers to physically block the ballistic trajectory of the bullet. The strands are so strong, the bullet is unable to make a path through the fabric, and all of its energy dissipates outward. Kind of like a soccer ball hitting a goal net.

So there you go. You'll probably never need this information for the real world unless you're a murderer or someone who suspects they might get murdered, but it's reassuring to know that some highly-touted products actually meet their expectations.

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This Is What Happens When You Shoot a Kevlar Vest at Point-Blank Range (2024)

FAQs

This Is What Happens When You Shoot a Kevlar Vest at Point-Blank Range? ›

The strands are so strong, the bullet is unable to make a path through the fabric, and all of its energy dissipates outward. Kind of like a soccer ball hitting a goal net. So there you go.

What happens when you shoot Kevlar? ›

This means that if someone is shot while wearing a Kevlar® bulletproof vest, the Kevlar® absorbs the impact of the bullet and disperses the impact across the panel. If the energy was not dispersed in this way, the bullet could force the vest into the body, and this could cause damage to internal organs.

Can a Kevlar vest stop a bullet at point blank? ›

Kevlar vests are resilient and all, and as you can see, they can even take a bullet at point blank range, but any time I see someone wearing a vest for protection the only thing I could think about is this scene from Dumb and Dumber.

Does a bullet proof vest work at Point Blank range? ›

Fortunately, soft body armor does an excellent job of absorbing muzzle blast and small fragments. Originally Answered: Does a bulletproof vest sustain a bullet from point blank range? Yes, and you obviously don't know what point blank range means.

What happens when bullet proof vest is shot? ›

The result of being struck by a bullet wearing the body armor is a nasty-looking bruise, which is caused by the backface deformation. To date, no one has died because of this and it's not likely that the wearer will be incapacitated by it.

How does a Kevlar vest work? ›

Ballistic vests use layers of very strong fibers to "catch" and deform a bullet, mushrooming it into a dish shape, and spreading its force over a larger portion of the vest fiber. The vest absorbs the energy from the deforming bullet, bringing it to a stop before it can completely penetrate the textile matrix.

What does it feel like to get shot with Kevlar? ›

Some people who have been shot while wearing a bulletproof vest have reported feeling a sharp, stinging sensation. Others have described feeling more of a dull thud. In some cases, people have reported feeling very little pain at all.

Can Kevlar stop an AR-15? ›

Two plate purchase is recommended for vests and clothing to cover both the front and back areas. BETTER THAN IIIA (3) & KEVLAR: Stops various AR-15 with 5.56 & AK-47 with 7.62 & more, see description. It also provides protection against knives and other melee weapons.

Can a Kevlar vest stop a rifle round? ›

It's not 100 percent effective at stopping bullets from a handgun. Kevlar jackets are also not so effective with bullets fired from Assault rifles because they are traveling three times the speed of sound, way faster than those from a handgun. And that speed can help the bullet breakthrough the layers of the Kevlar.

Will Kevlar stop a 9mm? ›

According to industry standards, this level of Kevlar is the best you can get for protecting yourself against blunt trauma injury. As you can see, at a distance of approximately 45 feet, a 9mm Glock pistol shot at a velocity of 1,100 feet per second was easily deflected by the vest.

Why do cops hold their vests? ›

The vest hang: A natural transition from the pit tuck, the vest hang is clasping the top of the vest near their collarbones to keep arms from hitting the equipment on the duty belt. The crossed arms: This can look intimidating, but cops use this stance solely for comfort. It's also a great way to warm up on a cold day.

How many layers of Kevlar do I need to stop 9mm? ›

4) It was assessed that for a 9 mm Parabellum ammunition, which are most commonly used around the world, 21 layers of 200 GSM Kevlar is required as a minimum to stop the projectile.

Will Kevlar stop a knife? ›

A Kevlar® vest with stab and spike rating will protect against edged and spiked attacks from objects such as knives, broken bottles and syringes.

Can a bullet proof vest stop a 50 caliber bullet? ›

Can Level 4 armor stop 50 BMG? Absolutely not! Unfortunately a 50 caliber BMG is just too fast and powerful for the human body to stop. With a muzzle velocity of 3,044 ft/s and an energy of 13,310 ft-lbs force, this bullet impact alone will destroy your skeletal structure.

How much Kevlar does it take to stop a bullet? ›

While soft body armor has its benefits, it takes 20 to 50 layers of Kevlar to stop a bullet, and is typically used to stop lower caliber rounds [1].

Can a sniper bullet go through a bullet proof vest? ›

A bullet from a strong sniper or rifle can pierce a bullet-proof vest. If a bullet hits a body part that the bullet-proof vest does not cover, the bullet can hurt or kill the person wearing the vest.

Can Kevlar alone stop a bullet? ›

Kevlar is also used in making bullet resistant vests. Kevlar composites will stop most handgun rounds up to . 44 Magnum. Please Note: Kevlar will not stop rifle rounds.

Does Kevlar completely stop bullets? ›

Kevlar, however, will not stop armor-piercing rounds or rifle bullets. As a bullet penetrates the layers of Kevlar fabric, it flattens out, spreading its force sideways instead of forward. Although the bullet is stopped, its impact can still break ribs and cause a severe bruise.

Why are Kevlar vests illegal? ›

The rationale for prohibiting many felons from possessing body armor or bulletproof vests is similar to that of prohibiting felons from possessing firearms. These laws aim to protect public and officer safety by keeping "weapons" away from those who've shown they're capable of committing a crime.

Can Kevlar stop a needle? ›

Woven Kevlar® generally needs to be applied in two or more layers in order to provide sufficient protection against needle hazards which can be somewhat stiff in multiple layers.

What will stop a bullet? ›

Common bulletproof materials include:
  • Steel. Steel bulletproof materials are heavy duty, yet at just a few millimeters thick, extremely effective in stopping modern firearm rounds. ...
  • Ceramic. ...
  • Fiberglass. ...
  • Wood. ...
  • Kevlar. ...
  • Polyethylene. ...
  • Polycarbonate.

Can civilians wear Kevlar? ›

It is legal in all 50 states for law abiding civilians to purchase body armor. You have the right to protect yourself and your family from harm. As a citizen of the United States you have the legal right to purchase and wear body armor for personal or professional use.

Can an AK-47 shoot through a bulletproof vest? ›

They could protect you from a shot to the chest with a pistol, but not against a spray of bullets from an AK47. In fact, there are no flexible slim bullet-proof vests on the market that could hide under your clothing, but would still protect you from a weapon like an AK47.

What caliber can penetrate Kevlar? ›

223-caliber/5.56mm weapons. Even from a short barrel, these calibers can defeat Kevlar easily.

What caliber will Kevlar stop? ›

The effectiveness of different layers of 160 GSM, 200 GSM and 400 GSM grades of Kevlar layered with ballistic gel was investigated, and it was found that 200 GSM Kevlar was more effective for stopping a 9 mm Parabellum projectile.

Can a shotgun penetrate a bulletproof vest? ›

Shotgun rounds are unlikely to penetrate body armor.

Can Kevlar stop 7.62 rounds? ›

Generally, Level 3A body armor is a soft insert made from Kevlar or similar material. The most important thing to remember about a Level 3A soft armor insert is that it will stop handgun bullets, but will not stop any rifle caliber bullet, including a 5.56mm (M193) or 7.62x39mm.

What will stop a .223 round? ›

The only bullet resistant glass that's going to stop a . 223 is glass-clad polycarbonate. This laminated ballistic transparency is made by stacking layers of tempered glass and polycarbonate–a thermoplastic similar to acrylic, but softer and more pliable–interleaved with thin layers of epoxy.

What's better than Kevlar? ›

Dyneema- Polyethylene fiber materials are 15x stronger than steel and 40%stronger than Kevlar/aramid type fibers. UHMWPE – Incredibly strong and lightweight, resistant to both ballistic projectiles and sharp-edged objects.

Is it safe to use 50 year old shotgun shells? ›

Generally, yes. If factory centerfire cartridges are stored in a dry, cool place with low humidity, preferably in an airtight container, they can have an amazingly long shelf life. Many ballistics experts who have shot tens of thousands of rounds over the years report shooting 20- to 50-year-old ammo with no problems.

Will brick stop a 9mm bullet? ›

Brick can stop sustained rifle and pistol fire for several minutes, but will eventually fall apart. With the majority of modern homes and office construction, brick walls are durable enough to bear the brunt of most handgun calibers like 9mm, . 380, .

Why do cops cuff you? ›

Outside of an arrest, the main reasons police will place someone in handcuffs are if they are worried about their safety or believe the suspect may try to run away. Common signs police look for to determine if there's a risk of violence include: Not cooperating with an officer's commands. Hiding your hands.

Why do police touch your tail light? ›

To Disrupt a Driver's Concentration

Regardless, when a police officer is approaching a car to make a stop, they want to avoid the possibility that the driver will try to speed away or attempt to hide evidence. One way to help prevent this is to touch the taillight of the car before approaching the window.

What does 10 4 mean in police talk? ›

10-4. Message received; OK; acknowledged.

Can a coin stop a bullet? ›

And it is likely that, in the days of the Wild West that the ammunition being fired was weak enough that loose change, boiler plates and dozens of other things would have deflected or stopped it. But modern bullets striking coins dead center, particularly powerful rounds like the . 357 or .

Can bullets go through concrete? ›

Bullets easily puncture most walls, doors, and floors. However, brick, concrete, and cinder blocks effectively stop most common calibers. But each bullet takes out chunks, so it can only protect you for so long. A full water heater can effectively stop at least handgun rounds.

Will a 357 Magnum go through body armor? ›

Protection against the . 357 SIG requires Level IIa body armor.

What fabric stops a knife? ›

Stab proof vests are made from a material called aramid. Aramid is a synthetic fibre with a very high tensile strength, making it ideal for body armour. Aramid was first introduced several decades ago and has since proven to be one of the strongest materials available worldwide.

Is Kevlar expensive? ›

Kevlar production is expensive because of the difficulties arising from using concentrated sulfuric acid, needed to keep the water-insoluble polymer in solution during its synthesis and spinning.

Is steel more bulletproof than Kevlar? ›

Despite being a lightweight material, Kevlar is five to six times stronger than steel. If you need comfortable, flexible armor that can provide everyday protection against ballistic, physical, stab and slash hazards, Kevlar can deliver. Since Kevlar is a synthetic fiber, it's also cut-resistant.

Can a Desert Eagle go through a bullet proof vest? ›

The Desert Eagle is a rare and very powerful handgun. It isn't likely you will ever encounter one, but it is nice to know that the bullet from one will not penetrate your BulletSafe vest.

Do bullet proof vests expire? ›

Many vests and ballistics materials have a service life of five years. Do not use Kevlar after its service life is up, and dispose of Kevlar appropriately.

Can a bulletproof vest stop buckshot? ›

This type of shotgun pellet has poor penetration through plates and can be easily stopped with the right kind of body armor. Any vest rated to halt a 32 ACP pistol shot (usually level II and above) will stop 00 buckshot.

What bullet proof vest does the FBI use? ›

Kevlar® for law enforcement.

Can an AR-15 bullet penetrate a bulletproof vest? ›

These guardians understand an AR-15's mass murder capability — and so should we. AR-15 bullets can penetrate the soft body armor typically worn by police, which is built to stop handgun rounds.

What bullet proof vest do Navy Seals use? ›

SAPI and ESAPI are the most technically advanced body armor fielded by the U.S. military, and are constructed of boron carbide ceramic with a Spectra shield backing that breaks down projectiles and halts their momentum.

Does Kevlar really stop bullets? ›

Kevlar is the most commonly used material as armour for protection against bullets used in hand guns because of its impact resistance, high strength and low weight. These properties make Kevlar an ideal material to be used in bullet-proof vests as compared to other materials.

Can Kevlar stop a 9mm bullet? ›

The vest in the video is a 3A armor level, which is tested to sufficiently withstand 9mm rounds, . 44 magnums, and most other handguns. According to industry standards, this level of Kevlar is the best you can get for protecting yourself against blunt trauma injury.

How thick does Kevlar have to be to stop a bullet? ›

Eight layers of Kevlar, about a quarter of an inch thick, will stop low-velocity bullets from handguns of . 22 and . 38 caliber; and 23 layers, about five-eighths of an inch thick, will stop even a high-velocity . 44 caliber bullet.

Does Kevlar have a weakness? ›

It's worth noting that Kevlar also has its drawbacks. In particular, although it has very high tensile (pulling) strength, it has very poor compressive strength (resistance to squashing or squeezing).

Can a needle penetrate Kevlar? ›

The Kevlar® fabric is intrinsically strong but when tightly woven together it creates an even more effective protective barrier. This tight weaving of the fibres makes it extremely difficult for a weapon to be able to penetrate the material because an amount of force is required.

Can a bulletproof vest stop an AK 47? ›

They could protect you from a shot to the chest with a pistol, but not against a spray of bullets from an AK47. In fact, there are no flexible slim bullet-proof vests on the market that could hide under your clothing, but would still protect you from a weapon like an AK47.

Will 357 penetrate body armor? ›

Level 3A/IIIA body armor is meant to stop handgun caliber bullets, including everything from a . 22, 9mm, . 45 ACP, . 357 Magnum, .

What is the strongest body armor in the world? ›

Level IV armor is the highest rating of body armor currently available, and it will stop armor-piercing rifle threats. It can withstand up to 30-06 M2ap steel core armor-piercing rounds with a mass of 166 grains and a velocity of 2880 ft/s.

What can Kevlar not stop? ›

But here are some things you MIGHT not know… It's not 100 percent effective at stopping bullets from a handgun. Kevlar jackets are also not so effective with bullets fired from Assault rifles because they are traveling three times the speed of sound, way faster than those from a handgun.

How many layers of Kevlar does it take to stop a bullet? ›

While soft body armor has its benefits, it takes 20 to 50 layers of Kevlar to stop a bullet, and is typically used to stop lower caliber rounds [1].

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