Is Anything Bulletproof?

Our candidate for one of the most misused term in the English language – bulletproof. Throwing the ridiculous extremes aside (i.e., a 20′ thick titanium shielded reinforced 6,000 psi concrete building with a 50-cal rated .5″ thick ballistic 46/100 steel core) bulletproof is a misnomer, just like water proof. 

The correct term is bullet resistant (and water resistant.) Ever since the introduction of shaped-charges, invented by the Swiss and perfected by the German’s in the early days of WWII, the race between target and weapon has been “on.” It is a dance of one-upmanship, with the development of more hardened targets begetting the development of more lethal projectiles begetting more hardening of the targets begetting even more lethal projectiles. Shaped charges use what is known as the Munroe effect. – the greatly increased penetration of an explosive into a surface (metal or concrete) that is caused by shaping a conical or hemispherical hollow in the forward end of an explosive cartridge. A variation on shaped charges was employed as the nuclear triggers on the two atomic bombs used against Japan in 1945. 

The invention of “shaped charges”, again, allowing most of explosive force of a round to be focused and concentrated on  a smaller surface area and led to the introduction of “penetrator” rounds that defeat targets with a hardened projectile fired after the initial shaped charge has penetrated the surface of a target. 

When it comes to pistol and rifle bullets, rounds are becoming more and more sophisticated in the hardened materials, the shapes (again) employed and the efficiency of the powder charge used. Add to this simply using a longer barrel and it is the same race on a smaller scale. Yes, there is bullet resistant glass that can stop a 50 cal BMG, and can take repeated hits, on other parts of uts surface, but there is a point where it will fail. Be suspicious when someone says bulletproof.

One note on “water proof” – when looking at a very expensive piece of diving equipment I asked at what depth it would fail and the salesperson said, “far past the depth where you will….” 

Be safe out there.