An Evaluation of Police Handgun Ammunition: Summary Report

    LESP-RPT-0 j ,01

I t ' W .  P^nr^RArtisL /* » U * i U i iu i -  sT  w 5 i. iW s  iLl! Vi I I i ‘ ty  Is ii B B n ii-S »2 i  »»■ i  li « i

/  • 7vN EVALUATION 
POLICE JIAIIDGUN ^J-CTUNITIOII:

OF
SUMMARY REPORT

N.

prepared fur the
Pt'ational iRStitcte Law Enfnienment end Ciimina! Justice 

law  Entaresment hssistancR AHministiation 
U.S. Dapartment of Justice

by
R-. C.  D o b b y n

Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory 
National Bureau of Standards

W. J .  B r u c h e y , J r ,
U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory 

Aberdeen Proving Ground
L .  D.  S h u b i n

National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice 
Law Enforceraent Assistance Administration

AUGUST 1975

y.S. DEPARTMEl^'T GF JUSTICE 
Law Enforcement Assistance Administration 

National InstitutG of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice



lav; e n f o r c e m e n t  a s s i s t a n c e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n
Richard W. Velde, Administrator 

Charles R. Vtork, Deputy Administrator
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT 

AND CRIMINAL jrjSTICE 
Gerald M. Caplan, Director

ACKNONLEDGMENT
This report was prepared by the Law Enforcement Standards 

Laboratory of the I-iational Bureau of Standards under the 
direction of Ronald C. Dobbyn, Manager, Protective Equipment 
Program, and Jacob J. Diamond, Chief of LESL.

11



AN EVALUATION Or
POLICE ILANDGUN A.’LMUNITION': SUMM/vRY REPORT

CONTENTS
Page

Foreword ............................................  ,
Preface ..............................................
1. Introduction ......................................
2. Test Progran ......................................
3. Relative Incapacitation (Relative Stopping Power)
4. Conclusions ......................................
5. Performance of Coirm'iercially Available Handgun

Annunition ........................................

V
1
1
3
4

111



Following a Con.gr 
improved techniques, 
enforcement £ind crimi 
Enforcement and Crimi 
Lav; Enforcement Stand 
Bureau of Standards. 
that v.’ill assist law 
in the selection and

FOPEVJCRD
e.ss.icnal mandate’̂ to develop new and 
systems, and equipment to strengthen law 
nal justice, the !Jational Institute of Lav; 
nal Justice (JIL.ECJ) lias established the 
ards Laboratory (LESL) at the 'National 
IiESL's function is to conduct research 

enforcement and criminal justice agencies 
procurement of quality equipment.

In response to priorities established by MILECJ, LESL is 
(1) subjecting existing cquipme}it to laboratory testing and 
evaluation and (2) conducting research leading to the 
development of several series of documents, including national 
voluntary equipment standards, user guidelines, state-of-the- 
art surveys and other reports.

This document, LESP-RPT-Oini.01, An Evaluation of Police 
Handgun Ammunition: Summary Report, is a law enforcement
equipment report prepared by LESL and issued by NILECJ. 
Additional reports as well as other documents are being issued 
under the LESL program in the areas of protective equipment, 
communications equipment, security systems, v;eapons, emergency 
equipment, investigative aids, vehicles and clothing.

Technical comraents and suggestions concerning the subject 
matter of this report are invited from all interested parties. 
Comments should be addressed to the Program .Manager for 
Standards, National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal 
Justice, Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, U.S. 
Department of Justice, V/ashington, D. C. 20531.

Lester D. Shubin
Program .Manager for Standards
National Institute of Law

Enforcement and Criminal Justice *
*Section 402(b) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets 
Act of 1968, as amended.

v



LCSP-RrT-OlOl.01

AN EVALUATION OF
POLICE liANDGUN WL-IUNTTION; EUNMAHY REPORT

Preface
In 1973, the National Institute o 

Criminal Justice of the Lav/ Enforceme 
Administration approved and funded a 
Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory 
Standards, to conduct a study of the 
liandgun ammunition. LESL contracted 
Ballistic ilesearch Laboratories, Aber 
Maryland, September, 1973, to conduct 
report of their findings and to draft 
selection of law enforcement service 
full report entitled, "An Evaluation 
forthcoming as a publication of the N 
Enforcement and Criminal Justice.

f Law Enforcement and 
nt Assistance 
project, submitted by the 
(LESL) , iJational Bureau of 
terminal effects of police 
v/ith the U.S. Army 
deen Proving Ground, 
this study, to prepare a 
guidelines for tlie 

handgun ammunition. The 
of Handgun Tunmunition, " is 
ational Institute of Lav/

The full report will contain a complete description of a 
model for human incapacitation by handgun bullets, comparisons 
of presently available factory-loaded liandgun cartridges 
according to their potential to incapacitate humans, to 
penetrate common materials and to pose a hazard to bystanders. 
It will also contain lengtJiy tables of experimental data which 
are not included in this summary report.

The fact that the National Institute of Law Enforcement and 
Criminal Justice furnished financial support to the activity 
resulting in this publication does not necessarily indicate the 
concurrence of the Institute or of the Law Enforcement 
Assistance Administration in any statements or conclusions 
contained herein.

1. INTRODUCTION
Law enforcement agencies throughout the United States are 

presently questioning the effectiveness of their service 
handgun anvaunition. Many who have not already adopted a new 
type or caliber are considering the possibility of doing so.

1.



The major trends are rai.’uaunition of higher velocity and bullets 
of different shape.

The tendency to chaiuj 
enforcement's wid(ispread 
service round, thej calibo 
is relatively ineffective 
demonstrafed by the v/ound 
able to shoot his assaila 
The chiinge from one servi 
complex problem for the d 
who must consider every e 
community.

has been prompted by lav; 
ir'prcssion that the traditional pol.ice 
r .iB Special round-nose lead bullet, 

This has often been dramatically 
ing or killing of a policeman who was 
nt but v/as unable to incapacitate him, 
ce load or weapon to another is a very 
epartment and the local government, 
ffect which a change niglit have on the

Experience has shov;n that the choice of one cartridge over
another, or one caliber in favor of 
answers to technical questions. It 
credible ansv/ers to these questions 
decisions complex and speculative.

another, hangs on the 
lias been the lack of fully 
that has made such 
Opinion has been

substituted for fact, and emotion for reason.
Numerous arguments have been raised concerning the use of 

hollow point, semi-wadcutter and other variations of the 
traditional round-nose lead bullet. Opponents of change have 
quoted reports that the other bullets cause more severe wounds, 
are not permitted in international warfare, are dangeroiis to 
bystanders, etc. Some medical examiners have stated that they 
find no differenct:s in ilie nature of the wounds caused by 
different bullet types, but these judgments are not widely 
knov;n or accepted.

The argument that these bullets are in violation of the 
Hague Convention has been countered by the assertion that only 
full-jacketed bullets may be used under these rules, and that 
the traditional police bullet is also not in accord with the 
Convention. The fact that full-jacketed bullets have a greater 
ricochet potential than lead bullets is rarely considered.

The myths should be dispelled. State and local governments 
should be able to make their decisions on the basis of solid 
fact. Bullet selections should be made v;ith due regard to 
tlieir effectiveness against the criminal, as defined by their 
incapacitation potential (not their lethality}, and with 
maximum safety to the general public.

2 .



Tlie goal of the present NILECJ study of police handgun 
ainmunition is to provide State ajid local lav; enforcenont 
agencies ^;ith at least some of tJie basic factual information 
v;hich they need. Three basic terminal effects of handgun 
bullets have becri studied: their relative incapacitation
potential for human targets, their ricochet behavior and their 
material penetration characteristics. The focus has been on 
commercially available handgun ammunition in the caliber range 
9mm (.355 in) to .45. The test methods and evaluation 
techniques are, however, applicable to other penetrating 
projectiles.

This interim summary report gives soma of the results of 
tlie recent laboratory investigations and outlines a model for 
the relative stopping power or incapacitation potential of 
handgun bullets.

2, TEST PROGRAM
An extensive labox'atory investigation of all significantly 

different handgun bullets in the caliber range 9mm to .45, 
V';hich are currently available to law enforcement agencies in 
the United States, has been essentially completed. These 
experiments included the follov/ing:

a. A determination of each bullet's behavior on striking 
and penetrating o'^dnance gelatin, as a fu.nction of its impact 
velocity.

b. Measurement of the formation and subsequent development 
of the temporary cavity produced in the gelatin by each 
projectile, using high-speed motion pictures,

c. Measurement of the dynamic behavior of each bullet as 
it penetrated the gelatin, i.e., its stability and deformation, 
using flash x-ray photography.

d. Measurement of the impact velocity of factory-loaded 
ammunition corresponding to each bullet under study, when fired 
from various handguns currently used by law enforcement 
agencies.

e. Measurements designed to determine the ricochet and 
penetration potentials of each bullet, as a function of angle 
of incidence and velocity, when striking various common 
materials.

3.



Tnose Gxperirncntr.; v’erc ccnciacLc’d in an attempt to determine 
wfiat produces human i.ncapacitation by handgun bullets (relative 
stopping power), wliich, if any, of the existing theories on 
this subject are correct and, in particular, whether relative 
incapacitation can be predicted solely in terms of the 
properties of the bullet, i.e., its mass, velocity, shape, 
construction, and caliber. 7vn understanding and assessment of 
the relative hazards due to the ability of these b\illets to 
ricochet from and to penetrate materials v;as also sought.

In addition to the experimental effort, theoretical models 
of cavity formation in gelatin by both deforrtug and non- 
deforming, non-tumbling handgun bullets have been developed. 
Those models have successfully predicted the observations made 
experimentally.

3. RELATIVE INCAPACITATION (RELATIllE- STCPFIMG POiJER)
The model for relative incapacitation de\n;loped in this 

study is based on a complete assessment of the confrontation 
between a law enforcement officer and an armed crimina]. The 
behavior of a bullet in the target is only a part of this 
model. The vulnerability of humans to incapacitation by 
handgun bullets, the path of the bullet within the target, the 
point of aim, and the ability of the officer to hit his target 
are other important aspects of the general prablcm and have 
been considered in detail.

The incapacitation criterion imposed on the model is a 
stringent one, as it must be if meaningful estimates are to be 
made. To identify those parts of the human anatomy wliich, when 
rendered temporarily or permanently non--functional, will result 
in the instantaneous incapacitation of the criminal, the 
following scenario was presented to a team of medical experts:

An armed criminal has been placed in a high-stress 
situation in which he is convinced that oxly continued 
aggression on his part will prevent the less of his life; 
lie is armed with a hand-held weapon and he is being 
approached by an armed law enforcement of;ficer; he attacks 
the officer. The officer must administer a sv/ift, 
incapacitating injury to the assailant wi-bh liis handgun, in 
order to save his own life.



The medical c-ipo:..t.s were .',.sl.cd L.'. assign relative values to 
those parts of the oody whose wouruii ng v;ould produce this in­
stantaneous incapacj-cation . Their jc.dgmont.s V7ere further 
constrained by a definition of instantaneous incapacitation:

;uch
Instantaneous incapacitation is that which will render the 
assailant incapable of posing a continued threat to tlio 
safety of the officer lay use of a hand-held weapon, 
injury may include clinical death, unconsciousness, 
biomedical dysfunction, etc., but pain may not be 
considered a contributing factor.
Those data have been encoded for use in conjunction v/ith an 

elaborate tliree-dimensional computerized model of the human 
anatomy, known as the Computer Man, The Computer Man is the 
result of several years of effort on thci part of personnel at 
the Ballistic Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 
and has proven to be a valuable tool in their overall program 
in wound ballistics.

a
0.2 X
types
above

The Computer Man consists of volume elements of the body of 
man in the form of rectangular sections 5 x 5 x 25mm (0.2 x 

1 in) in sise. Within each volume element, all tissue 
have been identified and encoded. The composite of the 
injury criterion (instantaneous incapacitation), tlio 

Computer Man, and the probable distribution of the impact 
points and trajectories of the bullets from a given handgun in 
terms of the range to the target and the point of aim, all 
enter into the assessment of tlie vulnerability of a human 
target to incapacitation by a particular handgun bullet type.

The feature of a bullet's interaction with soft tissue that 
has been identified as contributing most to instantaneous 
incapacitation is the temporary cavity which the bullet 
generates as it penetrates. This one feature has the most 
likelihood of interacting with those relatively few centers of 
vital activity required for continued aggression. For a given 
impact point, the bullet•producing the largest temporary cavity 
at the proper depth of penetration--defined by the location of 
vital organs— will have the greatest chance for success in 
producing instantaneous incapacitation. In other words, such a 
round will possess the greatest stopping pov;er.

The radius of the maximum temporary cavity, as a function 
of depth of penetration, has been chosen as the’measure of

i



4
rol gti.ve bullot performance. Thi s porformance can now be
predicted for several typos of bullets, without recourse to
experiiuent, because of our present ability to calculate tliese 
cavities using soiely the velocity, sliape, construction, mass 
and caliber of the bullet.

However, the relative incapacitation potential of a given 
bullet type v;ill also depend on the yjoint of aim and the 
probabilities of the bullet impacting the target at varioxas 
points surrounding the point of aim. This latter is in turn 
dependent on the range, the marksmanship of the shooter and the 
characteristics of tlie bullet/weapon combination.

The present study has generated a very large volume of data 
which relate the maximum tcmjjorary cavity generated by a 
handgun bullet to its velocity, shape, construetion, mass and 
caliber. These data are still being analyzed. Hov/ever, 
progress to date does permit certain tentative conclusions to 
be drawn; these nay provide some immediate assistance to law 
enforcement agencies now involved in ammunition selection.

4. CONCLUSIOIIS
A . Bullet Velocity

In the range of calibers studied the most important 
property of a moving liandgun bullet affecting its pcrform.ancc 
in the target medium is its velocity. There are several 
reasons:

1. The size of the Maximur.! Temporary Cavity (h'l’C) depends 
partly on the striking kinetic energy, 1/2 mv^', i.e., the 
volume of the MTC depends on the total energy available.

2. There is a threshold velocity, below which a bullet 
will not deform; deformation of the bullet greatly affects the 
size and shape of the 'ITC.

It should be stressed, however, that one cauinot use the 
striking kinetic energy as the sole criterion for ranking 
handgun bullets. It is the size and shape of the resulting MTC 
and how it overlaps vd.tal organs that ultimately gives one 
bullet a higher relative incapacitation index (RII) than 
another. Some lighter bullets yield a higher RII than heavier 
ones having the same striking kinetic energy, shape, 
construction and caliber. This is shown in figure 1.

6 .



B. Bullet :uiss
Vhe mass of the Irullet affoct.s the size and shape of the 

MTC. A ligiitor bullet v;ill siow down more rapidly in the 
target medium and a heavier bullet v;i]l penetrate further; this 
affects the location of tlie maximum radius of the IITC. Again, 
it in tlie location of the teinporary cavity v;ith respect to that 
of vital organs that produces varying degrees of 
incapacitation.
C. ^ullet Shape

Tlie effect of bullet shape (blunt);ess of the nose) is 
important only in that it establishes the initial value of the 
hydrodynamic drag coefficient, Cj^(O). This coefficient enters 
the formula for the envelope of tlie ’'iTC and it is also a part 
of the formula for the threshold deformation velocity. At
velocities too low for 
and the effect is that 
higher values of RII. 
v/adcutter (WC) has the

deformation to occur, is a constant 
blunter bullets {larger Cj^(O)) yield 
Tills is shovm in figure 2. Tlie 
largest value of Cjj(O).

At velocities sufficient to cause deformation of the 
bullet, Cp5 changes as the bullet deforms. Bullets v/ith smaller 
initial values of Cq can deform in such a v/ay as to out-perform
those with a higher initial CD' This also shown in figure 2.
D . Caliber

The caliber of a bullet, together witli its shape, establish 
the initial value of its area function, A{0). It is this area 
of the interface betv;een the bullet and the target medium that 
enters the formula for the envelope of tĥ i MTC; the sectional 
area of the bullet (proportional to the caliber squared) cannot 
be used once the bullet begins to deforms. Thus, a larger 
caliber bullet will yield a higher RII at non-deforming 
velocities; once deformation is possilile, smaller caliber 
bullets may out-perform larger calibers.
^ • Deformation and Bullet Construction

Deformation of a handgun bullet depends strongly on botli 
velocity and construction. Construction involves principally 
whether the bullet is jacketed cr not, the length, thickness 
and hardness of the jacket material, the presence of hollov; 
noses, cavities or hollow bases and the hardness of the lead. 
Construction also directly affects fragmertation of tlie bullet 
in both hard and soft targets.

7.



Figure' 2 slic.,;:; over a v/ido 3.anae of velocities, tlie
ranking, in order of decreasing RII is:

a. lead hollow point (LIIP)
b. jacketed lioliov/ point (dHP)
c. ser.ii-v;adcut tvor (SVJC)
d . v/a d c u 11 e. r (i 7 C )
e. jacketed soft point (JSP)
f. lead round nose (LPJT)
g. full metal jacketed (FflJ)
The ].ow velocity performance of the v;adcutter has been 

discussed under bullet shape. VJith the exception of the full- 
metal-jacketed bullet, the onset of deformation occurs at a 
given velocity for each bullet construction typo (a thru f); 
i.e., a hollow-poi.iit bullet will begin deforming, at a velocity 
above 215 meters (705 feet) per second and a lead round nose at 
a velocity above 340 meters (1115 feet) per second. Unless the 
ljullet's muxzle velocity exceeds thi.s threshold value, bullet 
deformation is highly unlikely. Note that these threshold 
velocities were obtained by flash x-ray photography; they 
cannot be obtained by an inspection of figure 2, although they 
are consistent with the curves shown there.
F . Shooter Accuracy

The relative incapacitation index increases as shooter 
accuracy increases, and accuracy increases as the engagement 
range decreases. See figures 3 and 4. Hov/ever, the effect of 
handgun type/cartridge combinations on shooter accuracy has not 
been systematically addressed in this study; it is the subject 
of possible future work.
G . Point of Aim

The relative incapacitation index is dependent on the aim 
point chosen by the officer. Assuming a given degree of 
shooter accuracy, the data indicate that an aim point slightly 
higher (armpit level) than that used on standard silhouette 
targets increases stopping power. See figures 5 to 10.
IF Hazard to Bystander;

A hazard to innocent bystanders can occur if the officer 
misses his target or if the bullet overpenetrates the target 
and exits v/ith sufficient velocity to inflict a wound. With 
regard to the latter, overpenetration can occur if the bullet 
velocity is too lov/ (absence of deformation) or if it is too 
high. Overpenetration can be avoided by specifying an 
acceptable range for bullet muzzle velocity.

8.



'I'lie ha?-a.rd due t;c a laiss can result either fron a ricochet 
or from the bullet striking the bystander directly after 
missing the target.

The ricochet and penetration potentials of bullet.s were 
studied simultaneously, since one is a limiting case of the 
other; i.e., a bullet which ricochets from a material does not 
penetrate that material. Experimental data were obtained for a 
variety of corunon materials. General conclusions are:

1. The angle of reflection does not equal the angle of 
incidence; the bullet tends to remain close to the surface from 
which it ricochets.

2. The hazard duo to ricochet decreases as the velocity of 
the bullet increases; high velocities produce fragmentation.

3. The hazard due to ricochet decreases as the 
frangibility of the bullet increases. Frangibility is strongly 
dependent on construction. For example, a jacketed hollow- 
point moving at 335 m/s (1100 ft/s) poses loss of a hazard due 
to ricochet than a round-nose lead bullet moving at the sane 
velocity.

4. The hazard due to ricochet decreases as the mass of the 
bullet decreu5;es.

5. Light, fast buJ lets with a tendency to fragment are 
poor penetrators. Despite the myth to the contrary, magnum 
hollow-point handgun rounds will not penetrate engine blocks.

6. With the exception of the Glaser Safety Slug, all 
handgun bullets studied pose a serious ricochet hazard to 
bystanders.

5. PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIALLY AVAIL7-.BLE HANDGUN A.MMUNITION
Tables 1 and 2 list the commercial handgun ammunition 

examined as part of this project. Table 1 is arranged in order 
of decreasing Relative Incapacitation Index (RII); table 2 
presents the same information arranged by calibers and, within 
a caliber, in order of increasing bullet weight.

9.



Tho relative incapacitation ind^x pia'cn in those tables is 
’primarily determined by t'lo size and shape of tlie maximum 
temporary cavity produced in a block or ordnance qelatin v.’hcn 
the bullet strikes the bloc.J: oith the measured velocity. 'i'lie 
di strj.bution of impact points, the aim.ina error and the point 
of aim all. of vdiich are used to coiriputo tho averaaod 
vulnerability of the human tarqet and vdiich enter into tho 
computation of RII— v/ere assumed to be tho same for all 
cartridges listed. This is not to say tliat these data cannot 
be tailored to the specific cartridge; e . c;. , it has been 
s’jggested that the caliber .44 Magnum j.s a more difficult round 
to shoot accurately than is tlie .38 Special. A specific 
averaged vulnerability can be determinoti for any caliber or 
lo^iding; it was not done in generating these tables. A given 
degree of proficiency, that depicted in figure 7, has also been assumed.

The measured velocities are those produced by factory- 
loaded cartridges from new handguns of the stated barrel 
lengtlis; a specific revolver cartridge v.'ill therefore appear 
more than once. The nominal velocities listed are those 
advertised by the cartridge manufacturers.

Vihile it is difficult at this time to recommend any si.ngle 
cartridge for law enforcement use, these tables are quite 
useful in tb.eir present form. For exanjjle, if a department 
wishes to use a more effective cartridge than it currently 
issues, it needs only to move higher on the RII scale. To 
estimate tlie relative effectiveness of the cartridges, ^
simple division of the smaller RII into the larger will yield 
an approximate comparison of the two rounds.

There is a significant need for researcli to determine tho 
minimum RII needed to reliabl.y produce the required degree of 
incapacitation or effectiveness. In the absence of sucli 
research, one must estimate.

At the present time, an RII of approximatelv 10 appears to 
be the lov/est index v/hich should be considered. Probably, the 
selection of a cartridge whose RII is between 20 a}id 25 
represents the upper limit required for reasonable reliability. 
This statement should not bo construed to indicate, on an 
absol’jte basis, that an RII either higher than 25 or lov/er than 
10 is unsuitable, undesirable, or unnecessary. It has been 
shown, many times over, that a hit in a vital spot by any 
bullet, whatever its RII, can cause death or incapacitation and 
sliould not be underestimated. RII deals with proi^abilities 
^^tker than absolutes, as is true with all 'biological measures of this type.

10,



If an RII of 10 is sclechod as a lowor limit, a numJjor of 
cartridges wliich fail below this value as well as above it, are 
sure to raise questions. For example, Nos, 110 and 113 (Cal. 
.45 ACP-FMJ) , and No. 05 (Cal. .45 ACP-SV7C) fall at 5.5, 6.7 
and 9.7, while a similar 185 gr. SV’C in cal. .45 (No. 55) has 
an RII of 14.7. The position on the RII scale is primarily due 
to the size and shape of the temporary cavity formed in the 
gelatin block. A change in velocity or construction can have 
considerable effect on RII, as is shown in figure 2, Many of 
the 9mm cartridges place high because of their hig)i velocity, 
and not necessarily because they expand. This does not apply 
totally to bullet No. 17, which, although it has a high 
velocity, also has a highly deformable jacket; this combination 
produces a larger temporary cavity.

In conclusion, the full report of this project will 
describe in detail the methods, models, data, and conclusions 
summarized here. Interested readers are directed to the full 
report for the full data, full analysis and some suggestions as 
to jiov/ to proceed in the absence of detaiJ.ed guidelines and a 
standard for police handgun ar.imunition.

11.



TABLE 1

Performance of Commercially Available Handgun Ammunition

5ULLET 
lD n o .

CALIBER WEIGHT
(grains)

BULLET TYPE MANUFACTURER BARREL
LENGTH
(in)

VELOCITY
NOMINAL* MEASURED 
(fps) (fps) (mps)

RI
inde:

1 .44 MAG 200 JHP SPEER 4.00 1675 1277 389 54.9
2 9MM 96 SAFETY SLUG DEADEYE ASSOC 4.00 1365 1859 560 54.5
3 .41 M\G 210 J3? REMINGTON 4.00 1500 1260 384 51.9
4 .357 M\G 96 SAFEIT SLUG DEADEYE ASSOC 4.00 1120 1725 525 50.0
5 .44 MAG 240 sue WINCH-WESTERN 4.00 1470 1530 405 50.0
6 .44 M/\G 240 Sl'.’C BROWNING 4.00 1470 1311 399 49. S
7 .44 MAG 240 swe REMINGTON 4.00 1470 1285 391 48.9
8 .44 MAG 240 J!iP BROWNING 4.00 1350 1257 383 47.9
9 .44 MAG 240 JHP REMINGTON 4.CO 1470 1229 374 46.7
10 .357 lAG 96 SAFETY SLUG DEADEYE ASSOC 2.00 1120 1615 492 4G.0
11 .44 MAG 240 JSP SPEER 4.00 1650 1203 366 45.7
12 .357 H\G 125 JHP SPEER 4.00 1900 1301 596 44.4
13 .357 MAG 140 JHP SPEER 4.00 1780 1221 572 44.4
14 .357 MAG 125 JHP REMINGTON 4.00 1675 1366 416 42.5
15 .38 SPEC 96 SAFETY SLUG DEADEYE ASSOC 4.00 1300 1585 483 41.8
16 .44 lAG 180 JSP SUPER VEL 4.00 1995 1495 453 41.617 9M̂ ^ 115 JHP RE>IJNGTON 4.00 1160 1192 363 38.9
18 .38. SPEC 96 SAFETY SLUG DEADEYE ASSOC 2.00 1800 1496 455 37.5
19 .357 M-\G 125 JHP RFJ5INGTON 2.00 1675 1173 357 37,1
20 ,357 fAG 140 JHP SPEER 2.00 1780 1125 342 54.4
21 .357 M'\G ilO JiiP SPEER 4.00 1700 1246 379 • 4
22 .357 MAG 125 JHP SPEER 2.00 1900 1161 553 30.6
23 .357 fAG 158 JSP SPEER 4.00 1625 1156 352 28.0
24 .38 SPEC 95 JHP(+P) REMINGTON 4.00 985 1187 361 28.0
P 9MM 100 JHP SPEER 4.00 1515 1188 562 27.9
'26 .38 SPEC 125 JHP REMINGTON 4.00 1160 nos , 337 25.5
27 .38 SPEC 110 JHP SUPER VEL 4.00 1370 1159 355 25.1
28 .38 SPEC no JHP SUPER VEL 2.00 1370 1148 349 24.8
29 .357 M\G no JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1800 1226 373 24.0
30 .357 M‘\G no JHP SPEER 2.00 1700 1178 359 23,3



BULLET CALIBER WEIGHT BULLET TYPE 
ID NO. (grains)

MANUFACTURER

TABLE 1 (CONTIHUEi:))
Performance of Conunercially Available Handgun Ammunition

BARREL VELOCITY RI
LENGTH NOMINAL* MEASURED INDEX 
(in) (fps) (fps) (mps)

51 .38 SPEC 125 JSP(+P) SPEER 4.00 1425 1047 319 22.5
32 .357 M\G 125 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1775 1227 373 07 1
33 .357 MAG 158 JSP(HI-VEL) FEDERAL 4.00 1550 1255 382 21.1
34 .45 AUTO 185 JHP REMINGTON 5.00 950 895 272 21.1
35 .357 MAG no JHP WESTERN SUP-X 4.00 1500 1309 21.0
36 .357 MAG no JHP WESTERN SUP-X 2.75 1500 1253 333 20.2
37 .38 SPEC 125 JHP(+P) SPEER 4.00 1425 1006 306 19,9
38 .38 SPEC 90 MP KTW 4.00 1030 922 281 19.6
39 .38 SPEC no JSP SUPER VEL 4.00 1370 1202 566 19.4
40 .38 SPEC no JHP(L0T-Q4070) WINCH-WESTERN 4.00 oS33 1106 337 19.3
41 .357 MAG 158 JSP(HI-VEL) FEDERAL 2.00 1550 1195 364 IS.7
42 .38 SPEC 140 JHP(+P) SPEER 4.00 1200 978 293 IS.6
43 .38 SPEC 140 JHP(+P) SPEER 2.00 1200 897 27 3 18.5
44 .38 SPEC 158 LHP WINCH-WESTERN 4.00 855 915 278 18.4
45 .357 MAG 125 JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1775 1188 562 17.7
46 .357-MAG 158 JSP SPEER 2.00 1625 1030 513 17.5
47 .357 M\G 158 JSP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1500 1168 555 1^.2
48 .357 MAG 158 JSP SAMTH+WESSON 2.00 1500 1091 332 17.0
49 9MM 115 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1145 1193 563 16.6
50 .357 M\G 158 LRN(LUBALOY) WESTERN SUP-X 4.00 1410 1230 374 16.6
51 .38 SPEC 125 JSP 3-D 4.CO 1085 1091 352 16.5
52 .38 SPEC 90 MP KTW 2.00 1030 734 223 15.6
53 .38 SPEC 125 JHP(+P) SPEER 2.00 1425 931 285 15.5
54 9Mf4 100 FJ(FMC) SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1250 1341 408 15.2
55 .45 AUTO 185 WC (TARGEBIASTER) REMINGTON 5.00 775 '821 250 14.7
56 .58 SPEC 125 JSP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1350 1064 324 14.5
57 .557 MAG 158 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1030 1116 340  ̂1 * X -r • M
58 .357 MAG 158 LRN(LUBALCY) WESTERN SUP-X 2.00 1410 1169 556 14.4
59 .38 SPEC 158 SV.'C WINCHESTER 4.00 855 924 281 14.5
60 .38 SPEC 95 JHP (+P) REMINGTON 2.00 985 1019 310 14.0



TABLE 1 (CONTINUED)
Performance of Commercially Available Handgun Ammunition

BULLET 
ID NO.

CALIBER WEIGHT
(grains)

BULLET TYPE MANUFACTURER BARREL
LENGTH
(in)

61 .38 SPEC 110 JKP(L0T-Q4070) WINCH-WESTERN 2.0062 .58 SPEC 110 JSP SUPER VEL 2.0063 .357 M\G 110 JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.0064 9MJ4 124 FJ(FMC) RBIINGTON 4.0065 .41 MAG 210 SWC REMINGTON 4.0066 .38 SPEC 125 JSP(+P) SPEER 2.0067 .38 SPEC 158 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.0068 .38 SPEC 90 JSP(FIEMI) SMITH+WESSON 4.00/-̂ 69 .38 SPEC no JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.0070 .38 SPEC 148 IV'C REMINGTON 4.0071 .38 SPEC 148 l\'C BROWL’ING 4.0072 .38 SPEC 148 IVC FEDEPvAL 4.0073 .38 SPEC 148 IV'C SMITH+WESSON 4.0074 .38 SPEC 148 wc REMINGTON 2.0075 .38 SPEC 148 wc FEDER.AL 2.0076 .38 SPEC 148 wc SMITH+WTSSON 2.0077 .33 SPEC 143 wc SPEER 4.0078 .38 SPEC 148 wc(CLEAN CUTTING) WESTERN 4.0079 9MM 115 JSP(POWER POINT) WESTERN SUP-X .4.0080 .58 SPEC 148 IVC SPEER 2.0081 .58 SPEC 148 WC BROWNING 2.0082 .38 SPEC 143 WC(CLEAN CUTTING) WESTERN 2.0083 .38 SPEC 90 JSP SMITH-i WESSON 4.0084 .357 M4G 158 JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.0085 .38 SPEC 158 LHP WINCH-WESTERN 2.0086 .58 SPEC 158 SWC EEDERAL 4.0087 .38 SPEC 158 SWC SMITH+WESSON 4.0088 .38 SPEC 158 JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.0089 .38 SPEC no JHP SPEER 4.0090 9MM 115 FJ (FMC) SMITH+WESSON 4.00

VELOCITY

(fps) (fps) (nps)

####
1370
1800
1120
1050
1425
1050
1350
1380
770
770
770
800
770
770
SCO
825
770
1160
825
770
770
1350
1050
855
855
850
1050
1245
1145

856 
1076 
1044 
1084
944
983
1047
1158
1014
741
731
737
726
700
674
662
679
696
1272
652
618
618
1118
982
805
823
1006
950
857 
1192

291
327
318 
330 
287 
299
319 
352 
309 
22'^ 
221 
224 
221 
213
205 
2C1
206 O ’ o
387 
19S 
188 
188 
340 
299 
245 
250 
306 
289 
26 i 
363

RI
INDEX

14.0
14.0
13.9 
15.8 
13.7
13.2
13.0
12.4

12.4
12.3
12.3

12.2

12.1 
12 ''
12.0
12.0
11.9
11.9
11.5
11.1 
11.0
10.9
10.8
10.6
10.5
10.3



TABLE 1 (CONTINUEB)

BULLET CALIBER WEIGHT BULLET TYPE MANUFACTURER BARREL VELOCITY RI
ID NO. (grains) LENGTH NOMINAL* MEASURED inde:<

(in) (fps) (fps) (mps)

91 .557 MAG 158 SWC REMINGTON 4.00 1410 1088 331 10.2
92 .38 SPEC 125 JSP 3-D 2,00 1085 957 291 10.1
93 9MM 125 JSP SPEER 4,00 1120 1058 322 9.9
94 9MM 115 FJ(FMC) WINCHESTER 4.00 1140 1126 343 9.7
95 .45 AUTO 185 WC FEDERAL 5.00 775 731 OOQ^ u, \J C 7
96 .38 SPEC 125 JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.GO 1350 899 274 9.G
97 .557 MAG 158 SIVC REMINGTON 2.00 1410 958 291
98 9M1-1 115 FJ(FMC) BROWNING 4.00 1140 1067 323 9.2
99 .38 SPEC 158 LRN(+P) FEDER.AL 4.00 ■ 1090 999 304 9.0
100 .38 SPEC 125 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1350 1002 305 8.9
101 .38 SPEC 158 SU'C FEDER.AL 2.00 855 796 2  A 9 8.5
102 .38 SPEC 158 SWC SPEER 4.00 975 803 244 S.5
103 .38 SPEC 158 LRN(+P) FEDERAL 2.00 1090 947 2.SS £.2
1,04 .38 SPEC 158 SWC WINCHESTER 2.00 855 779 237 8.2

^ 0 5  
^  106

.38 SPEC - 158. ̂ LRN WINCHESTER 4.00 855 919 2S0 8 0

.58 SPEC 110 JHP SPEER 2.00 1245 789 2-10 / • .'

.38 SPEC 90 JSP(HEMI) SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1550 1053 320 7.2
f t i o s .38 SPEC 125 JHP REMINGTON 2.00 1150 911 277 7.0
f ^ l C 9 .38 SPEC n o JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1380 888 270 6.3

110 .45 AUTO 230 FJ REMINGTON 5.00 855 839 255 6.7
111 .45 LC 255 LRN WINCH-WESTERN 7.50 860 821 250 6.6
112 .38 SPEC 90 JSP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1350 975 297 6.5
113 .45 AUTO 250 FJ WINCH-WESTERN 5.00 850 740 225 6.5
114 .44 SPEC 246 LRN REMINGTON 2.00 755 .640 195 6.3
115 .38 SPEC 125 JliP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1350 900 274 5.9
116 .38 SPEC 153 SWC SPEER 2.00 975 640 195 5.7

1 117 .38 SPEC 125 JSP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1350 896 273 5 • 6
.38 SPEC 158 LRN FEDERAL 4.00 855 795 242 5.0

^|/119 .38 SPEC 158 LRN WINCHESTER 2.00 855 730 237 4.6
' 120 .38 SPEC 153 LRN ReilNGTON 4.00 855 749 228 4,5



TABLE 1 (CONTI!IUED)
Pcrfornance of Commercially Available Handgun Amnunition

BULLET 
ID NO.

CALIBER__ WEIGHT 
(grains)

BULLET TYPE IIANUFACTURER BARREL
LENGTH
(in)

VELOCITY
NOMINAL* MEASURED 
(fps) (fps) (lT:ps)

RI
INDE)

121 .38 SPEC 158 LRN SPEER 4.00 975 749 228 4.5
122 .38 SPEC 200 LRN REMINGTON 4.00 730 647 197 4.5
123 .38 SPEC 200 LRN SPEER 4.00 850 710 216 4.5
124 .38 SPEC 158 LRN REMINGTON 2.00 855 694 211 4.4
125 .38 SPEC 158 LRN SPEER 2.00 975 635 195 4.4
126 .38 SPEC 158 LRN SMITH+WESSON 4.00 910 70S 215 4.4
127 .38 SPEC 158 *■ LRN FEDERAL 2.00 855 632 192 4.2
128 .38 SPEC 200 LRl^(LUBALOY) V/ESTERN SUP-X 4.00 730 626 190 4.2
129 .38 SPEC 200 LRN SPEER 2.00 850 598 132 4.1
130 .38 SPEC 200 LRN(LUBALOY) WESTERN SUP-X 2.00 . 730 592 180 4.1
131 .38 SPEC 158 SU’C SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1060 875 266 4.0
132 .38 SPEC 158 SWC SMITH+WESSON 2.00 850 870 265 4.0
133 .38 SPEC 200 LRN REMINGTON 2.00 730 593 180 4.0
134 380 AUTO 95 FJ WESTERN SUP-X 3.86 955 948 288 4.0
135 .38 SPEC 158 LRN SMITH+WESSON 2.00 910 626 190
136 . 38 SPEC 125 JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1350 716 21S 3.0
137 . 58 SPEC 158 JSP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1050 828 252 2.9
138 .58 SPEC 158 SWC SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1060 678 206 2.5
139 ,22 CAL 37 LHP WINCH-WESTERN 2.00 1365 872 265 2.3
140 .38 SPEC 158 JSP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1050 730 222 2.C
141 ,38 SPEC 64 SHORT STOP MBA 4.00 #### 738 224 0.9
142 .58 SPEC 64 SHORT STOP MBA 2.00 671 204 0.4

* - Advertized Velocity 
#### - Velocitv not available



TABLE 2

Perforr.ance of Coimnercially Available Handgun Aonunition

BULLET 
ID NO.

CALIBER WEIGHT
(grains)

BULLET TYPE MANUFACTURER BARREL
LENGTH
(in)

VELOCITY
NOMINAL* MEASURED 
(fps) (fps) (mps)

RI
INDE)

139 .22- CAL 37 LHP WINCH-WESTERN 2.00 1365 872 265 2.3

2 91W 96 SAFETY SLUG DEADEYE ASSOC 4.00 1365 1839 560 54.5
54 9MJ-1 100 FJ(FMC) SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1250 1341 408 1 ?
25 9MM 100 JliP SPEER 4.00 1315 1188 362 2''.9
98 9MM 115 FJ(FMC) BROWTnT N G 4.00 1140 1067 325 9,2
90 9MM 115 FJ(FMC) SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1145 1192 563 iC.3
94 9MM 115 FJ (FMC) WINCHESTER 4.00 1140 1126 343 9.7
17 • 9MM 115 JHP REMINGTON 4.00 1160 1192 363 38.0
49 9MM 115 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1145 1193 363 16.6
79 9MM 115 JSP(POWER POINT) WESTERN SUP-X 4.00 1160 1272 387 12,0
64 9MM 124 FJ (FMC) REMINGTON 4.00 - 1120 1084 330 ni O • O
93 9MI4 125 JSP SPEER 4.00 1120 1058 522 P . D

10 .357 MAG 96 SAFETY SLUG DEADEYE ASSOC 2.00 1120 1615 il[}2 46.0
4 .357 96 SAFETY SLUG DEADEYE ASSOC 4.00 1120 1725 525 50. C

29 .357 MAG 110 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1800 1226 375 24.0
63 .357 f-UG n o JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1800 1044 51S 13,9
21 .357 J-L\G n o JHP SPEER 4.00 1700 1246 379
30 .357 f-L\G n o JHP SPEER 2.00 1700 1178 359 23.3
35 .357 M4G n o JHP WESTERN SUP-X 4.00 1500 1309 398 21.0
36 .357 MAG n o JHP WESTERN SUP-X 2.75 1500 1258 383 20.2
32 .357 LAG 125 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1775 1227 575 22.1
45 .357 M-\G 125 JHP SMITH+V.'ESSON 2.00 1775 1183 362 17.7
12 .357 MAG 125 JHP SPEER 4.00 1900 1301 396 44.4
22 .357 M4G 125 JHP . SPEER 2.00 1900 1161 353 30.6
14 .357 M-\G 125 JHP REMINGTON 4.00 1675 1366 416 42.5
19 .357 M ‘\G 125 JHP REMINGTON 2.00 1675 1173 357 —r 1O / . 1
13 .357 f.AG 140 JHP SPEER 4.00 1780 1221 372 44.4
20 .357 HAG 140 JHP SPEER 2.00 1780 1125 342 34.4



TABLE 2 (COriTINULD)
Performance of ComF.ercially Available Handgun Ammunition

BULLET 
ID NO.

CALIBER WEIGHT
(grains)

BULLET TYPE MAA'UFACTURER BARREL
LENGTH
(in)

VELOCITY
NOMINAL* MEASURED 
(fps) (fps) (mps)

RI
INDE)

57 .357 M\G 158 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1050 1116 340 14.4
84 .357 MAG 158 JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1050 982 299 11.1
33 .357 MAG 158 JSP(HI-VEL) FEDERAL 4.00 1550 1255 382 21.1
41 .357 MAG 158 JSP(HI-VEL) FEDERAL 2.00 1550 1195 364 18.7
47 .357 MAG 158 JSP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1500 1168 356 17.2
48 .357 M\G 158 JSP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1500 1091 332 17.0
23 .357 MAG 153 JSP SPEER 4.00 1625 1156 352 28.0
46 .557 MAG 158 JSP . SPEER 2.00 1625 1030 313 17.5
50 .357 MAG 158 LRN(LUBALOY) WESTERN SUP-X 4.00 1410 1230 374 16.6
58 .357 MAG 158 LRN(LUBALOY) WESTERN SUP-X 2.00 1410 1169 356 14.4
91 .357 MAG 158 SWC REMINGTON 4.00 1410 1088 331 10.2
9 7 .357 lAG 158 SIVC REMINGTON 2.00 1410 958 291 9.3
141 .38 SPEC 64 SHORT STOP MBA 4.00 #### 758 224 0.9
142 .38 SPEC 64 SHORT STOP -MBA . 2.00 ###?f 671 204 0.4
68 .58 SPEC 90 JSP(HEMI) SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1350 1158 352 12.4
107 .33 SPEC 90 JSP(HEMI) SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1350 1053 320 7.2
83 .38 .SPEC 90 JSP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1350 1118 340 11.8
112 .58 SPEC 90 JSP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1350 975 297 6.5
3 5 .38 SPEC 90 M? KTW 4.00 1030 922 281 19.6
52 .38 SPi:C 90 MP KTW 2.00 1030 734 223 15.6
24 .38 s: ec 95 JHP(+P) REMINGTON 4.00 985 1187 361 28.0
60 .38 SPEC 95 JHP (+P) REMINGTON 2.00 985 1019 310 14.0
15 .38 SPEC 96 SAFETY SLUG DEADEYE ASSOC 4.00 1800 1585 483 41.8
18 .38 SPEC 96 SAFETY SLUG DEADEYE ASSOC 2.00 1800 1496 455 37.5
69 ,5S SPEC 110 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1380 1014 309 12.4

109 .38 SPEC no JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1380 888 270 . 6.8
39 .38 SPEC no JHP SPEER 4.00 1245 857 261 10.5
106 .38 SPEC no JHP SPEER 2.00 1245 789 240 7.7
27 .38 SPEC no JHP SUPER VEL 4.00 1370 1159 353 25.1



TABLE 2 (CCXJTI'TUrD)
Performance of CoT-inercially Available Handp.uTi Arjr.unition

BULLET 
ID NO.

CALIBER WEIGflT
(grains)

BULLET TYPE MAiNUFACTURER BARREL
LENGTH
(in)

VELOCITY
NOMINAL* MEASURED 
(fps) (fps) (mps)

RI
INDEX

28 .38 SPEC 110 JKP SUPER VEL 2.00 1370 114S 349 24.8
40 .38 SPEC no JHP(LOT-Q4070) WINCH-WESTERN 4.00 1106 337 19.3
61 .38 SPEC no JH?(LOT-Q4070) WINCH-WESTEPJs' 2.00 956 291 14.0
39 .38 SPEC no JSP SUPER VEL 4.00 1370 1202 366 19.4
62 .38 SPEC no JSP SUPER VEL 2.00 1370 1076 327 1-1.0
115 .38 SPEC 125 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1350 900 274 5.9
136 .38 SPEC 125 JliP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1350 716 218 ~. 0
100 .33 SPEC 125 JHP SMITH+UTISSON 4,00 1350 1002 305 3.9
96 .38 SPEC 125 JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1350 899 274 9.6
37 .38 SPEC 125 JHP(+P) SPEER 4.00 1423 1006 306 19.9
53 .38 SPEC 125 JHP (+P) SPEER 2.00 1425 931 2S3 15. S
31 .38 SPEC 125 JSP(+P) SPEER 4.00 1425 1047 319 22.5
66 .38 SPEC 125 JSP(+P) SPEER 2.00 1423 983 299 13.2
56 .53 SPEC 125 JSP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1350 1064 324 14.5
117 .38 SPEC 125 JSP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1350 896 273 5,6
51 .38 SPEC 125 JSP • 3-D 4.00 1085 1091 352 16.5
92 .38 SPEC 125 JSP 3-D 2.00 1085 957 291 10.1
26 .38 SPEC 125 JHP REMINGTON 4.00 1160 1108 337 25,5
108 .38 SPEC 125 JHP REMINGTON 2.00 1160 911 277 7.0
42 ,38 SPEC 140 JHP(+P) SPEER 4.00 1200 978 298 18.5
43 .38 SPEC 140 JHP (+P) SPEER 2.00 1200 897 273 18.5
71 .38 SPEC 148 IVC BROWNING 4.00 770 731 222 12.3
SI .38 SPEC 148 wc BROWTaNG 2.00 770 618 188 11.9
70 .38 SPEC 148 IVC REMINGTON 4.00 770 741 225 12.4
74 .38 SPEC 148 V.'C REMINGTON 2.GO 770 . 700 213 12.2
72 .38 SPEC 148 V.'C FEDERAL 4.00 770 737 224 12 • 3
75 .38 SPEC 148 wc FEDER/\L 2.00 770 674 205 12.1
73 .38 SPEC 148 wc SMITH^WESSON 4.00 SGO 726 221 12.5
76 .38 SPEC 148 wc SMITH+WESSON 2.00 800 662 201 12.1
77 .38 SPEC 148 wc SPEER 4.00 825 679 206 12,1



rABLE 2 (co:iTi:r.:ED)

BULLET 
ID NO.

CALIBER WEIGHT
(grains)

BULLET n'PE M\NTJFACTURER BARREL
LENGTH
(in)

VELOCITY
NOMINAL* MEASURED 
(fps), (fps) (mps)

RI
INDEX

SO .58 SPEC 143 WC SPEER 2.00 825 652 198 12.0
78 .38 SPEC 148 WC(CLEAN CUTTING) WESTERN 4.00 770 696 212 12.1
82 .38 SPEC 148 WC(CLEAN CUTTING) WESTERN 2.00 770 618 . 185 11.9
67 .38 SPEC 158 JHP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1050 1047 319 ]3.0
88 .38 SPEC 158 JHP SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1050 950 289 10.6
137 .38 SPEC 158 JSP SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1050 828 252 2.9
140 .38 SPEC 158 JSP SMITH+WESSON 2,00 1050 750 222 2.0
105 .38 SPEC 158 LRN WINCHESTER 4.00 855 919 280 a , .7
119 .38 SPEC 158 LRN WINCHESTER 2.00 855 780 237 4.6
99 .58 SPEC 158 LRN(+P) FEDER.-\L 4.00 1090 999 304 9.0
103 .58 SPEC 158 LRN(+P) FEDERAL 2.00 1090 947 288 8.2
118 .38 SPEC 158 LRN FEDERAL 4.00 855 795 242 5.0
127 .38 SPEC 158 LRN FEDER/\L 2.00 855 632 192 4.2
120 .38 SPEC 158 LRN REMINGTON 4.00 855 749 228 4.5
124 .38 SPEC 158 LRN REMINGTON . 2.00 855 694 211 4,4
121 .38 SPEC 158 LRN • SPEER 4.00 975 749 228 4.5
125 .38 SPEC 158 LRN SPEER 2.00 975 635 193 4.4
126 .38 SPEC 158 LRN SMITH+WESSON 4,00 910 708 215 J.,4
135 .38 SPEC 158 LRN SMITH+WESSON 2.00 910 626 ^90 5 • 5
44 .58 SPEC 158 LHP WINCli-WESTERN 4.00 855 915 278 18.4
85 .38 SPEC 158 LHP ; WINCH-WESTEP2I 2.00 855 805 245 11.0
86 .38 SPEC 158 SVi'C FEDER.AL 4.00 855 823 250 10.9
101 .38 SPEC 158 swc FEDERAL 2.00 855 796 242 8.5
131 .38 SPEC 158 swc SMITH+WESSON 4.00 1060 875 266 4.0
138 .38 SPEC 158 swc SMITH+WESSON 2.00 1060 673 206 2,5
87 .58 SPEC 158 swc SMITH+l»TSSON 4.00 850 1006 306 10.8
132 .38 SPEC 158 sv/c SMITH-WESSON 2.00 850 87D 265 4.0
102 .38 SPEC 158 swc SPEER 4.00 975 803 244 8.5
116 .38 SPEC 158 swc SPEER 2.00 975 640 195 5.7
59 .38 SPEC 158 swc WINCHESTER 4,.00. 355 924 2S1 14.3



BULLET CALIBER WEIGHT 
ID NO. (grains)

TABLE 2 (COETIEUED)
Perforiaance of Coranercially Available Handgun ATTjnunition 

BULLET ITPE M/LNUFACTURER BARREL VELOCITY RT
LENGTH NOMINAL* MEASURED INDEX 
.(in), . (fps) (fps) (nps)

104 .38 SPEC 158 swe W I N C H E S T E R 2.00 855 779 257 8.2
122 .38 SPEC 200 LRN REMINGTON 4.00 730 647 197 4.5
133 .38 SPEC 200 LRN REMINGTON 2.00 730 593 130 4.0
123 .38 SPEC 200 LRN SPEER 4.00 850 710 216 4 . D
129 .38 SPEC 200 LRN SPEER 2.00 850 598 132 4,

128 .38 SPEC 200 LRN(LUBALOY) W E STERN SUP-X 4,00 730 626 190
130 .38 SPEC 200 LRN (LUBALOY) ’.WESTERN SUP-X 2.00 730 592 180 . i

134 380 AUTO 95 FJ WE S T E R N  SUP-X 3.86 955 948 288 4.0

3 ,41 m e 210 JSP R E M INGTON 4.00 1500 1260 384 51.9
65 .41 M\G 210 swe REMINGTON 4.00 1050 944 287 15. T

16 .44 M4G 180 JSP SUPER VEL 4.00 1995 1495 455 ^ i f 0
1 .44 M ‘\G 200 JHP SPEER 4.00 1675 1277 389 54.9
3 .44 M.4G 240 JHP BROi\fNING 4.00 1330 1257 385 47.9
Q .44 M4G 240 JHP . REMINGTON 4.00 1470 1229 374 46,7

11 .44 MAG 240 JSP SPEER 4.00 1650 1203 366 43.7
6 .44 M\G 240 swe BROV.WING 4.00 1470 1311 399 49.8

.44 M4G 240 sivc REMINGTON 4.00 1470 1286 391 48.9
5 .44 M G 240 swe W I N C H - W E S T E R N 4.00 1470 1350 405 50.0

114 .44 SPEC 246 LRN REMINGTON 2.00 755 640 195 6.3

34 .45 AUTO 185 JHP REMINGTON 5.00 950 895 272 21.1
55 .45 AUTO 185 we (TARGE'ITASTER) REMJNGTON 5.00 775 821 250 14. /
95 - .45 AUTO 185 we FEDERAL 5.00 773 751 223 y. 7

/n o _ j 4 S _ M J I Q _ __2aCL_ FJ REMINGTON 5.00 855 839 255 6.7

113' .45 AUTO 230 FJ W I N C H - W T S T E R N 5.00 850 740 225 6..

111 .45 LC 235 LRN WINC H - W E S T E R N 7.50 860 821 250 6,6

- Advertized Velocity 
#### - Velocity not available



1 o-cjare 1. \  comparison of a light bullet v/ith a heavier bullet.
.;otc tne difrerent values of relative incapacitation index at 
equal values of striking energy. Each are caliber .357 (.38 Spec.) senr-jacketed hollow points.



VELOCITY (m /s )

Figure 2. Relative Incapacitation Index as a function of velocity for 
seven jjullet types in caliber .357 (.38 Special). Each curve represents 
the average perforriance for all brands of the given bullet type. 
Differences among manufacturers can be distinguished, and will bo 
reported in the final report.



VELOCITY ( m / s )

Figure 3. 
groups o 
.'357 <. 38

 ̂ on relative incapacitation index for two- O-..XC0.0 u.ing lr5 g r a m  seni-jacketed hollow point, caliber
- ) U . j . X O t 3  c i t  Q 3T3.n<JG O f  6 TTlGt '^ ifS  ,Spec.)



VELOCITY ( m / s j

Fiqure_4. Effect of engagement range on relative incapacitation index 
for 12a grain semi-jacketed hollow point caliber .357 (.38 Spec.) bull.ets.



r ■

VELOCiTY ( m / s )

Figure 5. Effect of ain point on relative incapacitation index for 
group A officers at: a range of 6 neters.



VELOCITY ( m / s )

Figure 6 . Effect of aira point on relative incapacitation index for 
group B officers at a range of 6 meters.



Figure 7. Hit distribution superimposed on a computer man 
silhouette. (Standard aira point; group A officers; 6 meter 
range.)



i .

 ̂ Hit distril^ution suporimposod on a conputor 
man silhouette. (Standard aim point; group B officers; 6 meter range.) ■



Figure 8. Hit distribution superimposed on a computer 
man silhouette. (High aim point; group A officers;
6 meter range.)