Brass Fetcher Ballistic Testing

Ballistic Art 2010

Know before you go...

In 2010 I had the chance to visit with Oleg Volk (www.olegvolk.net), for a photo shoot involving my ballistic gelatin blocks.  We had a great time shooting some really nice prototype guns and sound suppressors as well. 

 

Below are some of my favorite photographs from this photo shoot.  Expect newer additions in the near future.

 

 

7.5” of penetration and massive structural failure of the slug.  Test your ammunition before you make it part of your personal protection plan.

A bare gelatin block just prior to being shot.  Ballistic gelatin is not the most ‘photogenic’ object imaginable … subtle variations in how you make the photograph can result in big differences in the overall quality of the finished product.

55gr Barnes Triple-Shok hollowpoint (top); 55gr Federal Premium Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (bottom)

 

“When you care enough, you send (two of) the very best”

Few things leave me speechless.  This photo is one of them.  Notice the characteristic ‘T’  for ‘Trophy Bonded Bear Claw’ stamped on the base of the bullet.  This cartridge is discontinued by Federal, but it is a strong performer out of a .223REM rifle, if you are still able to locate a box or two.

The FN 5.7x28mm cartridge.  One of the better Personal Defense Weapon (PDW)cartridges.  It is enough gun to prevent an adversary from continuing an attack on you … with recoil light enough so that - anyone - can shoot it accurately.

 

Coming soon to a theatre of war near you ...

The ‘formerly Evil’ Black Talon in 9x19mm Luger.  Here it is demonstrating how it has a wounding pattern that is fundamentally the same as any other JHP of that caliber, weight and velocity range.

 

I do have to tip my hat to Winchester for designing the jacket such that sharp ‘talons’ are formed in the expanded bullet.  This gives such a bullet a theoretical edge over a smoother bullet at the low velocity range encountered at the deepest point of penetration.

The Brass Fetcher himself.  Here, I’m firing my PS90 rifle from FN.  The barrel length is 16.0” from the factory for legal compliance … but you can enjoy (almost) the full spirit of the gun by registering the weapon as a short-barreled rifle and attaching the P90 barrel to reduce the overall length substantially.

 

As time progresses, I expect that the PDW will become a bigger player in the US civilian firearms market.  Our needs for personal defense may soon extend beyond the performance easily obtainable with a handgun … but without the eye sore and hassle of carrying rifles on a regular basis.

 

PDWs such as the FN PS90, HK MP7, Knights Armament PDW and the Mini-Uzi are all very suitable go-betweens between a handgun and a carbine sized rifle.  What needs to change are the laws keeping these guns out of the reach of law-abiding citizens and also, the perception that the open carry of weapons is somehow unacceptable in a civilized society. 

 

PDWs allow for more precise shooting than handguns, with a larger magazine capacity and the ability to penetrate soft body armor an added bonus.