I did some real tests, layers of drywall with spacers, 9mm had more penetration then 45 or 223.
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ELKCAMP PRESENTS THE “OVER PENETRATION” MYTH
I have heard it said that the .223 is a poor choice for “home defense” based on the belief that it will go through walls and into the neighbor’s house. (Not a good thing for neighborhood relations). Current discussions lately have brought up the question what would penetrate more layers of sheetrock, a .223 or a .45.
Well, lets throw in a 9mm just for fun. The .45 is a 230 gr FMJ round nose traveling in the 700-800 FPS range, the 9mm is a 124 gr FMJ round nose traveling at 1000-1100 FPS, and the .223 is a 62 gr FMJ boat tail going in the neighborhood of 3000 fps.
Disclaimer, these results are not the most scientific, but great for starting arguments.
The “Contraption” multiple single and double layers of 5/8 drywall
The test results
Some Cool Close-ups:
The 9mm
The 45acp
The .223
And the test results in a confusing spreadsheet:
This would lead one to believe that:
1.) The 9mm would penetrate the most walls and moves more material then either of the other two
2.) The 45acp would penetrate the least walls while moving almost as much material as the 9mm
3.) The .223 does not seem, by this data, to pose much more of a danger then either of the other calibers.
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Love your results. But let me remind you that Officer Chauvin is in prison for something he absolutely did NOT do. “Test results” don’t seem to overcome a mob. The guy in Ferguson got lucky.
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Seems like when I was back in high school someone over there got in trouble performing above tests with live unwilling participants.
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If you shoot almost anything unsuppresed inside your house your ears will not like it. My 5.56 pistol will hurt your ears outside in the open without hearing protection. I cant imagine cranking a round or two off indoors without at least earplugs.
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AND at night your night vision will be toast with the first round.
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I have known for awhile that 9mm will penetrant deeper than expected with minimal expansion…that is why law enforcement was basically pushed to these type of rounds. They are “PC” . Now when I first started I was loaded with 6 rounds of .357 mag in a speer Gold dot Hollow point. Let me tell ya gents I dont care what "she " says Penetration isn’t the total package its the size of the wound channel. I want holes in perps that try and enter my domain big enough I can stick my fist in. If you ever seen a body shot multiple times with a 9mm if no bone it literally will pass straight through. I never have and never will like a 9mm.
Give me a .357mag revolver and hollowpoints and I will show you a perp that aint coming back.
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Uh ,I think 
… wouldnt AR&AR accessories specifically speaking go under classic firearms ?
I suppose it could definitely warrant its own thread. Under classic or specialized.
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That’s why I’m using a can. I’ve shot it with friends at the range a few times, and they are surprised that with the can it’s quieter than most handguns. It’s painful without a can unless I double up my earpro.
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That’s cool. I didn’t know how well 223 does with drywall, but I’ve seen several gel tests where 5.56 goes 19 inches, which is less than the 21" or so you get with .45 ACP, and a bit more than the 17-18" I saw with 9mm Federal HST.
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I’m definitely not getting an optimal powder burn. I certainly see a flash when I’m not using a can, even in broad daylight. With the can, and with the flash hider fins on the front of the can, I can’t really see much flash at all.
These images demonstrate the effect of various end caps with a Sandman K. I’m using a longer Sandman S with a 5.56 flash hider endcap.
Credit: Because F**k Your Flame: Dead Air Flash Hider Endcaps | RECOIL
Some types of ammo are flashier than others, too, according to their tests.
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Something most of us don’t do - shoot our defensive ammo in the dark. Yet HD weapons are most likely to be used at night. The other issue is the noise. ?How many keep a set of ear protectors at the bedside also. I’m no less guilty than the rest. Need to get a .45 ACP can and a threaded barrel for my P227.
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