The Box O' Truth #24 - Sniper Against Armor - Page 1

I have a friend that is a member of AR15.com, contact me about a shoot he was involved in a while back. I will not give his name or department or even state.

His note said (paraphrased):

"Hi OP,

I am a SWAT sniper and was involved in a shooting a while back. The bad guy was a crazy guy that was hold up in a building and threatening to kill citizens and police officers. The SWAT Team was called in and I was on the rifle. We found out that he had put on three bullet-proof vests, with trauma plates, one on top of the other.

My partner and I discussed the possibility that he might exit his cover shooting and do so at a run. In that case, I might have to take a body shot. We wondered if the .308 would penetrate three vests and plates.

We were also concerned as the Entry Team was carrying .40 S&W pistols and a couple had AR15 rifles. Would these penetrate either the back of the vests (where there were no plates) or the front, where there were plates?

As it turned out, he came out of the cover at a walk and pointed a gun at some people and said he was going to kill them. I took a head shot, stopping him.

My question to you is: Would the .308 have penetrated 3 vests and plates? And what about the .40 S&W and the AR15?"

He agreed to send me some vests and plates that are similar to what the bag guy was wearing.

Here's what we will test:
1. Would the AR15 have penetrated the vests and plates? How about the .308?
2. Would a .40 S&W have penetrated the soft armor, without the plates? The AR15?