Comparison of the Physical, Chemical, and Ballistic Properties of Various Lots of Caliber .45 M1911 Pistol Ball Ammunition Used for the Proof Testing of Helmets and Body Armor Components

摘要

Examination of caliber .45 M1911 pistol ball ammunition from five different lots revealed important variations in ballistic performance traceable to differences in the chemical composition of the lead cores and to differences in the jackets; four lots containing gilding metal jackets and one lot containing copper-clad steel jackets. Ballistic behavior indicates excellent uniformity of projectiles within each lot. The copper-clad steel jacketed projectiles are most resistant to deformation upon impact and produce the lowest ballistic limits against Hadfield steel. The projectiles used for acceptance testing of production M1 helmets are the softest and yield the highest ballistic limits. It is recommended that the copper-clad steel jacketed projectiles be standardized for all development and experimental testing of helmet and body armor materials.