Completely unscientific mousegun test

[ligonierbill]

Or, why my wife doesn't like to leave me home alone. Got a thick membership directory in the mail that was headed for recycle, so why not...shoot some .32 ACP into it. All of these penetrated just over an inch, and the JHP went just as far as my favorite Buffalo Bore hardcast. Notice the JHP held together well. As expected they made a bigger hole, but I thought they would have shallower penetration. Shooting a P32.

[Nanuk]

Not scientific,but fun.

[K_Mac]

My only concern is if 1" of penetration is enough to stop a membership directory with malicious intent...

[g.willikers]

So, just for clarification, was this a test of the penetration of .32ACP ammo, or of the usefulness of thick directories, phone books and such for safe backstops?

[SpareMag]

Was this test conducted in a "Stand Your Ground" state? I don't want to look at anything which may be part of a future trial.

[Kreyzhorse]

At what distance where those shot?

[ligonierbill]

About 6'.

[Joe_Pike]

I may have to sell my Keltec P32. I may be able to throw .32acp and get better penetration.

[pelo801]

Sounds about right for 32 auto. I've seen some 32 fmj stopped by 3 layers of Sheetrock. This was some 71 gr over 2.3 grs of 231.

[Kreyzhorse]

About 6'.

That's about what I figured. Not great penetration and I'm a bit surprised that the HP had the same results as the as the hard cast.

[dahermit]

If the .32 was not effective, would James Bond have used it?

[rifleguy]

.32 auto isn't the best round, but just like the 22lr it's more powerful than a lot of people think.

[KyJim]

So long as you had fun . . .

[camsdaddy]

I would be curious to see the same book shot with other calibers. I would like to 22,380,38 and 9mm

[Chowder]

Interesting that the hard cast heavier bullet didn't penetrate more. Although it might in a softer substance. I know it is "not scientific" but nothing wrong with information as long as who ever is using the data understands the conditions of the test.

[Yung.gunr]

I love shooting phone books and recovering the projectiles. It's so interesting to see what they look like afterward. Did you soak your books first? I find that helps keep the mess down.

I didn't measure when I shot my 9mm into a phone book, but I feel confident that it we t through much more than an inch. I really don't feel it has any kind of real world penetration correlation though. So I wouldn't base any decisions on it (just my feelings, no proof to back it).

Sure is fun to shoot them though. Plus, what's else are you going to do with them? Use them pssshhh... I don't even understand why they still make them..

[DE Shooter]

I like soaking and shooting the old ph books too. I also like trying different materials in front of the books; like Tshirt, denim, windbreaker nylon, leather;...etc. It is all in fun and has no "show the world" meaning. But you do see various hollow pt loads affected by different materials.

[psyfly]

As long as we're not insisting on scientific...

Oh, what the heck, your science is as good as Algore's, I think.

A few years ago (okay, 20, maybe 25) I shot a yellow pages (3.5" or so) with my Mustang .380 and was surprised that the bullets went all the way through and out the other side.

I may stop carrying my NAA Guardian as often...

W.

[Dragline45]

I agree not the most scientific, but then again what's so scientific about wrapping denim around gel blocks or water jugs which you see online? Unless I am coming across Denim Dan the chance that I will come across anyone wearing a denim jacket is pretty slim. You would think a cotton shirt would be more realistic.

[Sevens]

Holy cow! Mine is the 20th post and in the first 19 posts, not one mention of "being well armed in the event I ever get attacked by a phone book!"

This crowd is slippin'!

[dahermit]

Holy cow! Mine is the 20th post and in the first 19 posts, not one mention of "being well armed in the event I ever get attacked by a phone book!"

This crowd is slippin'!

To make the test "scientific", you would have to add a heart, liver, lungs, sternum, and ribs to the phone book. Legs would also help...in the event it would like to run away after being shot.

[michael t]

Looks like you can save you money and just shoot good old ball and not pay high $$ for the BB cast stuff .

32 ball work fine against people

[batmann]

Per M----the .32 hits like a brick through a plate glass window.
Now, would the man who sends 007 out on missions lie?
Seriously, I have shot many attacking phone books, but not with a .32, but so much depends distance, bullet type that I can only hope my little Kel-Tec .380 stroked with HP's works as well on bad guys that it does on phone books! Pocket pistols that are easy to carry cannot be all things to all people and I hope that I will never need to use it.

[JohnFLand]

It's well known that the only sure way to kill a catalog is to sever its spine -- otherwise they just keep coming back.

[Seaman]

"Got a thick membership directory in the mail that was headed for recycle, so why not...shoot some .32 ACP into it. All... penetrated just over an inch..." [ligonierbill]

Got some soon to be discarded 'stuff' --- a thick trade paperbound book 1 & 1/4 " thick, plate steel housing .39" thick, a 1" board and finally a 2"x10" board (stacked one on top of other). Shot a Walther PPK, (manufactured 1933), one round S&B 32ACP ammo, 73 gr fmj bullet, see pics, went thru the book, the plate steel, the 1" board, and finally stopped a 1/2" into the 2"x10" board.

"Per M----the .32 hits like a brick through a plate glass window." [batmann]

Well I should think so.