OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

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TedH
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OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by TedH »

I had asked for opinions about the use of Glasers a while back. Not unexpectedly I received varied responses, so I decided to test them out for myself. I mixed up some 10% ballistic gel and set out to see how they would perform. I was using 45 ACP 145 gr. Glaser Silvers that have a claimed velocity of 1350 fps. and are supposed to give better penetration over the blue tip Glasers due to larger shot size.


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Since we are headed into cooler weather I wanted to simulate extra clothing, so I took my very best pair of Wranglers and wrapped the gel with the legs providing 4 layers of Denim for the slug to encounter.


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I toted all this out to the range this morning and set it up before a lot of folks got there.


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I was using my regular carry piece which is a Glock 36, the subcompact 45 Auto. I fired the shot from 10 feet, which I would think would fall into the distance an attacker could be encountered.

The performance can be clearly seen in these pics. The cavity began to open quickly as seen in this pic of the entrance.


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The penetration of the fragments reached nearly 8 inches into the gel.


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The cavitation was about three inches in diameter at that depth.


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After dissecting the block the damage was easier to see, as it was clear expansion began quickly at about the 1-2 inch mark.


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So now I'm convinced these would make hamburger out of a bad guys vitals even if wearing thick winter clothes. Sure, they won't be good for much if you are shooting through a windshield or car door, but I believe that's not likely in a real self defense situation. And more than likely there will be no chance of an exiting projectile to be a danger to innocents.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by Blaine »

Good report. Thanks :!:
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by Sarge »

The trouble is that Mr. Murphy still has VIP Pass to gunfights. If your baddie is a good sized lad and he so much as throws an arm up in front of that bullet, you ain't getting anywhere near his vitals with it. I'd be disinclined to switch from a 230 grain HydraShok, Ranger, or even WW/USA/JHP in favor of frangibles... two holes for one shot seems like bonus to me.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by adirondakjack »

A good report.

What gel did ya use?

I have a little bullet that needs testing, but have not sourced gel.....
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by TedH »

Sarge, you make valid points, but if my main concern is a home intruder I would not be comfortable with a heavy slug exiting the bad guy and finding it's way through the drywall and into my sleeping daughter's bedroom.

adirondakjack, this is stuff that JasonW sent me for a joint project we just finished up. You can PM him to find out where he got it.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by Sarge »

I understand perfectly Ted... my comments are simply a by-product of some 'difficulties' I've had a close look at.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by Jason_W »

Good test!!

A possible expansion would be to incorporate something to simulate a rib cage.

For those who are interested, I get my gel mix from www.bulkfoods.com.

And here's a link on ratios of mix to water for various densities
http://www.frfrogspad.com/gelatin.htm

I want to switch over to using synthetic perma-gel as it has better clarity and greater longevity, but it's pricey to get into.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by 86er »

Great report.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by Rusty »

Great Post Ted. FWIW when I first read the promotional literature on those back in the 70's when I first saw them they called them a "surgeon's nightmare."
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by tman »

Thank you for the report. I might stick a couple in the mag of my 1911. I like the fact that they are round nose design for positive feeding.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by TedH »

Rusty wrote:Great Post Ted. FWIW when I first read the promotional literature on those back in the 70's when I first saw them they called them a "surgeon's nightmare."
I would believe that after what I saw in the block of gel. I thought I had all the pieces out before I melted the gel to recast it in a new block. In the bottom of my melting pot was several more shot pieces and two pieces of jacket material that I never saw in the block.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by O.S.O.K. »

Well, I think it might be good defensive policy to stoke the mag with a couple of those followed with some good 230 grain HP's.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by TedH »

That's exactly what I've done. Three Glasers then three +P XTP's.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by Paladin »

I alternate the first three glazers with Speer Gold Dot or Fed HS.
Great report, also a great way to install confidence with your choice.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by Hobie »

Thanks for this. What do you use for a gelatin mold?
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by TedH »

Hobie it was just a plastic storage box I stole from my daughter's bedroom. :wink:

It measures about 6x6x12 and has a slight taper so the block falls out easily.
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by Hobie »

TedH wrote:Hobie it was just a plastic storage box I stole from my daughter's bedroom. :wink:

It measures about 6x6x12 and has a slight taper so the block falls out easily.
Thanks Ted...
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Re: OT 45ACP Glaser Ballistic Gel Test- Pics

Post by piller »

Good information here. Thanks Ted. By the way, Murphy was an Evil Magician and his curse that anything which can go wrong must go wrong is still difficult to break. :evil:
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