After last week's adventures, had someone ask about metal covered doors and how they would stand up to bullets. So....to the range.
Here's the setup. Neighbor was throwing away a metal front door. It is standard construction around here, thin metal over a wood frame, with foam insulation inside. We set up a drywall wall panel behind it to see what would happen.
Next pic, top left and right, 9 mm JHP. Bottom left .45ACP Federal Hydroshock and right, Black Talon.
To the right, two rounds of .223, South African surplus, 55 gr.
All rounds exited without any problem and went completely through the wall behind. As usual, the .223 started to tumble as it left the wall.
Next is a load of 00 Buck as it leaves the other side of the door. It also completely exited the wall.
An interesting photo. The Buckshot drove little round pieces of the metal door into the wall. They didn't penetrate much, but I thought it was an interesting find.
Lastly, we fired a load of birdshot, #8 field loads into the door from 10 feet. They didn't even penetrate the first layer.
As a matter of interest, some of us have discussed that we carry a Keltec P-32 in our pockets sometimes. I tried two rounds of JHPs on the door from the P-32 and they went through the door, through the wall, and were singing along last I saw of them.
The mighty metal door slayer, the P-32.
Findings:
1. Metal front doors provide concealment, not cover.
2. Don't think a metal door will slow down any common round.
3. If it's easy for you to shoot through, it's easy for the bad guy to send them the other way.
There it is boys. Everything you ever wondered about metal doors.