40 or 357sig in M&P FS against Armor

[Tom Goodrick]

The shooter at Aurora had some level of protection from armor. Which would be more effecting in stopping him: .40 S&W or .357 sig? It may be that for Home Defense we will face armor like this more frequently in the future.

If neither of these, what cartridge would be best?

 

[Fkimble]

The 357 Sig has a higher vel so I would think it would have the best chance. The 40 should stun someone giving you time for a head or thigh shot or to take cover..

 

[mewisemajic]

It depends on the level of protection the armor has. He had most of his body covered so a face shot might be necessary with a situation like that. A rifle round would have stopped him unless he had plates. That the reason for the head and pelvic failure drills.

 

[dswancutt]

Does anybody truely know what type of body armor he was wearing. I mean factual reports that is is type x which defeats threat y.

 

[mewisemajic]

Does anybody truely know what type of body armor he was wearing. I mean factual reports that is is type x which defeats threat y.

I haven't seen anything other than reports of reporters being frightened that he was able to buy a "bulletproof" vest, not what he was actually wearing by manufacturer name or anything like Level III, Level IIIA, etc..

 

[The Sarge]

I heard that he was wearing "tactical style" clothing and no actual body armor.

Concerning penetration between the two calibers against armor/barriers, the 357SIG is the caliber of choice. Bill

 

[DocSunShine]

I heard that he was wearing "tactical style" clothing and no actual body armor.

Concerning penetration between the two calibers against armor/barriers, the 357SIG is the caliber of choice. Bill

Penetration varies between the two calibers depending on the medium the rounds are penetrating. That said, against body armor both suck, and FYI, with handguns it's not necessarily velocity that causes penetration, ballistics coefficient/cross sectional density is much more important. .357sig isn't the "massive penetrator" that many believe it to be. It does penetrate well through steel, but suffers in other mediums.

And to the OP, neither round would likely penetrate the shooters armor, but each hit would hurt like hell and shots to COM could break bones (ribs) cause contussions, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), Pericardial effusion, etc.... Point is, even with the body armor the threat still could have been "stopped", which is the point of carrying, isn't it?

 

[Tom Goodrick]

Thanks, guys. I think I'll get a .357 Sig barrel for my .40. I am also considering a Laser/Light sight for low light. (First I'll rent some lasers).

 

[vista461]

If neither of these, what cartridge would be best?

Nearly any rifle catridge. I've seen a .223 go through front and back on a vest.

 

[Dave686]

The shooter was wearing a $100 tactical vest; not body armor. Anything 9mm or above would have stopped him with a center mass hit. A .22 or a .380 would have likely stopped him with a head shot.

The chances of someone breaking into my house wearing body armor are slim to none. If you are trying to decide between 40S&W and .357SIG; there will only be winners; no losers.

 

[EvilBetty]

FNH FiveSeven.

First use I've ever imagined for that gun.