[Andrew Wiggin]

In a thread on another gun forum, a user showed us that floor tiles could be used to stop rifle rounds. I decided to test whether it was possible to make homemade "body armor" that would actually work. I'm pleasantly surprised by the results.

I used three PEI grade V porcelain floor tiles with a coat of Herculiner on the front and between tiles and a thick coat (about a quarter inch) on the back to capture fragments. I placed a paper grocery bag behind (to see if anything came through) and shot it at about twenty feet with .223, 7.62x39mm, and .40 S&W. Unfortunately, I didn't know the close range POI on my AK as well as on my AR so I had to shoot it three times with the AK to get a hit where I wanted. The reason is that the first shot was too close to both edges and caused the whole corner to bend back into the paper. I don't *think* the bullet made it through but I couldn't be sure until the third shot.

Afterward, I shot it with an additional ten rounds of .40 and not a single round made it through.

This stuff did quite a bit better than I expected.

Hillbilly body armor part 2 - YouTube

Hillbilly body armor part 2 - YouTube

"Mk II" test:

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

Cliff's notes: two tiles with cutting board and bed liner defeated by 7.62x39mm. Stops one round of .45 ACP and defeated by the second.


"Mk III" test:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk_fx...ature=youtu.be


Cliff's notes: Three tiles with fiberglass and thin layers of bed liner defeated by 7.62x39mm and 5.56x45mm.

[Maine]

Very interesting. Thanks for taking the time to make and post the video.

[fx77]

Very impressed. Great job. What is the weight of the construct?

[Andrew Wiggin]

Three tiles weigh 12 pounds (without bed liner) but on the next test I plan to use only two tiles, less bed liner, and cut the tiles down to 10"x12" "shooter's cut". That will reduce weight dramatically.

[Booker]

So, when do you start with Human Trials?

[WoodenPlank]

That's pretty darn impressive. I wonder how it would do with a thin (not sheet-metal thin, but thin plate) layer of steel between two ceramic tiles.

[itisbruno]

Interesting, thanks for the post

[Blast]

[Andrew Wiggin]

Man Shoots Himself in the Stomach - YouTube

Man Shoots Himself in the Stomach - YouTube

[vafish]

Try some tire tread.

posted from my stupid smart phone, please excuse any spelling mistakes.

[Andrew Wiggin]

Tire tread on its own would probably be sufficient to stop pistol rounds but I don't think it would help much for rifle rounds. Do you know what sort of benefit it would offer over bed liner?

[Line Rider]

Ricard Davis first shot himself in the 1970 as way to demonstrate his new invention the body armorer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCYdNmnUAX4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCYdNmnUAX4

[Glockdude1]

Does body armor come with a money back guarantee?

You know if it does not work.........

[wilsoni91]

Originally Posted by Line Rider

Ricard Davis first shot himself in the 1970 as way to demonstrate his new invention the body armorer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCYdNmnUAX4

I wear my Second Chance every time I am on duty because you just never do know.

[Andrew Wiggin]

Originally Posted by Glockdude1

Does body armor come with a money back guarantee?

You know if it does not work.........

I know you were just kidding but most people shot with handgun rounds who are NOT wearing body armor survive. Many companies will replace a vest for free if it was used in a legal use of force situation.

[ithaca_deerslayer]

Originally Posted by Blast

"Two for flinching!"

___________
I joined the NRA, have you yet?

[Joshhtn]

The show "Mythbusters" touched on this once, I think... Great vid!

[chewybaca67]

Tagged. I'd like to make some panels. Heavy lookin', but seems to be pretty effective. I remember watching Mythbusters build something similar as well.

[waawaaweenie]

you could probably use some kevlar in between the tiles and it would be lighter and stronger and is used with polyester resin used for fiberglass.if done with the minimal amount of resin, it may replace one tile and possibly the bed liner which has to be heavy

thanks, like I need this idea and more irons in the fire. HAHA

[Andrew Wiggin]

New version is two tiles with a cutting board backer in tactical red. I cut it down to 10"x12" and cut the corners. I actually just measured my Level III steel plate for the dimensions of the corner cuts. Turns out they took 2.5" from each corner so that leaves 5" across the top edge. Those Herculiner cans are a real pain to open. Thought I could make it happen with the Dillo but I had to take after it with a screwdriver. They actually glue the lids down.

[Angry Fist]

Cool! Waiting for the new results.

[Andrew Wiggin]

So when I pulled it off the grocery bag I had it sitting on to dry, the bed liner peeled right off the cutting board. I roughed it up with a wire wheel and reapplied the bed liner.

[tuica]

I have also heard that one of the best bullet resistant objects is...National Geographic! That high quality, thick paper, bound tightly together resists object penetration well.

Would like to try this outside sometime with various (pistol) calibers. If you have the notion, and the Geo's, please give it a try - not on any live animals, please - and post results. Cheers.

[AsSeenOnTV]

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

That's pretty darn impressive. I wonder how it would do with a thin (not sheet-metal thin, but thin plate) layer of steel between two ceramic tiles.

Would probably cause some unwanted projectiles to go up into your throat.

[silverfd]

Originally Posted by wilsoni91

I wear my Second Chance every time I am on duty because you just never do know.

but what if he shot you in the face (in my best dumb and dumber impression...)