.40 S&W Ammo Tests (Part 2)

In this article we review the results of two separate tests of hollow-point (HP) defense .40 S&W cartridges from the manufacturer CBC, using homemade ballistic gel¹. The tests were conducted on two different days. The first of these tests evaluated the effect in bare gel. In the second test, four layers of fabric were used in front of the gel as a simulacrum of clothing to evaluate its effects on the defensive HP projectiles.

Ammunition used in these tests:

-          CBC EXPO (HP), a 155 gr. jacketed hollow-point,

-          CBC “Gold Hex” (HP), a 155 gr. jacketed hollow-point with hexagonal design; and

-          CBC “Copper Bullet” (HP), a 130 gr. Monoblock solid copper, tin-plated.

For more data: https://www.republicoweb.com/post/40-s-w-commercial-ammo-tests-part-1 

Test One

Our first .40 S&W HP test² on gel was carried out during that relatively recent period of mandatory social distancing (years 2020-2021), using a Taurus G2C40 pistol, with a barrel of 81 mm (3.2 inches).

All projectiles expanded and passed through the 11.22 inches (28.5 cm) of ballistic gel.

The EXPO shot hit low, the projectile grazed the base as it veered downwards and left the back of the block. The Gold Hex and the Copper Bullet shots were center of mass and left the back of the block.

Test Two

In our second .40 S&W HP test² on gel we tried four layers of fabric (two layers of jeans and two of felt) to simulate the effects of heavy clothing. These tests were carried out between the years 2020-2021, using the same types of ammunition as in the previous test, fired from the G2C40 pistol, with a barrel of 81 mm (3.2 inches) and a Taurus CTT40c carbine, with a barrel of 200 mm (≅ 8 inches).

The projectiles used in this test showed varying levels of performance when facing the 4 layers of fabric, but appear to have functioned as advertised, with the exception of the Gold Hex, which had partial expansion and, as a result, ended up having greater penetration.

The Copper Bullet projectile expanded and stopped at 14.37 inches (36,5 cm) of penetration;

The Gold Hex projectile expanded only partially and stopped at 19.29 inches (49 cm) of penetration;

The Expo projectile fired from the G2C expanded and stopped at 18.89 inches (48 cm) of penetration;

The second Expo projectile, fired from the CTT40c carbine expanded and stopped at 14.96 inches (38 cm) of penetration

The Expo fired from the CTT 40 expanded more, but had less penetration than the projectile fired from the G2C, due to the higher velocity.

¹ In the proportion of 250 ml of water, 100 ml of glycerin and 24 grams of gelatin powder.

 ² We tested a .40 S&W EXPO years ago (https://youtu.be/t6_zLTv648c), but at the time the objective was a comparison with the .380 ACP HP ammo.

*These tests were filmed on a private range. All safety rules were followed.