Comparing .380 ACP in Homemade Ballistic gel (tests 1, 2 and 3)

The first three tests of homemade ballistic gel (in the proportion of 250 ml of water, 100 ml of glycerin and 24 grams of gelatin powder) compared results of .380 ACP and .40 S&W ammunition of the CBC brand. The tests were carried out between the years 2009-2011, using a Taurus PT-938 pistol, with a barrel of 94mm (3.7 inches) and a PT 840, with a 108mm barrel (4.25 inches).

For a 5 liter mold you need 3,250 ml of water, 1,300 ml of glycerin and 312 g of gelatin

Gelatina Balística Fórmula Proporções.xlsx

Fazer download de XLSX • 10KB

DIY Gel Formula

PT 840 and PT 938 models

Types of Ammunition Used in the Tests:

1) CBC FMJ (ETOG), a 95 gr. full metal jacket, +p;

2) CBC “Silver Point” (EXPO), a 95 gr. jacketed hollow-point, +p;

3) CBC “Gold Hex” (EXPO), a 85 gr. jacketed hollow-point with hexagonal design, +p; and

4) CBC .40 S&W (EXPO), a 155 gr. jacketed hollow-point.

Left to right - .380 FMJ, .380 Silver Point, .380 Gold Hex, .40 EXPO

All tests were made on a private range. All safety rules were followed.

1) First Test

https://youtu.be/QwU4dGB0QZw?si=nx8EuaiE-7K1R5Mw

In the first test a gel block with 19 cm (7.48”) in length was used. Two types of .380 ACP hollow points from CBC were tested, CBC “Silver Point” and CBC “Gold Hex”. Both projectiles penetrated the 7.48” block (pass through). Although they were not recovered, both left cavities compatible with their expansion. The Silver Point lost its jacket and the Gold Hex lost three of its petals inside the block (jacket-core separation).

Silver Point (Left) and Gold Hex (Right)

Petals and jacket left inside the block, near the exit (jacket-core separation)

Impact and exit "wounds"

Expansion and Hollow-Point “Aura”

2) Second Test:

https://youtu.be/t6_zLTv648c?si=glh2MUd1VngfBh9x

In the second test a different gel block was used (5 liter), but with the same 19 cm (7.48”) in length. Three types of .380 ACP ammo from CBC were tested, CBC FMJ (ETOG), CBC “Silver Point” and CBC “Gold Hex”, they were compared with a CBC .40 S&W jacketed hollow point (EXPO). All the projectiles penetrated the 7.48” block (pass through). The three hollow-points left cavities compatible with expansion. Only the Gold Hex lost one of its petals inside the block (jacket-core separation).

From left to right .380 FMJ, .380 Silver Point, .40 Hollow Point and .380 Gold Hex

Block displacement after three shots of .380 ACP (Left) and one of .40 S&W (right)

3) Third Test:

https://youtu.be/0Qan7GMgj5A?si=jVmVcWblQ1ONf7F1

The third test of homemade ballistic gel used four layers of fabric to simulate the effects of heavy clothing. The ammunition types used were all CBC 380 ACP: FMJ (ETOG),“Silver Point” HP (EXPO) and “Gold Hex” HP (EXPO).

Again, all projectiles penetrated the 19 cm (7.48”) block completely. The hollow-points left cavities compatible with expansion and brought cloth plugs into the gel.

Left to Right – FMJ, Gold Hex, Silver Point

Left to Right – FMJ, Gold Hex (upper), Silver Point

Cloth Plugs Found Inside the Gel

Fourth Test:

The fourth test, using a larger gel block, was conducted in 2025 and will be published soon.

Nowadays CBC has replaced the “Silver Point” (middle) with the EXPO 95 gr +p model (right)

Silver Point and EXPO

The CBC Gold Hex and Silver Point were sold in “blisters”

Autor: Repúblico X Colaboradores: Cá e R. Lemke