From:	Stainless Steel Rat <ratinox@***.NEU.EDU>
Subject:	Re: Big Time armor
Date:	Wed, 6 Apr 1994 10:41:00 -0400

>>>>> "Koert" == Koert Vynckier <kvynckir@***.VUB.AC.BE>
writes:

Koert> I was talking about pistolshots, not shotguns or assaultrifles.

It makes no difference. In fact, 9mmPara carries /more/ kinetic energy than
the 5.56mm NATO or US rounds do.

Koert> A shot from a pistol on a flack jacket will not penetrate and only
Koert> give you a little push,

Depends on the round and the jacket. A 9mmP won't penetrate a Type II vest,
but the .45 ACP will punch a very nice hole in it.

Koert> that is as hard as what the guy (or girl) doing the shooting has to
Koert> resist to stay upright (action and reaction you know).

Wrong again. The force implied by a person is distributed over the area of
his or her hand; a bullet's force is concentrated in a significantly
smaller area

Koert> This will NOT
Koert> knock you off your feet, much less kill you. (armor piercers are a
Koert> different story) Night Owl