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cover in a store
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:34 pm
by mekender
This question i have asked before but the thread on the spikes tv show made me think of it.
Would a rack of clothing, say 50+ pairs of jeans hanging from hangers stop a .223 or 7.62x39 round? what about pistol calibers?
I think that it could because of the airspace between the layers of the cloth, especially for pistol calibers.
It occurs to me that this might be more protection than the 1/4" plywood shelves that they use.
I realize that it isnt ideal in any situation but anything is better than nothing.
Re: cover in a store
Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 11:45 pm
by Precision
the elasticity of the hanging jeans would also help. The thick hanging fabric would bend the trajectory and slow it down after a certain number of layers. Sort of the poor man's version of a bullet trap using gravel in a box. Due to the items movement and longer contact the projectile sheds more velocity quicker.
The question becomes how many pairs does it make to really matter. 20,30,50...
Re: cover in a store
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:30 am
by Darrell
Sounds like a good topic for the Box O'Truth.
Re: cover in a store
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:37 am
by Dedicated_Dad
Darrell wrote:Sounds like a good topic for the Box O'Truth.
Took the words right outa my mouth!
Re: cover in a store
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:00 am
by Combat Controller
I have been insanely busy, but Fast Rope and I are still planning on our own GC Box of Truth. I may put up a donation button to help fund the mischief though. My business is entering the slow season and I think I will have some time soon. I managed to foist off next weeks trip to Red China on my partner, and I am only stuck with a short December trip.
So, soon we will build it! I think goodwill jeans cut into sections and stacked.
Re: cover in a store
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:30 am
by mekender
CombatController wrote:I have been insanely busy, but Fast Rope and I are still planning on our own GC Box of Truth. I may put up a donation button to help fund the mischief though. My business is entering the slow season and I think I will have some time soon. I managed to foist off next weeks trip to Red China on my partner, and I am only stuck with a short December trip.
So, soon we will build it! I think goodwill jeans cut into sections and stacked.
Ill donate but dont cut them into sections. They need to be full sized and hanging from a hanger to have a real effect i think and here is why. The weight of the fabric will matter in how taught the cloth is and how much it will move back and forth under stress. Small squares of cloth wont do the same thing i dont think.
Re: cover in a store
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 5:10 am
by cu74
mekender wrote:
Ill donate but dont cut them into sections. They need to be full sized and hanging from a hanger to have a real effect i think and here is why. The weight of the fabric will matter in how taught the cloth is and how much it will move back and forth under stress. Small squares of cloth wont do the same thing i dont think.
Good thought, but you must remember that the two mischief makers live in Texas.
They are probably thinking of selling the aftermath as cut-off jeans to the Austin hippie community to help fund future projects. The line of "survivor of police brutality whilst peacefully demonstrating" shorts will likely surpass the Che t-shirts in popularity.
Re: cover in a store
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 5:43 am
by Combat Controller
Although shot up jeans might be a selling point as well.
Re: cover in a store
Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 9:47 am
by mekender
CByrneIV wrote:I think the best you'd be able to count on is concealment, not cover.
Yes, if shot at the right angle, with the right rack of clothing, you're going to stop bullets; or at the least deflect them.
The FBI has determined that 14 layers of heavyweight denim is effectively equivalent to level IIIA ballistic armor; and that as little as 4 layers of denim, or two layers or denim and a thick and heavy motorcycle jacket; could provide at least some significant amount of ballistic protection.
The problem is, unless it's the right fabric in the right depth at the right angle, all you've got is concealment, not cover; and you base your tactical calculation on the worst chance, not the best.
well your average rack of jeans would have what 40-50 pair of jeans at most angles of attack? that would be a minimum of 80-100 layers of denim not counting pockets, stitches, zippers and other metal fasteners.
I would love to see this tested with various rifle rounds.
Re: cover in a store
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 1:10 am
by George guy
For that matter, how do they rate when shooting through a couple stacks of folded jeans horizontally?
That is, maybe the thing you are hypothetically ducking behind is a shelf, not a rack.
And how do khakis or T-shirts compare?