(sdm3) - 21.10.1999       back to page 1

The Shock Defense Cartridges are designed and manufactured especially for defense at short distances and confined spaces such as rooms, offices, stores and planes. The Shock Defense Ammunition is a close range defense cartridge having the advantage that innocent by-standers or members of the family or airplane-passengers cannot be injured when the projectile has missed the target. The cartridge has an non-lethal effect. The criminal assailant will get a hard blow from the projectile, making him unable to fight but not killing him.

.38 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP
The 80 grain projectile with a Diameter of 1.1 inches is manufactured of welded high tear resistant linen with a plastic-lining and filled with 70 grain shot (0.016 in.). The bullet weight including gas check and plastic cap is 86 grain.

9 mm Luger (9x19mm), .40 S&W
The 54 grain projectile with a Diameter of 0.9 inches is manufactured of welded high tear resistant linen with a plastic-lining and filled with 50 grain shot (0.016 in.). The bullet weight including gas check and plastic cap is 64 grain.

As you can see from the Sketch (picture 4) the cartridge has a gas check between the powder and projectile and a plastic cap for loading of the weapon. The projectile fully unfolds after 2 yards due to the centrifugal force coming from the longitudinal rotation. This forces the plastic cap out of the way, and the projectile files toward it’s target in a flat orientation similar to a pancake (picture 1). As compared with the normal bullets, the relatively low weight and high cross sectional load (air resistance) causes the velocity and energy to decrease rapidly rendering the projectile practically harmless after 30 yards. The result is a outstanding , unique and highly defensive ammunition which operates at close range with outstanding results.

On testing from SWM and IWS the following result were achieved:

Distance 1 yard (picture 7)
- Summer Jacket with lining                   = penetrated

Distance 2 yards (picture 10)
- Alu plate (soft) 0,08 in.,                        = 1. plate = penetrated
                                                              = 2. plate = no penetration
- DurAlu 0,08 in. (planes)                        = no penetrated

Distance 3 yards (picture 11)
- Plywood 0.32 in                                    = penetrated
- Plywood 0.75 in.                                   = no penetration
- steel plate 0.02 in.                                = penetrated
- steel plate 0.04 in.                                = no penetration
- Army parka with lining                           = penetrated
- Projective Vests                                   = no penetration

Distance 5,5 yards (picture 8 + 10)
- Summer Jacket with lining                    = penetrated
- Alu plate 0.08 in., soft                          = no penetration

Distance 11 yards (picture 9)

- Summer Jacket with lining                    = no penetration, only damaged

The cartridges in cal. .40 S&W + .45 ACP are designed so that they do not exceed the maximum allowed gas pressure and still maintain their self-loading function. Through special manufacturing process very precise ammunitions has been achieved.

The IWS writes: With a COLT Gold Cup it was possible to shoot 40 cartridges trouble-free. All 3 shot bags rapidly fired in the "Weaver Stance" hit the 10-circle of the target at a distance of 16 yards. That means that with the Shock Defense Ammunition sure hit is possible at a distance of 22 yards.

The SWM writes: The COLT Combat Commander functioned faultlessly with the Shock Defense Cartridges just as COLT Government (Remington) and the STAR PD. Only the COLT Officer’s ACP had a few faulty ejection's. It had already been established during the tests that the cartridges have an amazing accuracy in both caliber's. For our tests we choose a SMITH & WESSON Chief Special with a 2" barrel, because this is a very common defense weapon in Switzerland. When shooting two handed, with both elbows, supported, at a distance of 7 yards we achieved a group of 2.6 x 3.3 in. with five shots. This result can be defined as very good for cartridges with shock bag projectiles. The precision of the shot bags for the designated operating distances up to 11 yards can be declared for extremely good and outstanding. The effectiveness meets all the requirements. The shot bags always reliably unfolded.

The IWS writes: For watchmen, security agents, personal protectors, flight escorts and for all persons carrying a .38 special or a .357 Magnum or a .45 ACP is this Shock Defense Cartridges the best defensive cartridge. This projectile delivers the full impact energy to the target. A hit with such a shot bag is brutal and painful. It will stop the continuation of an attack.

The ballistic data:
Distance  
1 y
2,5 y
5 y
10 y
20 y
30 y
 yards
.38 Special
V =
1150
985
920
720
430
230
ft./sec
 
E =
225
166
145
89
31
9
ft.lbs
 
P =
17140
psi
 9 mm Luger
V =
 
 
 
 
 
 
ft./sec
 
E =
 
 
 
 
 
 
ft.lbs
 
P =
 
psi
 .40 S&W
V =
1745
1739
 1575
1148
656
262 
ft./sec
 
E =
 365
 363
 297
 158
 52
 8
ft.lbs
 
P =
 22756
psi
 .44 Magnum
V =
 1017
985
 920
 720
430
230 
ft./sec
 
E =
 177
166
145
89
31
ft.lbs
 
P =
 8560
psi
.45 ACP
V =
1310
1150
1050
820
490
260
ft./sec
 
E =
295
225
189
115
41
12
ft.lbs
 
P =
 20595
psi

Precision and Accuracy: Made in West-Germany

Reference:  SWM = Schweizer Waffenmagazin, Zürich / Author: Thomas Hartel
                    IWS = Internationaler Waffenspiegel, Stuttgart / Author: S.F. Hübner

The Ammunition has been testet and licensed at the Fire Arm Control Office Ulm/Germany and has the test mark 

Reloading - Manual  only in German

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