What to Look for in Ballistic Gel Tests
Useful ballistic-gel testing focuses on penetration, projectile condition, documented protocols, and repeatable results—not dramatic slow-motion effects.
Ballistics
Evidence-based articles and podcast episodes on terminal, external, and wound ballistics; ammunition performance; gelatin testing; penetration; projectile design; and practical ammunition selection.
5.7×28: Useful Cartridge, Not a Wonder Round
The 5.7×28 cartridge offers low recoil, capacity, and accessibility advantages, but pistol performance should be judged by evidence rather than P90 mythology.
Understanding Bird Shot Is Not For Defense
Comparing the FBI ballistic standards and the idea of birdshot being an effective defensive tool shows the profound ignorance of people pushing for the birdshot. The FBI standards establish reliable penetration of 12-18″ in verified ballistic gel from reasonable ranges beyond contact distance. Birdshot can (can- not will) create lethality at contact distance, but diminishes … Read more
P&S ModCast 438 — YouTube Ballistics: Misinformation or Ads
P&S ModCast 438 examines ballistic misinformation and advertising presented as education on YouTube and similar platforms. Mark Fricke, Chuck Haggard, Steve Shields, and Matt Landfair discuss how viewers can evaluate claims about ammunition and terminal performance with more care, context, and skepticism. Released: August 29, 2025Runtime: 2 hours, 33 minutesHost: Matt LandfairPanel: Mark Fricke, Chuck … Read more
P&S ModCast 400 — The Return of DocGKR
P&S ModCast 400 reunites Dr. Gary Roberts, Chuck Haggard, Fred Lucas, and Matt Landfair for a long-form discussion of pistol terminal ballistics.
A Missing Terminal Ballistic Frame of Reference
There is an interesting pattern with people who are looking for the best possible defensive pistol ammo and yet are drawn to questionable unproven solutions that feature misleading information to sell it. They buy the questionable ammo and defend it while repeating advertising claims without having an understanding of how it actually compares to known … Read more
P&S ModCast 308 — Pistol Bullet Performance
Dr. Andrew D. Fisher, Mark Fricke, Chuck Haggard, Dr. Sherman House, and Matt Landfair discuss pistol-bullet wounding and performance.
Duty Caliber Pistol Performance
When I was young and eager to learn everything gun related, I had believed defensive pistol ammo had to be some form of hollow point to be effective. The more I learned what duty and sub pistol calibers did, the more I understood how other options fit the defensive paradigm. Let’s first establish what we … Read more
P&S ModCast 292 — The Applicability of Small-Caliber Pistols
P&S ModCast 292 examines the applicability of small-caliber pistols with an experienced panel, practical context, equipment considerations, and training implications.
A Simple Explaination of Duty Pistol Caliber Terminal Ballistics
Optimal pistol wounding is caused by a balance of projectile weight, construction, size, materials, shape, and velocity (not even talking about shot placement here). Too much or too little of any variable and the projectile performs poorly. Performs poorly- being compared to HST or Gold Dot which are the current standards of optimal performance within … Read more