Bullet Penetration

[Xanthippe]

You often see scenes in films where people hide behind cars and even something as flimsy as a settee during a shoot out, but what would be the penetrative power of an uzi 9mm or weaponry of a similar type and calibre?

[Catso]

Even a low-power handgun or rifle would go straight through a car door. Something heftier would have no trouble going through both sides. Have you not seen the pics of cars ambushed by terrorists on the news? They look like colenders - and the people inside were killed.

The engine would probably stop a bullet, yes.

As for a sofa, probably even an air rifle would go through one.

[Mortartube]

I agree with Catso, but one reason to hide behind something if being shot at, is not as a protective barrier, but to hide your body and make it harder for the shooter to aim at you. There's more chance than can miss you if they shoot at a sofa, even if the bullet goes straight through.

[Cloned]

This might intrest you
http://www.intuitor.com/moviephysics/

[Xanthippe]

What a fantastic site, Cloned. I thoroughly enjoyed reading through that. Excellent!! Shame I can only give you three stars. Much appreciated!

[heathfield]

The army teaches that "Cover from view is not cover from fire".

[Toureman]

The uzi does not have much penetrative power, it just shoots a lot of small bullets very quickly, others of the same type do the same. They only have a small amount of propellant in the small cartridges.

It would go through a car door easily though.

Five well aimed shots from a 7.65mm Belgian FN rifle, used by the british forces a few years ago would blow a hole through a double brick wall as the cartridges were much bigger.

[lukebray]

it all depends on how far away you are form the "sheild"