The firearms community recently has been buzzing with discussion about G2 Research’s new 9mm round marketed for self defense: R.I.P. Ammo.
Even before getting the round to the range, the R.I.P. projectile makes quite a first impression. This lead-free hollow point is made completely of copper. Each projectile is precisely CNC machined to get its fierce-looking cuspidated rim. The 96 grain bullet is designed so that, on impact, each of its eight points separates from tip to base, petalling within the wound channel. Petalling projectiles isn’t a new idea, but the R.I.P. round takes it to a new level. As you can imagine from self-defense ammo that requires CNC machining, R.I.P. 9mm isn’t cheap I’ve seen it selling for about $45 for a box of 20. Even so, it has been selling out at stores since its release.
According to their website, one of G2 Research’s goals with this ammunition was to engineer different projectile behavior through varying substances. The end result is that when the R.I.P. bullet travels through a [largely] fluid substance, such as within the body cavity, the “petals” fragment, breaking from the original projectile, creating additional, smaller wound channels. In this situation, each petal’s trocar, that is, three-sided or triangular, tip is geometrically optimized to move through gel or liquid (with little resistance), allowing the petals to travel away from the path of entrance at nearly 180º. Both the angle of travel, and the reduced friction of the projectile shape serve to enlarge the potential injury size, maximizing damage.
This same projectile, however, behaves differently through more solid mediums. G2 Research likens the R.I.P. round’s function when shot through plywood to that of a hole saw. The sharp tip drives through the wood, and the hollow fills with the material. The more solid projectile conserves more energy passing through the plywood than would a standard hollow-tipped projectile. However, this has given rise to some concerns of over-penetration, especially for those considering the R.I.P. ammo for home defense. Richard Ryan captured slow motion footage of just that scenario. If you haven’t already, check out the above video to watch his ballistics gel tests.
What do you think of the new R.I.P. round?
Featured image is a still from ratedrr’s video RIP Ammunition – High Speed Slow Motion Tests. To see more of Richard Ryan’s R.I.P. Ammo vids, click here.
