Will a 5.56 NATO Penetrate Tempered Glass?

Yes — defeats a 6 mm tempered glass barrier
Penetration depth
29 mm (1.1″)
Impact velocity
920 m/s (3018 fps)
Muzzle energy
1693 J (1249 ft-lb)
Bullet behaviour
Intact

Fired at the muzzle, a representative 5.56 NATO load (4 g, FMJ, 920 m/s) reaches roughly 29 mm (1.1 inches) into tempered glass. That is enough to defeat a typical barrier of this material — treat anything behind it as exposed.

About Tempered Glass

Tempered and automotive glass runs about 6 mm thick.

5.56 NATO against other materials

MaterialDepth (mm)Depth (in)
Red Brick193 mm7.6″
Concrete175 mm6.9″
Steel A3614 mm0.6″
Steel AR5008 mm0.3″
Aluminum 606126 mm1.0″
Run your own numbers in the calculator →

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