Will a 9mm Luger Penetrate Cinder Block?

No — stops inside cinder block (reaches 48 mm of a 60 mm barrier)
Penetration depth
48 mm (1.9″)
Impact velocity
360 m/s (1181 fps)
Muzzle energy
518 J (382 ft-lb)
Bullet behaviour
Intact

Fired at the muzzle, a representative 9mm Luger load (8 g, FMJ, 360 m/s) reaches roughly 48 mm (1.9 inches) into cinder block. It loses its energy before defeating a typical barrier of this material.

About Cinder Block

A hollow concrete block presents ~50–60 mm of actual material across its face shells.

9mm Luger against other materials

MaterialDepth (mm)Depth (in)
Red Brick70 mm2.7″
Concrete38 mm1.5″
Tempered Glass16 mm0.6″
Steel A363 mm0.1″
Steel AR5001 mm0.0″
Run your own numbers in the calculator →

Related