AFTE Store - Comparison of 500 Solid Copper Bullets and an Analysis of their Influence on the Individual Rifling Characteristics of Firearms

This study examines whether 500 solid copper bullets fired through three different 9mm pistols would have a significant
effect on the individual rifling characteristics of the barrel. This study was conducted on the barrels in a Glock Model 17, a Beretta Model M9, and a Taurus Model PT 92 AF. After comparison and evaluation, bullets and barrel casts reveal the bullets do not engage with the grooves of each barrel. Furthermore, analysis of the land impressions shows striations and other individual rifling characteristics deteriorate or disappear completely, while others appear over the course of firing the 500 copper bullets. Finally, regarding the influence of the bullet wear on the individual rifling characteristics, the striations of each firearm barrel were permanently changed to the point where bullet identification of early shots to final shots was no longer possible.