Cast Iron Pans: Bulletproof Barrier Or Myth?

You might have seen it in the movies: the hero ducks into the kitchen and grabs a cast-iron skillet to protect themselves from an incoming bullet. But does it work? The short answer is no. While a solid wood door or a full bookshelf might stop a bullet, a cast-iron pan won't. So, if you're ever in a situation where you need to take cover, keep running past the kitchen.

Cast-iron skillets won't stop bullets

You might have seen it in the movies: someone ducks behind a cast-iron skillet when shots are fired. But don't be fooled—a cast-iron skillet won't save you from a bullet.

While it's true that some household items can stop a bullet, a cast-iron skillet is not one of them. To understand why, we need to consider the type of bullet we're talking about. Rifle rounds, for example, travel with enough velocity to penetrate virtually anything you might put between you and them, including many "bullet-proof" vests. Fortunately, rifles are rarely used in crimes.

So, let's consider a more realistic scenario: you're facing an attacker with a common 9mm pistol. In this case, a solid wood door or a full bookshelf could provide some protection. But a cast-iron skillet? Not so much.

To put it to the test, ballistics experts have fired 124-grain 9mm full-metal-jacket ammunition at a cast-iron skillet from a distance of six feet. The result? The skillet didn't stand a chance. So, if you're ever faced with an unfortunate situation involving gunfire, remember that a cast-iron skillet won't provide the protection you need.

Rifles can penetrate most things

Rifles are designed to fire rounds at a higher velocity and energy than handguns. Rifle rounds are also more aerodynamic and can maintain their speed over longer distances. This increased velocity and energy give them a higher chance of overcoming the armour's resistance, leading to potential penetration.

The level of body armour corresponds to the type of ammunition it can resist. Body armour designed to protect against high-velocity rifle rounds must be constructed with materials capable of absorbing and dispersing the increased energy. Lower-level body armour is typically made of layered synthetic fibres, which are designed to slow down and capture bullets. In contrast, higher-level armour often incorporates ceramic or metal plates that can help to shatter or deflect incoming rounds.

While rifles can penetrate most things, they are seldom used in crimes and are usually not the weapon of choice for intruders.

Hiding places in your home

While it may be tempting to reach for your cast-iron skillet in the face of danger, it is important to know that it won't stop a bullet. So, where can you hide in your home if you need to?

Firstly, it's important to understand that bullets can easily penetrate walls, especially if they are made of drywall. They can also go through most furniture, as there is not much substance to it. A refrigerator, for example, won't provide much protection. However, a solid wood door can be a safer option than sliding closet doors. If you can, try to hide behind a large, heavy object, such as a paper-filled filing cabinet or a full bookshelf, as these might provide some protection.

If you have time, running to the bathroom and getting into the bathtub, especially if it's made of steel or cast iron, could be a good idea. The tub might offer some protection, and you will be out of the line of fire. If you can't get to the bathroom, a 14-pound box of kitty litter from the laundry room could be your next best option. Hold it so the bullet has to travel a longer distance to hit you.

It's important to remember that these are not guaranteed solutions and that the best course of action in a dangerous situation is to remove yourself from harm's way if possible. These hiding places and objects may provide some level of protection, but they are not bulletproof.

Items that can stop bullets

It is important to note that few materials provide complete protection against all types of bullets. However, here is a list of items that can increase your chances of stopping a bullet:

Household Items

• A paper-filled filing cabinet or a full bookshelf
• A solid wood door
• A steel or cast-iron bathtub
• A 14-pound box of kitty litter (held so the bullet travels the long way through)
• A stack of magazines (approximately 2,700 pages, or 3 inches thick)

Bullet-Resistant Materials

• Kevlar
• UHMWPE
• Lexan
• Carbon fiber composite materials
• Steel or titanium

While cast-iron skillets are often portrayed as bulletproof in movies, they will not stop a bullet in real life.

Bullets ricochet

Ricochets are influenced by various factors, including bullet shape, material, spin, velocity, target material, and angle of incidence. High-velocity rifle cartridges have a higher probability of penetration, while low-velocity rifle cartridges and handgun cartridges are more likely to ricochet. Bullets with higher sectional density, such as elongated, spin-stabilized bullets, have a greater ability to penetrate resistant surfaces. However, dense materials, such as concrete, rock, or steel, are more likely to cause ricochets. Uniformly soft and flexible materials like sand have a lower incidence of ricochet. Interestingly, bullets can easily ricochet off water, similar to skipping stones.

The angle of departure after a ricochet is challenging to predict due to the many variables involved, including the deformation of the bullet upon impact. The probability of ricochet is highest when the surface is approximately parallel to the bullet's path, and grazing ricochets typically depart at a smaller angle than the angle of incidence. As the axis of bullet movement becomes more perpendicular to the target surface, the likelihood of penetration increases, but the bullet may also ricochet more than once within a crater formed on the surface.

In some cases, ricochets can be deadly. For example, a police bullet ricocheting during a tactical operation in 2014 resulted in the death of a hostage. Additionally, ricocheting bullets at shooting ranges, caused by poorly positioned targets or inadequate surface angle and velocity considerations, have been reported.

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