Benchmark and Safety Margin Failure Test Plans

Benchmark Testing - Multi-Caliber
The Benchmark Testing plans are used to find out where your product currently stands in terms of ballistic resistance and performance.
If you are in the design phase of a new product which may require multiple ballistic testing trials to refine your parameters, then we can offer you a cost effective Benchmark Testing plan. For instance: If you are developing a new ballistic resistant product, but do not exactly know what threat level your product will defeat, then we can perform multi-caliber Benchmark Testing for you to determine the threat level range at a significant cost savings. When you are satisfied with the design and ballistic test results, you can then proceed for final Ballistic Standard testing.
CFR is currently offering the following two Benchmark Testing Plans. You may either choose to use the standard plans below or create a custom plan that will suit your needs. If you have any questions or need a custom Benchmark Testing Plan, please contact us.
Benchmark Testing Plans
Handgun Caliber Benchmark Testing Plan
9 mm parabellum (124 grain FMJ)
.357 Magnum (158 grain JSP)
.44 Magnum (240 grain JSP)
Rifle Caliber Benchmark Testing Plan
5.56 x 45 mm NATO (M193 55 grain FMJ)
7.62 x 51 mm NATO (M80 147 grain FMJ)
.30 Caliber (.30-06 M2 150 grain FMJ)
Test Parameters
Test with 3 handgun or rifle calibers
Tests performed on 3 test samples
Specimen size(s): minimum of 12 x 12 inch
Shot pattern: 3 shots within a 4 inch triangle pattern for each caliber (3 individual 3 shot / 4 inch triangle patterns)
Impact Angle (degrees): 0º
Witness plates: Either cardboard or Aluminum sheets (your choice) placed behind the test specimen to determine the spall characteristics of the sample.
Pricing
Description
3 Samples
Handgun or Rifle (no witness plates)
$ 678
Handgun or Rifle (witness plates)
$ 746
Refer to our Ballistic Standard Price List for additional options.

Safety Margin and Failure Testing
The Safety Margin and Failure Testing plans are provided for those who would like to know the actual failure point of their products. The information gathered can be used for determination of a Safety Margin or for marketing / advertising purposes.
Due to the competitive market of providing ballistic protection, companies are always trying to minimize both the weight and thickness of their products while keeping the costs to a minimum. Due to the nature of this business, almost all ballistic resistant products are designed to pass a single Ballistic Standard. In this case, this would mean passing either a 1, 2, 3, or 5 shot test. Therefore, most companies selling these products do not actually know if their products are over-designed or where their products stand in terms of actual failure.
If you would like to know if your products are either over-designed or to obtain additional marketing information for your customers, then consider our Safety Margin and Failure Testing plans.
How it works
We will test your product by shooting your samples with multiple repeated shots within the defined area and pattern until it fails by complete penetration. The number of rounds it took to fail the product will be recorded. We can perform the tests using any Ballistic Standard Parameters you choose.
Pricing
Caliber
1 Sample
2 Samples
3 Samples
Handgun
$ 386
$ 655
$ 924
Rifle
$ 400
$ 669
$ 938
These plans include your choice of caliber, shot spacing, and pattern. You can also choose to have a witness plate if desired. Witness plate options are: 0.125 inch thick corrugated cardboard, 0.020 inch thick 2024-T3 or T4 Aluminum foil alloy, #20 or #30 paper, or a spall catch box.
If your samples require more than 40 rounds to cause failure, then a nominal charge will be added to the stated prices. For .50 caliber, Armor Piercing, or special ammunition requests, please contact us for a quote.
Refer to our Ballistic Standard Price List for additional options.