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Close Focus Research (CFR) “Design-To” Ballistic Standards
The following two CFR “Design-To” Ballistic Standards are maximum threshold guidelines.
“A product which meets or exceeds the CFR “Design-To” Ballistic Standards will pass all 10 International Ballistic Specifications.”
(1) Close Focus Research (CFR) “Pass All” Ballistic Standard - CFR-PA-01 through CFR-PA-14
(2) Close Focus Research (CFR) “SYA” Ballistic Standard - CFR-SYA-01 through CFR-SYA-14
Note: These “Design-To” standards are not official Ballistic Testing Standards, but instead, are design threshold guidelines for use in the development of Ballistic Resistant products.
Introduction
If you are familiar with all 12 of the International Small Arms Ballistic Standards, you can see that most of them are basically the same with the exception of the MIL-SAMIT Military Standard and the Brunswick V50 Standard. The main difference between the these standards are the bullet types, velocity ranges, and witness plates used to determine the spall characteristics of the test sample. In our experience we have found that problems can occur if a product was designed for a particular standard and later on in time needs to be re-qualified to another similar standard.
For example, if an armored window was designed to meet the National Institute of Justice NIJ Level III standard, it would most likely fail the Underwriters Laboratory UL 752 Level 8 standard because the UL 752 Level 8 standard is slightly more severe than the NIJ Level III standard. See the following standard comparison:
   National Institute of Justice NIJ Level III standard:
   • 7.62 NATO; velocity / pattern parameters = 2,700 to 2,800 ft/sec; 5 shots >2 inch spacing
   Underwriters Laboratory UL 752 Level 8 standard:
   • 7.62 NATO; velocity / pattern parameters = 2,750 to 3,025 ft/sec ; 5 shots in a 4.5 inch square
Also, the NIJ standard calls for a 0.020 inch type 2024-T3 or T4 Aluminum foil alloy witness plate and the UL 752 standard calls for a 0.125 inch thick corrugated cardboard witness plate to measure the spall characteristics.
This problem also arises with other caliber specifications within these International Small Arms Ballistic Standards.
To solve this problem, we at Close focus Research have developed two new “Design-To” Ballistic Standards. The first standard, called the CFR Pass All Ballistic Standard, is a standard based on the “Most Severe Specifications” found within the 10 International Small Arms Ballistic Standards. A product which can pass this “Pass All” Ballistic Standard will also pass all 10 International Small Arms Ballistic Standards. The second standard, called the CFR SYA Ballistic Standard is a standard based on a real world condition that an assailant could try to penetrate an armored product using a fully automatic or semi-automatic weapon by shooting it multiple time within the same area. A product which can pass this CFR SYA Ballistic Standard will definitely pass all 10 International Small Arms Ballistic Standards with a huge margin of safety.
To help you understand how we derived these two new Close Focus Research Ballistic Standards, refer to the last table and the associated chart on this page labeled “Most Severe Ballistic Specifications within the 10 International Small Arms Ballistic Standards”.

Close Focus Research (CFR) “Pass All” Ballistic Standard
A product that can pass this “Pass All” Ballistic Standard will also pass all 10 International Small Arms Ballistic Standards for each threat category defined below. This CFR Ballistic Standard was developed based on the “Most Severe Specifications” found within the 10 International Small Arms Ballistic Standards.
CFR Pass All Standards
Version 2.04.18.2005
Standard
Threat
Bullet Weight (grains)
Bullet Type
Velocity Range (ft/sec)
# of shots
Shot Spacing (in.)
Shot Pattern
CFR-PA-01
.22 caliber Long Rifle
40
Lead
1,010 to 1,210
5
3.5
5 in. square
CFR-PA-02
9 mm Parabellum Handgun
124
FMJ
1,175 to 1,400
5
3.5
5 in. square
CFR-PA-03
9 mm Parabellum High Velocity SMG
124
FMJ
1,400 to 1,550
5
3.0
4.3 in. square
CFR-PA-04
.357 Magnum
158
JSP
1,350 to 1,450
5
3.5
5 in. square
CFR-PA-05
.44 Magnum
240
JSP
1,500 to 1,600
5
3.5
5 in. square
CFR-PA-06
.223 caliber 5.56 NATO M193
55
FMJ
3,080 to 3,390
5
3.0
4.3 in. square
CFR-PA-07
.223 caliber 5.56 NATO M855 / SS109 AP
62
FMJ AP
3,015 to 3,115
5
3.0
4.3 in. square
CFR-PA-08
7.62 NATO M80
147
FMJ
2,750 to 3,025
5
3.0
4.3 in. square
CFR-PA-09
7.62 NATO M61 Armor Piercing
150
FMJ AP
2,700 to 2,800
5
3.0
4.3 in. square
CFR-PA-10
.30 caliber 30-06 M2
150
FMJ
2,750 to 3,025
5
3.0
4.3 in. square
CFR-PA-11
.30 caliber 30-06 M2AP Armor Piercing
166
FMJ AP
2,800 to 2,900
5
3.0
4.3 in. square
CFR-PA-12
12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. #7.5 Shot
493
#7.5 Shot
1,290 to 1,360
5
3.5
5 in. square
CFR-PA-13
12 Gauge 3.0 in. Magnum # 00 Buck
808
#00 Buck
1,275 to 1,375
5
3.0
4.3 in. square
CFR-PA-14
12 Gauge Slug
438
Slug
1,585 to 1,750
5
3.0
4.3 in. square
Witness Plate: 0.001 in. thick Aluminum foil mounted 6 inches behind the test sample

Close Focus Research (CFR) “SYA” Ballistic Standard
This CFR SYA Ballistic Standard is the most severe Small Arms Ballistic Standard. It is very similar to the “CFR Pass All” standard except that the number of shots have been increased to 16, the shot spacing has been reduced to 2.0 inches, and the Shot Pattern is over a 6 inch square . We at CFR developed this standard based on a real world condition that an assailant could try to penetrate an armored product using a fully automatic or semi-automatic weapon by shooting it multiple time within the same area.
In a typical situation where an assailant would attempt to defeat an armored product by shooting multiple times within the same area staring with a full 20 or 30 round magazine at a distance of 20 feet, the average impact shot density would be about 10 to 16 shots within a 6 inch square area. Using the upper limit of 16 shots impacting within this 6 inch square area, this would results in an average bullet spacing of approximately 2 inches. Keep in mind if the weapon was fired fully automatic, the shot density will be significantly less, meaning greater bullet spacing. If the assailant took his time and the weapon was fired semi-automatically, then the shot density could be higher, meaning a smaller bullet spacing.
To summarize, the SYA Ballistic Standard was developed based on a situation where an assailant would fire 20 to 30 rounds at rate of 1 to 15 rounds / second from 20 feet. The resulting average impact shot density would be 10 to 16 shots within a 6 x 6 inch area. Based in these results, the SYA Ballistic Standard is defined using the upper limit of 16 shots within a 6 inch square area.
Since most pistols are limited to 15 rounds per magazine; most revolvers are limited to 6 or 7 rounds; and most assault rifles are limited to 20 to 30 rounds per magazine, then a Ballistic Resistant product designed to pass this SYA Ballistic Standard would defeat most rapid fire mode situations.
By the way, if a Ballistic Resistant product was designed to pass this SYA standard, it will definitely pass all 10 International Small Arms Ballistic Standards with a good margin of safety.
CFR SYA Standards
Version 2.04.18.2005
Standard
Threat
Bullet Weight (grains)
Bullet Type
Velocity Range (ft/sec)
# of shots
Shot Spacing (in.)
Shot Pattern
CFR-SYA-01
.22 caliber Long Rifle
40
Lead
1,010 to 1,210
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-02
9 mm Parabellum Handgun
124
FMJ
1,175 to 1,400
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-03
9 mm Parabellum High Velocity SMG
124
FMJ
1,400 to 1,550
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-04
.357 Magnum
158
JSP
1,350 to 1,450
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-05
.44 Magnum
240
JSP
1,500 to 1,600
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-06
.223 caliber 5.56 NATO M193
55
FMJ
3,080 to 3,390
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-07
.223 caliber 5.56 NATO M855 / SS109 AP
62
FMJ AP
3,015 to 3,115
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-08
7.62 NATO M80
147
FMJ
2,750 to 3,025
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-09
7.62 NATO M61 Armor Piercing
150
FMJ AP
2,700 to 2,800
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-10
.30 caliber 30-06 M2
150
FMJ
2,750 to 3,025
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-11
.30 caliber 30-06 M2AP Armor Piercing
166
FMJ AP
2,800 to 2,900
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-12
12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. #7.5 Shot
493
#7.5 Shot
1,290 to 1,360
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-13
12 Gauge 3.0 in. Magnum # 00 Buck
808
#00 Buck
1,275 to 1,375
16
2.0
6 in. square
CFR-SYA-14
12 Gauge Slug
438
Slug
1,585 to 1,750
16
2.0
6 in. square
Witness Plate: 0.001 in. thick Aluminum foil mounted 6 inches behind the test sample

Most Severe Ballistic Specifications within the 10 International Small Arms Ballistic Standards
This following table is an extraction of the most severe ballistic specifications found within the 10 International Small Arms Ballistic Standards. This data was used in development of both the CFR Pass All and SYA “Design-To” Ballistic Standards.
Most Severe Ballistic Specifications
Ballistic Standard
Bullet Weight (grains)
Bullet Type
Velocity Range (ft/sec)
# of shots
Shot Spacing (in.)
Shot Pattern
.22 caliber Long Rifle
NIJ I Part 1 (.22 LR HV Lead)
40
Lead
1,010 to 1,090
5
4.24
>2 in. (4.24 in. on 12x12 in. sample)
.38 Special
NIJ I Part 2 (.38 Special RNL)
158
Lead
800 to 900
5
4.24
>2 in. (4.24 in. on 12x12 in. sample)
.38 Super
ASTM .38 Super (.38 Super FMJ)
130
FMJ
1,230 to 1,330
3
6.93
8 in. Ø circle 120 ° apart
9 mm Parabellum
NIJ II Part 1 (9 mm Parabellum FMJ)
124
FMJ
1,135 to 1,215
5
4.24
>2 in. (4.24 in. on 12x12 in. sample)
UL Level 1 Part 1 (9 mm Parabellum FMJ)
124
FMJ
1,175 to 1,293
3
4.5
4.5 in. triangle
UL Level 1 Part 2 (9 mm Parabellum FMJ)
124
FMJ
1,175 to 1,293
2
1.5
1.25 to 1.75 in.
9 mm Parabellum High Velocity SMG
UL Level 6 (9 mm Parabellum FMJ)
124
FMJ
1,400 to 1,540
5
3.18
4.5 in. square
EN BR2 (9 mm Parabellum 124 gr FSJ RNSC)
124
FSJ
1,280 to 1,345
3
4.7
4.3 to 5.1 in. triangle
.357 Magnum
NIJ II Part 2 (.357 Magnum JSP)
158
JSP
1,345 to 1,445
5
4.24
>2 in. (4.24 in. on 12x12 in. sample)
UL Level 2 Part 2 (.357 Magnum JSP)
158
JSP
1,250 to 1,375
2
1.5
1.25 to 1.75 in.
.44 Magnum
BSI G2 (.44 Magnum JSP)
240
JSP
1,496 to 1,594
3
3.93
3.93 in. triangle in a 7.87 in. square
EN BR4 (.44 Magnum 240 gr FCJ Flat Nose Soft Core)
240
FMJ
1,411 to 1,476
3
4.7
4.3 to 5.1 in. triangle
.223 caliber 5.56 NATO M193
UL Level 7 (.223 cal. 5.56 NATO FMJ)
55
FMJ
3,080 to 3,388
5
3.18
4.5 in. square
.223 caliber 5.56 NATO M855 / SS109 Armor Piercing
BSI R1 (.223 cal. 5.56 NATO M855 / SS109)
63
FMJ AP
3,015 to 3,114
3
3.93
3.93 in. triangle in a 7.87 in. square
7.62 NATO M80
UL Level 8 (.30 cal. 7.62 NATO FMJ)
150
FMJ
2,750 to 3,025
5
3.18
4.5 in. square
AS R2 (.30 cal. 7.62 NATO M80)
147
FMJ
2,766 to 2,831
3
3.93
3.93 in. triangle in a 7.87 in. square
7.62 NATO M61 Armor Piercing
SD Rifle AP Part 1 (.30 cal. 7.62 NATO M61 AP)
150
FMJ AP
2,700 to 2,800
3
6.93
8 in. Ø circle 120 ° apart
EN BR7 (7.62 x 51 NATO 150 gr FCJ steel hard core)
150
FMJ AP
2,657 to 2,723
3
4.7
4.3 to 5.1 in. triangle
.30 caliber 30-06
UL Level 4 Part 1 (.30 cal. 30-06 JSP)
180
JSP
2,540 to 2,794
1
-
-
.30 caliber 30-06 M2AP Armor Piercing
SD Rifle AP Part 1 (.30 cal. 30-06 M2 AP)
165
FMJ AP
2,800 to 2,900
3
6.93
8 in. Ø circle 120 ° apart
12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. Shot
AS S0 (12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. Shot)
493
Shot
1,289 to 1,355
2
3.93
3.93 in. apart in a 7.87 in. square
12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. # 4 Buck
SD Minimum Part 2 (12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. # 4 Buck)
556
#4 Buck
1,275 to 1,375
1
-
-
12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. Mag. # 00 Buck
UL Level 6 thru 8 SG Part 2 (12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. Mag. # 00 Buck)
650
#00 Buck
1,200 to 1,320
5
3.18
4.5 in. square
UL Level 1 thru 3 SG Part 2B (12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. Mag. # 00 Buck)
650
#00 Buck
1,200 to 1,320
2
1.5
1.25 to 1.75 in.
12 Gauge 3.0 in. Mag. # 00 Buck
ASTM Shotgun (12 Gauge 3.0 in. Mag. # 00 Buck)
808
#00 Buck
1,265 to 1,365
3
6.93
8 in. Ø circle 120 ° apart
12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. Slug
UL Level 6 thru 8 SG Part 1 (12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. Slug)
437
Slug
1,585 to 1,744
5
3.18
4.5 in. square
UL Level 1 thru 3 SG Part 1B (12 Gauge 2 3/4 in. Slug)
437
Slug
1,585 to 1,744
2
1.5
1.25 to 1.75 in.
12 Gauge 478 gr Solid Lead Brenneke Slug
EN SG2 (12 Gauge 478 gr Solid Lead Brenneke Slug)
478
Slug
1,312 to 1,444
3
4.9
4.5 to 5.3 in. triangle
CFR Pass All Standards compared to the Most Severe Ballistic Specifications Standards
The following chart illustrates the CFR Pass All “Design-To” Standards compared to the Most Severe Ballistic Specifications within the 10 International Small Arms Ballistic Standards. Keep in mind that the CFR Standards call for 5 shots per test sample while all the other Standards call for 1, 2, 3, and 5 shots per test sample.