One of the things I enjoy most is a good firearms range test. There is nothing like shooting an object to see if it will penetrate or testing a certain type ammunition to measure the results. I typically use regular, everyday items. I have shot everything from motorcycle helmets to a commercial grade refrigerator door to test what round will penetrate that particular object.
A range test that I’ve wanted to do was to see if I could shoot an attacker from the driver’s seat of a car or truck door. Tests that I have done in the past have taught me that a car door is a terrible barrier for a flying bullet. I laugh at Hollywood movies where shooters open the car door and use it as cover as they shoot at other people. Anyone with the least degree of experience will know that the person behind the door is almost as vulnerable as having no car door at all. The bottom line is, a car or truck door should never be used as cover.
Back to the original question. Is it possible for a driver to hit their attacker by shooting through the car or truck door? Before I go any further, it is important to note, this range test is not firearm or self defense training. I have attended several defensive training classes and never once did an instructor advise the students to shoot from the inside of a car door. I clearly stated this in the video. This is nothing more than a range test to see if I could actually hit the target.
I was able to get a hold of a 1999 Dodge truck driver’s side door. I then set up my silhouette target approximately two and a half feet away to perform this range test. My goal was to see if I could successfully hit the target from that distance. I realize the door wasn’t fully intact and that the window was removed; however, that didn’t matter for this test. I simply was interested in hitting the target.
Watch the video below and weigh in on the results. Be sure to let us know if you think you could hit the target in this situation.
