The firearms community recently has been buzzing with discussion about G2 Research’s new 9mm round marketed for self defense: R.I.P. Ammo.
Even before getting the round to the range, the R.I.P. projectile makes quite a first impression. This lead-free hollow point is made completely of copper. Each projectile is precisely CNC machined to get its fierce-looking cuspidated rim. The 96 grain bullet is designed so that, on impact, each of its eight points separates from tip to base, petalling within the wound channel. Petalling projectiles isn’t a new idea, but the R.I.P. round takes it to a new level. As you can imagine from self-defense ammo that requires CNC machining, R.I.P. 9mm isn’t cheap I’ve seen it selling for about $45 for a box of 20. Even so, it has been selling out at stores since its release.
According to their website, one of G2 Research’s goals with this ammunition was to engineer different projectile behavior through varying substances. The end result is that when the R.I.P. bullet travels through a [largely] fluid substance, such as within the body cavity, the “petals” fragment, breaking from the original projectile, creating additional, smaller wound channels. In this situation, each petal’s trocar, that is, three-sided or triangular, tip is geometrically optimized to move through gel or liquid (with little resistance), allowing the petals to travel away from the path of entrance at nearly 180Âș. Both the angle of travel, and the reduced friction of the projectile shape serve to enlarge the potential injury size, maximizing damage.
This same projectile, however, behaves differently through more solid mediums. G2 Research likens the R.I.P. round’s function when shot through plywood to that of a hole saw. The sharp tip drives through the wood, and the hollow fills with the material. The more solid projectile conserves more energy passing through the plywood than would a standard hollow-tipped projectile. However, this has given rise to some concerns of over-penetration, especially for those considering the R.I.P. ammo for home defense. Richard Ryan captured slow motion footage of just that scenario. If you haven’t already, check out the above video to watch his ballistics gel tests.
What do you think of the new R.I.P. round?
Featured image is a still from ratedrr’s video RIP Ammunition – High Speed Slow Motion Tests. To see more of Richard Ryan’s R.I.P. Ammo vids, click here.
By Gut Shot pistol, I am referring to when Gentlemen and ladies back in the day carried Vest Pocket pistols, Derringers, and derringer clones. Like in the early 1900s, a .25 Auto Browning Pocket pistol would be carried in the vest pocket of a gentleman’s waistcoat, and if robbed or insulted he would empty it into the aggressor’s abdomen. (that is where the phrase (A .22 or .25 is most likely to kill you….tomorrow). It was a painful and agonizing way to go. It was a popular technique and fashion in Europe in the Early 1900s as well, with the .25 and .32 ACP pistols becoming as common as a pocket watch. Off topic, I still really want a Beretta 950 BS. đ A Man should have a nice wallet, pocket watch, Pocket pistol, and a pocket knife. I’m missing the pocket pistol. đ Of course the pistol would be a backup to my backup. I just want to have that connection to my ancestor’s. My Grandpa carried a Beretta tip up .25 in his back pocket till the day he died, my Grandma still bears a projectile in her bicep from an incident involving him trying to shoot his broken leg. Â Sorry about getting off-topic, I had to go with it…Retrograde and all. đ
Fiero11 FateofDestineepeter3101Is that the shotgun round that Tom was trying to sell…err, I mean review about a month ago on Weapons Education?
Fiero11 FateofDestineepeter3101I see Peter (below) posted a link to Toms vid about that round. I could have sworn this was a shotgun round when Tom first presented it. Hmmm…Guess I wasn’t paying enough attention.
JoeFabeetz Fiero11FateofDestineepeter3101 You might be right that it was primarily a shotgun round, but things always have a way of progressing into other caliber development if successful.
The idea is excellent, but I’d like to see how it performs passing through bones and/or winter clothes. My fear is that the bullet either fills with material (fabric/bone tissue) and does’t open, or the 8 points separate in the clothes/bones and lose there all their energy. Another concern is feeding reliability, with that serrated edge…
In the end, we going to comeback to our old fashion bullet designs and this bullet will end as a fairy tale.
your better off with mag safe bullets. this round i would like to see tested on a side of beef, with denim clothing and a jacket. i bet it would break apart before it enters the flesh, or just clog up. one ass hole was selling a box for $75.00 on gun brokers and some fool bought it. Â big gimic. your better off with a pre fragmented copper jacket hollow point+p+.
I think it is a crappy round. The trocars hardly penetrate 4-6 of ballistic gel… I’ll give it to their marketing department!!! Anyone would be better served by a real round like Federal HST, Gold Dot, PDX1, etc…
another 21st century bullet. your better off with “mag Safe” ammo. it has steel shot and is in a copper jacket filled with Aircraft epoxy. they won’t clog up with clothing and do the same thing the rip does. sell only 6 rounds, but cheaper than the price for 20 of the RIP. I would like to see a test on a side of beef (not frozen) with denim clothing , or a jacket . i bet it will clog up. my opion. BIG HYPE!!
IMHO – I think buying a good quality JHP ammo and training with it is the best solution. I concede that some of these specialty/boutique brands do indeed have better terminal performance. But their high price and limited availability make it expensive and difficult to become proficient in their use. A case in point is the 9MM RIP (Rest in Piece) round. The average retail price is $45.00 per 20. As someone pointed out, that is $225.00 per 100 rounds. Checking on the Internet, I found a 500 round box of Remington 9mm 115 grain JHP for $211.00 inclusive of shipping. That is roughly a 5 to 1 price difference. An additional bonus of purchasing the Remington Ammo is that I will also have enough pocket change to order an overpriced cappuccino at Starbucks. In closing,