{"id":11138,"date":"2022-09-26T01:30:56","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T01:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/?p=11138"},"modified":"2023-06-16T10:31:13","modified_gmt":"2023-06-16T10:31:13","slug":"mythbusting-shooting-a-deadbolt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wideners.com\/blog\/mythbusting-shooting-a-deadbolt\/","title":{"rendered":"Mythbusting: Shooting A Deadbolt"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guest Writer: Kenzie Fitzpatrick<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

We never get tired of watching movies, but we often watch scenes play out that aren’t realistic. Their approach is believable, but the way they go about solving problems defies logic, engineering, and sometimes physics<\/a>. Take deadbolt locks as an example. When a character shoots a deadbolt lock, it disintegrates and the door busts wide open. It looks good on screen, but what happens when you shoot a deadbolt in real life?<\/span><\/p>\n

That’s the question we set out to answer with this project: Whether the action we’re presented with on the big screen has any authenticity to it. We wanted to find out what really happens when you shoot a deadbolt with <\/span>various calibers to see if Hollywood did their homework.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Testing Goals<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"a

For our testing, we decided to stick with common calibers, 9mm, 5.56, and 12-Gauge 00 buckshot.<\/p><\/div>\n

We\u2019ve seen pistols, shotguns, and even rifles used in shooting a deadbolt from doors in movies and on TV. So that’s where we decided to start. We built a sturdy frame out of 4×4 lumber and cemented the posts 24″ into the ground. The 4×4 posts were leveled as well as the door frame to give the project the best chance of success. We experimented with shooting the deadbolts on two different types of doors, with four different guns. Looking to see if, in true Hollywood style, the locks failed and the doors swung open or not.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While doing research for the project, we also found internet stories of kids shooting deadbolt locks with pellet guns. In some instances, it was just bored kids causing mischief.\u00a0 However, one published account reported that a group of teens burglarized several upscale homes. These teens gained access by shooting deadbolt locks with a pellet gun. Although that sounded farfetched, we were nonetheless curious. So we decided to include the pellet gun in our test.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is the shooting deadbolts open in movies purely movie magic? Or is there a real-world transfer of energy that can make this happen? In considering guns you must account for the size, grain weight, and velocity of the bullet. Additionally, when including the shotgun, we had to factor in the number and size of the projectiles. For our testing purposes, we decided to go with the most common options found on the civilian market. You’ll find our selections listed in the section below.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shooting A Deadbolt: Testing Procedures<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"a

Ladies and gentlemen, the doors: A 65-Lbs steel door with fiberglass interior (left), and a 15o-Lbs solid wood door (right).<\/p><\/div>\n

For testing, we chose the most common calibers most Americans own and use. Also, these are most commonly portrayed the most in movies and TV shows. We used a .177 pellet gun, a 9mm pistol, a rifle chambered in 5.56, and a 12 gauge shotgun. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ammunition Used For Our Testing:<\/strong><\/p>\n