Will a .380 ACP Penetrate Drywall (Gypsum)?

Yes — defeats a 13 mm drywall (gypsum) barrier
Penetration depth
257 mm (10.1″)
Impact velocity
290 m/s (951 fps)
Muzzle energy
261 J (192 ft-lb)
Bullet behaviour
Intact

Fired at the muzzle, a representative .380 ACP load (6.2 g, FMJ, 290 m/s) reaches roughly 257 mm (10.1 inches) into drywall (gypsum). That is enough to defeat a typical barrier of this material — treat anything behind it as exposed.

About Drywall (Gypsum)

One sheet of interior drywall is ~13 mm; a wall is two sheets and a gap.

.380 ACP against other materials

MaterialDepth (mm)Depth (in)
Red Brick38 mm1.5″
Concrete20 mm0.8″
Tempered Glass8 mm0.3″
Steel A361 mm0.0″
Steel AR5001 mm0.0″
See exactly what .380 ACP does to Drywall (Gypsum) — open in the calculator →

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