During the 90s, the Soviets developed the Altyn helmet. This visored titanium monster was rated to stop a 7.62×25 steel-core round from 26 feet away. The problems were that it wouldn’t stop 7.62×39 rifle fire, and it felt like strapping a small microwave oven to your skull. That means making your head bulletproof is technically possible—but it’s also miserable. So, the real solution is not to get hit there in the first place.
Well, the good news is that’s easier than it sounds.
The Headshot is a Statistically Rare Firearm Injury
When researchers look at firearm injury data, the head and neck together make up a small percentage of overall gunshot wounds—roughly one in six. The overwhelming majority of rounds end up where vests actually help: the chest, abdomen, and limbs.
That’s not comforting if you are hit in the head, but it is reality: the torso is the most statistically likely place a bullet will land. If you want to protect yourself where it matters most, start there.
Hitting a Human Head Under Stress is Hard
On the range, you’re calm, breathing steady, shooting at a stationary target that doesn’t scream or move, but scoring a headshot on a target at 25 yards with a 9mm pistol (statistically, the single deadliest firearm in the US, not the AR-15) would be quite the feat of accuracy. In real life, even trained shooters struggle. Under stress, police and soldiers in live-fire encounters average hit rates of only a few shots out of ten—often less.
Now add chaos, movement, adrenaline, poor lighting, and fear. Proper stance, breath control, and trigger pull go out the window. Suddenly, that small, constantly-bobbing head becomes a statistical improbability. The only people who make clean headshots under duress are highly trained professionals or movie characters.
Say Goodbye to Fine Motor Skills During a Gunfight
When the fight-or-flight response kicks in, heart rate spikes, vision tunnels, and fine motor control disappears. Trigger discipline and sight alignment collapse into reflexive jerking and flinching. Even experienced shooters can’t perform delicate aiming when their body thinks “everything must happen right now, at this very moment.”
If you want proof, go to a range, set up a Texas Star target, and try hitting all five moving plates in a row—then imagine trying that while being shot at. You’ll realize how wildly optimistic “shooting someone in the head” really is.
In Summary:
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Don’t be a stationary billboard. Move. Duck. Run.
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Cover beats confidence every time. A concrete wall outperforms even the finest helmet.
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Avoid predictable behavior that keeps you in the open.
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Wear armor where it counts—the torso. The BulletSafe VP4 Concealable Vest stops the handgun rounds you’re actually likely to face, covering your heart, lungs, and everything else you need to stay alive.
Final Reality Check
If someone really is good enough to pull off a deliberate, on-the-move headshot, you’re not in a typical encounter with a common criminal. You have somehow made an enemy of a trained and proficient marksman. For everyone else, the odds of taking a bullet to the skull are low, especially if you move, find cover, and protect your torso with reliable armor.
In other words, stop worrying about the one-in-a-million shot. Worry about the far more common one-to-the-chest, and wear your VP4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Soviet Altyn helmet really stop bullets?
Yes, the Altyn helmet was designed to stop 7.62×25mm steel-core pistol rounds from close range, but it couldn’t stop higher-powered rifle rounds like the 7.62×39mm. It was also extremely heavy and uncomfortable, making it impractical for most soldiers to wear for long periods.
How common are headshots in real gunfights?
Head and neck wounds make up only about one in six firearm injuries. The majority of bullets hit the torso, which is why body armor is far more effective and practical protection than helmets.
Why are headshots so hard to make under stress?
During high-stress situations, fine motor control and precision go out the window. Adrenaline causes trembling, tunnel vision, and poor trigger control, making headshots extremely difficult even for trained shooters.
What’s the best way to protect yourself during a shooting?
Movement and cover are your best defenses. Don’t stay still, avoid open areas, and always seek cover behind solid barriers. For personal protection, wearing a reliable ballistic vest such as the BulletSafe VP4 Concealable Vest offers the best defense against the most common handgun threats.
Should I focus on protecting my head or my torso?
Your torso is statistically the most likely area to be hit, so protecting it with quality soft armor is far more effective than investing in heavy headgear. Focus on mobility, awareness, and torso protection for real-world defense.