Looks like the scumbags are upping their game:
The world’s deadliest drug cartels have taken the concept of monster trucks to a terrifying level by retrofitting popular pickups with armour, battering rams, and machine gun turrets.
These heavily armed vehicles are used in pitched gun battles between cartels and the police or rival groups. They are known as “monstruos,” “rinocerontes,” or “narcotanques.” The cartels aim to demonstrate their dominance and intimidate their adversaries.
And a pic:
Now we all know that is precisely the kind of diet that the venerable .50 BMG cartridge is designed for (seen here next to a .30-06 Springfield, for comparison):
And of course, one wonders if the federales have a few of these things lying around:
(I know that the Barrett rifles are undoubtedly effective, but man, they look like nothing other than industrial machinery.)
I don’t know how thick that armor plating is; but I have some of that steel-core Austrian mil-surp Hirtenberg 6.5x55mm lying around, have seen its bullet go clear through both sides of a car — don’t ask — and I’m awfully curious to see how well it would work against one of these narcotanques.
Purely out of intellectual curiosity, of course.
That looks like it might stop handgun rounds, but I’ve seen SS109/M855 punch through 3/8″ plate at 100 yards.
+1. I was struck by how much the holes resembled those made by German 88’s in allied tank hulls. Long ago I got a deal on some 30 caliber projectiles with black tips. Curious here as well.
I think that could be stopped by a piece of 1×6 with nails protruding through it. pointy ends up of course.
You’re right about the Barrett but it fits in with the Ma Deuce look of all about work.
JQ
Just plant some mines on their roads…or IED’s.
I’ve read that the cartels have Barrett’s and that they have worked deals to acquire crew served weapons. Remember that a couple years ago the son of a cartel honcho was arrested but the Federales didn’t have the firepower to hold him.
So far, according to Mr. Biden anyway, the cartels pose no threat to us Norteamericanos because they don’t have F-15’s.
Mister biden is observant and wise beyond his years.
The prudent would be advised to heed his warnings…
A Carl Gustav or Javelin missile would go through those like a hot knife through butter.
A barrage of Molotov cocktails?
Oops, nope, gas is too expensive. A Javelin at $80K is probably cheaper.
A small round would be enough to disable the entire thing by deflating the tyres………