Self defense ammo for guns you don't plan to use for SD?

[Dave Lively]

I have a good supply of hollow point ammo in 9mm and 12 gauge buckshot. And a lot of 55 grain FMJ in 5.56 that would work fine for SD even though that is not what I bought it for. And enough range ammo for all my guns that I will be able to keep shooting throughout the current craziness.

But I sometimes find myself thinking I should get some sort 44 special HP ammo for my S&W 69 even though I have no intentions of either carrying the gun or using it for home defense. I do have a few small boxes of hardcast 44 in both Special and magnum power levels as well as some full power 44 magnum hollow points in case I want to carry it in the woods. No rational reason to buy any $1.25/round 44 Special HP ammo for it but I finding myself thinking having a box or two lying around would not be a bad idea.

Anyone else have this odd desire to buy ammo like this? Its like I am addicted to buying ammo, need a fix, and 44 Special is the only thing I can easily get right now.

[bigwheelzip]

Originally Posted by Dave Lively

Anyone else have this odd desire to buy ammo like this?

Absolutely, SD ammo for everything in the safe except .22LR.

[ContinentalOp]

Yup. My self defense guns are either 9mm or .38 Special. I don't use my 1911s for self defense, they're kept unloaded and locked up unless I'm cleaning/lubing them, maybe some occasional dry fire practice. Don't have any holsters for them. But I've got some 230gr HST on hand. I still need to function test them for reliability, but I've got them just in case they might be needed.

You know what's funny? Several months ago I was on the hunt for a .380 pocket pistol, but unfortunately unexpected expenses canceled my search. But it didn't stop me from picking up a few boxes of .380 ammo, both FMJ and JHP because I was so sure I was getting a .380 pistol. Still don't have one, but I've got the ammo if I ever do.

[ColbyBruce]

I certainly have handguns that are better suited for self defense than my S&W 650, but I do like to carry it fishing. I put four of these behind two CCI shot shells.

[jim lock]

I am not addicted to buying ammo.
Jim

[Pisgah]

Especially if the caliber begins with a "4", "self-defense ammo" can be anything I have on hand.

[NYlakesider]

I have a few WW2 military bolts. I make it a point to always have a couple boxes of ammo on the shelf. I seriously doubt I will shoot my Mosin, British Enfield or Mauser in anger.


With that said I also have a couple boxes of modern 32.40 for a made in 1898 model 94.

[stansdds]

Any ammo can be used for self-defense in an emergency. I'd rather have ball ammo on hand, generally regarded as a poor choice for self-defense and I agree on that, than to be waiting for more effective, expanding bullet ammo that is on backorder.

[mgriffin]

I typically carry my P365 or .38 J frame but just bought a 686. I don't plan on using the 686 for SD but I did buy some .357 Mag JHP. Who knows down the road.

[Borderboss]

I have a bunch of ammo for every gun I own, even if it wasn't intended for self defense. For the competition guns, that usually means FMJ or RN lead. But that wouldn't keep me from using them in a self defense situation if I needed to for some reason. Putting holes in the bad guy is the objective, and that ammo will do that.

[eharri3]

The bulk of my SD Ammo is 45, 9 amd 556/223 for my 4 HD guns. But for my M360 I keep a box or 2 of self defense 38 and 357 around, one speed loader with 38 hp in the safe and one with 357. The gun rarely goes out with me and is not in the HD rotation. At most I do occasional close range speed shooting with it

I would never use my 6 inch 629 for HD but I know there is at least a couple small boxes of 44 Mag hollow points in the closet and one of 44spl. My non HD guns do not stay loaded in the safe but I feel at least a little bit of HP should be available for every gun in the house for SHTF scenarios where you’re grabbing for things you never thought you’d have to.


Only thing I don’t bother with is this decades old 25 cal pocket pistol someone pushed my Mother in Law to buy for some reason years ago that she gave me to hold after never touching it. I will be shoving that aside to grab more 1911 mags from behind it in a large scale emergency scenario. It’s only still taking space in my safe because there hasn’t been a buy back that offers gift cards around here recently.

[Cal44]

You should go for it. But don't over pay. Eventually stock up when prices go down.

I bought several boxes of 200 gr Gold Dot 44 Magnum ammo a couple years back. Never intended 44 Mag for defence.

Speer subsequently discontinued them, but I'm glad they are in the back of the ammo cabinet.

[Sevens]

I hear your angle but from my perspective it only makes sense to me from a component bullet and handloading standpoint. That’s just economics, honestly. What I mean is that I carry 9mm daily and I choose, 100% of the time, to carry factory ammo.

And factory defense ammo is expensive and buying a bunch of factory ammo in different calibers that I don’t carry is not money I would spend.

However! Good JHP’s in other calibers is not freakishly expensive and I can roll a couple hundred rounds of anything for not any crazy money. Only need a box to properly craft and test them, maybe two boxes if it’s for a semiauto, to function test it well.

But to your thread topic? Sure, it makes good sense to me. But not for me.

[murphydog]

I have at least 2-4 boxes of ammo for every gun, even the obscure rounds. So if you want to follow that line of reasoning, and you wind up having to use the gun for a social situation, why not have a few defensive rounds around?

[HorizontalMike]

Originally Posted by murphydog

I have at least 2-4 boxes of ammo for every gun, even the obscure rounds. So if you want to follow that line of reasoning, and you wind up having to use the gun for a social situation, why not have a few defensive rounds around?

Me too! What size boxes?...

[Dave Lively]

Originally Posted by Cal44

You should go for it. But don't over pay. Eventually stock up when prices go down.

Sounds like a plan. I went to the sgammo website and they have Blazer ammo loaded with Gold Dots for $.90/round. I no longer reload so aluminum cases would be fine. But the minimum shipping charge pushes the cost up to the point where I would rather wait until I can order a box as part of a bigger order.

[THE PILGRIM]

I have 44 Mag and Special Ammo with Cast Bullets and some Jacketed Hollow Points.
Not my first choice for self defense, but I’ve got them if I need them!

[M1A]

I carry the 1911 and a spare mag with SD ammo. Since I have some Black Talons.
But, I don't care if it's SD or not. I have not found any ammo that I would want to play catch with. Including .38 S&W.
It's the size of the hole and where you put it.

[Linejudgemick]

I have some .357 JSP ammo that was purchased primarily for hunting purposes. While not ideal, I'm sure it could be pressed into service for self-defense if necessary. If I had a .44, that's probably what I'd get for it too.

[Dave Lively]

Originally Posted by THE PILGRIM

I have 44 Mag and Special Ammo with Cast Bullets and some Jacketed Hollow Points.

Nice thing about cast bullets is depending on the lube you can also use them to lay down a smoke screen

[Groo01]

Groo here
I try to have some sort of SD ammo [HP or flat point]
For all my centerfire guns...
The thing is, you never know when you might need to press one into service due to breakage ,loss , ammo shortage, or to give/trade to another.

[lkabug]

If you're going to have the gun nothing wrong with having different ammo to tag along.

[ContinentalOp]

Originally Posted by Cal44

You should go for it. But don't over pay. Eventually stock up when prices go down.

Agreed. Get some good defensive ammo if you can, but don't go broke doing so. As you said, these are guns that aren't part of your self defense plan, so it's a good idea to wait until prices improve (*fingers crossed*), or at least until you can find some at a reasonable price.

[Nevada Ed]

Sounds like a plan to me...........

and ANY ammo is a SD load if it hits the BG.

Have fun.

[Buford57]

Does M2 Ball for the Garand count?

[Kanewpadle]

Use what works for you. But have an open mind. To simply settle for what you perceive to be the best and adopting an attitude that nothing else could ever be better is stupid.

[Turn4811]

Not counting 22 I have JHP for every pistol caliber I have. Back when Cobb Armory went under I was able to buy a 50 lb keg of .356 124gr and .452 185gr Hydroshock JHP for slightly above the price of scrap lead. I still have about 2k of the 9mm and 1k of the 45 that have not been loaded.

I picked up 2k of 200gr 40/10mm JHP at an estate sale for $50. I have no idea who made it but it has a very large hole and I have got a load for it in the 10mm where it gets pushed at 1123fps downrange. I can push it faster but the load that has it at 1123 was very consistent and accurate. I have about 70 loaded and I am waiting on 1000 of Starline brass that is on order.

[Cal44]

Originally Posted by Buford57

Does M2 Ball for the Garand count?

Anything in a Garand counts.

[stansdds]

Originally Posted by Buford57

Does M2 Ball for the Garand count?

It worked well in WW II and Korea, I suppose it still works, don't think humans have evolved that much in less than 80 years.

[Krogen]

Interesting question, OP. I have factory, defense ammo for my two defensive pistols - A P220 and a P228. The ammo is shown to be reliable in my guns and I stick with it. My defensive rifle is an M4-gery loaded with M193. Should I ever need the rifle, that ammo should be OK. I don't subscribe to the use of exotic defense ammo and I stick to 3 defensive guns.

To get my ammo (and shooting) fix with other guns, I handload. I have little interest in keeping boutique ammo or high-cost defensive ammo for all my guns. Handloading allows me to mix 'n match components so I can stuff many cartridges with shared components.

Purchased ammo or completed handloads are essentially "allocated" and of course, specific to a given application. Handloading might be a way to get your "ammo fix" instead of buying ammo. It gives you flexibility during an ammo drought and something to do when you're avoiding the weather or otherwise stuck at home.

[Dave Lively]

Originally Posted by Krogen

Handloading might be a way to get your "ammo fix" instead of buying ammo. It gives you flexibility during an ammo drought and something to do when you're avoiding the weather or otherwise stuck at home.

I was an enthusiastic reloader from the late 80s until about 15 years ago. What was enjoyable hobby became more and more of a tedious chore to me. I kept the equipment around just in case some some unforeseen catastrophe persuaded me to start again. If 2020 didn't do it I hate to think what would. I gave all my open cans of powder to a friend that going to burn it off on his farm and plan to sell the equipment and remaining components on a local trading forum as soon as I get around to it.

I used to really enjoy reloading so I understand why so many reloaders think it is the solution for all ammo issues. But its not for everyone. I am a happier shooter since I started buying factory ammo in bulk.

[uncleted327]

I don't own any handguns that couldn't be put into a defensive role, so I stock ammo accordingly.

[Seamus O'Caiside]

It sounds like a lot of people have the same idea.

i have small stockpiles of plinking ammo in .22, .38S&W, .38spec, .357M, and .45ACP and I keep at least one box of jacketed HP in each caliber except .22. Even the little .38S&W can be a decent HD gun with Buffalo Bore's special high velocity HP which makes it equivalent to a light .38Spec.

I don't keep any HD ammo in 12, 20, and 28 gauge, but I figure at very short range even clay-bird ammo will do the job. Plus, with a few minutes advance notice, any plastic shotshell can easily be turned into a slug.

You never know what might happen. If you have the gun, why not have the ammo just in case?

[ruger 22]

Get the cheapest 44 Spl ammo you can find. Any will be fine for SD. I had a very good friend who has passed on and his carry gun for decades was a 1950 44 SPl cut to 4" in which he always carried the old 246 gr Winchester factory lead load. It was a ferocious man stopper and very easy to shoot. It was also low velocity so you won't have a penetration problem in your home.

[THE PILGRIM]

Speaking of Cheapie 44 - yet right - Got several 44 Special loads on hand, including Cowboy Loads which do smoke.
240 Grain Bullet at 761 FPS.

[geekeye]

another vote for having both practice ammo and hunting/SD ammo in every caliber i shoot. nothing wrong with having a backup plan for your backup plan.

[bigben55]

SD ammo for all my handguns. And I do have some 12ga buckshot. But I dont have specific self defense ammo for any of my rifles nor do I plan to buy any.

[heeter3]

All my revolvers use .38 special so my cjoice is easy.

[Univibe]

Nah.

I have no self-defense ammo for my .38, .357 or .44 mag revolvers. Can't imagine any scenario in which I'd rely on one of them for self-protection.

For ARs, M193 works as well as any for self-defense.

For shotguns, although I don't rely on them as primary Self defense weapons, I have a stash of reduced recoil law enforcement buckshot.

[Skyhunter]

All revolvers are loaded with cast SWC bullets. VERY effective, especially when the caliber starts with a "4".
All semi-autos are loaded with proven JHP's - small entry holes & Large exit holes.
Rifle ammo? FMJ?, JHP? JSP? Doesn't really matter, center of mass or central nervous system hit and the fight / attack is OVER!
'nuff said?

WYT-P
Skyhunter