Changing HD ammo by season

[bk42261]

I just changed the ammo in my Model 65-2 from Glaser Safety to Hydrashocks to allow for heavier clothing due to seasonal weather changes here in Maine. In another month or so, I'll change again to 125 HPs. Does anyone else swap loads for seasonal use, or just stick with one "do-it-all" load?

[Steve in Vermont]

Living in northern Vermont I do. In the Spring through Fall I use .38 Winchester 130 PDX +P, switching to Hornady 110 +P FTX in Winter when people tend to be wearing some very heavy clothing.

[The Sarge]

I carry the same ammo all 12 months of the year. One of the criteria I use in choosing duty/defensive ammo is that it will work in any scenario. Bill

[OKFC05]

I'd not use ammo that only works if the perp is standing naked with no cover!

Seriously, how do you know whether you'll have to shoot through your car window to stop a carjacking, or any of a dozen scenarios requiring penetration of light cover?

I agree with Sarge, its either suitable for all occasions or I shouldn't be trusting my life to it.

[The Big D]

I am trying my best to keep a straight face. Think I know what you're thinking, but what if your "bad guy" is indoors in the winter?

I worked in hot areas and in cold areas...on the clock in 46/50 states. On the clock in all seasons. Never, ever, have I changed ammo based on the locale/season/climate/whatever.

Be safe.

Note: To be sure, I am NOT mocking you...but changing ammo seasonally is beyond my level of comprehension.

Originally Posted by bk42261

I just changed the ammo in my Model 65-2 from Glaser Safety to Hydrashocks to allow for heavier clothing due to seasonal weather changes here in Maine. In another month or so, I'll change again to 125 HPs. Does anyone else swap loads for seasonal use, or just stick with one "do-it-all" load?

[sipowicz]

No, I have different ammo for day and night...but at dusk, I feel very vulnerable.

[papajohn428]

I change duty .38 ammo with the seasons. I carry Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel loads in my 4" M-64 on duty, but I'm not convinced they'll penetrate heavy coats/clothing as well as a heavier bullet would, so I'm likely switching to the Metro Load for winter duty. I'll give up awesome expansion for better penetration. If they made a 180-grain expanding bullet in a 38+P load, I'd snag it!

[donniedee]

i keep her loaded with 357 mag glassers while shes doin house duty, then when we venture outdoors we switch to either winchester silvertips or full house rem mag loads.... for the "shock and awe"

[sipowicz]

Have you ever seen a criminal in a heavy winter coat?

[revolvergeek]

No, because most tests that I have done and the ones that I have read say that heavy clothing is likely going to plug up my hollow points and make them penetrate more deeply and expand less anyway, so why switch to a different ammo to get more penetration ?

Right now I could walk out of my office downtown and see people wearing t-shirts, dress shirts, three piece suits and probably 4-5 homeless that are wearing every item of clothing they own. There are at least three or four men in this area that routinely wear more layers of clothes (one often wears at least a hooded sweatshirt and a trenchcoat over it) in our current 90-95 degree weather than I would wear in 20-30 degrees.

[papajohn428]

I love Speer Gold Dots, and carry them on and off-duty in several calibers, but I'm not convinced that they've got enough momentum in 38 Special/135-grain flavor to punch through several layers of clothing as well as a heavier SWC-HP would. And yes, I see a LOT of miscreants wearing multiple layers under their hoodies and football jackets. They may never be fashion plates, but they DO understand how to stay warm when the utilities are shut off!

Now if those in charge would just see fit to authorize 45ACP's, this would be a happily moot point.

[The Big D]

Okay, lots of folks seem not to be paying attention to me...let's try something else.

For you LEO's, past and present, does your department change ammo seasonally? Mine did NOT/does NOT.

I submit the LEO's are far more likely to have to use deadly force than non-LEO's.

Standing by...

Be safe.

[sipowicz]

It doesn't matter what you carry in your gun if this kid comes after you..

[jtpur]

You mean to tell me heavy clothing offers ballistic protection? Would thinkk all the PD's would just buy leather jackets instead of second chance vests. Beisdes the cops would look cooler in leather jackets with those Foster Grants or Oakleys

[hatt]

I don't know why people are eager to change ammo due to season but not willing to change old outdated designs for new superior designs?

[Steve in Vermont]

Originally Posted by hatt

I don't know why people are eager to change ammo due to season but not willing to change old outdated designs for new superior designs?

I think what it comes down to is people make decisions (such as this) all the time based on data that is often both subjective and objective. In issues like this we should remember that we need to have faith in both the gun and ammo we carry. If changing ammo for the season works for you use it, or don't. Either way I wouldn't disrespect anyone for their decision.

[hatt]

Originally Posted by Steve in Vermont

I think what it comes down to is people make decisions (such as this) all the time based on data that is often both subjective and objective. In issues like this we should remember that we need to have faith in both the gun and ammo we carry. If changing ammo for the season works for you use it, or don't. Either way I wouldn't disrespect anyone for their decision.

I don't care what people carry, I'm just trying to help people make more informed decisions based on facts. The whole seasonal ammo thing is based on incorrect assumptions. Heavy clothing normally increases penetration, not reduce it. Switching to ammo to give better penetration is anti-productive, except in the case of the Glasers. Another thing would be using shallow penetrating ammo during the summer because a potential lack of heavy clothing. What if you have a bad angle or hit the forearm? Once again you've made a poor choice. The better solution would be buy a bullet design that works well in most cases. Then train and stop worrying about it.

Now I do have to say that if you're using Glasers, switching in the winter is a good idea. Heavy clothing probably does reduce it's already feeble penetration further. You're still left with a poor performer in the summer however.

[blujax01]

Originally Posted by hatt

... I'm just trying to help people make more informed decisions based on facts. ...Heavy clothing normally increases penetration, not reduce it...

I did not know this. Data please. Thanks.

[The Sarge]

More expansion in a JHP bullet decreases penetration. Less expansion equals more penetration. Heavy clothing limits expansion to some degree with all JHP designs. Go to LE - Home and view the ballistic testing and compare bare gel vs heavy clothing tests. Bill

[oldtexan]

I use Federal HST 147 gr standard pressure(P9HST2) in all my 9mm carry/home defense guns, regardless of season or circumstance. It penetrates far enough and expands consistently in the various FBI tests and against the IWBA 4 layer denim standard. It's reliable, adequately accurate, and is reasonably priced for high end handgun service ammo. I try to keep 1-2k of it onhand at all times.

In my .38 +P 642 backup guns I use Speer +P 135 gr Short Barrel Gold Dots or Cor Bon +P 110 gr DPX. These loads are among the very few .38 loads that do well consistently in the aforementioned tests when shot from a 1 7/8" barrel.

[gunsnjeeps]

Federal Hydra Shok, year round. Any caliber, any gun. Except in a Makarov, they don't make one. Then it's a Hornady XTP or Speer Gold Dot. Those are my second choice for anyother caliber.

[Bratastic007]

Originally Posted by sipowicz

Have you ever seen a criminal in a heavy winter coat?

I couldn't help myself.

[vytoland]

Originally Posted by sipowicz

Have you ever seen a criminal in a heavy winter coat?

only in january..........but in april they start to shed and it falls off.