FMJ vs Hollow points for carry

[Goldstar225]

Seen a few people who have been shot, never involved myself.

For the most part, your accuracy at 30 yards is irrelevant for defensive shooting which mostly take place at contact to 7 yards.

In a cartridge that has the velocity to expand a hollowpoint, it's the preferred round. There's a darn good reason that law enforcement uses hollowpoints.

I'm not dependent on what ammo you use for my personal safety so it really doesn't matter to me what gun, cartridge, or ammo you use but you're handicapping yourself if you use FMJ or other non-expanding ammo IMO.

 

[Autonomous]

Even the US military issues hollow point ammo for 9mm.
It has more effect on bad guys than ball.

 

[ironhead7544]

With any fmj bullet you will have to watch your background. It is very likely they will go through.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Even the US military issues hollow point ammo for 9mm.
It has more effect on bad guys than ball.

Why do you believe the first sentence?

 

[Gamecock]

I'm going to stay out of the weeds on this one.

I carry FMJ. BUT, flat-nose FMJ. Meplat is your friend.

 

[OLDSTER]

JHP simply because my EDC auto likes them. Nothing to do with ballistics, fighting a war, or lethality.

 

[Truckman]

My truck's LP reflects my choice when I carry a .45...In my carry Smiths it's .38 150 gr. WC's......Ben

 

[old tanker]

The cop in Buffalo could have used some penetration. On the other hand if the lunatic's armor had a plate, some will stop caliber .30 M2AP from a rifle. He may have been betrayed by his training. "Shoot center mass and keep shooting until he stops or you run out of ammo."

Maybe the thing to carry is a CZ 52 with hot Bulgarian steel core surplus That might defeat the "soft armor." Or follow the Finn's advice, “Tulta munille!”

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The can is open again and the worms are everywhere. Maybe the experts will provide us with some entertaining Jell-O tests and links to pontifical pronouncements beyond any further discussion.

 

[biku324]

Even the US military issues hollow point ammo for 9mm.

Only partly true. DOD police have issued hollowpoints since at least the '90s (for sure at Ft. Bliss, White Sands Missile Range, Holoman, Canon, and Kirtland AFBs); military police were allowed HP ammo starting about 10 or 12 years ago.

Standard issue 9mm ball is the M1152, a 115 grain FMJ TC (truncated cone). The M1153 147 grain JHP is a special purpose munition, not general issue.

 

[biku324]

I'm going to stay out of the weeds on this one.

I carry FMJ. BUT, flat-nose FMJ. Meplat is your friend.

Indeed it is.

 

[Alk8944]

Pin-point accuracy is not a necessary factor for ammunition at reasonable self-defense distances, most will probably never use the sights anyway if a situation ever arises!

Do not choose self-defense ammunition based on how accurate it is, choose based on dependability of function in your firearm and perceived effectiveness on target!!!!!!! Bold for emphasis, not yelling!

 

[uncleted327]

You do what you want, but personally I would never carry FMJ for defense. No expansion, much higher risk of punching through my target and continuing on. Also I've never had a gun that wouldn't shoot some type of HP accurately at self defense distances. Plenty of great 38/357 options to use FMJ. Buffalo Bore makes excellent Keith type soft lead HPs for one...

 

[BAM-BAM]

No one likes to be shot with anything.... never met anyone who volunteered to get shot with a .22 or anything else.

I carry hollow-point ammo in my handguns...... I'm a firm believer in the double tap. Shot placement is more important than caliber or type of ammo!!!

When TEOTWAWKI happens I'll start out with my EDC load..... but at some point I'll have to rely on FMJ ....if I live that long .......

 

[BabaBlueJay]

To me, accuracy (+/_ an inch at 30+yards) isn't really a consideration in CC. In most instances you won't be shooting anyone 30 yards away or you'll probably find yourself in jail.

You don't mention what caliber you shoot. HP's are a consideration due to expansion (soft tissue damage) and the threat of over penetration from a FMJ.
You must know your gun though. Some semi-auto pistols are finicky with HP's. Also, depending on the bullet type, low velocity rounds may negate the effectiveness of the HP design while, at the same time, reduce the potential for over penetration.

357 magnum is all I shoot.

 

[IAM Rand]

Even the US military issues hollow point ammo for 9mm.
It has more effect on bad guys than ball.

They carry ball ammo because of the Geneva Convention. All their ammo is FMJ. For me, I don't rely on someone else for what I carry, FBI or the military. My first concern is location. My second is, OH YEA, LOCATION. To date I don't think that there has ever been a person that has been shot that has complained about the bullet he/she has been shot with. Also, the military care more about wounding than killing. Kill one and the rest will come after you. Wound one and at least two will be there to help the wounded person. Not sure if that is still true. I think it depends on the enemy you are dealing with. Radical idiots don't care about their fellow idiots.


Carry what you feel comfortable with but, know the positives/negatives of the ammo you are carrying. If you are shooting at someone in the 30 yard range, you had better be able to articulate why. Some bad guy running away that isn't an immediate threat to you or someone else is a hard justification to come up with.

There is no magic bullet. If you can his a pie plate in the 0-15 yard range, you are good to go. Just sayin.

 

[biku324]

357 magnum is all I shoot.

In the NMSP, the 357 mag Federal 125 grain JHP was our issue round from the late '70s to the early '90s. All of our use of the round againt felons had satisfactory results. It's blasty, bright flash, relatively (for 357) hard-kicking stuff. Still have a box from those days, and likely won't shoot it just for fun; my wife's 357 is loaded with 158 grain SP.

 

[9mmPatriot]

There is no magic bullet.

JFK might disagree.....

 

[biku324]

JFK might disagree.....

He would be dead wrong!

 

[Erich]

Retired lawyer who worked a LOT of criminal appeals here. Caliber is a concern: I carry ball in .380, as I've worked on several shootings in which .380 JHPs failed to adequately penetrate (and I've never seen inadequate penetration with ball - and only one overpenetration, and that was through a guy's calf). I carry 9mm FMJ (super penetrative, for those haven't played with it) when I go hiking in bear country and am concerned they might be out - did it yesterday, in fact. In general, as a lawyer, I'm pretty concerned about overpenetration (I have worked on overpenetration shootings - they happen) and stuff my guns accordingly.