I'm pretty sure I conceded your point earlier - my intention was never to have a wall stop or slow a bullet until after the bullet had first done its job - and it is the most disposable of my criteria.
Having read your initial post, this was what you were looking for.
Consider CorBon DXP versus their standard JHP - or Hornady Critical Duty versus Critical Defense - just 2 examples. In each case, the first product is positioned as one that will cut through barriers like walls, doors or windshields while the second is only about whatever synonym anybody wants to use for what we all really mean by "stopping power".
What something is designed for, and what it actually does in independent testing are two very different things.
The Corbon DPX is CB's attempt to finally have a bullet that meets the FBI-FTU protocol. Their standard JHP, which is usually a Sierra JHP, had no requirements by them. In testing they were shown to be sub-par bullets. They relied, as they do know, on Foot Pounds Energy (FPE) which means nothing in terms of wounding.
As for Hornady's ammunition, its not really ready for discussion as Critical Duty has yet to be tested.
There are certainly times when a shooter wants a bullet to tunnel through everything in the way and get to a bad guy, but in a purely home protection scenario, I don't see that as a priority. If you can't get the bad guy to just cut and run then he still presents a threat and you have to stop him. Once he cuts and runs, you don't need (or want) to gun him down.
I would much rather the badguy, or badguys, flee without me having to fire a shot. That said, in a home defense shooting, as with any self defense shooting, the defender doesnt have the luxury of knowing what his opponent(s) will or wont do. Whether we like it or not, the badguy(s) does have a say in what goes down. Will the badguy(s) stay and duke it out, or will they run. A person can throw out percentages, but if we lived off of percentages we wouldnt own a gun for defense, or wear a seatbelt. Thats why prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. Its a cliche, no doubt, buts its still truth. Its better to have the most capable round in your firearm at all times.
But - as multiply noted on these many pages - what it takes to stop any particular bad guy can span a spectrum of attributes, many as a direct result of his own size, shape and attitude (among other things).
Agreed. That said it isnt just the bad guys physical structure that one should be concerned with. Outside influences such as narcotics or alcohol can play a very large factor. Naturally occurring influences such as adrenaline, will, or mental deficiency also can make an opponent that much more difficult.
So I've narrowed my request here - and in deference to that not coming under everybody's notice - I'll restate it here.
For 9mm Luger 9x19 ammunition in semi-automatic pistols and considering only its use in a home defense context, I would like to hear about any personal experience with specific ammo types that leads you to recommend either for or against it - including such elements as its ability to penetrate a blocking forearm, its ability to penetrate thick clothing and, to whatever extent possible, reducing the likelihood that after doing its job it will go visit the neighbors to produce unintended damage.
It must penetrate deeply. Deep enough to destroy the Central nervous System, or at the very least disrupt it. It must have expansion, no matter the barrier. The desire for such a round will cause over-penetration to be a risk should I miss the target (assuming my house doesnt contain the bullet). Its a balancing act one must be willing to make if they choose to use a pistol for home defense.
I use 147gr Winchester Ranger Talon (product code RA9T) in ALL of my 9mms. In .45acp I have moved to the 230gr Federal HST. That said, my first line of defense is an AR loaded with 28rds of Black Hills 77gr SMKs.
