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

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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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 

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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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. ;)
 
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?
 
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?... ;):cool::rolleyes:
 

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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.
 
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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
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