For self defense purposes what is your preferred ammo (brand, grain) for a sub compact (barrel around three inches or less)? FMJ or HP? Does anyone mix different types of ammo (FMJ/HP, different grain) in a magazine for self defense purposes?
Your Preferred Ammo for Sub Compact?
- Thread starter noahpictures
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There is no reason to use FMJ over quality, modern HPs for self defense, no matter what the barrel length. If your gun won't run HPs, get a different gun. Modern HPs penetrate just as well as FMJs and do far better for defensive purposes.
I use what Seecamp recommends (brand, jacket, weight). They pretty much have tested every round made in their guns so I don't have to.
I would not recommend mixing and matching in something that your life may depend on.
I would not recommend mixing and matching in something that your life may depend on.
It shouldn't matter if it is compact or not. Barrel length will not affect velocity or energy at self defense range. If that is the purpose then there is really no other choice than a hot jacketed hollow-point. For me, Gold Dot .40 S&W, 165 gr. HP. I see no modern day real-world use for FMJ other than at the range. I would never even consider "mixing" rounds in a magazine. Load up with the best performing (expanding, energy transfer) round you can find that shoots well in your pistol.
I don't recommend FMJ for defense. Too much risk of penetration.
Incorrect. Quality, modern HPs are designed shoot through barriers, that is to be "barrier blind."
See here for more scientific data written by a ballistics expert:
http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4337-Service-Caliber-Handgun-Duty-and-Self-Defense-Ammo
+1 on the HP recommendations. Adding that shot placement is everything. Especially at SD ranges.
Hornady Critical Defense 110 gr (.38 spc.)
Hornady Zombie Max 185 gr (.45 ACP)
Hornady Critical Defense 165 gr (.40 S&W)
There are many other acceptable choices; I like Hornady
Hornady Zombie Max 185 gr (.45 ACP)
Hornady Critical Defense 165 gr (.40 S&W)
There are many other acceptable choices; I like Hornady
I like the safety rounds that disintegrate on impact. You will not shoot someone in next room with these.
I mean after passing through the target. Though it's been a while since I've looked into bullet tech. I would still recommend against a FMJ because of the through and through possibility.
I'm telling you that if you read that link I cited and do some research, you'll find that you're literally at least a decade out of date. I'll put my 124gr Speers up against FMJ anyday. That being said, recommending against FMJs for self defense is still a good thing
I use my department issue to avoid liability concerns. Winchester Lawman 180 grain subsonic in .40 S&W. These were "black talons" until the lawsuit.
My dept. issues the same. Excellent cartridge.
Depends.
When the LCP rides in my pocket, it's loaded with 100gr hardcast. I just don't trust that HP's will expand out of a .380.
Anything above .380 is loaded with a quality HP such as Gold Dots or HST's.
I will never understand why people mix FMJ and HP's in the same mag. Particularly for self defence.
When the LCP rides in my pocket, it's loaded with 100gr hardcast. I just don't trust that HP's will expand out of a .380.
Anything above .380 is loaded with a quality HP such as Gold Dots or HST's.
I will never understand why people mix FMJ and HP's in the same mag. Particularly for self defence.
@Wishoot, Mike, I bought a pair of Ruger LCP's for the wife and I several years back. It's a great little gun when your carry option is limited by type of clothing or event that you are attending. Here is a video I thought you might be interested in on the Gold Dot 90 gr, which we carry. Speer advertises 1040 fps. the video chronographs an average velocity at 988 fps.
If you do the calculations, that is around 200 ft pounds of energy at the muzzle. That is plenty of self defense action happening at self defense ranges. Which is exactly what the .380 caliber and Ruger LCP is designed for. It isn't a combat pistol, and it's not a one shot man stopper. But considering the range in which you will use it, and If I plan on throwing 1 bullet down range, other bullets from that same magazine are sure to follow.
And considering that shot placement is everything, It is my advice to not shoot soft or hard cast lead grain bullets out of that shortened barrel. Sooner or later, depending on how many of those you practice with, the lead build up, will start affecting accuracy. Watch the video, and I think you will be amazed at the expansion it shows of the GD hollow point.
I also added a link that lists many different .380 cartridge ammo makers along with their ballistics for comparison.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTTuXpFChsA
http://www.ballistics101.com/380_acp.php
If you do the calculations, that is around 200 ft pounds of energy at the muzzle. That is plenty of self defense action happening at self defense ranges. Which is exactly what the .380 caliber and Ruger LCP is designed for. It isn't a combat pistol, and it's not a one shot man stopper. But considering the range in which you will use it, and If I plan on throwing 1 bullet down range, other bullets from that same magazine are sure to follow.
And considering that shot placement is everything, It is my advice to not shoot soft or hard cast lead grain bullets out of that shortened barrel. Sooner or later, depending on how many of those you practice with, the lead build up, will start affecting accuracy. Watch the video, and I think you will be amazed at the expansion it shows of the GD hollow point.
I also added a link that lists many different .380 cartridge ammo makers along with their ballistics for comparison.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTTuXpFChsA
http://www.ballistics101.com/380_acp.php
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^Great videos Rob. Thanks for the links.
The only thing I mix is in my 8 round tube 12 ga pumps. First two out are 00 buck. Next two are rifled sabots. the rest are 00 buck.
I have hydra shoks in my LCP and an EFMJ ammo called Guard Dog in my bedside gun(a Glock 35).
Thanks Rob. I like tnoutdoor's videos. I really like GD's and use them quite frequently in my 9's, 40's and .357's.
I've always been torn about what to use in the LCP. After a bunch of research (internet based FWIW), I decided that the 100gr hardcast flatnose was the best compromise of size, weight and penetration. I just don't think this caliber packs enough punch to go through clothing, flesh and bone to get the job done with a JHP round.
As do I.
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