[esminbritt]

I am of the opinion that FMJ is not an ideal choice for loading a self defense mag. I have recently heard of people loading FMJ every other round for penetration power if the BG is temporarily hiding behind obstacles as a part of their attack strategy. Anyone else heard of loading FMJ every other or every third round? For my G17, I have good stock in Fed. HST LE 147 +p JHP as well as Buff. Bore 124 +p+ JHP as my primary SD round.. If so, what FMJ's do y'all recommend?

[FLIPPER 348]

I use 230g ball FMJ for every round.

[Ceapea]

I use hard cast lead every other round for my P232 in 380. JHP is the other round.

[HexHead]

If I was going to do that, I'd use 124gr 9mm NATO.

[collim1]

Originally Posted by Ceapea

I use hard cast lead every other round for my P232 in 380. JHP is the other round.

I carried FMJ in my .380 pocket gun when I carried one. I didn't have much faith in JHP in that caliber so I carried FMJ for penetration.

For some reason I have always wanted a Beretta Tomcat .32acp. I would carry FMJ in it for the same reasons.

[Tiro Fijo]

It's foolish and here's why: in the event a HP doesn't expand then what will happen? It will act as a FMJ.

[Iceman cHucK]

Originally Posted by Tiro Fijo

It's foolish and here's why: in the event a HP doesn't expand then what will happen? It will act as a FMJ.

This is true, but is not the problem. The issue is what if the HP expands and doesn't penetrate deep enough!

[cowboy1964]

Horrible idea. Mas has talked about this often when asked. Pros don't do it. Doesn't that tell you something? If you don't trust your JHPs, find a better one!

[Dogbite]

Double post

[Dogbite]

I read something on the Buffalo Bore website that seemed reasonable. They said they recommended loading FMJ after the first 4 or 5 rounds of HP ammo, because after the first 4 or 5 rounds people get behind cover, and they wanted the penetration of the FMJ in that situation.

I load my magazines with good quality hp ammo, but that was an interesting theory

[VinnieD]

There are plenty of what if scenarios, but most cover out there, a high velocity round can break through. I'm looking for some critical duty for hard target penetration, since at least according to Hornady it doesn't expand unless it hits a soft target and zips through hard ones, shedding its jacket if necessary.

Though unless you're dealing with a mass shooter situation where the attacker is just intent on killing and dying in the process, you'd be better off using the time when your attacker is running for cover to do some running yourself. Still I can always understand the lingering doubt of the what if scenario.

[unit1069]

Originally Posted by esminbritt

I am of the opinion that FMJ is not an ideal choice for loading a self defense mag.

I believe that's the opinion of the vast majority of self-defense experts also.

I have recently heard of people loading FMJ every other round for penetration power if the BG is temporarily hiding behind obstacles as a part of their attack strategy.

1) If FMJ isn't ideal for self-defense in a full magazine there's no reason half a magazine would improve FMJ's success rate, 2) should the attacker be hiding behind obstacles you would probably be well advised to flee the encounter if you're able, and 3) because of the differences in JHP/FMJ rounds you're taking a chance your pistol may jam.

Anyone else heard of loading FMJ every other or every third round? For my G17, I have good stock in Fed. HST LE 147 +p JHP as well as Buff. Bore 124 +p+ JHP as my primary SD round.. If so, what FMJ's do y'all recommend?

I've heard of folks who carry calibers less than 9mm alternating JHP/FMJ, and even so logic dictates that hard cast bullets are best for those calibers, penetration being everything at that stage. You have a good cache of premium JHP self-defense rounds and if it were me I wouldn't worry about them as it's impossible to cover all the bases in a life-or-death situation. As long as the HST and BB function flawlessly in your G-17 I'd say you are underestimating your chances.

[NEOH212]

[fredj338]

I just don't see the point. You will have no idea what round is up. You may only land one solid hit, I would ALWAYS rather it be a quality JHP. Good bonded JHP will penetrate just about as well as FMJ. WHy handicap yourself?

[NEOH212]

Originally Posted by unit1069

I've heard of folks who carry calibers less than 9mm....

.38 Special +P being the notable exception, if someone can't at least get themselves a 9mm and shoot proficiently with a full power defensive load, they shouldn't even be carrying a gun.

Furthermore, the type of people that start threads like this one that, "Toy" with these kind of ideas are likely either going to hurt themselves or someone else at some point by doing something stupid just because something sounds, "Cool."

And the stupidity abounds......

[NEOH212]

The .380 or less sounds like enough until you realize it doesn't get it done.

Get a real gun with real proven ammo and call it a day. Don't waste your time trying to make the smaller calibers into something they will never be.

The .380 or anything under it are mole hills that no one can ever make into a mountain.

I know there are those that say any gun is better than none but I say if I have any doubt that it's not going to do the job it's intended to do, it's as good as nothing.

There's always a way to conceal something that will get the job done. The detractors aren't willing to sacrifice a little comfort or their favorite wardrobe to do so. That's all there is to it.

We're not taking about trying to deeply conceal a 6" barrel N fame .44 Mag. We're taking about deeply concealing at least a sub compact 9x19mm pistol loaded with a proven defensive load. Everybody on this forum is capable of doing so.

[cadillacguns]

Dont forget a couple tracer rounds.

[Lowjiber]

Originally Posted by HexHead

If I was going to do that, I'd use 124gr 9mm NATO.

Jinx...you owe me a Coke.

I load the bottom five rounds in my G26 with 124gr NATO. It's great stuff.

[chargingzebra]

Carry hollow points in the mag inside the gun, and if you're that concerned with it carry a reload mag full of FMJ. If the need arises, take cover and swap mags then go to town. If he's seeking cover you may have a moment to do so.


Posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

[ca survivor]

Originally Posted by NEOH212

The .380 or less sounds like enough until you realize it doesn't get it done.

Get a real gun with real proven ammo and call it a day. Don't waste your time trying to make the smaller calibers into something they will never be.

The .380 or anything under it are mole hills that no one can ever make into a mountain.

I know there are those that say any gun is better than none but I say if I have any doubt that it's not going to do the job it's intended to do, it's as good as nothing.

There's always a way to conceal something that will get the job done. The detractors aren't willing to sacrifice a little comfort or their favorite wardrobe to do so. That's all there is to it.

We're not taking about trying to deeply conceal a 6" barrel N fame .44 Mag. We're taking about deeply concealing at least a sub compact 9x19mm pistol loaded with a proven defensive load. Everybody on this forum is capable of doing so.

agreed, excellent post.

[unit1069]

Originally Posted by NEOH212

The .380 or less sounds like enough until you realize it doesn't get it done.

Get a real gun with real proven ammo and call it a day. Don't waste your time trying to make the smaller calibers into something they will never be.

Absolutely correct.

Edit to add: I think fred made a good suggestion about carrying bonded JHP rounds if the concern is barrier penetration.

[ScottieG59]

You could test some Hornady Critical Duty for the rest of us. It is made for these situations.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by NEOH212

.38 Special +P being the notable exception, if someone can't at least get themselves a 9mm and shoot proficiently with a full power defensive load, they shouldn't even be carrying a gun.

Furthermore, the type of people that start threads like this one that, "Toy" with these kind of ideas are likely either going to hurt themselves or someone else at some point by doing something stupid just because something sounds, "Cool."

And the stupidity abounds......

While I wouldn't go that far, using enough gun is easily done by most. The 38sp w/ std vel loads & good bullets is still a very viable SD/HD choice & easily controlled by even the most feable shooter w/ practice. It's also dead bang simple, requires no upper body & little hand strength to operate. Many 380 recoil more than sim size 9mm, the blowback design & smaller grips are NOT for minimally shooters IMO. Guns like 25acp & 32acp are barely better than a good sharp fighting knife. So back to FMJ vs JHP, in fighting calibers, a good HP beats a FMJ 99% of the time.

[M 7]

Originally Posted by cadillacguns

Dont forget a couple tracer rounds.

Nice touch.

[Beretta92guy]

also load some snake-shot in there too