Regular old FMJ

[yomama]

Lots of discussion on using a fmj round for defensive use. My question, which fmj?

Are regular range rounds good enough? I love the magtech line.

[Aqeous]

Not sure if this is viable to post here in this thread considering your question. So no one blast me: I only submit that defensively when a JHP fails its because it failed to open up and thus behaved like a FMJ: which is undesirable. Unless you are living in NJ I very strongly advocate using JHP's as your primary defense round.

[Frank Ettin]

I would always favor a good quality JHP round from a reputable manufacturer (except in New Jersey). If it doesn't expand, the worst you get is a bullet that behaves like an FMJ. But in general, terminal ballistics of a JHP are superior.

Some folks are concerned that their guns may not perform reliably with JHPs. It's my belief, however, that if a gun won't handle JHPs properly, the gun needs to be attended to. I always function test any JHP I might use with any gun in which I might use it. Thus far my 1911s and my H&K P7M8s have proven themselves completely reliable with the name brand JHP ammunition I've tested in them.

[Hawg Haggen]

IMHO a FMJ is adequate if the caliber is large enough. I wouldn't want a FMJ in a .38 or 9mm but a .45 still leaves .45 caliber hole.

[Dwight55]

The first pre-requisite for a concealed carry weapon is reliability. An unreliable handgun may turn out to be a very expensive single shot and can ruin your whole day.

With my 1911, . . . I can drop the first 9 rounds in a 4 in plate out to 50 feet in less than 15 seconds. The aggregate total of 9 rounds is almost 2 1/4 square inches of "holes" in the target.

JHP rounds are "almost" as reliable, . . . with emphasis on "almost". "Almost" is why I carry FMJ's.

May God bless,
Dwight

[johnle]

I don't understand peoples misconception of new jersey's hollow point law. You can use hollow points to defend yourself at home, that's legal. JHP is only illegal if seems if used outside your home or range and seems that if you commit a crime with jhp in your gun they have another charge to charge you with

[NCHornet]

Either way it's a stupid law!!
Back to the OP the only guns I carry FMJ in is my 32acp, in this caliber they usually lack the velocity to expand to FMJ is better for deeper penetration. Otherwise use a good hollow point from one of the known manufacturers and you won't be let down. For FMJ I use rounds from Fiocchi which tend to be a bit hotter.
NCH

[Frank Ettin]

Of course what you use is up to you. And I also agree that a self defense gun must be reliable. But as I've said, all the guns I might use for self defense are completely reliable with JHP ammunition. If I found one that wasn't, I'd put it away and not plan to use it for self defense, or I'd get it fixed.

Pretty much all police agencies now use JHPs because of superior terminal performance.

[dakotashooter2]

The biggest hole possible is almost always going to be the most effective. In smaller calibers this is going to be acieved with an HP in large calibers it probably becomes less a factor.

One day NJ is going to find themselves in a lawsuit when an inocent victim is killed in a justified shooting due to a FMJ that passed through the bad guy and kept on going. It will fall on NJ becuase even though it is proven that an HP round would provide less penetration and thus be safer to bystanders under these conditions it was the State that dictated they could not be used (probably on the basis of junk science or emotion. That is one of the many reasons police departments use HP's, to prevent overpenetration in what can be an occupied field of fire.

[45Marlin carbine]

as stated it is most important to have a reliable firearm. H-P's aren't as big an issue with revolvers but semi's are designed with hardball in mind. that said I carry my Beretta .32 and/or my Makarov with a h-p hot handload in the chamber and fmj in the mag. likely some will say a .32acp isn't enough but I say it's better than the .45 left at home or in the car. and judging by the damage done to 2X6 pine boards I would not want to be shot with it. goes thru and takes a chunk w/it.

[KyJim]

There are two reasons not to use hollow points:

1. As mentioned before, some pistols may not feed as reliably with HPs.

2. HPs may not penetrate deeply enough. NCHornet alluded to this, but I'll expand. When a HP expands properly, it's momentum is expended more rapidly in the object than with a FMJ. That's usually good and will also result in a bigger hole. As a consequence, however, the HP may lose its momentum before it penetrates deeply enough to hit a vital organ. Even worse, a HP may essentially become clogged by clothing or other material. This acts to slow down the bullet and cause a lack of expansion. Thus, you have less penetration than with a FMJ and no expansion. That's why the FBI protocol calls for testing through layers of denim.

[Frank Ettin]

Semi-automatics were not necessarily designed expressly for FMJ. Many older designs were either strictly military matters for which FMJ would be the only sort of ammunition used. In any event, JHP ammunition didn't come into common use until relatively recently anyway. Today most auto loaders of current manufacture should function perfectly well with JHP ammunition. If one doesn't, southing's amiss and needs attention.

[yomama]

But not on target with my intended questions.

First, I'm using HP in all standard barrels. So for my Gov. 1911s, HP all the way.

However, I will not use HP in shorter barrels. From what I have read, HP do not perform well in these platforms. I have a few guns under this category including a lovely set of keltecs, and a PT145.

So this is my main question....do I need fancy FMJ rounds?...or will regular range rounds work, such as magtech?

[Tom2]

What are fancy FMJ rounds? Maybe select the one with the fastest MV or best accuracy but as far as I know, in most calibers, especially automatic, they all look the same. As for NJ, I am sure I have read of people being pulled over and arrested for having some HP ammo in their cars, no gun. So if they are legal to use at home, how do you get them there?!

[DPris]

Aside from the pointless debate () over FMJ vs HP, I'm kinda curious myself about what constitutes a "fancy" FMJ.
Yo, what are you talking about when you use the term?
Denis

[hoytinak]

I prefer Fiocchi FMJ's just cause they tend to run a little hotter then most, but any FMJ will work for you.

[Aqeous]

Incorrect . . . more than enough JHP's reach 12 to 14 inches. But I will cease with this post being that it's beginner wants to speak of only FMJ's at this time.

[ghalleen]

Use Federal's Expanding Full-Metal Jacket ammo.

It is just as reliable as any FMJ ammo you find, and expands just like jacketed hollow point. Better, in fact, because there's no hole to fill with cloth.

I think it's the best new defensive ammo in decades, and use it all the time.

[Hard Ball]

In my experience .45 ACP FMJ is extremely reliable and highly effective.

[Aqeous]

This might constitute "A fancy FMJ". It looks just like one, it feeds just like one, but its called a CorBon Powerball---it also expands just like the best of JHP's to boot. In my opinion we should all be carrying this in our guns.

[yomama]

Great postings everyone. Thanks.

"Fancy"=expensive

I've seen those corbons, and I was thinking about the Speer Lawman boxes also.

Much appreciated again everyone. Great.

[KyJim]

Aqeous said:

Incorrect . . . more than enough JHP's reach 12 to 14 inches

I never said all JHPs fail to reach 12 to 14 inches. However, not ALL JHPs in ALL calibers reach this depth. I just said this was one reason given for not using HPs. It will vary from caliber to caliber and specific maker to specific maker.

I use HPs in 9mm and .38 spl +p, but not in .380. I use JHPs in 5 inch barrel 1911s .45s but not in 3 inch 1911s.

[obxned]

An FMJ is always an FMJ, but a JHP will expand or fail to expand, and when it fails, it is an FMJ.

[Aqeous]

That's why it important to use the good ones. And if you do (and take into account EFMJ and Powerballs) most all of the arguments to carry standard FMJ in our handguns all but melt away. Unless you just flat out like to shoot them . . .

If your handgun cant cycle reliably either: JHP's, EFMJ's or Powerballs, its time to either give your gun a really good cleaning, or, buy a new one . . . period.

[Mark54g]

Aq,

NJ does not prohibit hollow points. I live there, I have them, and have even spoken to state police about them (including the laws written about them). NJ is a state that "bans things except in cases." Basically, if you do anything you should not be doing AND have hollow points, you are in MORE trouble.

They are also not allowed for those few that have carry permits.