[Sergei Mosin]

Everywhere I turn, I see tests of different ammunition in different mediums. Myriad makers, countless bullet designs, various test mediums, sundry barrel lengths and ranges from which the tests were conducted. It seems there is a great deal of heat and very little light on the subject, fierce partisans for and against every combination imaginable, little in the way of scientific study, and such a range of variables that coming up with the "best" defensive round out there.

On the day you need it, that high-tech .45 FMJHPSWCFrangiBonShok may drop your opponent, or maybe not, if the conditions are wrong. And maybe the humble .22 solid will work, if the conditions are right, but maybe not.

I think sometimes we overthink this.

When I decided to start carrying, I was overwhelmed by the weight of opinion on this subject. So many calibers, so many bullets, so many variables. What to do?

Eventually I realized that the only thing that is not negotiable is reliability. The round must work in your gun, every time, and your gun must work with the round, every time. Reliability is sacrosant and the only thing which can be quantified. Either it works 100% of the time, or it doesn't. If it does, it's acceptable. If it doesn't, it's not.

Everything after that - caliber, bullet weight, bullet type - is subject to so many unknown variables on the day you need it as to defy analysis. There is no silver bullet that will take care of any situation. There is no perfect round.

I carry a reliable load in a reliable gun and trust that the bullet I have chosen is good enough to handle most situations. And I don't think about it too much.

[KenW.]

My LE agency switched from Hyra Shocks to Gold Dots after douing an extensive workout. Shooting through barricades and windshields included. I think the gtests were aqll done wit hthe 40SW, but should reasonably transfer to 9mm and 45ACP. My firearms committeee believes in, and mandates, the Gold Dot as a matter of policy.

[wildehond]

I think it is a lot more productive to use the time and money to buy ammo and practice a lot.

For me personally I want penetration first. So if you do your part then you should live to tell the story.

[Yo Mama]

Eventually I realized that the only thing that is not negotiable is reliability. The round must work in your gun, every time, and your gun must work with the round, every time. Reliability is sacrosant and the only thing which can be quantified. Either it works 100% of the time, or it doesn't. If it does, it's acceptable. If it doesn't, it's not.

Nothing in a mechanical device is 100 percent. For a gun, this means you have to practice malfunction clearance.

I agree with you that people over think this issue. Any modern hollow point will be enough. I prefer Golden Saber, but may switch back to Hornady Tap as the Remington are getting super expensive.

[David E]

Everywhere I turn, I see tests of different ammunition in different mediums. Myriad makers, countless bullet designs, various test mediums, sundry barrel lengths and ranges from which the tests were conducted. It seems there is a great deal of heat and very little light on the subject, fierce partisans for and against every combination imaginable, little in the way of scientific study, and such a range of variables that coming up with the "best" defensive round out there.

On the day you need it, that high-tech .45 FMJHPSWCFrangiBonShok may drop your opponent, or maybe not, if the conditions are wrong. And maybe the humble .22 solid will work, if the conditions are right, but maybe not.

I think sometimes we overthink this.

When I decided to start carrying, I was overwhelmed by the weight of opinion on this subject. So many calibers, so many bullets, so many variables. What to do?

Eventually I realized that the only thing that is not negotiable is reliability. The round must work in your gun, every time, and your gun must work with the round, every time. Reliability is sacrosant and the only thing which can be quantified. Either it works 100% of the time, or it doesn't. If it does, it's acceptable. If it doesn't, it's not.

Everything after that - caliber, bullet weight, bullet type - is subject to so many unknown variables on the day you need it as to defy analysis. There is no silver bullet that will take care of any situation. There is no perfect round.

I carry a reliable load in a reliable gun and trust that the bullet I have chosen is good enough to handle most situations. And I don't think about it too much.

Could've fooled me.

I agree reliability is essential, but I want a premium JHP also. Fortunately, given today's ammo and guns, it is not difficult to find one that functions 100% in you gun.

Once proven, practice, practice, practice!

[jon86]

I think that the more anemic the caliber, the more picky that I have to be concerning my defensive ammo choice. For example, I am pretty picky about what I put into my snub nose airweight 38 special. I am a bit less picky about what I put into my glock 17. I used to have a shorter barrelled 45 and I wasn't so picky. If I had a 5 inch 45 ACP, or 6 inch 357, just about any modern hollow point would do fairly well. Not trying to start a caliber war, this is just how I look at things.

[Creature]

jon86; I happen to agree with your assessment!

[huntsman]

Everywhere I turn, I see tests of different ammunition in different mediums. Myriad makers, countless bullet designs, various test mediums, sundry barrel lengths and ranges from which the tests were conducted. It seems there is a great deal of heat and very little light on the subject, fierce partisans for and against every combination imaginable, little in the way of scientific study, and such a range of variables that coming up with the "best" defensive round out there.


selling magic bullets is a good living as is TV gun programs

[Skribs]

My first two priorities, which are both equal (because if it doesn't meet either, I don't want it) are reliability and minimum 12" penetration. After that, I'd prefer 15-18" penetration, and reliable expansion (followed by expanded width). However, I can look up the gel reports for everything but reliability.

Then I buy those, make sure they're reliable, and then practice with bulk ammo.

[Shawn Dodson]

See - http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19887