Staggering rounds in an EDC

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Eb1

Eb1

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I got to thinking last night that having a full mag of HP in .380 doesn't make much sense.

So that count would go like this:

1) HP(chamber)
2) HP
3) FMJ-FN
4) HP
5) FMJ-FN
6) HP
7) FMJ-FN
8) FMJ-FN
9) FMJ-FN

Next mag:
1) HP
2) FMJ-FN
3) HP
4) FMJ-FN
5) HP
6) FMJ-FN
7) FMJ-FN
8) FMJ-FN

Last mag:

8x FMJ-FN

Does anyone else stagger their rounds despite it being a .380 ACP or whatever you decide to carry?
 
Don't over think it.....

Might want to step up in caliber, if it takes that much thought on what order to load your mag in.......;)
 
I guess that order assumes every shot is a good hit, but not getting the desired result?

What if shots miss?

I would just load the magazine with the ammo I thought was the "best".
 
Can you keep track of rounds during the stress of self defense? Just load up your favorite round that your pistol runs 100% with, practice your shooting and work on mindset.

What are the three most important things for self defense, in order?

Mindset, mindset, mindset, a weapon you are proficient with, ammo.
 
To me, "Dutch loading" indicates indecisiveness, or a lack of confidence in one's chosen(?) round.

After owning two P3ATs and two LCPs, I no longer own a .380. As easy as they are to carry, I never had the confidence in the cartridge. Simple solution--step up to a 9mm or .38 Spl.
 
In my 1911 I alternate 230 gr Hyra-Shok & 230 gr ball. They shoot to the same POA and the ball will penetrate more if needed. At least in my 45 I have not had a problem with function and as I said with both the same weight they shoot to the same place.
 
I got to thinking last night that having a full mag of HP in .380 doesn't make much sense.
Click to expand...
Why?

If the HP expands it will make a bigger wound.
And if it doesn't expand it will perform the same as a non-HP.

Now if you're afraid that you will not get enough penetration, then I would suggest a step up in caliber.
 
In my 1911 I alternate 230 gr Hyra-Shok & 230 gr ball. They shoot to the same POA and the ball will penetrate more if needed. At least in my 45 I have not had a problem with function and as I said with both the same weight they shoot to the same place.
Click to expand...

And if it's not needed, and not desired? Then your stuck with it in the chamber.
 
smalls said:
And if it's not needed, and not desired? Then your stuck with it in the chamber.
Click to expand...

Or cycle it or shoot it into the ground.

Too much thinking, not enough experience. I never expect to pull a pistol, and if I do, the other guy is going to mess his pants and run, mostly.

Tom
 
Or cycle it or
Click to expand...
Most SD scenarios are over within a matter of seconds. I doubt you'll even remember to do this, or which round is which.

shoot it into the ground.
Click to expand...

Sounds dangerous. Not to mention if you have time to shoot at the ground, I imagine you're no longer in imminent danger.
 
smalls said:
Most SD scenarios are over within a matter of seconds. I doubt you'll even remember to do this, or which round is which.



Sounds dangerous. Not to mention if you have time to shoot at the ground, I imagine you're no longer in imminent danger.
Click to expand...
I actually agree with you.

Tom
 
I alternate HP, ball, tracer in my 45's. Would include some incendiary if I could find it.

A pistol isn't powerful enough to count on stopping anything, and you can never tell how much penetration you'll need or what you might need to shoot through.

I figure on shooting until the threat is stopped, and besides it looks cool at night! ;)
 
Kyle DeFoor uses/recommends this exact thing with 9mm. HP/ball/HP/ball etc. I personally do not, but with 380 I get the idea. Just sayin....
 
Too much thinking, not enough experience. I never expect to pull a pistol, and if I do, the other guy is going to mess his pants and run, mostly.
Click to expand...

None of us wish to draw our weapons. If we're forced to we hope this happens, but it doesn't always work out the way we want. And if things go south, we want the best ammo for the situation in our guns.
 
Again, I agree with you, but let's look at the numbers.

Say that I load so that the top two rounds are Federal HST and the next five are ball.

Using real data, what are the chances that a random concealed carrier will get that third round off?

I understand and agree that you plan for your enemy's capabilities and not intentions... but sometimes it seems like we're posturing and jacking off for no reason. The most important thing is that you know the gun you're carrying. You know it like you know a body part.

Then you actually choose to carry it.

Then you have had training to at least have SOME clue about when to use it.

Then, goddess forbid, you have to pull the damn thing, you hit what you're aiming at.

THEN, perhaps, we can argue about what's in the magazine.

Right?

Tom
 
Fine. Fine.

I went back to all Ranger T's in the mag, a spare with Ranger T's, and another with all FMJ.
I stagger my shotguns. Didn't think it'd make such a rukus over the .380. I don't doubt that a .380 ACP is good defense for my EDC.
I work at home, and I don't go to malls. I don't go to crack neighborhoods to buy meth or dope from anyone. I don't use dope.
I don't like 9mm in small frames. I cannot shoot them well. I can shoot full size 9mm like my XD9 just fine, but cannot carry it. I do carry a J-Frame .32 H&R Magnum, but I have been carrying S&W Long in it as they shoot way more accurately than the 100 grain XTPs that I have in 32 H&R Magnum. I'll take being able to hit my target by shooting a lessor round than hoping I do with a more powerful round.
I don't know why the 100 grain XTPs do not shoot well. The last batch did, but this batch does not. I bought them from the same manufacturer. Must be a component change on their part.

I love my .380 ACP. Great shooter, easy to conceal, has a 3.5" barrel, and very accurate. I am not at all questioning the purchase of the .380 ACP. It might have came across this way, but I didn't mean to make it a debate of the .380 ACP. I just know that skin and bone are way more elastic and tough than blue jeans and jello.
Needles to say. I will take the groups advice. I do respect Walkalong's and rcmodel's opinion. They have never lead me wrong on the board. They have helped me work out some issues with guns, and with handloading.

Back to single stacked mags with like ammo, and a mag of FMJ for that rare, rare, and hopefully never day that I get trapped in a situation that needs it.
 
.380 is the only chambering I carry FMJ in certain picky firearms. But when I do it is all FMJ or all HP. As I said in the other thread, mix and matching is ill advised.
 
I don't understand why it is ill advised. That part I don't understand. Ill advised for what reason?

Legality? Functionality?

Legality shouldn't be an issue. A bullet is a bullet. I know from experience a staggered mag doesn't matter when it comes to legality.

Functionality shouldn't matter if you have proven that shots are to the same POA, and both rounds function in the gun.

What is "ill advised" about it. I don't mind listening to reason, and changing my mind, but I still don't understand "ill advised".
 
Hey, Tom. You ever had to deal with a SD situation in real life where someone was shot?
I have dealt with it. Real life. Real shooting. Real mop that mopped up the blood.
 
Last edited:
Eb1 said:
Hey, Tom. You ever had to deal with a SD situation in real life where someone was shot?
I have dealt with it. Real life. Real shooting. Real mop that mopped up the blood.
Click to expand...

I have not. I'm sorry you've had to do that. You're the one poor bastard we point at when we say "one in a million".

I wish that there was some way that I could help, but I can't.

If you haven't done it yet, assuming this is recent, ask your local police department for a referral to their shooting counselor.

Tom
 
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