40 S&W: FMJ for self defense load?

[PointOneSeven]

I know .45 ACP FMJ ammo gets the nod as a viable self defense load, but how about in .40 S&W?




Forgive me if it's been discussed, but the search button is failing me. Thanks in advance.

 

[waynedm]

Oh no! Not another one of these!

 

[RNB65]

Ball ammo will kill you just as dead as hollow point ammo. You may die a little slower since ball ammo probably won't do as much vascular damage as JHP, but the end result will be pretty much the same with either one.

 

[nwilliams]

It will get the job done if the situation ever required you to use it. I carry a .40 M&P as my CCW and have carried FMJ in it as well. Just because the .45 may be more popular doesn't exclude less powerful rounds as defense loads. Even a .32 can be an effective defense load in a situation where having a gun is still better than having nothing at all.

 

[CountGlockula]

NEVER use FMJ as self defense, but more for range time.

Stick to Hallow Points for home defense.

 

[waynedm]

NEVER use FMJ as self defense,

I say never use hollow points for self defense.

 

[Redhat]

Do a search on penetration tests for ball vs HP's. You'll probably find that Ball over penetrates and most knowledgeable folks (LE depts and such) recognize that it can easily go through more walls of your house.

HPs are capable of penetrating walls also.

Check out the testing and make your own informed decision accordingly.

 

[Onmilo]

They all fall to hardball and this is the reason I have never been impressed with .40 caliber firearms.
The only allowance a .40 caliber offers over a .45 is a slightly smaller package with a few more cartridges in the magazine and a short and extremely intense pressure curve with very little room for error.

To try and answer the question directly, .40 S&W full metal jacket cartridges are no less, and no more, effective than 9mm or .45 acp full metal jacketed cartridges.

 

[Texas Colt]

Shot placement. Shot placement. Shot placement.

Whether you are shooting FMJ or the latest whiz-bang JHP, shot placement is still the most critical thing.

If you can hit what you are shooting at (accurately, quickly, and when drawing from the holster) and your gun functions 100% with FMJ, then go for it.

 

[waynedm]

To try and answer the question directly, .40 S&W full metal jacket cartridges are no less, and no more, effective than 9mm or .45 acp full metal jacketed cartridges.

I think that's the best response I have ever seen on any of the caliber versus caliber debates.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I always thought that Federal's 155 grain AE FMJ would make a great load for anyone who wants/needs to use FMJ for serious matters. It's a pretty hot load, noticably hotter than Federal's 165 (midrange) load. Light and fast with a relatively wide flat point, should have good energy transfer for a FMJ.

I bet our boys 'over there' wouldn't mind a hot .40 caliber FMJ to feed their sidearms.

 

[joneb]

I load my .45 acp for self defense with 230gr fmj I feel this is the most reliable round and has the penetration to get the job done. In my Makarov 95gr fmj and my S&W 36 Speer 158 fmj RNFP +p I think the 148gr WC would be a good load as well.
For the .357 mag. and other like rounds, I think HP's have a place for self defense, just my 2 cents.

 

[Waywatcher]

It's a mediocre choice.

Cruise on over to www.stoppingpower.net/forum and do some research.

Both field and scientific tests point to the fact that JHP's are better.

 

[ravencon]

I load my .45 acp for self defense with 230gr fmj I feel this is the most reliable round and has the penetration to get the job done.

If you use FMJ to assure reliability that must mean you're shooting a 1911 Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[M2 Carbine]

This is the two extremes. A .223 JSP (from a Kel Tec PLR 9 inch barrel) and a JHP 45ACP Speer Gold Dot.

If you believe a FMJ round is as effective as a (good) JSP/HP bullet then by all means use it.
Personally I'll use SP or HP when available.

 

[benelli12]

Quote:
To try and answer the question directly, .40 S&W full metal jacket cartridges are no less, and no more, effective than 9mm or .45 acp full metal jacketed cartridges.

I think that's the best response I have ever seen on any of the caliber versus caliber debates.

Not to start a war, but in my opinion, 45 ball is alot more effective than 9mm ball. If I had to choose one for personal defense, I'd go with the 45 fmj.

 

[Mortech]

The ONLY reason I see to carry FMJ ammo for selfdefense is that you live somewhere like New Jersey .

 

[Silvanus]

45 ball is alot more effective than 9mm ball

Yes, 2,43mm make a HUGE difference

 

[Onmilo]

It doesn't make a difference in a handgun but if one really feels compelled to spend thirty dollars for a box of hollowpoints I am not going to stop that person.
This here is after all, a free market economy.

Personally, if I wasn't so very commited to preventing the most horrific spread of lead poisoning,,,, I would advocate non jacketed, non hollowpoint lead bullets as one of the most effective stopping bullets in a handgun.

 

[Redhat]

Just out of curiosity...On what information/experience do you base your opinion?

Thanks

 

[Walkalong]

Quote:
NEVER use FMJ as self defense,



I say never use hollow points for self defense.

I don't want to be shot with either, but I rather be shot by ball ammo if I must.

Quote:
45 ball is alot more effective than 9mm ball

Yes, 2,43mm make a HUGE difference

Yes, Yes it does, sorry. It's the area, not the diameter.:banghead:

 

[Redhat]

Yes, 2,43mm make a HUGE difference

This is simple. Whic one makes a bigger hole? 45ACP, agree?

If you agree that the 45 ACP is in fact bigger than the 9mm, then what you have to decide is if it gives you an edge worth taking.

I believe it does and that's why I like .45 cal.

By the way, have you ever fired 45ACP?

 

[PO2Hammer]

Cruise on over to www.stoppingpower.net/forum and do some research.

Evans and Marshall sell books for a living. They ignore all shootings that require more than one shot, and all shootings that involve barriers and anything else that isn't a one shot, face to face encounter.

Also if you disagree with them, you get banned immediatly.

 

[Silvanus]

By the way, have you ever fired 45ACP?

Yes, I have. So what?

I just think that if you hit somebody in the same spot with a 9mm, .40 or .45 it won't make a difference. If the hit was ineffective with a 9mm it would also have been ineffective with the slightly larger .45.

you have to decide is if it gives you an edge worth taking.

And I decide for me that it is not (an 'edge worth taking'). I rather have a higher magazine capacity and a caliber I personally shoot better.

But I'm not saying that the 9mm caliber is better, it's only better for me.

 

[Onmilo]

"Have you ever fired a .45 acp?" :banghead:

Why, yes, yes I have.
It was such a formidable and frightening experience I wet myself and had to run off and change my panties.

Mods, maybe you should lock this one.