Adjust Caliber for Threats in Heavy/Layered Clothing?

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Bobson

Bobson

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I currently carry a 9mm pistol year round, but where I live, it never gets cold enough for anything more than a light coat. I have a job interview next week in a part of the country where it gets much colder, and thick, layered clothing is a part of life for 4-5 months out of the year.

Is that reason enough that I may want to consider switching from 9mm to a larger caliber (.40 or .45)? I'm wondering if thicker or layered clothing is enough to warrant concerns about adequate penetration in a premium 9mm JHP. Just looking to see what the general consensus is, as this isn't anything I've ever had to consider.
 
If it was a .32 or .380 it might be a concern, but a 9mm has plenty of oomph to punch through whatever coats and layers people are wearing up here. It's just leather or down filled coats and sweatshirts, not flak vests.

Typically when clothing clogs a jhp it ends up penetrating further like a fmj.
 
Whatever the cops in that area carry will probably be fine. They have to be prepared for the eventuality of shooting an armed aggressor 24/7/365.

I think any good quality 9mm/.40/.45acp will be fine...pretty much anywhere.
I don't think the cops in Bangor, ME, Duluth, MN or Anchorage, AK swap out calibers or cartridges when the seasons turn.

And I'd bet they all use one or more of the above listed cartridges.

Some of us CCW types may go down to a .380 in the summer. If that is you, then maybe go up to a 9/40/45 in the winter.

Just my .02...
 
Here in the land of snow and cold I switch from JHPs to FMJs in my .45acp for more penetration through layers of clothing in winter time.
 
It seems to be common for some people to carry a heavier weight round in the winter time. TnOutdoors9 has said he switches to 147gr 9mm in the winter time vs. 124gr in summer.

Frankly I can't see it making that much difference. However, somebody ought to run a gelatin test with a bunch of old sweatshirts and a thick coat strapped to the front of the gel block.
 
I doubt a caliber change will make any more difference than it usually would.
If I were worried about it, I'd instead switch to Hornady Critical Defense round which is supposed to prevent clogging or Federal's 'Guard Dog' expending FMJ, which just can't clog.
 
You're probably fine, but I carry a .45 as this is one of my concerns. If it doesn't expand, at least you still have a .45 cal hole puncher. It gets cold as hell where I live, and lots of people carry 9mm's. As suggested by others, you may just want to pick up some Critical Defense, or Duty ammo.
 
Here in the land of snow and cold I switch from JHPs to FMJs...
Click to expand...
That's common here too. In .380 caliber pocket guns I would definitely go to FMJ (I do year round anyway).
 
Don't worry a 9mm will go through just about anything that doesn't have a bullet proof vest on.
 
gym said:
Don't worry a 9mm will go through just about anything that doesn't have a bullet proof vest on.
Click to expand...

Pretty much this. YOU wearing a thicker coat might allow you to conceal a larger gun so if you want to carry one then sure, go for it, but I'mt not sure where this recent idea that bullets go around bouncing off of a heavy coat came from.

The only reason I'd change guns would to increase capacity and size (for a better grip). I'd personally still stick with 9mm for capacity. I own several .40's and there's nothing wrong with them but 9mm is plenty powerful, higher capacity, and (most importantly for me) is easier to shoot accurately at speed.
 
The only time I was concerned with this was when I was carrying a .380 (Bersa Thunder.) During those couple of days the clothing got layered more on the certain group of those who revel in the chance to dress that way, I'd switch ammo to a FNEB (essentially a semi-jacketed flat-tipped soft-point) round over the JHP normally carried.

With my current EDC (Kel-Tec PF9), I keep the 115-grain JHP load throughout the year.
 
I doubt a caliber change will make any more difference than it usually would.
If I were worried about it, I'd instead switch to Hornady Critical Defense round which is supposed to prevent clogging or Federal's 'Guard Dog' expending FMJ, which just can't clog.
Click to expand...

My thinking exactly. I swapped out to Critical Defense (.357mag 125gr) for my carry revolver back in October here in CT. Honestly, I may just stick with it. Since it's not like it underperforms, I don't see any reason to switch away from it in the summer.

For my 1911, I have to see. I'm still testing Federal HST 230gr vs. Critical Duty 220gr +p and seeing which one I like more.
 
mgmorden said:
Pretty much this. YOU wearing a thicker coat might allow you to conceal a larger gun so if you want to carry one then sure, go for it, but I'mt not sure where this recent idea that bullets go around bouncing off of a heavy coat came from.

The only reason I'd change guns would to increase capacity and size (for a better grip). I'd personally still stick with 9mm for capacity. I own several .40's and there's nothing wrong with them but 9mm is plenty powerful, higher capacity, and (most importantly for me) is easier to shoot accurately at speed.
Click to expand...

Well said.

a heavy winter coat ≠ soft body armor.
 
I have seen test were heavy clothing showed signs of reduced penetration in gelatin due to the HP clogging.
 
I do not switch, even when I go back up to Chicago or near Detroit or wherever when it's 5* outside.

The 9mm will do the job if I do my job, same as every other service cartridge.

And if the bullet's hollow point cavity clogs with clothing, that leads to INCREASED penetration since the bullet doesn't open, or doesn't open as much.
 
Actually it leads to reduced penetration because the bullet flattens out and reduces velocity faster. However the difference is inches so it may only matter in lesser calibers.
 
If you want to ensure expansion from you 9mm JHP's through heavy clothing get some Hornady FTX or better yet, Critical Duty.
 
I only switch out my carry piece with the weather due to being able to carry a larger gun in the winter than in the summer. A 1911 is much easier for me to conceal under my jacket than just a tee shirt. I sometimes opt to carry my FNS-40 when it gets really cold, mainly because it has an elongated trigger guard that allows for a gloved hand to reach in there as well as very aggressive checkering on the grip. Nice to be able to use your gun without having to worry about your gloves getting in the way and stuff:)

In short, the extra penetration is just a bonus.
 
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