Ammo Choice for CC use?

[JTQ]

I suspect most folks use hollow point ammunition in their pistols these days.

... a fragmenting RIP round.

I've been around for a while, but is "RIP" a term for ammunition? Admittedly, I don't follow fragmenting rounds with much interest, but it is not a term I've seen associated with pistol bullets.

As far as shoot throughs with deeper penetrating rounds, and the risk of hurting innocent bystanders, you could use the Kyle Rittenhouse case as an example. On a crowed street, with a rifle, barely aiming at his assailants, his shots only hit the people that were attacking him, and no others.

 

[JmacD]

I personally either carry Hornady critical defense, or sigs defense v crown. If the absolute worst nightmare scenario comes about and the gun must come out, it means that it’s a life or death situation. I’ve got family to protect. To me, there are several replies in this thread that show the absolute necessity of systematic training and having some sort of a plan for home defense. Know where the exits are at the store. Think about what to do at church if it goes “Jack Wilson”. Consistent shooting drills are not optional but absolutely essential! Being on constant “yellow” alert is a must if you’re packin’. The wounded assailant can still do some mighty horrible damage. Bottom line is the threat MUST be stopped. That’s my two cents.

 

[Spats McGee]

I usually carry Remington Golden Saber 124 grain JHPs, bonded if I can get them. As alternatives, Winchester Silvertips, Speer Gold Dots, or some other reputable ammo company, but always JHPs. I don't often carry .45 acp or .38 spl, but when I do, it's 230 grain for the .45. I don't know what grain my .38s are. I don't carry it all that often, and haven't looked at the box in ages.

....I've been around for a while, but is "RIP" a term for ammunition? ...

My best guess on that: https://g2rammo.com/handgun-ammunition/rip/

 

[FL-NC]

Whatever US brand name HP that is on sale and works reliably in my gun.

 

[huntsman]

For me it’s price that’s the determining factor.

My most expensive JHP is American gunner 124gr +p I buy when I find it for less than $20. a box(25 rounds)

after that it’s Remington UMC 115 gr JHP, I bought several 100 rounds boxes from Walmart before they quit selling.

 

[JTQ]

My best guess on that: https://g2rammo.com/handgun-ammunition/rip/

A brand name, like Gold Dot, HST, Silvertip, etc., rather than a style of bullet like ball, hollow point, semi-wadcutter, etc. Thanks.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

I've got a large supply of SIG V-Crown in 380 90gr, 9mm 124gr, 45acp 230gr, mostly because it was consistently available a couple years back & I have the habit of always buying a few boxes a week. All of it functions with good accuracy & looks good in the Lucky Gunner comparisons. Found some 9mm HST a while back that my 365 is currently stocked with.

 

[Ed4032]

Speer Gold dot 124 +P

 

[Random 8]

I use the 124 XTP in 9mm, and the 158 version in .38+P used in .357 guns. I use a 158 Speer JSP handload to full .357 power in black bear country while camping.

I favor the XTP as it is a proven design with no gimmicks. They're butt simple, and I've put enough of them into soft targets including a couple of the neighbors hogs put down for butcher to know what they do. It is readily available to inexpensively duplicate factory loadings with handloads for practice. Its generally quite accurate in most firearms. It runs well in all my automatics. It may tend to penetrate more than many of the dedicated SD designs available, which is fine for me as I generally work and play in rather rural areas where bears or other wildlife are more likely to be encountered and in the wintertime up here, a potential threat outdoors will likely be wearing heavy coats and sub layers. This round served me well in a bear encounter 2 summers ago, working exactly as expected.

 

[pharmer]

I've carried Federal Hydroshok and later HST 124 gr or 147gr "non +P" since I started carrying a 9mm in the 20th century. It has flawless performance and the bullets are crimped very well to withstand several chamberings without setback. Joe

 

[JTQ]

I've carried Federal Hydroshok

Or, as Federal likes to call them, Hydra-Shok.

 

[DR505]

Or, as Federal likes to call them, Hydra-Shok.

I liked the Hydro-shock concept...thought it was a bullet for a maritime environment.

 

[lightman]

I prefer a fast acting hollow point. Something like Remington's Golden Sabre or the equivalent from Hornady, Federal, Winchester ect.

 

[TarDevil]

@45CalPal :

Having read through several of your post since I last visited this thread, are you sure you want to carry?
When you strap on, you should already be prepared to do what's necessary when you draw.

 

[Hangingrock]

I see various respondents have their Magic Bullet Brand preferences so be it. But avoidance of stupid people, places and things, situations are better than Magic Bullet Brand preferences. Incidences of shots never fired are the best resultant's rather than shots fired if the situation allows that outcome.

 

[SharpDog]

I run Federal 9mm 147 gr. HST +P Tactical:



https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm

 

[.38 Special]

I don't do this, but using whatever load that is carried by your local law enforcement agency may be a good plan. If nothing else, it may help to shield you from accusations that you used "extra deadly" ammunition, or whatever similar malarkey a prosecutor might dream up.

Having said that, it strikes me as a side issue, with the idea of finding "effective but not deadly" ammunition as the main one. I think it is important that any armed man understand that shooting someone stands a very good chance of killing him, and that there is no practical way around it. If a fellow is unwilling to kill under any circumstance, then I do not think he should arm himself with a gun.

 

[Meeks36]

I carry underwood defenders. Around the house penatrators in my carbine. I also have carried federal hst. And Walmart special hollow points when I first started out. And they actually sold pistol ammo.

 

[Buzznrose]

I agree that any quality brand name JHP is fine. Gold Dots, HST, Golden Sabers, Critical Duty, etc. I like 124 or heavier in 9MM, 200 or heavier .45

Ever watch the You Tube cop shootings? They are NOT shooting once or twice…they are rapping off 4-6 rounds at a time. I’m not saying they are always doing things perfect, but they do not just “pop one cap” and assess.

And agree, it is not about blowing their lungs out. It is about stopping the threat.

I generally train to shoot at least twice round unless practicing limited opportunity shots, which require precision, then just one shot. That repetitive training may be a habit in a shooting situation.

 

[Ethan Verity]

Gold Dots.

BTW if you are shooting at someone with a firearm their is high chance they will die.

if that’s unacceptable to you, then to be honest you may want to look into “less” lethal weapons and tactics.

they do make the glaser safety slug, I’ve never heard anyone recommend them, but you may want to look into them.

I believe the Glaser safety slug was designed specifically for air marshals, where the risk of collateral damage is exponentially higher on a crowded airplane. It's basically a tiny bit of birdshot packed into a plastic bullet... outside of its intended role it's a terrible choice for defense.

 

[Ralph III]

quote by 45CalPal "As the title suggests, I use a 9mm and have it loaded with JHP".

JHP is the overwhelming choice for self defense ammo and for good reason.
a) Hollow Points provide sufficient penetration capable of hitting vital organs which means the threat is more likely to be stopped quicker -vs- fragmenting ammo.
b) Hollow Points expand which means they are less likely to over penetrate and they create a larger wound channel which is more likely to stop a threat quicker -vs- fmj ammo.

So Hollow Points just have a greater opportunity to stop a threat quicker than fragmenting or fmj type ammo. The Xtreme Defender ammo is an interesting concept because it attempts to accomplish what the hollow points do without the potential for failure. I'm not sold on it yet though, so I'll stick with my Federal HST law enforcement ammo which is very reliable.

quote by 45CalPal "I mean Im sure no one wants to actually blow a persons lungs out thier back side and put them in the grave..."

Your perspective is all wrong because that's not your consideration. First, nobody desires to find themselves in a self defense situation, period! Secondly, your only goal if you are in a self defense situation is to simply stop the threat asap. That's your only concern. Whether that results in the criminal ultimately living or dying is not in your hands and such depends on many factors.

Deciding to ccw carries a lot of responsibility with an understanding of what the consequences could be. So that is something you must consider. I choose to be in a position to protect myself, my family and other innocent people, if that need should ever occur. But I've been involved with firearms for nearly 50 years. So it's somewhat natural for me but I can understand why others may have some hesitation. I am a strong 2A supporter but proper training and a proper frame of mind is important for ccw consideration, IMHO.

Good luck,
Ralph

 

[JmacD]

using whatever load that is carried by your local law enforcement agency may be a good plan. If nothing else, it may help to shield you from accusations that you used "extra deadly" ammunition, or whatever similar malarkey a prosecutor might dream up.

I’m not sure that would exactly be the best idea myself. My tactical trainer also works for a large ammo manufacturer. He mentions several cases where the key element of a ccw holders defense was that he/she was using ammo designed for defense, not duty ammo. They aren’t exactly the same thing anymore. Not just a big wad of lead with a hollow front. Think Hornady critical defense and critical duty. FTX/FlexCor.

 

[JmacD]

am a strong 2A supporter but proper training and a proper frame of mind is important for ccw consideration, IMHO.[/QUOTE
DITTO DITTO DITTO!!!!!! If a person doesn’t regularly shoot and keep their marksmanship up to par, what are they gonna do if they do need to defend themselves and the adrenaline starts pumping….

 

[unclenunzie]

My choices are from the top US makers - typically Speer, Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hornady. They are all very good and I try to get them when on sale, if possible. Jacketed hollow points with a proven record, and favorable expert opinions. An exception might be hard cast outdoorsman types from Buffalo Bore or Underwood equivalent for woods.

 

[howlnmad]

45 acp, 200 grn hollow points.