Anyone use FMJ ammo as their carry ammo?

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I don't carry anything smaller than 9x19mm.

EVERYTHING I carry is loaded with hollowpoints, LSWC-HPs in my .38s and .357s and JHPs in my 9x19mms, .40s, and .45s.

I'll defend a good shoot all day, every day. There's NO defending shooting through an assailant and killing a bystander when you could have greatly lessened the likelihood of that happening with proper ammunition. There's no such thing as a "justifiable accidental shooting".

The NYPD didn't agree... until they racked up an impressive record of accidental deaths and woundings due to through and throughs with 9x19mm FMJs. They've got the civil settlements and judgments to prove it too. I can't rule myself "justified" or rob the taxpayers to bankroll MY screwups.
 
Only when I carry a .380, which is not my preference. With a caliber that under-powered, I'll take maximum penetration at the expense of possible expansion.
 
I carry 230gr fmj in my Ruger P-90 most of the time. Also in my CZ-82. I have several styles and brands of SP and JHP for both in spare mags. I have several hundred rounds of .38sp fmj ammo but keep Remington Golden Sabers in both my .38s and my S&W 686 .357.
 
I carry Fiocchi 9x18mm in my Pa-63 because it's the prettiest. :p

But, in all seriousness it's what's been the most reliable in terms of terminal ballistics and feeding in my gun.
 
380 is my new bug, got rid of my seacamp, it just was too small in 32, I would stack my rounds if I were up north, perhaps a corbon or sxt, then a fmj, but down in FL, I use golden sabre, 90 grain , ammo jhp's. It's my bug, so if I have to defer to it, I am already in big trouble. My 9mm is filled with one mag of powerball 100 grain, and one mag, of fmj's just in case there is a penetration problem. I carry a g19 mag as my reload on my 26. Promag makes a 10 and 15 round mag for the lcp, I would like to get some feedback on them.
 
Huh. Not exactly the responses I was expecting.

I kinda figured anyone with a mousegun would prefer FMJ, but I'm surprised to hear all the responses favoring it in .45

My 9mm is my only carry gun. Right now it's loaded with 115 grain FMJ, but only because it's what I had on hand when I last loaded it. I plan to go to the store and buy some JHP, as that's my preference for carry ammo.

I was sorta figuring I'd hear a bunch of "Not just no, but HECK NO!" type responses. THR, you surprise me again.
 
Alittle off topic but has someone did tests in ballestic gel with 9x18 FMJ and HP? If I get one as a carry gun I would like to carry whats best.
 
Penetration is to me more important than expansion. I like to "Dutch Load" alternating rounds between FMJ for penetration and HP for expansion.
 
My .45 and .40 have full mags of Federal Hydrashoks. My single action .357 is mostly a plinker so there is no carry load planned for it however it does tote a cylinder full of of Leverevolution rds as it lays within arms reach of my pillow... right next to the .45.

The .380 clipped IWB has a mag full of FMJ.

Along these lines, the extended mag 870 in the closet is set up so the first chambering would be a slug followed by a full compliment of 00.
 
Only hollowpoints for defense. If a JHP fails to expand, it still makes a hole the same as that of a FMJ. If it does expand, it makes an even bigger hole. I want all the advantages I can get. In a .380 or smaller, I might consider a "staggered" load with alternating "ball" and JHP. Otherwise, FMJs are for target/range practice.
 
I would use HPs in my revolver, if I currently owned one, due to no need to worry about feed reliability and superior ability to stop an attacker.

I use Federal 147gr (plain jane version) HPs in my 9mm and prefer HPs. I have carried FMJs before and feel a little more comfy with reliability having them in the mag. To my mind there is no doubt that HPs are gonna be more effective when called upon to perform. If they clog up, or don't expand for one reason or another, then they act like a truncated cone and seemingly would do about the same as a FMJ. For me, I like the Federal HSTs the best, but am too poor to buy enough to check for reliablility and fill all my mags.

If I have to, I will carry FMJ, in a pinch you do what you gotta do.
 
Hello all, RON L here- SERE SURPLUS


I usually carry FMJ in my 1911A1 CCW carry, and at times I do in my BHP -95 Classic clone of that, yes, most cases I prefer to carry JHP's in the weapon and a Extra mag of FMJ, if I need to Punch a Wall or more Penetration! Thats only good Tactical planning and hope never to need it? Good Center of mass Hits with either 45 or 9M Luger have given me good stopping power when I have used it for real! Yes,m I know JMJ works better, but as someone says, at times one has no option? LOL



RON
 
I have used both in a protection gun. I also have used regularly 230gr LRN in a 45acp. I really am a believer in if the person behind the gun can get it done, just about any reliable ammo will.
 
I have carried CCI Blazer 200gr. TMJ 10mm around the ranch some, mostly because they are cheaper than JHPs, but also because they are the most effective non expanding load at killing small game and varmints I have found.
The bullet has a very large flat point with relatively sharp shoulders that make it function more like a semi wad-cutter than a round nose FMJ in flesh.

But 95% of the time I prefer a quality JHP.
 
I have used both in a protection gun. I also have used regularly 230gr LRN in a 45acp. I really am a believer in if the person behind the gun can get it done, just about any reliable ammo will.
Click to expand...

I believe the same thing. I put my time and effort into practice and training rather than expensive ammo. My thinking is that if I practice each and every week with the same ammo that I'll use for self defense, that being able to hit the target exactly where I want, will be of more use than premium ammo in the arm or leg. In a perfect world I would be able to train with higher cost ammo.
 
i have done countless tests on various ammo for the 9mm and .45 acp- FMJ are deadlier then people state they are , a COM shot with a FMJ will be an effective manstopper with .45 acp and the 9mm- why? cuz 2 holes are better then 1 !

for the .45 acp i use first 5 in the mag 230 gr FMJ and the last 3 rounds 200 gr GDHP +p ,i do that for reliability.

for the 9mm i use Corbon 125 gr +p they are the most effective JHP that i tested in both expansion and penetration, Hornady CD 115 gr are also very effective JHP, they expand every time. U can carry FMJ in any gun and dont expect to stop a threat with one shot with any handgun, you will continue to fire till the threat has ceased....
 
Shoot a critter with FMJ and you'll never willingly carry it again. Even in a .45, the FMJ just "slips" through tissue. The SWC configuration (180 gr .40) is better and a good JHP better yet. In .45 ACP, I'd much rather carry 200 gr SWCs than hardball.
 
FMJ or HP

It really depends on what I'm shooting it out of.

For my .380 I use fmj
.38 special - JHP
9mm - Rem Golden Saber
40 - Federal hydroshok
.45 XTP

For general SD/HD I prefer a JHP.
 
Only hollowpoints for defense. If a JHP fails to expand, it still makes a hole the same as that of a FMJ. If it does expand, it makes an even bigger hole. I want all the advantages I can get. In a .380 or smaller, I might consider a "staggered" load with alternating "ball" and JHP. Otherwise, FMJs are for target/range practice.
Click to expand...

HP Lose penetration and with a mouse gun pentration is needed IMO.
 
HP Lose penetration and with a mouse gun pentration is needed IMO.
Click to expand...

Some folks, such as myself, would prefer to not have too much penetration. I'd rather it go in six inches deep than penetrate the body.
 
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