I'm pretty sure all the ballistic gel comparison tests are done at 10 feet. I'm not sure how "worst case" that may be, but you can do your own guessing whether you can expect more or less penetration depending on your expected shooting range.The FBI guidelines are based on "worst case" scenario, so I'll take the larger expansion at an inch or two less.
Under Penetration can be an issue, just ask the FBI what they learned after the Miami shootout.
In a high adrenaline situation even at close range history has shown us that even highly trained individuals are likely to miss the intended target. This idea that a round that doesn't penetrate as much is somehow safer to bystanders just doesn't hold up in a real life situation. You have to be aware of what it beyond your target.
What is needed for LEOs to shoot thru car windows/doors and stop multiple threats armed with high powered rifles is a tad different than the average civilian armed with a handgun for SD/HD. Besides, there are very few folks out there where 10-12'' of penetration will not reach the vitals. While under-penetration can be an issue, so can over-penetration.
If your argument is that folks are more than likely to miss the BG anyway, why would we want a round that will penetrate the wall behind the BG? Do you have Superman's X-Ray vision to see thru walls and know what's behind your target there? This is the fear of most civilians when it comes to over-penetration......not what happens after the bullet exits the BGs body, but what happens to the misses in a firefight. Kinda why most folks use Buckshot in their HD shotguns as opposed to slugs, so they endanger their kids sleeping in a bedroom, two walls down. You really think that someone so hyped up on adrenaline they completely miss their target at 3 feet(the range of most SD shoots), will still have the forethought to look behind their target and make sure it is clear for hundreds of yards down the street?
Folks need to use what they are comfortable with, what they are proficient with, what works well in their firearm and what they have the most confidence in. This will be what works best for them under the stress and adrenaline of a true SD/HD scenario, not thinking if they have the right bullet for the situation. In reality, the type of bullet, we as civilians use will matter very little if at all if we survive a SD encounter. What will matter is that we have a firearm on us that we can hit what we are aiming at.
I have (FLI-1) but I wonder how many have died cause their bullets just didn't reach far enough into their insides.I'm guessing you have never taken a concealed carry class or attended one of Massad Ayoob's (among others) classes.
Incapacitation will occur faster with two holes in the animal than with one hole.
Definitely over penetrator - two holes bleed better than one!
Just remember, you are responsible for every round you fire, including the ones that pass through a bad guy and strike an innocent. Just sayin...
Given the FBI/IWBA recommendation for self defense rounds being 12 to 18 inches penetration of 10% ballistic gel, which of the two following rounds would you choose to carry (assuming reliability, shootability, ect are the same)?
which of the two following rounds would you choose to carry
True it's been said a lot but my post wasn't just to see my words in print, it was in response to all the posts that said they didn't care if the bullet exited the body or didn't care about over penetration. That is reckless and just wrong so need need for your snide post.Gee, that's never been posted on a gun forum before.
Chill out. No need to take everything so personally.True it's been said a lot but my post wasn't just to see my words in print, it was in response to all the posts that said they didn't care if the bullet exited the body or didn't care about over penetration. That is reckless and just wrong so need need for your snide post.
What is reckless is assuming every round you fire is going to hit the target. Odds are they wont.True it's been said a lot but my post wasn't just to see my words in print, it was in response to all the posts that said they didn't care if the bullet exited the body or didn't care about over penetration. That is reckless and just wrong so need need for your snide post.