imported post
swift wrote:
My AZ CCW instructors mentioned not only that you can carry hollowpoints in AZ for self defense purposes, but that you should for the following reasons:
1) Safety of innocent bystanders - you don't want a non-expanding FMJ to over-penetrate the perp & hit some innocent bystander somewhere down range of him or her that you didn't know about.
Over penetration is way over hyped. From FBI documented shootings of LE, about 8 out of 10 shots fired miss the intended target. How is a FMJ round that may of may not go through a bad guy, more dangerous than the other 8 shots that miss him all together?
swift
wrote:
2) Safety of the criminal - it is easier for the doctor to patch up 2 to 4 slightly larger holes that it took to stop the bad guy's advance than it is to patch up 5 to 10 smaller holes left by non-expanding FMJ ammo that may be needed to stop the same bad guy.
Like I care about the safety of the criminal. My jog is to stop the threat. The key here is shot placement. You improve that by practice, practice, practice.
swift
wrote:
3) Police use hollow points for the same reasons mentioned above so it would be easy to explain to the Jury why hollow points are the best choice for all envolved - the good guy, the bystanders, & the bad guy.
[/quote]Police use what they are issued. Using the same ammo as the police could be used for or against you.
swift
wrote:
Ditto on above advice from american-kiwi of using commercially available ammo for self defense although it is fine to use self loaded ammo during most practice sessions if you like. Using standard commercial ammo for self defense also makes it easier for forensics to duplicate the ammo in your gun if needed, and prevents the DA from trying to convice the jury that you used some special customom made extra hot ammo that you made in your own basement with pre-meditated intention to murder the poor innocent victim who "accidently" knocked your front door down while breaking & entering.
I would agree with this statement on commercial ammo, not to mention the fact that most gun manufacturers say the re-loads will void your warranty.
openryan
wrote:
[/quote]
I have carried FMJ and still do if the need is there, for example when I am in bear country I want maximum penetration and I carry my .357 Magnum with high velocity FMJ rounds.
I don't generally load my normal carry guns with FMJ, but use JHP, not because of any of the reasons mentioned above, but for this reason. Generally a big hole is better in stopping a threat than a small hole. No JHP can boast 100% reliable expansion, as they are commonly plugged with clothing, bone and other materials, but if they expand, it usually doesn't hurt.
Tarzan
