How so? Is it somehow less deadly?
Aren't FMJs superior for penetrating car-doors and other barriers?
How so? Is it somehow less deadly?
Aren't FMJs superior for penetrating car-doors and other barriers?
Absolutely, granted you have a good JHP design and adequate penetration. Simple physics and human physiology. Start reviewing some trauma journals if you don't believe me. I've seen a number of cases where the round just simply passed through the individual and they walked into the ER. Discovery health had a documentary where a gang member walked into the ER after getting shot 3 times with FMJ .40 S&W.
Surely they are, but I'm going to stay with my odds of what scenarios are MUCH more likely to happen. I can't imagine many scenarios where I'd have to shoot through a car door to defend myself??
One issue with FMJ documented by the Army medical folks is that FMJ tend to push large blood vessels out of the way, instead of cutting them, something like the difference between a target arrow and a sharp broadhead.
That also explains why a sharp-shouldered SWC makes a good handgun hunting load while a FMJ does not.
The Russians addressed this in some of their small-caliber military rifle ammunition by leaving a cavity inside the nose, allowing it to break over and make a sharp edge on impact.
That also explains why a sharp-shouldered SWC makes a good handgun hunting load while a FMJ does not.
The Russians addressed this in some of their small-caliber military rifle ammunition by leaving a cavity inside the nose, allowing it to break over and make a sharp edge on impact.
JHP but FMJ for my 380's. They probably use FMJ because that is cheaper and they probably figure they'll shoot them more times with the extra ammo if they needed it. I'd say they use FMJ mostly because it is cheap and they dont opt for the JHP.
Regardless of how "deadly" either is, the main concern is incapacitation and all things equal, JHPs have the potential to incapacitate faster than FMJ.
If you look at some of the testing by the major manufacturers, their JHP offerings perform well against car doors and other barriers, particularly with the "bonded" or "uni-core" type rounds.
If I am carrying my S&W 625 I usually either carry 230gr FMJ's from WallyWorld, or a special load that I had made up that I call my -P load.
My 45 ACP -P load:
185 gr LSWC @ 750-775 fps.
Please note that I do not recommend this load for any semi-auto pistol as it probably does not have enough recoil to reliably cycle the action.
My 45 ACP -P load:
185 gr LSWC @ 750-775 fps.
Please note that I do not recommend this load for any semi-auto pistol as it probably does not have enough recoil to reliably cycle the action.
They have fed reliably out of three 1911's that I shoot. Kimber Gold Match, Kimber Pro Eclipse II 4", and my Rock River Arms Pro Carry 4 1/4". As a bonus, the bullets impact at the point of aim at distances under 25 yds. I've fired maybe 200 rds. of these over the last couple of years. I would have answered sooner ,Jon1911, but I got busy.
That's why I always get Speer GDHPs. It says "Personal Protection" on the box.
When I was carrying a Para Ord P12-45 I once shot a wounded hog 3 times with 230gr FMJ from 6ft - 1ft away. . (yeah it got that interesting). I will just say that I was very disappointed and will never use FMJ again.
I recovered two of the rounds and found the third in the nose of the skull (it went through the back of the head to the front of the skull) after we fleshed it and boiled it.
I recovered two of the rounds and found the third in the nose of the skull (it went through the back of the head to the front of the skull) after we fleshed it and boiled it.
I do in my pistol when I am hog hunting. I, of course, am using a rifle caliber for the hogs.
