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CONCERNS OF BULLET OVER-PENETRATION IN CIVILIAN SHOOTINGS

Every situation requires forethought to get the best results and minimize risks.
If I was hunting moose or grizzly I wouldn't bring a gun stuffed with hollow points.
Around the house for defense I keep the shotgun loaded with number 6s, regular game loads. I read comments all over where guys load 12 gauges with 00 buck or worse for home defense. 3", 00 buckshot will shoot right through several sheets of drywall and have energy enough to kill someone, most likely a family member.
The #6 shot shells (from very close range) are plenty effective and a lot safer in the home.
If a pistol is in the line up for defense I usually load it with hardball. I actually prefer hardball because I make sure where its going before taking any shot. Most pistols cycle the most reliably with them, and even small calibers will get sufficient penetration. They are 'standard' bullets, safer in court, as long as we restrain ourselves from spraying them all over.
Every situation and the different guns used mean you have to consider all the angles. If I was in court I'd rather have had hb target ammo than some special designed anti personnel rounds. Dang gun holds 14 rounds, that's a lot of slugs to absorb.
 
C. Sumpin said:
My takeaway; the greater point is accuracy.

And never would I want to be accused of under (or lack of) penetration!!
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Thanks for good thought provoking info Talyn,
To add to and to possibly help clarify authors and articles purpose and intent more? Just more thoughts to ponder and reinforce info's intent. Not every round needs to be same as last or next round loaded or used. How are tracer rounds commonly used for example? Interspersed and not spaced every round. In some ways, maybe think of ammo as a Swiss Army Knife's functions with many types of blades all in one knife? It's just one knife ....with multiple purposes. Like a handgun's ammo can be used with different purposes depending on bullet and propellant. - The guns "blades" are the ammo, there can be different purposes with every single one, therefore different ammo to help remedy different scenarios.

A real life "range" can have different obstacles. Using just one type of ammo can limiting. If using multiple rounds, counting beforehand and during use can become more important than some may realize?

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after reading this particular sentence.....

"Considering this, why are we so worried about over-penetration of the 20% of shots fired that actually hit the human target, when the much greater percentage of shots fired miss the human target and continue on? "

i'd be more worried about a "gang banger" missing his target, more than me missing mine.

as far as "over-penetration", this is why it is usually recommended we use hollow points. the thugs use whatever they can steal, or buy, do they really buy thier ammo...???.

i don't believe they give a crap on which, they shoot, and they certainly don't "take aim", like we would with the training we have at each range trip.
 
On the subject of having the first round or two JHP and the rest FMJ…not the best idea. You’re adding complexity into the system with having different rounds.

Additionally, most top-tier JHP’s, particularly ones designed for LE use (HST, Ranger-T, etc) still expand and penetrate deep after barriers…so that argument really isn’t valid.

The entire thing reads like it was written 20+ years ago, before bullet technology advanced…or the writer’s mindset is stuck in that time.
 
Anyone considering mixing different types of bullet types should always test their firearm for reliable function. Plus, one should consider their area and what threats they may encounter.

That being said, the author (the manufacturer of a well-known brand of ammo) lives in an Western area were the interface between a urban environment & very wild rural is pretty much instant. So, his choice is likely influenced by threat types that could include dangerous 4-legged critters that could be encountered when out of town, or if something "Big" enters the urban area to rummage around for food.

That potential is very real in his and my areas. Near my area a griz killed a tourist this year who was camping next to the Post Office building right in town, in a small town not far to the north.

That being said, when out-and-about in my (similar) area with my "woods" 10mm pistols I mix up my carry load since I can encounter both thin-skinned and tougher 4-legged threats. I use both Federal 200 gr A-Frame Swift JHPs & Buffalo Bore 220 gr Hard Cast, loaded with the first two + one in the chamber with the 200 gr A-Frame Swifts and after that all Buffalo Bore Hardcast. Both are reliable in either my XDm 10mm 5.25 or Xm Elite 3.8 Compact.

Right now, although it's changing fast I have a greater risk of encountering a "cat" (aka mountain lion) than a griz although the griz threat is increasing as time goes on. Plus, having the JHPs in first covers the potential for a hostile 2-legged. So, my "woods" threats have moved me to use a mixed load-out in my 10mm pistols.

So, considering where you live & what threats you may encounter may influence if you decide to mix ammo types for personal protection.

My .02

BTW - While a medium sized fixed blade knife is always on the belt, no "battle axes" are carried although a small Gransfors Bruks hatchet comes in handy at times when out-and-about.
 
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l can see under penetration as an issue due to an incident I was in. At one of the places I lived there was a makeshift shooting range setup near a small underpass on one of the back roads. A buddy of mine was attempting to sell me a couple of handguns so we went there to try them out. It was fall and I was wearing a heavy wool peacoat that I picked up at a local Navy Surplus store. Another friend showed up with his brother and their perspective spouses to do some shooting. One of the guns that they had was a small .22 semiauto and one of my friends handed it to his wife. I don't know the exact sequence of events but I looked up and she was looking down at the gun and it was aimed in my direction. Before I could even react the gun went off, she jumped and I jumped and she dropped the gun. Everybody looked at me thinking I had gotten shot. I was more than a little pissed off and I assured them that I wasn't shot but that he needed to teach his wife some gun safety before handed her a loaded weapon. Later in the day as we were leaving, I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out my car keys and the .22 bullet. It had gone through the first layer of the peacoat and then was stopped from going further by either the keys or just the heavy material but it was definately that .22 bullet.
I carry a 9mm and the article was written on .38 /.380 and smaller bullets so I'm thinking my full load of JHP is probably adequate but it has got me thinking. Hmmmm.....
 
I know of some skilled folks that use fragible self defense ammo (remember the Glaser Safety slug?) because of the risk of over penetratio in certain circumstances/conditions & environments. It works fine in soft tissue but fragments against hard surfaces.

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Frangible ammo uses a projectile that shatters on impact with hard surfaces. Let's look at its uses and if you can use it for self defense.
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How is frangible ammo different, and should you use it?
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