Firearms, and most things firearms related, are all about compromises. Power vs controllability, mass vs velocity, expansion vs penetration, cost vs budget.
Each of these issues are and have been debated endlessly. In the case of defensive ammunition, projectile design is every bit as important as it is in elephant, lion, leopard, pig or deer hunting.
In the case of self-defense ammunition, the main interest is in reaching vital organs and disrupting skeletal, pulmonary and circulatory systems in order to stop an imminent threat as soon as possible (OK, I guess I’ll have to use it…” existential threat”); however, our zeal for doing damage to the intended target should not be extended to unintended targets beyond through over penetration.
This is the primary reason, regardless of caliber or manufacturer, limiting penetration by the use of expanding projectiles has become the focus of so much research and continues unabated.
I see in many forums, magazine articles, and television programs how popular the AR platform has become as a home defense solution. Over penetration is the main concern I have in using the rifle or carbine. Yes, the platform makes a handy, lightweight package that virtually any adult or teenager can learn to use well with only brief training; however, the temptation to use inexpensive military ammunition in this application could represent a threat not only the intended target but those unintended targets in another room, outside the home or an unsuspecting neighbor sitting in his Barcalounger, drinking beer, watching Active Self Protection on YouTube…like me!
Please, if you are contemplating using the AR in the home defense role, get ammunition intended for home defense use.
The same applies to full metal jacketed pistol rounds and things like the 44 Magnum, 12-gauge slugs and the trusty lever action 30-30s. Get the correct ammo designed for this application.
Sorry, I got on my soap box and just couldn’t seem to shut up.
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