CHOOSING YOUR SELF DEFENSE AMMO
Choosing the right type of self-defense ammunition is a critical decision for anyone who carries a firearm for personal protection. You have so many different options available, it can be difficult to determine which type is best to go with. We’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular types of self-defense ammo and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
JACKETED HOLLOW POINTS (JHP)
First, let’s consider jacketed hollow point (JHP) ammunition. JHP ammo, also known as hollow points, expands on impact to create a large wound channel and minimize the risk of over-penetration. JHP ammo is a popular choice among law enforcement and civilian concealed carriers due to its effective stopping power. However, compared to other types, JHP ammo can be expensive and some locations may restrict its use for self-defense purposes.
SPECIALITY HOLLOW POINTS
CORBON DPX (Deep Penetrating X-Bullet)
DPX (Deep Penetrating X-Bullet) ammo is a reliable and effective self-defense ammunition that penetrates deeply and delivers consistent, high-energy transfer to the target. A homogenous copper bullet makes up this type of ammo, engineered to hold its shape even when penetrating intermediate barriers like glass or drywall. DPX ammo is a popular choice for concealed carriers and law enforcement officers who want a high-performance, reliable self-defense round. Unlike traditional hollow point ammo, which may not perform well after penetrating intermediate barriers, DPX ammo delivers consistent results and is less likely to experience bullet failure. Additionally, people often consider DPX ammo safer for self-defense use because it is less likely to cause harm to innocent bystanders through over-penetration.
CORBON POW’RBALL Ammunition
Cor-Bon’s Pow’RBall ammo is a type of self-defense ammunition that uses a unique bullet design to deliver excellent performance. The Pow’RBall bullet features a lead core surrounded by a brass casing and capped with a polymer ball. This design allows the bullet to expand reliably and transfer maximum energy to the target, even after penetrating intermediate barriers such as clothing or drywall. The polymer ball also helps to prevent barrel leading, which can cause accuracy and performance issues in firearms. Pow’RBall ammo is popular among concealed carriers and law enforcement officers who are looking for a high-performance, reliable self-defense round. The Pow’RBall ammo boasts a reliable performance history and delivers consistent results in actual self-defense scenarios.
HORNADY CRITICAL DUTY
Hornady designed their Critical Duty ammo to be a reliable type of self-defense ammunition for high-pressure situations. This type of ammo features a flexible tip bullet design that delivers consistent expansion, even after penetrating intermediate barriers such as drywall or auto glass. The Critical Duty bullet is designed to maintain its structural integrity and transfer maximum energy to the target, making it an effective self-defense round. The ammo is also designed to meet stringent FBI protocols for barrier penetration and reliability, making it a popular choice among law enforcement officers and civilians who demand the best in self-defense performance. In addition to its high-performance design, Hornady’s Critical Duty ammo is also known for its consistent accuracy and consistent results in real-world self-defense scenarios.
FRANGIBLE AMMUNITION
Another popular type of self-defense ammo is frangible ammunition. Frangible ammo reduces the risk of over-penetration and ricochet because it breaks apart upon impact, thanks to its composite material. This type of ammo is ideal for use in densely populated areas where a miss could cause harm to innocent bystanders. On the downside, frangible ammo can be more expensive than other types, and its effectiveness in stopping an attacker may not be as high as JHP ammo.
FULL METAL JACKET (FMJ)
Finally, let’s consider full metal jacket (FMJ) ammo. FMJ ammo is the most affordable type, but it fails to expand upon impact, unlike other types of ammunition. For range use, this full metal jacket ammo offers consistent accuracy. FMJ ammo may not be the best choice for self-defense, as its lack of expansion can result in over-penetration and a reduced ability to stop an attacker.
Conclusion
So what’s the best? Simply put…the one that works in your gun. Hollow points can sometimes pose reliability issues, mainly feeding issues with the cavity catching on a feed ramp. Whatever ammo you choose, it is crucial that you test fire at least a magazine of it to make sure there is 100% cycling. The last thing you want is to find out that the ammo does not feed well in a defensive situation. Yes defensive ammo is expensive to test fire, but it’ll never cost more than your life.
How to choose self defense ammo is a personal decision that depends on a variety of factors, including personal preference, and local laws and regulations. When making your decision, consider your specific needs and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each type of ammo. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a type of ammo that you feel confident and comfortable using in a self-defense situation.