adequate self defense round - The Firearms Forum

llama.45 · 06-08-2005, 04:38 PM

me and some of my neighbors were haveing a debate today and one of the topics was "is a fmj bullet in any caliber an adequate self defense round?" well, we talked about this for a good while so i thought i would see if any of u had an opinion on this subject.

Country101 · 06-08-2005, 07:39 PM

I think a FMJ would be adequate in larger calibers, but wouldn't use them myself because of over penetration. Most likely a FMJ would go completely through a person at the distances somebody would be shooting in self defense. That leaves everything behind the target in danger(even if you hit your target.).

So, it'll get the job done, but I think there are definately better alternatives.

inplanotx · 06-08-2005, 11:37 PM

What Country101 said. A .45ACP FMJ will penetrate 23", I would stick with a hollow point. The object is to have a bullet expend ALL its energy in the target, not to keep going after it goes through your intended target.

Xracer · 06-10-2005, 07:23 AM

For 90+ years, the "M1911, Cartridge, Ball, Caliber .45" has proven itself more than adequate.

offeror · 06-10-2005, 01:08 PM

I agree the.44 or .45 is about the smallest caliber that I'd load in FMJ for defense, and only if I lived in liberal territory where there was a superstitious fear of citizens with hollowpoints. It's amazing how many people are still shocked when they see HPs in a firearm. Overpenetration aside, the .44 and .45 make a big enough hole to be long-proven stoppers in FMJ, something that can't necessarily be said of the smaller calibers.

llama.45 · 06-10-2005, 02:55 PM

nice to see you posting again offeror.havent seen u around in a while.

SAXD · 06-10-2005, 04:06 PM

I wouldnt try to carry a FMJ load for my gun.. its a 9mm

Instead I use the new Hornady TAP in 147gr and if it performs as well as its advertised Im sure I will have no problems!

llama.45 · 06-10-2005, 04:21 PM

i like to carry 170 gr. pmc hollowpoints in my 10mm personally, but i do think a fmj can be used to great success in an invironment where there arent innocent bystanders to be struck by the overpenetration.

1952Sniper · 06-10-2005, 04:26 PM

Quote:

is a fmj bullet in any caliber an adequate self defense round?

The simple answer: yes. FMJ in any caliber will kill a bad guy. That, by definition, makes it "adequate". The only thing with FMJ is that you'll need to pay more attention to shot placement.

llama.45 · 06-10-2005, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1952Sniper

The simple answer: yes. FMJ in any caliber will kill a bad guy. That, by definition, makes it "adequate". The only thing with FMJ is that you'll need to pay more attention to shot placement.

good point sir

Ruger.44 · 06-17-2005, 05:49 AM

I agree with sniper 100%. No matter what the caliber or bullet type, shot placement is most important. I actually saw footage of a DEA instructor doing a demonstration in a school where he shot himself in the leg (accidently) with a G22, .40. He didn't seem all that hurt. Not to say that he wasn't hurt but, he first made sure everyone was ok, continued to tell about how you can never be too careful with firearms, and then after a couple of minutes, he left to seek medical attention.

Jim

llama.45 · 06-18-2005, 12:16 AM

i saw that too,it was the black guy

Ruger.44 · 06-18-2005, 05:24 AM

Yep, the UC agent with the dread locks. I know an agent that actually worked with him in south FL. I understand he's one of the best.... guess his luck ran out.

I think the have the video of this on drunkendelight.com.

Jim

obxned · 03-11-2007, 12:58 AM

I like HP's in major calibers, but feel that in .380 or lesser, an FMJ insures enough penetration.

06-08-2005, 04:38 PM	#1
llama.45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: sewanee,tennessee Posts: 406	adequate self defense round me and some of my neighbors were haveing a debate today and one of the topics was "is a fmj bullet in any caliber an adequate self defense round?" well, we talked about this for a good while so i thought i would see if any of u had an opinion on this subject. __________________ chris -->

06-08-2005, 07:39 PM	#2
Country101 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dardanelle, AR Contributor Posts: 2,028	Re: adequate self defense round I think a FMJ would be adequate in larger calibers, but wouldn't use them myself because of over penetration. Most likely a FMJ would go completely through a person at the distances somebody would be shooting in self defense. That leaves everything behind the target in danger(even if you hit your target.). So, it'll get the job done, but I think there are definately better alternatives. __________________ Gainfully employed= shooting somebody elses bullets and getting paid for it Country101

06-08-2005, 11:37 PM	#3
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Re: adequate self defense round What Country101 said. A .45ACP FMJ will penetrate 23", I would stick with a hollow point. The object is to have a bullet expend ALL its energy in the target, not to keep going after it goes through your intended target. __________________

06-10-2005, 07:23 AM	#4
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: adequate self defense round For 90+ years, the "M1911, Cartridge, Ball, Caliber .45" has proven itself more than adequate.

06-10-2005, 01:08 PM	#5
offeror Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 586	Re: adequate self defense round I agree the.44 or .45 is about the smallest caliber that I'd load in FMJ for defense, and only if I lived in liberal territory where there was a superstitious fear of citizens with hollowpoints. It's amazing how many people are still shocked when they see HPs in a firearm. Overpenetration aside, the .44 and .45 make a big enough hole to be long-proven stoppers in FMJ, something that can't necessarily be said of the smaller calibers. __________________ The Second Amendment does not exist to protect the gun rights you like. It exists to protect the gun rights you hate. Last edited by offeror; 06-10-2005 at 01:11 PM..

06-10-2005, 02:55 PM	#6
llama.45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: sewanee,tennessee Posts: 406	Re: adequate self defense round nice to see you posting again offeror.havent seen u around in a while. __________________ chris

06-10-2005, 04:06 PM	#7
SAXD Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 24	Re: adequate self defense round I wouldnt try to carry a FMJ load for my gun.. its a 9mm Instead I use the new Hornady TAP in 147gr and if it performs as well as its advertised Im sure I will have no problems!

06-10-2005, 04:21 PM	#8
llama.45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: sewanee,tennessee Posts: 406	Re: adequate self defense round i like to carry 170 gr. pmc hollowpoints in my 10mm personally, but i do think a fmj can be used to great success in an invironment where there arent innocent bystanders to be struck by the overpenetration. __________________ chris

06-17-2005, 05:49 AM	#11
Ruger.44 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 55	Re: adequate self defense round I agree with sniper 100%. No matter what the caliber or bullet type, shot placement is most important. I actually saw footage of a DEA instructor doing a demonstration in a school where he shot himself in the leg (accidently) with a G22, .40. He didn't seem all that hurt. Not to say that he wasn't hurt but, he first made sure everyone was ok, continued to tell about how you can never be too careful with firearms, and then after a couple of minutes, he left to seek medical attention. Jim __________________

06-18-2005, 12:16 AM	#12
llama.45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: sewanee,tennessee Posts: 406	Re: adequate self defense round i saw that too,it was the black guy __________________ chris

06-18-2005, 05:24 AM	#13
Ruger.44 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 55	Re: adequate self defense round Yep, the UC agent with the dread locks. I know an agent that actually worked with him in south FL. I understand he's one of the best.... guess his luck ran out. I think the have the video of this on drunkendelight.com. Jim __________________

03-11-2007, 12:58 AM	#14
obxned Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,342	Re: adequate self defense round I like HP's in major calibers, but feel that in .380 or lesser, an FMJ insures enough penetration.