Can I trust Walmart generic hollow points as my main self-defense ammo?

Here are my water jug test results with some of the ammo that is available at Wal-Mart.

.38+p Winchester Personal Protection 125gr SJHP
Fired from my S&W 638, 1 7/8" barrel
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Shot 1 expanded to .553 - Bullet penetrated completely through 2 jugs and as recovered in the 3rd jug with no fragmentation

Shot 2 expanded to .525 - Bullet penetrated completely through 2 jugs and was recovered in the 3rd jug with no fragmentation


.38+P Remington UMC 125gr SJHP
Fired from my S&W 638, 1 7/8" barrel
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Shot 1 expanded to .380 - Bullet penetrated completely through 3 jugs and was recovered from the 4th, the bullet fragmented, fragments were found in the 2nd jug

Shot 2 expanded to .489 - Bullet penetrated completely through 2 jugs and was recovered from the 3rd where it was found stuck in the backside of the 3rd jug without fully penetrating it, the bullet fragmented, fragments were again found in the 2nd jug


9mm Remington UMC 115gr JHP ( only one round fired )
Fired from my Glock 19
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Shot 1 expanded to .605 - Bullet penetrated through 2 jugs and was recovered from the 3rd. Excellent even expansion, no fragmentation


.45 Remington UMC 230gr JHP ( only one round fired )
Fired from my Ruger P345, 4" barrel
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Shot 1 .667 - Bullet penetrated through 3 jugs was recovered from the 4th with no fragmentation

I plan on testing the Winchester Personal Defense 9mm JHP's in both 115gr and 147gr as well as the Winchester Personal Defense .45 230gr JHP's in the near future
 
In retrieving some in .45acp I've shot I noticed some pretty fair jacket separation after impact. That said, it expanded well (not uniform, but well) and functions through my pistols flawlessly.

Winchester doesn't hype it as an uber-round, but it is likely more than sufficient if you place your shots well.
 
Reminds me of along time ago a doctor friend of mine wanted a Browning .22 rifle. I told him they had them at Wal-Mart. He secrewed up his face and said, "but are they any good?"
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Wal-mart sells a Ruger 10/22, that only it sells. I read a review that it is not as accurate as Ruger's 2 other 10/22's. I know Wal-Mart is always pushing it's vendors for lower prices. Some vendors probably sacrifice quality to price.
 
This is exactly the ammo that I carry in my 45 that is with me always...:)
It has been as reliable as Ball in my gun. And it killed a mule deer that had been hit by a car, just fine.
That Winchester ammo is just fine, big Hollow point and it feeds perfect for me. :)
Besides there are NO magic bullets.......a 45 is still a 45 even if it doesn't expand...
 
I use the WWB 230gr JHPs for self defense. There may be better out there but you can't really say anything bad about these bullets.
 
Im not certain and I do not know, but I think the Winchester generics might be an older design of jhps that they once sold. They would be fools to simply remarket their most current products under a different name. Then everyone would simply buy the generics once they found out that there was no difference.

Most of the time, when you are at the range, it doesnt make sense to use a jacketed hollow point when all you need is a full metal jacket. Does the JHP fire differently out of the pistol then the FMJ? They both feel the same to me.

So you only really need JHP for those times in which you will actually fire them at humans (which would be almost never). I would buy the generic full metal jacket bullets, but I would stick with the premium ammo for those few times when you need that extra edge.
 
I trust Win. JHP's to be as good as always, using technology a couple decades old, but not as far as bullets using the latest technology.

I'm in disagreement with those who choose SD defense ammo based on cost. Their theory is, inevitably, "it's where you hit 'em that count's".

My theory is, hit 'em where it counts with the best bullet available.

Check out the price on the excellent, and reasonably priced, Federal HST, and carry that--- or Golden Saber or CorBon or Gold DOT.
Stock up on Walmart's Win. JHP's so you'll have a supply of backup come what may.
 
wallyworld rarely sells any .40S&W jhp, let alone 165gr jhp.
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They sell a bunch of the S&W 40 180gr jhp here, I have 100 sitting in the cabinet & another 500 of the WWB 165gr fmj's.
 
Which Dr.? No he was not a Witch Dr.

Reminds me of along time ago a doctor friend of mine wanted a Browning .22 rifle. I told him they had them at Wal-Mart. He secrewed up his face and said, "but are they any good?"

If you get Winchester, Remington, CCI, and Federal JHPs at Wal-mart, I can assure you they are the same Winchester, Remington, CCI, and Federal JHPs you get at any fancy store. They don't sell 'seconds' in the sporting goods section. Deaf
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Deaf, this broke me up!
 
As others have said, they aren't the top of the line, but they are worlds ahead of ball ammo.

I'd rather average have ammo that I know is reliable in my gun rather than have a higher quality ammo with the nagging uncertainty of not testing the gun with that ammo as much as I should have because of cost.
 
why not?

Heck, the 100rd winchester fmj 115gr white box, and the 100rd remington jhp 115gr box are only 2 or 3 dollars difference. They feel the same in any one of my 9mm pistols. I practice with the Winchester, and stock pile the Remington. Once in a while, I run my mags empty, and refill with new jhp. Cheap, and reliable, what more could one ask for?

"Punch holes in them and let the hydraulic fluid run out. They'll go limp and fail to operate."
 
I use all WalMart ammo with the exception of my 9MM and 40 cal SD ammo which is Federal HydroShok. I too had problems firing the cheap (WWB) stuff thru my S&W M&P 9mm and 40 cal. until I was told to polish the ramps on each. Polished ramps and now both eat any ammo without fail.
 
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