Hollow point vs EFMJ

[Cool_Hand]

Are there any advantages to hollow points or expanding full metal jacket, is one superior to the other? Also does anyone know if they are allowed in the military, or do they ban all expanding ammunition.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

The military supplies you with ammunition, so whether it's "allowed" will be decided at a level way above the trigger puller. (It's not, by the way, the Hague conventions banned bullets designed to expand, not just hollow points)

 

[markj]

Some, not all, semi autos have trouble feeding HP ammo. You may need to try several before you find one that you can rely on 100%. This is why I only use FMJ in my semi autos.

 

[Chesster]

Some of the old surplus 9s (Walther P-1/38/5, Sig P6) may not be to fond of modern JHPs. I have never used EFMJ ammo, but have found some older designed JHPs, like a supply of RP from my late 70s stash and the R-UMC 115 JHP that seems to work.

 

[unit 900]

I have one box of Federal EFMJ that I load in my Glock 23 when I pass through NJ (LEOSA carry). Other than that, its HP all the time.

 

[PT-92]

To me it's all about feed reliability. There are some guns that just don't like (cycle) HP's but love the EFMJ stuff.

I say you get the best of both world's with the EFMJ relative to both feed reliability and expansion.

-Cheers

 

[gb_in_ga]

A> If you have a pistol that will only feed FMJs reliably, then EFMJ is going to be more likely to work for you than JHPs. Or, perhaps look at Corbon's Pow'rBall.

B> If you happen to be in New Jersey, then EFMJ is legal where JHPs aren't.

Other than that, let your gun be the guide. EFMJs do work well, but then again so do modern JHPs. I happen to carry Gold Dot JHPs, but I wouldn't have any big problem carrying EFMJs if I were able to test them in my handgun for reliability.

One thing to keep in mind about EFMJs is that they have no problems with clothing fibers clogging their cavity, preventing expansion. They expand due to crushing as opposed to hydrostatics within the HP cavity. Thus, they may be even more reliable on the terminal end than JHPs.

Also does anyone know if they are allowed in the military, or do they ban all expanding ammunition.

No, they aren't allowed for military use when engaging other enemy conventional military forces. This is spelled out in the Hague Conventions. No ammo that is specifically designed to expand*. But there are cases where military forces are allowed to use expanding ammo -- for internal security (like MPs) or when engaging forces not protected by international conventions (such as terrorists). In any case, the individual soldier has no say-so in this matter. You are issued what you are issued, and you use that and nothing else.

*Even that has grey areas. If a FMJ rifle bullet yaws and then breaks apart at the cannelure, then it is possible for both halves to expand and produce extreme tissue damage and yet this is still allowed under the conventions. More than 1 rifle round in use by the world's militaries (including ours) are designed to do that, BTW. Unbalanced FMJ rifle rounds that promote yaw without cannelure fracture also cause catastrophic damage and are also allowed.