Hollow Points For Self Defense

I ran some Hornady CD thru my M66 3". It was very mild, though it only chrono'd at 945 fps--not a lot for a 110 gr. bullet. Not to say it wouldn't be an option. Obviously, this was the std. pressure stuff.
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That's actually not half bad. Federal's 110gr "Personal Defense hydrashock" would have a hard time hitting 850 from that length and era S&W barrel.

A more modern S&W barrel or a Ruger barrel (any vintage) would likely shoot faster for the same length and you'd probably break into the 1,000fps range.

It's always worth knowing about effective "granny loads". You never know when your own wrists/hands could suffer damage, or you need to help arm/train somebody with recoil issues.
 
The Ruger P89 Is a FINE GUN ;) I got a P95 same gun IMO Eats anything
you feed it, As far as SD rnds the 124gn Speer Gold Dot works great in all
my 9mm Just Practice as much as possible ;) Y/D
 
It's always worth knowing about effective "granny loads". You never know when your own wrists/hands could suffer damage, or you need to help arm/train somebody with recoil issues.
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I forgot to mention, DPX .38 is available in standard pressure also. Should mention that in some short bbl pistols, rds. can keyhole--not enough spin at lower velocities. That would be an excellent choice, also for most snub noses and longer bbls. as well.
 
For those who consider wadcutter ammo more effective than hardball, I've seen data to dispute that, but opologize for not remembering where it is.
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Who said anything about wadcutters????????


Do they make semi-wadcutters for a 9mm in semi auto?
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Whether or not a particular firearm will reliably feed a particular style of bullet has nothing to do with what that bullet does to flesh. And I'm pretty sure that automatics are not the only type of handgun in existence.
 
Do they make semi-wadcutters for a 9mm in semi auto?
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Whether or not a particular firearm will reliably feed a particular style of bullet has nothing to do with what that bullet does to flesh. And I'm pretty sure that automatics are not the only type of handgun in existence.
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Automatics are not the only handgun in existence. An automatic (Ruger P89) is, however the only handgun being discussed by the OP. While there are those of us here who feel that a properly loaded SWC has much to recommend it, it is unlikely that the OP is going to run into factory defensive loads for it in 9mm.
 
My only point is that hardball sucks for self defense and should only be relegated to range use. That no all non-expanding projectiles are created equal and that bullet shape, such as FMJ vs. SWC, has a huge bearing on terminal performance. That I would in fact lose sleep if all I had to defend myself with was hardball, that I would MUCH rather have a revolver loaded with SWC's than an auto with hardball, ESPECIALLY if that auto loaded with hardball is anything smaller than a .45. No, I am not suggesting SWC's for the OP's self defense purposes, only making a point.......that apparently very few got. :rolleyes:
 
CraigC,

I know about every thing you have been talking about, and I had mentioned that I wouldn't lose sleep if all I had was ball ammo if I was him. What else would I use if all that I had was ball ammo?

Luckily I don't have that problem, in fact I have thousand's of rounds of GDHP in .38spl 135g +Ps, almost a thousand rounds of GDHP 9mm 124g +P on hand, and about 300 Rem SJHP 125g. But wait there's more.....

OP

stump1000


I'm trying to decide if hollow points are what I should keep in my 9mm clip for defense purposes
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I try to keep it to the original question and to not deviate from that.
 
Good, heavy-for-caliber JHP's are an asset and the quality of today's hollowpoints is so far beyond what we tested for duty ammo, in the early 80's, that the difference is like night and day.

The difference is that the new HP's (beginning with the XTP and Hydra-Shok) expand reliably AND penetrate- and I recognize the latter as the critical component. Like Kraig, I've used SWC's in the field to the point that I'm confident in the consistent full-caliber hole they cut and their ability to bore straight through intervening limbs, etc. to settle accounts.

I do not in any way feel handicapped when carrying a good solid in my handguns; but then again, all my carry and handguns fire bullets with a 'four' as the first digit of their diameter.

BTW, I understood the term 'clip' just fine.
 
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