This may have been discussed before, but I did several searches and did not find any relevant posts. Also, this might be better in some other forum rather than General Discussion, so Moderators can go ahead and move it if you like.
Should I carry jacketed hollow points or full metal jacket ammo in a pocket sized .380 for concealed carry in public? I see legal issues as well as functional issues.
Functionally, I see at least 3 considerations: 1) FMJs may be more reliable in the action of a semi-auto, although my pocket gun, a Colt Mustang .380, has never had any jamming problems with jacketed hollow points. 2) A pocket sized 380 might produce such low velocity that hollow points don't reliably expand. However, I hope that major ammo makers would sell 380 ammo that is proven to expand; otherwise, their hollow point 380 ammo would be a rip off. 3) Assuming that .380 hollow points do reliably expand, do they penetrate deeply enough to really stop a bad guy?
Legally, I have seen statements on various web sites claiming that in some jurisdictions cops and prosecutors are more likely to be hard on those who carry or use hollow points, even for totally justified self defense. I am in the Seattle region, a liberal anti-gun stronghold in an otherwise conservative state. However, I have never heard of prosecutors here making an issue of hollow points.
Finally, this might be both a functional and legal issue: No matter how justified my self defense shooting might be, the use of FMJs is more likely to lead to a ricochet that could injure an innocent party. That is a liability that I really don't need.
Should I carry jacketed hollow points or full metal jacket ammo in a pocket sized .380 for concealed carry in public? I see legal issues as well as functional issues.
Functionally, I see at least 3 considerations: 1) FMJs may be more reliable in the action of a semi-auto, although my pocket gun, a Colt Mustang .380, has never had any jamming problems with jacketed hollow points. 2) A pocket sized 380 might produce such low velocity that hollow points don't reliably expand. However, I hope that major ammo makers would sell 380 ammo that is proven to expand; otherwise, their hollow point 380 ammo would be a rip off. 3) Assuming that .380 hollow points do reliably expand, do they penetrate deeply enough to really stop a bad guy?
Legally, I have seen statements on various web sites claiming that in some jurisdictions cops and prosecutors are more likely to be hard on those who carry or use hollow points, even for totally justified self defense. I am in the Seattle region, a liberal anti-gun stronghold in an otherwise conservative state. However, I have never heard of prosecutors here making an issue of hollow points.
Finally, this might be both a functional and legal issue: No matter how justified my self defense shooting might be, the use of FMJs is more likely to lead to a ricochet that could injure an innocent party. That is a liability that I really don't need.