Beginner’s Guide to Selecting the Right Defensive Handgun Ammo

[Talyn]

This article is by no means a comprehensive guide to picking the best ammunition since there’s no one right answer. Instead, it’s simply a primer with a few thought starters and ideas to consider. Especially for those who might be fairly new to defensive carry.

Beginner’s Guide to Selecting the Right Defensive Handgun Ammo

One of the most important decisions you can make regarding your defensive handgun is the type of ammo you choose.

www.athlonoutdoors.com

 

[Shibadog]

To me the “key” question is “will my gun run it-reliably-every, single, time. The only way to know that is to actually run a BUNCH of your ammo of choice. If it wonts cycle a few hundred without a single bobble I’m not interested in how whiz bang it is. Given that “good” SD ammo is pricey, you’re talking a substantial investment just in testing (perhaps the single biggest advantage to the wheelgun)

 

[Bassbob]

To me the “key” question is “will my gun run it-reliably-every, single, time. The only way to know that is to actually run a BUNCH of your ammo of choice. If it wonts cycle a few hundred without a single bobble I’m not interested in how whiz bang it is. Given that “good” SD ammo is pricey, you’re talking a substantial investment just in testing (perhaps the single biggest advantage to the wheelgun)

I run at least 500 through any gun before I carry it, but not all of that is SD ammo. I pretty much run HST across all calibers and typically I will run maybe 400 rds of FMJ and 100 rds of HST. Which is still rather expensive, but I'm going to go through most of that ammo either way. When I get a new one I will often use that as an excuse to rotate carry ammo in other guns of the same caliber.

I have to say I have been buying striker guns for about 6 or 7 years and I have yet to have any of the ones I bought fail in any way. Through tens of thousands of rounds. Then I pretty much stick to HKs, S&W, IWI, etc.

 

[Shibadog]

“Most” modern handguns will prove out OK. That said, I bought a piece from a well known maker of high end stuff a few years ago that choked on Every Single brand, type, bullet weight it was fed. I loved the way it felt in the hand but after 500 rounds of every type ammo and two trips back to “K” with zero improvement I dumped that POS. It never made it through TWO mags w/o an FTF or FTE

 

[Bassbob]

“Most” modern handguns will prove out OK. That said, I bought a piece from a well known maker of high end stuff a few years ago that choked on Every Single brand, type, bullet weight it was fed. I loved the way it felt in the hand but after 500 rounds of every type ammo and two trips back to “K” with zero improvement I dumped that POS. It never made it through TWO mags w/o an FTF or FTE

Well it's a good thing you put a lot of rounds through them before just carrying them.

My jarhead buddy Bill is real bad about A) buying Taurus semi autos and other lower tier guns and B) carrying them before he ever takes them to the range. I don't bother preaching to him about it anymore. His dad was a state trooper and Bill has an affinity for S&W revolvers and normally that's what he's carrying.

 

[The Night Rider]

When I first started carrying a gun I had no idea so I went and asked a "Name", Kathy Jackson.

She sent me this link

Service Caliber Handgun Duty and Self-Defense Ammo

6/1/16 When comparing well designed duty handgun ammunition, there are minimal differences in penetration depths and temporary cavity effects, as noted below in the gel shots by Doug Carr: http://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq319/DocGKR/Handgun_gel_comparison.jpg As...

pistol-forum.com

By Dr. Gary Roberts, The Name if I'm looking for SD ammunition I pick something on that list.