What type of ammo to CHL?

[Frost]

That's true, but it's more likely to splatter if it hits something hard or goes through the person invading my house than FMJ, and it's the only thing I can get my hands on other than FMJ since the ammo buy up, so I have to make do with what I can get.

Don't get me wrong, its what you should be using. I wouldn't use prefragmented or frangible rounds if they were free.

[Aggie_engr]

Winchester 230gr. SXT. (Same exact thing) I'm partial to winchester ammo, I just think they make good stuff. I also like Federal's 230gr. hydra-shocks. Have all of my "extra" mags loaded with it.

[Lumberjack98]

Just pick a quality hollow point and you'll be good to go.

I've carried with Gold Dots, Critical Defense, Ranger and Hydra Shok ammo. I've been comfortable with all of them. Just keep up to date on current ammo developments and change accordingly.

[stroo]

Corbon DPX or RBCD.

[Liberty]

Generally, I think that having any reliable round (FMJ, JHP, or other) in a pistol that is with you is better than the perfect works-every-time round in the safe, so the #1 criteria has to be "Does it work EVERY time in MY pistol?" After that, it's all just "pizza vs. hamburgers - which is better?"

If one cant find a proper self defense ammo that feeds properly, one might consider that their the weapon is inappropriate for daily carry. Fortunately there are choices that should feed as well any FMJ ammo.

[ghostrider]

>If one cant find a proper self defense ammo that feeds properly, one might consider that their
>the weapon is inappropriate for daily carry. Fortunately there are choices that should feed as
>well any FMJ ammo

I agree. And even pistols that had JHP feeding issues in their early versions (1911, Hi power), there's no reason why current models should not feed JHP.

Now there will likely be some brands of JHP that a particular firearm may not like, any modern pistol *should* reliably feed some brand of JHP. In the earlier days of 9mm JHP, the standard Remington 115gr JHP load was often recommended because the bullet profile was similar to FMJ and would often feed in pistols that choked on other brands of JHP.

[specialops]

As a retailer, I typically recommend Speer Gold Dot to my customers, It offers exceptional expansion, the nose is rounder than others so it feeds well, and it comes in multiple powder charges. This holds true for the standard calibers, 32, 9mm, 38, 357, .40, 44, 45 and more ... They have also released a new line for short barreled firearms for 9mm, 38, 357, 40, 44, 45... Gold dot was the first to release a true bonded core bullet which prevents the bullet jacket from being removed, the number one cause of bullet failure. In addition to all the mechanical features that set Gold Dot above the rest there is the fact that they are widely used by law enforcement agencies throughout the world, what this means to you is that you don't stand to be harrassed by a DA or other lawyer in the event that you are involved in a self defense situation.
Despite the personal promotion of Gold Dot, what we typically recommend to CHL holders is the following:
Find an ammo that delivers the highest level of energy transfer through speed and expansion.
Find an ammo that is controllable and comfortable for YOU to shoot (not what your buddy says is good)
Be able to substantiate your choice of ammo to a jury, judge, or attorney in the case you are having to clear your name.
PRACTICE WITH YOUR CARRY AMMO ... if you're carrying +p or +p+ 185 grain and shooting at the range with standard load 165 grain you are not getting good at your shooting, additionally the accuracy of your firearm is only being determined on the target ammo, at least match your weights and loads, if not able to shoot a box of your carry ammo after your target ammo.

In Christ Alone...
specialops

PER THE TERMS OF USE I AM NOT OFFERING FOR SALE ANY OF MY MERCHANDISE, IF YOU NEED CONSULTATION OR DISTRIBUTION PERSONAL MESSAGE ME.

[bdickens]

What about poor souls like me who can't afford to practice with their Gold Dots?

[DoubleJ]

Winchester 230gr. SXT. (Same exact thing) I'm partial to winchester ammo, I just think they make good stuff. I also like Federal's 230gr. hydra-shocks. Have all of my "extra" mags loaded with it.

RA45TP.

[Pistol storm 40]

I use whatever is on sale....

[surprise_i'm_armed]

To specialops:
Thanks for recommending what I carry. When picking out my first 'carry' rounds,
I was looking at Speer Gold Dots and I believe the other was "Hornady Black Hills".

They were both name brands, but I had just read that the FAM (Federal Air Marshal)
who had to kill the unstable man in the Florida airport used .357 Speer Gold Dots,
so that tipped me to the Speers. The FAM's carry these in Sig P226's.

Regarding how one's choice of ammo could be affected if one has to go to court
to defend your self-defense actions:
Mr. Massad Ayoob, marksman, LEO, competitive shooter, and professional witness
for the defense recommends that any rounds CHL's carry in their handguns be
factory loads only.

The rationale behind this policy is that if you are using self-loaded ammo, the prosecuting
attorney will try to make the case that either the bullet was defective in some way, or
that you had jacked up the grain count so high that you were intent on killing the perp,
rather than just stopping the threat.

[Rifleman55]

I carry Hornady XTP+p in my 3inch .45 1911. A Glock fits my hand like a square peg in a round hole.

[bdickens]

Mr. Mossad [sic] Ayoob, marksman, LEO, competitive shooter, and professional witness
for the defense recommends that any rounds CHL's carry in their handguns be
factory loads only.

The rationale behind this policy is that if you are using self-loaded ammo, the prosecuting
attorney will try to make the case that either the bullet was defective in some way, or
that you had jacked up the grain count so high that you were intent on killing the perp,
rather than just stopping the threat.

It's Massad, not Mossad.

The other reason (and I think the best one) for selecting the same ammo as law enforcement is that major law enforcement agencies have a lot more resources to put into testing prior to selecting a round and have the wherewithal to amass empirical data as to the effectiveness of said ammo. By selecting a round with a proven track record like that, you can take advantage of that research for yourself.

[Mithras61]

Generally, I think that having any reliable round (FMJ, JHP, or other) in a pistol that is with you is better than the perfect works-every-time round in the safe, so the #1 criteria has to be "Does it work EVERY time in MY pistol?" After that, it's all just "pizza vs. hamburgers - which is better?"

If one cant find a proper self defense ammo that feeds properly, one might consider that their the weapon is inappropriate for daily carry. Fortunately there are choices that should feed as well any FMJ ammo.

Well, some folks LIKE the older 1911s, and some have reported issues with feeding anything except FMJ. I don't think that necessarily means that an old 1911 that doesn't like JHPs is inappropriate for daily carry (if you understand the limitations and/or risks of carrying such a firearm).

My primary point, though, is that you can't just decide that any specific ammo is the only choice there is until you try try several different types of ammo, and THEN choose that which works most reliably for you (not what works for me, sionce my requirements may be quite different than your own).

[bryang]

Federal .45 HST in Colt 1911,
Hornady Critical Defense 380 FTX in LCP,
Hornady Critical Defense .38 SPCL FTX in S&W snubbie

-geo