Ball ammo for defense?

[Mannlicher]

I know thats what got us through WW I and WW II, Korea and a lot of other conflicts. The cops and robbers both killed a lot of folks with Ball ammo during the Roaring 20s and the Depression.
I think the stuff works. I have actually been carrying some FMJ in my carry gun, from time to time. I know that my HydraShocks 'rate' better than Ball, but I am not all that uncomfortable with it.

[jester_s1]

I guess as long as you're comfortable, then that's great. I don't see any reason though to carry ball when there are so many reliable hollowpoint designs available.

[stans]

I like hollowpoints and I do think they are, by and large, more effective at stopping a human being. But I will take ball ammo that is 100% reliable in a gun over a hollowpoint that is 98% reliable any day of the week. The best round in the world will do you no good if it is jammed hard against the feedramp.

[drjewler]

The use of hard drugs in modern socity makes the use of ball ammo a poor choice.When stores are robbed, and homes broken into, a high percentage of the criminals are high on hard drugs.

[John]

I like hollowpoints and I do think they are, by and large, more effective at stopping a human being. But I will take ball ammo that is 100% reliable in a gun over a hollowpoint that is 98% reliable any day of the week. The best round in the world will do you no good if it is jammed hard against the feedramp.
I couldn't agree more!

Rgds

[stumbler]

If your gun works with hollow points, I would go there. If the gun is only reliable with hardball, stick with that.


I would rather have a reliable gun for protection than one that is "iffy"

[Bud White]

I carry both in winter time just in winter time i know it probley wont happen but i have heard of hollow points plugging up and not expanding or stopping in some super think coats.. When it gets cold her in michigan i like to stack a hollow point in the chamber then ball hp ball etc etc...

Does it matter probley not does it make me feel better well a little ..

[Dirt]

Just for arguments sake lets remember why the .45 was first developed... to stop crazies loaded up w/ drugs. They used 'ball'.

Shoot straight and it probably won't matter much. I carry hollow point anyway.

[wichaka]

Check out some of my posts on the thread below. If you're still using Hydra-Shoks, you're behind the times. Even the Federal reps don't recommend Hydra-Shoks. According to them the only reason they still offer them is the public is still buying them. They've been plagued with inconsistent feeding and expansion.

Look at the Federal HST. So far from their tests, and all the guns that I've tried it in it has shown 100% feeding, even in the old GI guns, as well as Series 70 guns........neither had throat jobs.



http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=3757

[drjewler]

Check out some of my posts on the thread below. If you're still using Hydra-Shoks, you're behind the times. Even the Federal reps don't recommend Hydra-Shoks. According to them the only reason they still offer them is the public is still buying them. They've been plagued with inconsistent feeding and expansion.

Look at the Federal HST. So far from their tests, and all the guns that I've tried it in it has shown 100% feeding, even in the old GI guns, as well as Series 70 guns........neither had throat jobs.



http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=3757


Well! After reading all that you have to say I am born again! I once was blind but now I see brother!

[Zip06]

There is no round made for the 0.45 that is more reliable than hardball.

[Woodman]

My question is... if someone is really high on drugs will a hollow point do that much more damage fired at the exact same point as hardball? While I've never had to shoot anyone (and hope I never do...) I would think it matters more WHERE you hit an assailant than with what. Quite frankly, if you don't shoot someone in a place where they are going to bleed out or have their nervous system interrupted almost immediately, you're not going to stop them if they're really determined. Thus... if you hit the bad guy in the shoulder with a hollow point or hardball, other than a gimped arm, they're still fairly capable of dealing damage back at you, whereas a shot in the head or center of the chest stands a much higher chance of stopping them with either hollow point or hardball. Of course, I do understand that in a situation that requires the shooting of another person, you're not going to get much of a chance to get a good stance and aim...


Alas, I'm rambling. :) Basically, does the Hollow Point really do THAT much more damage?

[arizona]

The use of hard drugs in modern socity makes the use of ball ammo a poor choice.When stores are robbed, and homes broken into, a high percentage of the criminals are high on hard drugs.
Point well taken. This phenomena has led to the 38 special (non+p) falling from favor.

[wichaka]

Woodman, you make some valid points. With a handgun, the only assured one shot stop is in the snot locker.

A hollow point expanded will do more damage than one that's not expanded, as the permanent cavity is larger, and the expanded bullet has more of a chance to do more damage as it passes thru.

Will a drugged up person know the difference? Probably not. People hit in the heart can survive many seconds, which means they have enough time to inflict damage on you before they expire.

The answer..........or at least my answer; put as many shots into them that stops the threat, and do the most damage to stop the threat sooner. Which points to a good quality HP, although I do have a mag full of ball in the car just in case. Just in case of what you ask? There are too many variables in life, one never knows...........

[nukem]

Count me in on the hollow points. I carry the Remington Saber.

[BGregory]

I know thats what got us through WW I and WW II, Korea and a lot of other conflicts. The cops and robbers both killed a lot of folks with Ball ammo during the Roaring 20s and the Depression.
I think the stuff works. I have actually been carrying some FMJ in my carry gun, from time to time. I know that my HydraShocks 'rate' better than Ball, but I am not all that uncomfortable with it.
The major problem with Ball ammo, is over-penetration. If you are comfortable with the likely possibility that your round will pass through your target, then stick with Ball. I've found Remington Golden Sabres (185 and 230 grain, no +Ps) to be very reliable in all my 1911s, as much so as Ball. I'm sure that there are other good choices like Pow'R Ball and Federal EFMJ, the latter I have shot in 9MM, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP. I stuck with the Golden Sabres, because I can get them locally and they work.