Home Defense Rounds

[Shintao]

So a buddy of mine keeps 3 HydraShocks at the top of his home defense mag, then bellow all TMJs. His theory is that if the guy doesn't go down with the first 3 shots he may have body armor and therefore the TMJs will take him down.

I said if a guy breaking in to a random house is wearing body armor you are way more screwed than the rounds not penetrating.

Thoughts...?

[ChrisTKHarris]

I use Speer Gold Dot JHPs in all my magazines. All three of my handguns are loaded with bonded JHPs.

[Bill Carson]

I used to have 6 glaser safety slugs at the top of my mag and 7 hydroshocks. It was a 12+1 9mm. I was worried about the bullet penetrating the perp and the wall and going into my neighbors house. Boy I was I fed some FUD. That was back in 1985. Now it is a G21 with hollow points. I doubt a BG is going to be wearing body armor while breaking in.

[Quiet]

Suspect waring body armor?
Mozambique drill = problem solved.

[ChrisTKHarris]

Suspect waring body armor?
Mozambique drill = problem solved.

Two to center mass and one to the head....problem solved.

[RT13]

Black Talons

[DannyZRC]

I'll just spray the bullets down with teflon, that oughta take care of body armor wearin' perps.

[HCz]

i don't think 9mm ball/FMJ rounds will penetrate armors that JHP can't in close distance. I prefer not to assume that the perp will go down in 3 shots.

[Josh3239]

My first thought is that your buddy has watches too much TV.
My second thought is if he is afraid the intruder is wearing body armor, why would he use ammo that cannot penetrade body armor? And if he isn't wearing body armor, then dead is dead.

[jdewolf]

Hmm.

That's why I like good ol' Mossy 590a1 Even if it 8 rounds don't penetrate the body armor I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of kinetic energy alone. Worst case scenario I am a bit low [for the legs] or aim a little high [for the head]. Maybe dude's chest won't be ventilated... but he'll either have no face, or lose the ability to walk. From there 4 slugs are stored in the stock...

[ALSystems]

My first thought is that your buddy has watches too much TV.
My second thought is if he is afraid the intruder is wearing body armor, why would he use ammo that cannot penetrade body armor? And if he isn't wearing body armor, then dead is dead.

If you worry about intruders wearing body armour, maybe you should be using a rifle for HD.
If you only have a handgun and center mass shots don't work, aim higher.

[Snapping Twig]

Within a given caliber against a particular threat level vest, if the vest is rated for the caliber, differing the bullet will not make a difference. IOW... going from hollowpoint to FMJ won't matter.

I agree with the Mozambique.

[TabooAR]

IMO - The rounds you use are irrelevant if they dont hit your target. To mean that means practice acuracy with your HD weapon(s) and defense drills using snap caps can be fun.

[MossbergMan]

^agreed!
If the ballistic vest stopped the HP it will stop the FMJ, so your friend is whistling in the wind if that's his line of thinking.

If shots to the upper torso does not stop or deter the threat, shoot them somewhere else (centeral nervous system shut down or mobility stop). The classic failure to stop drill described above is appropriate. Don't waste ammo shooting in the same place, you must affect other systems in the body.
The only reason the 12ga is effective on body armored suspects is not penetration, it's blunt trauma injury. Massive foot pounds of energy delivered simultaously. Danger is suspects have reanimated after being shot with with body armor on. They had been rendered unconscienious by the blunt trauma and once the body compensates, fix-fix, they're back.
Spraying teflon on your ammunition? Really? Please, don't. It won't work. The only reliable way to defeat soft body armor is centerfire rifles or CF rifle ammunition.

When in uniform on patrol I carried my third magazine full of ball. Reasoning was: If I had emptied my primary magazine of HP without ending the fight, everyone was, most likely, behind cover or concealment. I could choose another mag of HP or FMJ for penetration of intermediate barriers.

I stongly advise against "Candy Caning" any magazine in any gun. If it was the best defense, then the professionals would do it, but I don't know a single pro that candy canes their mags. OK, perhaps one of those Hornady non-incendary "tracers" 3 rounds from empty in any high cap gun...like my AR.

Exception is military applications.

[Black Majik]

Thoughts...?

Your friend needs to use a rifle.