What self defense ammo does?

[J.D.Allen]

Not always true. Line personnel are issued duty ammo in the caliber for the weapon that they carry. They aren't typically allowed to carry practice ammo on duty.

Practice ammo is bought by the dept.sometimes in bulk and not necessarily the same grain weight as duty ammo. For example, 124gr +P Gold Dots for duty, bulk 115 grain FMJ for practice. it's a cost saving measure because ammo budgets are huge.

There are some exceptions. Specialty units (like SWAT) typically shoot duty ammo during practice. This particularly applies to police "sniper" duty for fairly obvious reasons..

I'm sure each department has their own policies, but I shoot at the same indoor range where the local federal LE practice here, and I see them with cases and cases of duty ammo shooting it up at the range, and I know our local sheriff dept. uses duty ammo to train/qualify with as well.

[Kelster1574]

It was mentioned in my CCW class to use the same ammo as your local departments. Apparently it helps your defense WHEN you get sued after a shooting

[nikki#2]

It was mentioned in my CCW class to use the same ammo as your local departments. Apparently it helps your defense WHEN you get sued after a shooting

^^^ Now that's interesting... Never considered that angle. WHEN you get sued is right (it's not a question of IF).

[Virus55]

My dept uses winchester ranger JHP

[Squidward]

I'm sure each department has their own policies, but I shoot at the same indoor range where the local federal LE practice here, and I see them with cases and cases of duty ammo shooting it up at the range, and I know our local sheriff dept. uses duty ammo to train/qualify with as well.

Yep, it is dependent on dept. policy. That's why I wrote, "not always true" . As another person wrote state bid may be in play.

FWIW, some departments allow officers to carry guns/calibers other than the "department issued duty weapon", at their own cost. So, you may have several different handguns/calibers on the street from the same department.

If one were to ask a member of such a department, "what ammo do you recommend"? The reply may be. "for which caliber"?