[Poppy42]

Wow! I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone that responded to my thread asking for suggestions on reliable defense rounds for my pf9. You guys gave me just what I was looking for. I was afraid that I was going to get a lot of responses quoting FBI penetration tests and ballistic coefficients of various defense ammunition and that wasn't what I was looking for. With all the different types and brands of the defence ammunition out there it can be real easy to get caught up in a bunch of technical jargon when, let's face it, one well-placed round from a slingshot can be more effective than a whole box of $50 ammunition that doesn't hit the target. I'm old enough to remember using dumb dumb's and wadcutters for defense ammunition. Anyway I asked for what you guys found to be reliable in a PF9 and thats the info you gave me, just what I asked for. I can't thank you enough. As far as I'm concerned this forum is terrific at dishing out much-needed and asked for information. I think you guys are doing a great job. Keep up the good work.
Thanks again,
Ray

 

[jwills]

With all the different types and brands of the defence ammunition out there it can be real easy to get caught up in a bunch of technical jargon when, let's face it, one well-placed round from a slingshot can be more effective than a whole box of $50 ammunition that doesn't hit the target.

Glad you found the replies helpful. Just remember what works for me may or may not work for you or anyone else. Its expensive yes but putting in the range time to figure out what your weapon and capabilites as the shooter are is well worth it when that time god forbid comes and you need it to work. Muscle memory is your friend in those situations.

Practice is always a good thing especially with a small tiny niney as my buddy jokingly refers to my pair of PF9s. Practice as often as your budget allows and yes don't get too caught up in the this ammo is better than that ammo etc...... In the best case scenario just presenting the firearm from concealment should hopefully stop the threat right there but should I have to ever fire I'd rather connect in the vital area with a standard pressure ball round than some souped up hot load that I proven I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with. Every round downrange has a lawyer attached to it and it has to wind up somewhere eventually.

YMMV as usual.

 

[WPhilB47]

Wow! I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone that responded to my thread asking for suggestions on reliable defense rounds for my pf9. You guys gave me just what I was looking for. I was afraid that I was going to get a lot of responses quoting FBI penetration tests and ballistic coefficients of various defense ammunition and that wasn't what I was looking for. I'm old enough to remember using dumb dumb's and wadcutters for defense ammunition.
Ray

I still load my own soft cast semi-wadcutters for defensive use in some calibers and short barrels. I still load hollow base wadcutters backwards for my S&W Chief as a close range defense load too. Pretty effective out to about 30'.

 

[Poppy42]

I still load my own soft cast semi-wadcutters for defensive use in some calibers and short barrels. I still load hollow base wadcutters backwards for my S&W Chief as a close range defense load too. Pretty effective out to about 30'.

WphilB47 I like the way you think. Anyone who doesn't think they are effective ought to try firing a couple of those rounds into some gel and take a look at how that soft lead flattens out. As a sidenote I was just thinking what do you think the courts would have to say about those rounds if we have to use one on somebody. Do you think they could argue intent because they hand loaded and backwards to boot. It's for that reason I only use factory rounds as my defense ammo. What's your opinion ?

 

[boomerweps]

I reloaded reversed wad cutters for a long time for my .357. My simple statement is that I don't want them going any further than they have to

 

[Brawny]

WphilB47 I like the way you think. Anyone who doesn't think they are effective ought to try firing a couple of those rounds into some gel and take a look at how that soft lead flattens out. As a sidenote I was just thinking what do you think the courts would have to say about those rounds if we have to use one on somebody. Do you think they could argue intent because they hand loaded and backwards to boot. It's for that reason I only use factory rounds as my defense ammo. What's your opinion ?

There is no greater level of intent than having a loaded gun. Now if they start producing non-lethal defense rounds and start requiring people to use them, then we might have a problem.

 

[CJP32]

I've heard that using non factory ammo could be a problem if you end up in court but I've never been able to find an example where it made a good shoot into a bad one. It's really going to depend on the prosecutor who gets the case. If they are some young zealot it might encourage them to go forward with charges.

 

[Brawny]

My comment made me start wondering if there are rounds designed as less than lethal. It seems that I've heard of that somewhere but just can't put my finger on it.

 

[WPhilB47]

WphilB47 I like the way you think. Anyone who doesn't think they are effective ought to try firing a couple of those rounds into some gel and take a look at how that soft lead flattens out. As a sidenote I was just thinking what do you think the courts would have to say about those rounds if we have to use one on somebody. Do you think they could argue intent because they hand loaded and backwards to boot. It's for that reason I only use factory rounds as my defense ammo. What's your opinion ?

I have never seen documentation on a conviction based on that premise.

 

[WPhilB47]

My comment made me start wondering if there are rounds designed as less than lethal. It seems that I've heard of that somewhere but just can't put my finger on it.

They are out there, and the LEAs have ready access to them. I'm not personally interested, plus can you imagine trying to justify a reason for a non-lethal shooting as a civilian? Also, how would you determine which firearm or which load to use at short notice? Non-lethal ammo is an option for LE with multiple firearms and with backup and cover.

 

[Brawny]

They are out there, and the LEAs have ready access to them. I'm not personally interested, plus can you imagine trying to justify a reason for a non-lethal shooting as a civilian? Also, how would you determine which firearm or which load to use at short notice? Non-lethal ammo is an option for LE with multiple firearms and with backup and cover.

I imagine it is only a matter of time before people would lobby for this somehow.

 

[Dr_Don]

I have never seen documentation on a conviction based on that premise.

But why give the lawyers a chance to set a precedent?

I do a lot of reloading for practice (and would be prepared if or when the SHTF), but for now, I use factory loads in my EDC. Specifically, I stick with Hornady Critical Defense and Speer Gold Dot (both in 115 gr). Both have tested 100% reliable in my PF9.

 

[WPhilB47]

But why give the lawyers a chance to set a precedent?

If I started worrying about what any lawyer might do, I would never do anything.