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One of the most frequently asked questions I see in these, and various other forums, is "what ammo should I carry in my (whatever model pistol in whatever caliber)".
Now, while it does get a bit old, I'm not going to point out the utility of the search function (although...most questions would be answered by the poster doing this
).
No, I'm going to comment on the "well, what works in other people's pistols? Maybe my carry ammo isn't good enough, or maybe because it malfunctioned in somebody that I've never even met's pistol, it'll malfunction in mine" mindset...and it's converse: "well, if it works in somebody else's pistol, it should work just dandy in mine".
Folks--if you're carrying a premium, LE-oriented JHP round that functions 100% reliably in your pistol in your hands, and shoots with what you find to be acceptible accuracy and control...just carry the ammo. You've got something that works for you...and that's the bottom line, now, isn't it?
Now, of course, this means you actually have to buy a couple boxes of carry ammo and shoot the stuff. And while I know that not everyone can afford to shoot a few hundred rounds of their chosen carry load...you can at least put a couple of magazines through your pistol; this is life insurance, folks, and it's about the cheapest policy you're gonna find. Simply assuming a given round is gonna work in your pistol because it works in somebody else's is just begging for Mr. Murphy to dick with you...and he'll probably bring his best bud, Mr. O'Toole along with him.
As Reagan said: "Trust, but verify".
And on the flip side of that coin--if you search the forums, you're going to find posts that will show that someone has had an issue with pretty much every type of carry ammo...so trying to find one that works in everyone's pistol is going to be impossible. Which brings us back to: find something that works in YOUR pistol.
As to what loads: I've always recommended this: Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo
It not only gives some ammo recommendations for the most common defensive calibers, but it also gives the thought process behind why these are good loads.
I do hope this helps folks, especially new folks trying to figure out what they should use in their pistol.
Now, while it does get a bit old, I'm not going to point out the utility of the search function (although...most questions would be answered by the poster doing this
). No, I'm going to comment on the "well, what works in other people's pistols? Maybe my carry ammo isn't good enough, or maybe because it malfunctioned in somebody that I've never even met's pistol, it'll malfunction in mine" mindset...and it's converse: "well, if it works in somebody else's pistol, it should work just dandy in mine".
Folks--if you're carrying a premium, LE-oriented JHP round that functions 100% reliably in your pistol in your hands, and shoots with what you find to be acceptible accuracy and control...just carry the ammo. You've got something that works for you...and that's the bottom line, now, isn't it?
Now, of course, this means you actually have to buy a couple boxes of carry ammo and shoot the stuff. And while I know that not everyone can afford to shoot a few hundred rounds of their chosen carry load...you can at least put a couple of magazines through your pistol; this is life insurance, folks, and it's about the cheapest policy you're gonna find. Simply assuming a given round is gonna work in your pistol because it works in somebody else's is just begging for Mr. Murphy to dick with you...and he'll probably bring his best bud, Mr. O'Toole along with him.
As Reagan said: "Trust, but verify".
And on the flip side of that coin--if you search the forums, you're going to find posts that will show that someone has had an issue with pretty much every type of carry ammo...so trying to find one that works in everyone's pistol is going to be impossible. Which brings us back to: find something that works in YOUR pistol.
As to what loads: I've always recommended this: Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo
It not only gives some ammo recommendations for the most common defensive calibers, but it also gives the thought process behind why these are good loads.
I do hope this helps folks, especially new folks trying to figure out what they should use in their pistol.
