Views on alternating HP and FMJ ammo in the same magazine

Just heard about this method the other day and was wandering everyones view on it.

I like the idea if you do have to penetrate a wall or door, but at the same time if you have already fired you weapon, i probably wouldn't remember which bullet would be in the chamber. therefore i would need to fire 2 rounds to be sure one of them penetrated the barrier. not something i want to do if the threat isn't willing to go without a fight. so i guess my feeling are mixed on this issue.

 

I've got kids in two different rooms next to mine so I voted bad idea.

The only time I use FMJ rounds out of a semi-auto pistol in a self defense scenario is when I'm camping and worried about four-legged critters where the extra penetration would be needed.

 

Another "no" vote. Just my personal preference to have all FMJ or all hollow points.

 

I voted 'yes', but I've only done it in my revolver...

 

The idea isn't aweful, but I would never do it. Just too much to think about.

Plus, my 10mm shouldn't have any trouble penetrating a little cover, since that's what the FBI designed it for

 

some great input guys.

 

Unless I’m at the range I’m always loaded with hollow points, other than the shot gun, house guns are loaded with Speer Gold Dot. When the boys lived at home I was worried about wall penetration with jacketed ammo. Other then trying out batches for the house guns at the range I shoot SWC for practice.
Just remember, practice with what you plan to shoot.
Edit: voted no.

 

I don't alternate shot to shot but I do switch halfway through. For example, in my home defense revolver the first three are HP, the last three are non expanding solids. If I hit him with the HP's, he's hurting. If I miss with the first three, it's safe to assume he has taken cover by that point. HP's probably won't penetrate the cover and he'll be relatively safe but those solids will plow through several layers of 2x4 and drywall to ideally hit him on the other side.

An added bonus, when I head for the woods I rotate the cylinder so that the solids come first. Solids are what you would want in a bear/mountain lion situation.

 

If you want the performance of an fmj with the lethality of a hollow point, but +p or +p+ hollow points (federal makes a great round) or go with a super expanding jacketed hollow point. +p will penetrate car doors, class III soft armor within 10-15 yards, windshields etc. the recoil is noticable but wilth practice you can still rapidly engage. what type of gun are you running?
Josh
"Never forget those who died, never forgive those who killed them."
Walther P99
Mk 11
M1A NM w/ Troy MCS, Nightforce 5.5x22

 

I use alternating rounds in the pistol I carry outside the home due to a couple of bear encounters. Each ended without incident but, it's still a concern. The bedside gun has only good expanding hollowpoints.

 

Bad idea. Well there are better ways. Ask yourself "when will I encounter such a situation that this would benefit me?" Odds are one in a million.

Plus most skilled shooters will stick to one brand of ammo, Because different brands behave/group differently.

 

i do the same, fmj at the range and jhp for the house and when i carry.

i also agree with only shoot what you can see. for one i dont want to waste a couple rounds "guessing" were the threat is at on the other side of the wall or door. then second my parents and brother have keys to my house so maybe they stop in unannounced to get something thinking im not home. not likely but possible.

Edit: i have 9mm Federal Hydra-Shok's which are +p+ rounds. can these penetrate a wall or hollow core door?

 

S&W M&P9 with federal hydra-shok's

 

Off duty all I carry is HP's. Either Speer Gold Dot or Remington Golden Saber.

 

I think so.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/
If you don't see something you like, you might be able to get them to do a test, if you supply the ammo. Plus, there are some fun pictures.

 

Sweet! thanks for the link.

 

There's a reason why they make different types of rounds. FMJ are for military and target use. JHP and exposed core rounds are for personal protection in civilian settings. FMJ in these situations is not a good idea at all. Mixing them is just pointless if you think you can rack the slide because you have to shoot someone through a door or something. If you can't see the target, you shouldn't be shooting anyways. In all honesty if you're going to carry a weapon you should take a 3 day CCW course that utilizes Simunition. You'll realize just how fast things happen and how little time you have to react. They'll also answer questions such as this.

 

Being a Police Officer I have seen first hand HP's penetrate several layers of hard cover without expanding. Remember, HP's are made to expand in blaistic gelatin or the human body. Therefore, when traveling through hard surfaces like drywall the hollow point will plug up with material and act like a FMJ round. Lumber on the other hand will deform any round and cause it to fragment in some way. So I say HP's are the way to go if you are shooting to kill someone in self defense or an animal. Most HP rounds are designed to penetrate 12 inches while expanding. This in turn causes a large wound channel. Which means more tissue and organ damage. Stick with HP's unless your in NJ where HP's are illegal to carry except for law enforcement. Instead of worrying about what type of round is in the chamber just double tap the body and send one to the head. Then evaluate. Re-apply if necessary.