Ammo: Hollow Point vs Full Metal Jacket
You might wonder about the difference between hollow points and full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds. Why does is this important? Because understanding these distinctions could mean the difference between a successful self-defense scenario and a dangerous mistake. At Intuitive Self Protection, we’ve spent years training thousands of responsible gun owners, and we know how crucial it is to choose the right tools for the job. Let’s get into it.
Ballistics Basics
Hollow Point Ammo. The round on the right has been fired into ballistic gel; giving you an idea of what the round will do when it hits a body.
Ballistics is all about how bullets behave after they leave the barrel of your firearm. Hollow points are designed to expand upon impact, which slows them down and helps them stay in the intended target. This expansion minimizes the risk of over-penetration, which is critical in self-defense situations where there are bystanders or thin walls.
Full Metal Jacket Ammo rounds maintains their shape when fired.
On the other hand, FMJ rounds are built for penetration. They maintain their shape and often pass through targets, which makes them great for practice but risky for defensive use. Understanding this difference is super important because the wrong ammo can lead to unintended consequences.
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How to Choose for Self-Defense
When selecting ammo for self-defense, think about your environment and your objective. Are you indoors or outdoors? Is the area crowded, or is it more isolated? Hollow points are often the go-to choice because they deliver maximum stopping power while reducing the risk of injuring bystanders. FMJ rounds are affordable and consistent and while great for training, are less suited for self-defense due to their tendency to over-penetrate. You’ve gotta question your goal. If it’s to stop a threat with minimal collateral damage, hollow point will be your go-to.
Summary
Choosing the right ammo boils down to understanding its purpose and your situation. The key takeaway? Always match your ammo to your environment and your goal. At ISP, we emphasize the importance of preparedness and responsible firearm use because when it comes to protecting yourself and others, every detail matters. We offer pistol, rifle, empty-hand, and edged weapon training courses. Let us know how we can help you assist you in your self-protection goals.
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About The Author
Hank Hayes is a Combat Arts Hall of Famer and inventor of the No Lie Blade. He is the founder and CEO of both Intuitive Self Protection and NLB Tactical and creator of the ISP/NLB viscous fighting system. Since 1998, he has trained well over 30,000 Military and Law Enforcement personnel via Government contract mainly at the elite special teams level and continues to train both civilians and MIL/LE how to come home safe.