Gun noob question: Training with hollow point vs FMJ

[irishScott]

Is there any major difference? (assuming all other factors are as equal as they can get)

Reason I ask is that I'm finally getting to the point where I'm looking to buy my first gun, primarily for concealed carry purposes. Given the current ammo shortage (that has no signs of letting up) the most affordable ammo I could buy is FMJ. My only firearm experience being 20 rounds with a bolt action .22 back in 6th grade, I imagine I'll need a shitload of trigger time to actually get decent with whatever I pick up. However for actual carry purposes I'd prefer HPs.

As for the gun itself: after some research those new S&W Bodyguard .380s look (in a general and literal sense) kickass, and price isn't much of an object. So I'll probably wait for those to hit the market and, assuming they pan out in the reviews, place an order. I know going with .380 limits me even further as far as ammo goes, but I want something that I can comfortably stick in a pocket or fanny pack if I have to, and from what I hear .380 has slightly lower recoil which could be advantageous.

 

[nick1985]

price


FMJ - less expensive. Used for target shooting

Hollow point - expensive personal defense ammo. Used for shooting thugs.


edit

lol @ fanny pack

 

[irishScott]

FMJ - less expensive. Used for target shooting

Hollow point - expensive personal defense ammo. Used for shooting thugs.

Yeah, I got that. My question is is there a major difference for training purposes. Can I train with FMJs and consider myself prepared to use similar HPs?

 

[nick1985]

Yeah, I got that. My question is is there a major difference for training purposes. Can I train with FMJs and consider myself prepared to use similar HPs?

Sure. I would fire a few mags of your HP ammo through your piece though, just to make sure it feeds that brand properly. You dont want to go to shoot a thug and get a FTF or a FTE


You sure you want a 380 though? Its kind of a weak/pussy round. I'd look for a 9 or something if I my retarded state allowed me to carry.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Sure. I would fire a few mags of your HP ammo through your piece though, just to make sure it feeds that brand properly. You dont want to go to shoot a thug and get a FTF or a FTE


You sure you want a 380 though? Its kind of a weak/pussy round. I'd look for a 9 or something if I my retarded state allowed me to carry.

9MM, .40 S&W, .45 ACP seem to be the most popular rounds for CCW

 

[nick1985]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/73577

Ever look into something like that? WORLD of difference between a 357sig and a 380.


Little article on the 357 sig round

http://www.gunweek.com/2002/feature0210.html

 

[irishScott]

Sure. I would fire a few mags of your HP ammo through your piece though, just to make sure it feeds that brand properly. You dont want to go to shoot a thug and get a FTF or a FTE


You sure you want a 380 though? Its kind of a weak/pussy round. I'd look for a 9 or something if I my retarded state allowed me to carry.

Thanks, good to know. Main reason I'm going for 380 is ease of carry. I move around a lot during the day, want something I can conceal in a polo and a pair of cargo shorts that won't stick out of my pocket/clothing or into me. Haven't found much in that regard above 380. The reduced weight is also a plus. I'd imagine a .380 hp will still do the job if I aim right. Hence the shitload of trigger time.

 

[pontifex]

9MM, .40 S&W, .45 ACP seem to be the most popular rounds for CCW

not lately. small .380s have jumped hugely in the last year or so. there have been a few companies making new .380s lately.

.380 is probably the most expensive common handgun round right now - about $30 per box of 50 FMJ. it's also very difficult to find in certain areas.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Thanks, good to know. Main reason I'm going for 380 is ease of carry. I move around a lot during the day, want something I can conceal in a polo and a pair of cargo shorts that won't stick out of my pocket/clothing or into me. Haven't found much in that regard above 380. The reduced weight is also a plus. I'd imagine a .380 hp will still do the job if I aim right. Hence the shitload of trigger time.

If you are going to carry, you need to dress around the best weapon for you. Not get a gun that fits your current style of dress. If you want a gun that will save your life, you should get the best gun you can get. If you are not willing to adapt to the best tool you can get, you are not really ready.
I can carry a compact pistol (Glock 19/23, HK P2000) In a IWB holster all day long with no issue. I've taken naps on the couch with them on.
For pocket carry, I have a Taurus .38 that I carry in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster.
I can carry either or both in slacks, button up shirt and a tie.

 

[Jeeebus]

You sure you want a 380 though? Its kind of a weak/pussy round.

Definitely agree. This morning when stepping off the train, some asshole shoved a 380 in my face demanding my money. I was all like... get that pussy gun out of my face! So he shot me 4 times in the chest and now I gotta go through the hassle of getting the shirt dry cleaned tomorrow to get the wrinkles out.

 

[hx009]

Given the current ammo shortage (that has no signs of letting up)

Really? Where have you been shopping? Everyplace I've been both B&M and online readily has stuff like 9mm and .40 ready for purchase (Midway, Natchez, etc online and Dicks/Walmart/local gun stores B&M). A year ago that statement would've made sense but now not so much.

 

[mizzou]

Definitely agree. This morning when stepping off the train, some asshole shoved a 380 in my face demanding my money. I was all like... get that pussy gun out of my face! So he shot me 4 times in the chest and now I gotta go through the hassle of getting the shirt dry cleaned tomorrow to get the wrinkles out.

.380 is just dandy, that's why its so popular right now

Even a .40 compact or 9mm compact are difficult to conceal (even PPKS can be hard)

.380's make it so mind numbingly simple your gun becomes your wallet basically

 

[duragezic]

Make sure to run a 1-2 boxes of .380 through your carry gun just to ensure 100% reliability with hollow points.

Other than that, yeah practice with FMJ.

For a small 9mm, look at the Keltec PF9. Dimensionally it should be quite close to their .380 offering (P3AT) and the weight is probably close too.

 

[Specop 007]

If I could choose I'd want a bit more than a .380, however it sure beats the pants off a pointy stick.

As said, try to run a couple 100 rounds of your defensive ammo through your weapon to ensure it feeds reliably. Otherwise, practice with the cheap FMJ ammo.

 

[mizzou]

Make sure to run a 1-2 boxes of .380 through your carry gun just to ensure 100% reliability with hollow points.

Other than that, yeah practice with FMJ.

For a small 9mm, look at the Keltec PF9. Dimensionally it should be quite close to their .380 offering (P3AT) and the weight is probably close too.

I would skip the PF9 and just go w/ a PPK knockoff, not that the PF9 isn't a fine weapon. I just think the size diff from P3AT to PF9 is not worth the size difference if your main goal is concealability

 

[irishScott]

Really? Where have you been shopping? Everyplace I've been both B&M and online readily has stuff like 9mm and .40 ready for purchase (Midway, Natchez, etc online and Dicks/Walmart/local gun stores B&M). A year ago that statement would've made sense but now not so much.

Haven't had the time to look into B&M in my area yet. As for online, links? I am the noob here.

 

[lokiju]

It's always good to put a few rounds through your gun of what you plan on leaving in it while at home or if you carry but to do the bulk at the range of whatever is cheaper, which will always be FMJ in this case.

 

[alkemyst]

you lost me at picking a gun since it looks badass.

 

[JulesMaximus]

If you are going to carry, you need to dress around the best weapon for you. Not get a gun that fits your current style of dress. If you want a gun that will save your life, you should get the best gun you can get. If you are not willing to adapt to the best tool you can get, you are not really ready.
I can carry a compact pistol (Glock 19/23, HK P2000) In a IWB holster all day long with no issue. I've taken naps on the couch with them on.
For pocket carry, I have a Taurus .38 that I carry in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster.
I can carry either or both in slacks, button up shirt and a tie.

You mean like this dork?

 

[irishScott]

If you are going to carry, you need to dress around the best weapon for you. Not get a gun that fits your current style of dress. If you want a gun that will save your life, you should get the best gun you can get. If you are not willing to adapt to the best tool you can get, you are not really ready.
I can carry a compact pistol (Glock 19/23, HK P2000) In a IWB holster all day long with no issue. I've taken naps on the couch with them on.
For pocket carry, I have a Taurus .38 that I carry in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster.
I can carry either or both in slacks, button up shirt and a tie.

Last I checked I walk out the door into my life, not a warzone. I'm not buying the thing out of fear of being mugged or because spaceman drank too much.

 

[irishScott]

you lost me at picking a gun since it looks badass.

I meant "looks" in a general sense but if you're going to press me:

It's 12 oz, has good sights by comparison to other offerings (ie Ruger LCP), thumb safety, small form factor, and has an integrated laser sight with replaceable battery. And it literally looks badass. Satisfied?

 

[duragezic]

Yeah I was gonna say, it's badass in that it does just about everything right.

I think you should carry as large of caliber as you feel comfortable with. If that's .380 ACP, I think that is absolutely adequate if you are proficient with it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yeah I was gonna say, it's badass in that it does just about everything right.

I think you should carry as large of caliber as you feel comfortable with. If that's .380 ACP, I think that is absolutely adequate if you are proficient with it.

I think there's a 99.9% chance he'll never even need to use it in self defense.

 

[iGas]

Pussy.

This is a gun

 

[Nik]

Pussy.

This is a gun