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From: moore@tc.fluke.COM (Matt Moore)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Self-Defense Rounds
Message-ID: <35608@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 14 Jun 91 00:56:42 GMT
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In article <35503@mimsy.umd.edu> tucker@fisher.eedsp.gatech.edu (Jeff Tucker N9HZQ) writes:
#So, with all the negative attention that the Hydra-Shock has been getting, 
#what is the best round to use for self-defense in a carry gun?  I have a
#.40 S+W at home, so that's what I'm most interested in.  Thanks.


 I hope you realize that this is the single most controversial question in
the firearms area. The net bandwidth consumed by this thread promises to be
astounding.

 The reason this question is controversial is that there is no good answer
to it. A self-defense carry gun represents a compromise between power and
controllability (which favors a large, heavy gun) and comfort and
concealability (which favors a small, light gun) and as well as a
compromise between safety features and speed of reaction. Everyone makes
these compromises according to his own idea of which factors are most
important, and I doubt that anyone is completely happy with his choice.

 Once you have selected a weapon, selecting a particular brand and type of
ammunition is even worse. The problem here is that there is not enough
data that directly bears on your decision (results of actual shootings
classified by ammo type) and too much data that bears indirectly at best
(results of ballistic testing in gelatin, ductseal, wet telephone books,
etc).

 If I were you I would pick almost any hollowpoint load from a top-level
manufacturer (Federal, Winchester, or Remington), run at least 200 rounds
through your gun to verify reliable feeding, keep your gun clean and your
ammo free of oil, and hope for the best.

 Far more important than selecting the best ammo is to become the best
shooter that you can. If you carry a gun for self defense you owe it to
yourself and to your fellow citizens to practice regularly with it, in as
realistic a setting as you can manage. If you are using up less than 50
rounds a month, you are just not being serious. I use up 100 rounds a week
and I don't consider myself as good a shot as I might need to be.

						Matt Moore
						John Fluke Mfg. Co.
						standard disclaimers apply