Best Self Defense Ammo

Key Factors the Pros Use in Selecting Tactical Handgun Ammunition

- Bob Campbell

When choosing ammunition for your defensive handgun, do not let hype and false claims sway your decision. Instead, choose service-grade loads that will feed, chamber, fire and eject without fail as well as offer good accuracy and wound ballistics.

The following steps are what the pros take in choosing the best possible loads for their personal handguns so use it as a reference to help you make the best decision.

MISSION FIRST 

First, define the mission. If the mission is home defense or service use, there are different parameters. Adequate penetration is needed for home defense, and service-grade loads may have to penetrate vehicle doors or light cover if felons are behind cover.

On the other hand, the load should not be so specialized that it proves worthless in other scenarios. The loads covered in this report are useful in practically every defensive situation, so read up.

ROLE OF RELIABILITY 

The primary goal isn’t wound ballistics – it’s reliability. The cartridge must feed, chamber, fire and eject without fail, so make sure the manufacturer has a good reputation, and make sure that the load itself has been proven in the make and model of handgun you use.

The National Institute of Justice defines service-grade reliability as 300 cartridges between cleaning. I regard this as a minimal standard; however, this is a standard and one that must be respected. A load that offers excellent wound potential but doesn’t function isn’t viable.