It may not be a PM, but I keep at least a case of .223 and 7.62x54R (I like shooting my rifles - a LOT). I have 6,000 .22LR's on hand, which I shoot about 500-1,000 of per week out of handguns and rifles.

I try to keep as much .45acp on hand as possible, which means I need to cast more lead. .22LR and .45ACP are my primary handgun rounds - I went through 350 .45ACP's today. Only way I can afford to shoot that is buy reloading, and casting my own bullets from wheel weights. 50 rounds costs me $3.25, about the same as a box of .22LR.



I shoot a LOT compared to most people though - round count was almost 16,000 last year.

Guess the answer is "I don't have enough rounds in the house."

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The concept of alternating rounds is called "Dutch loading" and rarely makes sense. In this case, the idea of having a hollow point get plugged with clothing effectively turns it into hardball, causing greater penetration than a fuilly expanded hollow point. Adding FMJ to the mix only insures overpenetration, making a through-and-though with a 9mm probable.

This may not be a big deal in the woods somewhere, but on the street or in your house it becomes an issue when a child is killed in another room in the house or little Susie playing in the street takes a wayward round.

The thing that makes the most sense is to do some research on-line and buy only dependable rounds that will still expand after traveling through up to four layers of denim.

like someone who does not know if the glass if half full our half empty

Thank you for the clear and concise description of the issue. Do you have any particular JHP that fits the bill of expanding after penetrating four layers of denim?

Also, will a standard pressure 115G FMJ pass through a body?

On the original question, I am now up to 1250 FMJs and 200 JHPs in my stash.

TxKahr

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Kahr PM9, Pearce Grip, MTAC Holster, Beltman 1.25" Belt

Being involved in a SD shooting is bad enough, never mind one where the round exited and was heading for parts unknown. I'll take my chances that a 124 gr +P JHP doesnt get too clogged to do it's job. Damn, even if it does get clogged, that baby's gonna leave a mark for sure! Thinking about it makes me want to work on the ole Mozambique Drill a bit more.

__________________
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@ 5000 rounds of 9mm, .40, 45 and some .22lr

TxKahr,

There are many top notch 9mm rounds that will penetrate four layers of denim and expand reliably. Your best bet is to Google "Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo". This will take you to a website with some of the most definitive studies of SD ammo with results (and pics) composed by Dr. Gary Roberts, one of the most respected ballisticians today.

RE: 9mm hardball penetration. There have been many cases of through-and-through penetrations of humans with this round. I have no idea why anyone would use FMJ for defense, unless they had nothning else. Its ineffectiveness as a fight stopper is legendary and one of the main complaints of the military since we went from the 1911 to the M9.

For our personal use, my wife and I carry Federal HST 124 gr ammo in either our Bowie Tactical G19's or our Bowie PM9's.

Hope this helps.

Stay safe and check 360.