Can you mix ammo?

[VinnieBoomBah]

They do make them for 9mm as well and there are two different types of them, red case and blue case, there are also different shot load sizes and makers.

View attachment 1952976View attachment 1952977

None of the auto round shotshells will cycle the action

 

[Local Loader]

None of the auto round shotshells will cycle the action

Couldn't say if they do or not as I don't use them, but I don't see why they wouldn't cycle the action.

 

[Koda]

So the OP is asking for advice on self defense ammo I wouldn't drift off topic with snake shot. Yes they make it for 9mm but its not what the subject is.

For apartment living there's not much you can do except use the most reliably expanding hollowpoint... and, find in the home "shooting lanes" where if you miss (the bad guy) or its a pass thru the architecture will stop the round more so than shots perpendicular thru a wall face. Find these "shooting lanes" from the location your gun is stored and practice your plan of action to barricade in a position that exposes the bad guy with wall corners, frames, multi walls etc. behind him.
This isn't a bad idea in any suburban single family home either.

Note: since most people are right handed try to position your barricade position to the bad guys right (AKA "shooters left") so hes at a disadvantage turning towards you to attack. (not always possible depending on the house but good to know)

 

[Koda]

heres a website I use to judge self defense ammo. In an apartment situation I might be tempted to not care as much about "FBI" penetration but care mostly about bullet expansion, clearly shown in the photos on the right.

Self defense ammo is expensive and "the best" is not always available, get the best you can find and keep an eye out for the one you really wanted or order it online. I cant afford to target practice with premium ammo but start out with a box, run only 1 mag thru it to test function and simply buy another box when you can afford it. Eventually you will have 2 or 3 boxes then use the oldest one for range practice to compare.

also note, especially with hollowpoints each time you chamber a round the bullet is pushed back into the case (depends on the gun). If they top round is noticeably shorter set it aside for range practice.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

So the OP is asking for advice on self defense ammo I wouldn't drift off topic with snake shot. Yes they make it for 9mm but its not what the subject is.

There was a moment back in the 70's or early 80's were snake shot was recommended for the first two cylinders in a revolver for home defense, supposedly to address the concerns of overpenetration and reduce the likelihood that you might have to kill someone just because they came into your home uninvited.

A terrible idea that could not have gone away fast enough

 

[Koda]

There was a moment back in the 70's or early 80's were snake shot was recommended for the first two cylinders in a revolver for home defense, supposedly to address the concerns of overpenetration and reduce the likelihood that you might have to kill someone just because they came into your home uninvited.

A terrible idea that could not have gone away fast enough

Before that time, people used to load rock salt in their shottys to teach bad guys a lesson. A terrible idea that could not have done away fast enough. In the late 80s early 90s it was the Glaser "frangable" rounds designed to disintegrate in sheet rock but not in humans. A fad that never took off. They still make those I think.
I cant recommend something that hasn't proven itself.

At the end of the day an in house barricade plan will do as much for someones safety as good marksmanship.

 

[Jade Terfin]

heres a website I use to judge self defense ammo. In an apartment situation I might be tempted to not care as much about "FBI" penetration but care mostly about bullet expansion, clearly shown in the photos on the right.

Self defense ammo is expensive and "the best" is not always available, get the best you can find and keep an eye out for the one you really wanted or order it online. I cant afford to target practice with premium ammo but start out with a box, run only 1 mag thru it to test function and simply buy another box when you can afford it. Eventually you will have 2 or 3 boxes then use the oldest one for range practice to compare.

also note, especially with hollowpoints each time you chamber a round the bullet is pushed back into the case (depends on the gun). If they top round is noticeably shorter set it aside for range practice.

That's good advice. I have yet to shoot any of the HPs. I'm interested to see how different they shoot, if any. Now I am really going to think of scenarios and try to practice where to point if something happens in my apartment. I've thought about it. But I suppose I should mock up and actually practice aiming in a fast fashion…lol.

 

[Jade Terfin]

Before that time, people used to load rock salt in their shottys to teach bad guys a lesson. A terrible idea that could not have done away fast enough. In the late 80s early 90s it was the Glaser "frangable" rounds designed to disintegrate in sheet rock but not in humans. A fad that never took off. They still make those I think.
I cant recommend something that hasn't proven itself.

At the end of the day an in house barricade plan will do as much for someones safety as good marksmanship.

Did those salt and "frangable" rounds actually get the job done? They sound interesting. But we've come a long way and I'm supposing these are obsolete or maybe just around somewhat for novelty. I'm not thrilled about apartment living. But it has to do for now. No real place to barricade . Bottom floor, every wall but one points outside. The hallway wall is the only one that connects with a neighbor. Well, ceiling to the upstairs neighbors.

 

[Koda]

That's good advice. I have yet to shoot any of the HPs. I'm interested to see how different they shoot, if any. Now I am really going to think of scenarios and try to practice where to point if something happens in my apartment. I've thought about it. But I suppose I should mock up and actually practice aiming in a fast fashion…lol.

Most modern name brand pistols will shoot them the same but keep in mind guns are designed to shoot FMJ "round nose" as those bullet profiles are the only ones dimensioned by industry standards (saami). There are some pistols out there that are finiky with certain brands of hollowpoints, so its important to test fire before relying on use. Again, Self defense ammo is expensive so just starting out run one mag and if that works save the rest of the box for at least one full mag of self defense ammo. Its ok to use FMJ or target ammo as backup/spare mags just eventually keep stocking up on premium self defense ammo. Depending on your budget it can take time, as long as you have one box or 1 mag full your fine until you can get more. Try to stick with the same brand, same bullet weight etc.

 

[Jade Terfin]

There was a moment back in the 70's or early 80's were snake shot was recommended for the first two cylinders in a revolver for home defense, supposedly to address the concerns of overpenetration and reduce the likelihood that you might have to kill someone just because they came into your home uninvited.

A terrible idea that could not have gone away fast enough

I had a coworker suggest that I get a revolver as my first gun. I asked about it when I went to the range and they suggested that I start off trying with a 9 mm. And if I could handle that that I should probably just go with the 9 mm since it seems to be the most popular and common carry gun. I think. But I still would like to try out some revolvers at some point. I don't know anything about snake shot. I would think that those would be semi weak? I mean, if it's too ballistic, wouldn't it blow the snake into pieces? So what would that do to an intruder? Make them mad?

 

[Nosferatu]

Pistol chambered shotshells are a great way to send tiny shot in a circular pattern around the object you're shooting at.

I've used and patterned these things in .22LR, 9mm, .38sp & .44sp. The shot pattern is horrendous and barely penetrate cardboard. A rifled barrel makes the shot come out in a donut pattern.

NOT for defensive situations at all.

The .22LR ones though a lever action rifle at under 10' are decent for killing rats. That's about it.

 

[Koda]

Did those salt and "frangable" rounds actually get the job done? They sound interesting. But we've come a long way and I'm supposing these are obsolete or maybe just around somewhat for novelty. I'm not thrilled about apartment living. But it has to do for now. No real place to barricade . Bottom floor, every wall but one points outside. The hallway wall is the only one that connects with a neighbor. Well, ceiling to the upstairs neighbors.

Nobody knows, there arent many cases made public where they were used to judge. The frangible ammo was also super expensive, so not many bought into that. The idea has merit and they still sell them but they just don't seem to be very popular for self defense use.

They run around $2 per bullet (they've come down in price on par with usual premium ammo. They used to be sold in packs of 6 rounds )

9mm Luger +P 80gr Glaser Blue - Corbon Ammo

Glaser Safety Slug Overview The Glaser Safety Slug® was designed in 1974 in response to the possibility of having to use a handgun on an airplane by the Sky Marshals. The concerns at that time were over penetration on soft tissue and ricochets on hard surfaces and possible excess penetration. In...

corbon.com

At the end of the day if a bad guys getting shot with anything hes having a bad day but the big question is will they reliably stop the attack. Nobody knows. Here's a good article that even mentions real world shootings.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Is The Glaser Safety Slug Good for Self Defense?

Glaser’s interesting Safety Slug is still available, but is it viable? Richard Mann takes a look at the Glaser Safety Slug and data related to its use.

www.shootingillustrated.com

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

I had a coworker suggest that I get a revolver as my first gun. I asked about it when I went to the range and they suggested that I start off trying with a 9 mm. And if I could handle that that I should probably just go with the 9 mm since it seems to be the most popular and common carry gun. I think. But I still would like to try out some revolvers at some point. I don't know anything about snake shot. I would think that those would be semi weak? I mean, if it's too ballistic, wouldn't it blow the snake into pieces? So what would that do to an intruder? Make them mad?

JMHO but you should go with whatever you shoot the best, and in my (admittedly limited) experience I find new shooters do better with an appropriately sized 9mm and even with WA mag limit you will get almost twice the number of rounds on board and a much easier and quicker reload.
Revolvers are fun, but without lots and lots of practice, semiautos are for fighting

 

[2nd Amendment]

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll look them up right now. And that is good to know about the monitoring. Or lack there of. I mean, we ARE being monitored. But apparently not any more than normal as far as that goes. So that is good!

Don't want to be monitored? Buy ammo at your local gun store and pay cash.

 

[Koda]

JMHO but you should go with whatever you shoot the best, and in my (adamantly limited) experience I find new shooters do better with an appropriately sized 9mm and even with WA mag limit you will get almost twice the number of rounds on board and a much easier and quicker reload.
Revolvers are fun, but without lots and lots of practice, semiautos are for fighting

I'll back this up and without a flame suit...

 

[Local Loader]

So the OP is asking for advice on self defense ammo I wouldn't drift off topic with snake shot. Yes they make it for 9mm but its not what the subject is.

They asked about the snake shot so we answered.

As for frangable you can still find it for cheap if you're willing to search for it. If infact it won't go through multiple pieces of sheet rock than it's not a bad idea for an apartment setting.
If they feel so inclined and have the equipment, you can get frangable 9mm bullets for fairly cheap for reloading. Plus side of doing this you can reduce the charge load compared to factory to limit over penetration even more. This is true for loading your own HP as well.
As for will it stop someone?, yes it will, even if it takes more than a few shots. Practicing shot placement will help reduce the number of shots need to drop an attacker.

 

[WillametteWill]

There are some pistols out there that are finiky with certain brands of hollowpoints, so its important to test fire before relying on use.

Very important point by @Koda on this. For those on a budget (aren't we all) and/or who cannot find much defensive ammo, one way to test this out is to load a mag alternating defensive (i.e., hollow point ammo) with full metal jacket range ammo, starting with the FMJ in the chamber. Shoot one, see if the hollow point chambers. Then safely eject the HP round and set it aside, loading another FMJ cartridge. Shoot it, repeat the above. Do this two or maybe three times (EDIT: as in two or three magazines full), then load up the magazine to full using only the defensive rounds and shoot them. This allows you to check the feeding more times for your buck.

As Koda noted, bullets will push back from repeated chamberings so I would not load them more than maybe two or three times into the gun. You would likely be able to do more but limiting the number of cycles is safer.

I had a coworker suggest that I get a revolver as my first gun.

Let me start by saying I love revolvers. My wife and I are attending a three-day revolver shoot/workshop later this year. Love um. But...@vinnieboombah makes a good point above.

My wife and I train lots of new shooters; some arrive with small revolvers. Nearly all transition to a 9mm or .380 quickly. New shooters can do well with larger revolvers. But when you have a light gun (or very light gun with some of the alloy models) mixed with an extremely heavy trigger compared to striker fired guns (or the even better internal hammer S&W EZ series), and throw in the usual less than optimal to terrible sights with a very short radius, most folks don't shoot them very well. I have seen a few, but not many.

I have a S&W M60 2" 38 that I carry sometimes, and have for 39 years. It still gets shot and I run drills with it. I used to have to qualify with it as well. They are not fun to shoot, so folks tend not to spend much time at the range with them. But many, well intentioned, folks like to recommend these to new and newer shooters. Nope.

Edit indicated above in () for clarity.

 

[_Cloud]

Run it how you like it's all up to you

 

[Alexx1401]

Couldn't say if they do or not as I don't use them, but I don't see why they wouldn't cycle the action.

I have some around from CCI that are the top of the line. Bought them LONG ago to play with. They don't even come close to working in a semi. They don't have nearly enough power to do so. They also will only kill something like a rat or snake at very close range.

 

[WillametteWill]

Couldn't say if they do or not as I don't use them, but I don't see why they wouldn't cycle the action.

Because they are only 45 - 53 grains, contain shot and not a solid projectile, so they do not have enough bullet mass to cycle the action. Some guns have the same issue with light, frangible bullets or even the super light spinny defense rounds. It is very important to make sure guns functions with these new light weight, high speed defensive rounds. I've seen lots of different guns malfunction with light bullets over the years.