.40 cal guys.... What ammo are you using for duty purposes?

[LongCut]

We have been using 180grn Speer Gold Dot for about 20 years as far as I can tell. Is there something superior to this? What do you guys carry that is different, and why? I'm looking for factual reasons, not just because that's what your place makes you use. Thanks.

We are exploring other options. Not because Gold Dot doesn't work, but because something better may have come along in the last 2 decades, and a few of us actually are willing to look at other options and not keep "doing it, because we have always done it".

[CruiserClass]

The differences between quality bonded hollowpoints from any of the major manufacturers are extremely minimal as far as results on target, being "barrier blind", etc. Whatever feeds 100% and is the most accurate from your particular handgun is likely the best.

We're issued Federal tactical bonded: http://www.policehq.com/Products/FC-40LET

[Amigo1342]

We are issued Winchester Ranger 180gr for ammo. We shoot it during our qualifications and I have not heard of one person having an issue with it from our department.

[Guest]

You guys arnt using the rip ammo yet?

[kermit315]

We use the Gold Dots as well.

[Michigan]

We have to melt lead into balls and then shove them down our barrel.

[Amigo1342]

Ahh Revolutionary War range days! I love those!

[ERMedic]

I used 165gr HST with my previous agency. There is nothing wrong at all with the 180gr Gold Dot, it's good stuff. If I had a .40 that I carried I'd load it with either 155gr or 165gr. The 180gr does allow for further penetration though.

[KenW.]

180 gr Gold Dots

[Rush817]

99% of our guys carry either 40 or 45 pistols with Gold Dot ammo and the other 1% carry 357 Sig with Gold Dot ammo.

[IAM Rand]

Location, location, location. Worry less about bullets and more about training and where you hit them. Plenty of people have been killed by FMJ hardball ammo. Get a good hollow-point ammo then get a bunch of practice ammo. If you are dying to try something new, check out Corbon's solid copper slug.

[LongCut]

Location, location, location. Worry less about bullets and more about training and where you hit them. Plenty of people have been killed by FMJ hardball ammo. Get a good hollow-point ammo then get a bunch of practice ammo. If you are dying to try something new, check out Corbon's solid copper slug.

I get all that. 99% of the homicides I work are dealt it with ball ammo. I'm lucky to actually work for a progressive department with a chief that listens to his tactical/training staff.

I was just wondering if we were missing out on anything. Not just man stoping power (plenty have fallen to .22lr), but other things like barrier penetration, etc.

I was the one who spent almost 2 years trying to get .380 approved for backup/off duty carry. Is it ideal? Nope. Is it better than nothing? Yep! Too many of my co-workers refused to carry a backup or carry off duty, until I got the little guns approved. Despite all the arguments, I still haven't found anyone that is willing to stand still and let me shoot them with a .380, in order to dispel their thoughts on how inferior it is..............

Gold Dot may be the best. I don't know. But I figured I'd look around and at least explore the possibility of another option.

Thanks for the replies fellas.

[CruiserClass]

I was just wondering if we were missing out on anything. Not just man stoping power (plenty have fallen to .22lr), but other things like barrier penetration, etc.

Doubtfully. Our range staff routinely tests ammo, armor, etc. They also send a rep to every police action shooting and gather as much info as possible in those instances as well. The only change we've made is going from 180 gr to 165 gr. I don't know the logic and didn't ask since I don't carry the issued .40, but I'd be perfectly comfortable with their recommendations. I know them enough to trust them and their test protocol that if there was an ammo they believed to give a 1% advantage, we'd be issued that. All the major brand LE offerings have similar terminal ballistics, barrier blindness, etc, so it boils down to other factors such as muzzle flash, recoil control, etc.

[aceontheline]

Speer Gold Dot 165 grain but switching over soon to 180 grain.

[IAM Rand]

Corbon DPX

Caliber: 40 S&W
Bullet Wt.: 140gr DPX
Velocity: 1200fps
Energy: 448ftlbs
Test Barrel Length: 4.0 Inches