Sometimes we take for granted the choices we make for self-defense and how that may play out in the minds of others. Some of us may have never thought about our ammo choices, some of us may have come up with our choice of ammo from the guy behind the counter at Sports Authority. Whichever the case, it's always good to go back and revisit some of our ideas about ammo.


Massad Ayoob is kicking off the first part of a 5 part series filled with some pertinent information. For those unfamiliar with the name, Ayoob is a renowned firearms and self-defense instructor who has taught both LEO and private citizens.


http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2014/03/13/why-we-use-expanding-bullets-for-self-defense/

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Hes is one of the oldest instructions out there.   I recall his close quarters fighting articles in the 90s using the old cqc7 tanto benchmades. 
For home defense being is I live in the greater Honolulu area I want lowest over penetration possible in a round.  So most ammo is out 00 buck and .223 is a nono for me

Good find.
Keep 'em coming as they come out 2A.

Curious if he'll talk about mods also. Like lightening the factory trigger.

Ayoob is quite the scholar.
I consider his book "In The Gravest Extreme" required reading for anyone who keeps a firearm for self defense.
Equipment may have changed over the 30 years since he wrote this book, but humans have not.
I also like his Stressfire books.

So most ammo is out 00 buck and .223 is a nono for me

if you don't want over penetration, .223 should be in and most fmj handgun ammo should be out

Sometimes we take for granted the choices we make for self-defense and how that may play out in the minds of others. Some of us may have never thought about our ammo choices, some of us may have come up with our choice of ammo from the guy behind the counter at Sports Authority. Whichever the case, it's always good to go back and revisit some of our ideas about ammo.


Massad Ayoob is kicking off the first part of a 5 part series filled with some pertinent information. For those unfamiliar with the name, Ayoob is a renowned firearms and self-defense instructor who has taught both LEO and private citizens.


http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2014/03/13/why-we-use-expanding-bullets-for-self-defense/

Sweet! I'll take a look at it. 

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if you don't want over penetration, .223 should be in and most fmj handgun ammo should be out

Sorry dont wanna stray too of the orginal topic.  We can discuss specifics on another thread. 

It may be interesting to note that Mr. Ayoob hails from South Africa, which brings the Pistorius affair even closer to home for him. I have to assume that is what started this.
The prosecution making the claim of super ammunition, meant only to kill and maim
I can see the writing on the wall. We are told by our legal advisors not to use hand loads for self defense, factory only because of the liability.We may be loading something especially lethal. But now they are going after factory loads that do what they are advertised to accomplish.
What now???
With tongue firmly planted  in cheek, I gotta ask, can he call himself an African American???
All that aside, his blog is updated every few days and should be read by all of us.

Any quality expert can easily discredit the "killer ammo" argument.  If we really want rapid incapacitation outside of a CNS or psychological stop and are relying on circulatory incapacitation, a through and through (entry and exit wound) is more conducive to rapid blood loss.  High quality modern defensive pistol ammunition pretty much produces the same or similar results across the board from manufacturer to manufacturer and caliber choice.   The true reality is that handgun rounds are a poor choice overall.

We also need to consider that any round that will produce and adequate penetration depth of 14" to 18" in 10% gel will easily rip through several layers of drywall or multiple walls in modern construction.  Therefore understanding angles and backstops and marksmanship skills are of more importance than over penetration.   

if you don't want over penetration, .223 should be in and most fmj handgun ammo should be out

An interesting and eye opening read about the FBI's testing of .233/5.56 penetration compared to jacketed hollow point handgun ammunition

http://www.olyarms.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=26

"'Bottom Line: In every test, with the exception of soft body armor, which none of the SMG fired rounds defeated, the .223 penetrated less on average than any of the pistol bullets"

"The FBI study clearly demonstrates the following: (1) that .223 rounds on average, penetrate less than the hollow point pistol rounds evaluated, (2) concern for over penetration of the .223 round, at close range, has been greatly exaggerated, (3) with the exception of soft ballistic garment penetration, the .223 round appears to be relatively safer for employment in CQB events than the hollow point bullets tested"

Auright !

Back to topic. 

Thanks 2A !

if you don't want over penetration, .223 should be in and most fmj handgun ammo should be out

Correct, as far as I have researched also.

The choice of 223 bullet is an important factor.

[Don't take this as gospel as I'm no ballistics expert.  Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can chime in?]

If you're concerned about over-penetration, a soft point, hollow point or frangible.223 bullet would probably be a better choice.  Lighter (55gr or under) bullets would be better than heavier bullets also.  Avoid using green-tip or heavy FMJ 223 ammo unless you know are not concerned about penetration and want to be able to penetrate some body armor.

Lastly, the barrel length and twist rate make a difference but I'm not really that familiar with the actual results of twist rate, barrel length and bullet weight on the 223.

Good reading here on home defense ammo choices
http://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm#.223

Olympic Arms writeup on 223 ammo testing by the FBI Firearms Training Unit by R.K. Taubert (A retired FBI Agent with over 20 years experience in SWAT and Special Operations, he conducted extensive counter-terrorism and weapons research while in the Bureau)
http://www.olyarms.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=26

"Bottom Line: In every test, with the exception of soft body armor, which none of the SMG fired rounds defeated, the .223 penetrated less on average than any of the pistol bullets. "

"If an operator misses the intended target, the .223 will generally have less wounding potential than some pistol rounds after passing through a wall or similar structure.  The close range penetration tests conducted indicated that high velocity .223 rounds were initially unstable and may, depending on their construction, disintegrate when they strike an object that offers some resistance. When concrete, brick or macadam are struck at an angle at close range, .223 rounds tent to fragment or break up, and ricochets are generally less hazardous. The .223 could consequently be considered safer for urban street engagements, because of its inherent frangibility within the cross-compartments created by street environments. In other words, in most shootings, the round would probably strike something, hopefully a hard object, break up and quickly end its potentially lethal odyssey. "

"The FBI study clearly demonstrates the following: (1) that .223 rounds on average, penetrate less than the hollow point pistol rounds evaluated, (2) concern for over penetration of the .223 round, at close range, has been greatly exaggerated, (3) with the exception of soft ballistic garment penetration, the .223 round appears to be relatively safer for employment in CQB events than the hollow point bullets tested. "

"It has been a recently growing trend to see law enforcement departments exchanging their issue shotguns for the police carbine in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. And many departments have found that these carbines do not serve their needs as they expected. However, they are fearful to switch, or in many cases purchase, .223 carbines because "they will go through 10 people and 3 city blocks before they stop!" As you can see, this is not the case, and is in fact, completely the opposite. I hope that this article helps to clear all false truths and misnomers about this very versatile and serviceable cartridge. "

Sorry, I missed the followups.

3 - http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2014/03/20/why-we-use-expanding-bullets-part-iii-reduced-ricochet-potential/
4 - http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2014/03/26/why-we-use-expanding-bullets-part-iv-faster-stops/
5 - http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2014/04/02/why-we-use-expanding-bullets-part-v-the-most-surprising-reason/