I'm looking for a good self defense round in .40 S&W. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Is this a night satnd gun, under the seat gun, where is it used most?

 

I will probably use it half night stand and half truck.

 

I shot the 155 gr. Federal Hydrashok out of my .40, never shot any people, but it sure looked ugly shot into dirt or phone books. I've gone to the Speer Gold Dot since I've went back to 9mm though.

 

10-4 on the Hydrashock. Doesn't get any uglier than that!

 

Remember, the number one, non negotiable deal with a "self defense" round is reliability. If this is something you're gonna defend your life with, it better work, and work all the time. The ugliest, most painful looking expanded hollow point won't do you too well if your gun doesn't feed it. Base your ammo choice on reliability first and foremost. My Springfield 1911 didn't really like Hydrashoks, but it ran like a house a fire with Remington Golden Sabers or Speer Gold Dots. Buy a few boxes of each, shoot 'em up, see what works reliably and go from there. Remember that ballistically, most pistols suck at delivering downrange authority, so don't get too stuck up on those cool looking expanded bullets in gel tests and ammo ads, there is no "magic bullet." Although I think anyone getting shot by a modern jacketed hollowpoint regardless of brand will definitely have a very bad day.

 

I have a box of the hydrashocks but I havent fired any yet.

 

Spear Gold dots. I don't have a .40, but I carry a Glock .45 and a Sig 9mm and both of them are loaded with gold dots. And I have never once had a hangup or misfire with them. (and I shoot about 400 rounds a week)

 

Regardless of the weapon or round, neither really matters unless you practice, practice and practice. Muscle memory must be activated during a stress situation or it's all for nothing. Oh yea, did I mention practice?

 

I also carry a .40 sw countyboy, a Sig P229 .40. I've always just used Winchester 180gr JHP's in it and have never had a mis-feed or mis-fire. I love to practice and shoot 200-300 rounds a month through this pistol with no problems. I agree with the others that practice AND maintaining the pistol are the big things.

 

You can't go wrong with the Hydrashocks IMO.

I have a Glock 19, and it loves 'em.

 

I carry a S&W .40 model SW99 for work. We shoot the Spear Gold Dots for on duty. After a couple years we blow through all of the old ammo. I've never had a hang up with them.

We also use some cheap ammo for target practice that hangs up about 1 in 50. Those aren't so bad. It gives practice clearing the jams (read muscle memory).

 

Right out of the box, use Federal Hydra-Shok, no contest. I prefer 357Mag but to each their own...

KC-10 FE out...

 

I like my .22, 38spl.,9mm,221 fireball that one is a friggin blast, big ol fireball and my tops 44 mag. take a friggin burglars head right off

 

Not to mention blowing through the wall, hitting one of the kids in the next room when you miss and can't get back on target because you're blinded by the muzzle blast...

Nothing personal, topgun, you just can't convince me that bigger is always better, especially in close combat.