Handgun Ammunition

In each caliber or size the ammunition manufacturers make all different types of ammo. Some is designed for low recoil, others are made in a way which maximizes their accuracy for range or target practice. There also is ammunition specifically made for personal defense.

If your continuation as a life form is under genuine threat, you would prefer to have the most destructive handgun possible available to you, like a .44 magnum. But considerations including concealment, weight, recoil, muzzle flash, etc. may demand that you carry a smaller firearm, such as a .380, which is also sometimes called a 9 mm short.

The Walther PPK, Polizeipistole Kriminalmodell (Police Pistol Detective Model), was first made in Germany in 1931. It is a small handgun well suited to concealed carry. Ian Fleming assured its popularity by making it James Bond's primary firearm. Adolph Hitler killed himself with his PPK. The PPK has been manufactured for several sizes of ammunition, but the most popular have been the .32 ACP and the .380 ACP.

In April 2010 Texas Governor Rick Perry was out getting some early morning exercise with his daughter's Labrador retriever when he was threatened by a coyote. He judged that he was in “imminent danger” and used his .380 Sturm, Ruger LCP ultralight semi automatic handgun with a laser sight to kill the errant coyote. This weapon only weighs about 10 ounces and easily fits in a pocket.

The picture on the left is a round of .380 ammunition made by Winchester. The bullet weighs 95 grains and has a full metal jacket. It is ideal for use on the range or for target practice.

The round in the picture on the right is also a .380 but this one is made by Federal, and is specifically made for the purpose of personal defense. The bullet weighs 90 grains and is called a hydrashok jacketed hollow point. When you are being threatened and you feel that you are in imminent danger, whether the animal threatening you has four legs or two, you hope that the ammunition you are using results in the maximum stopping power and tissue damage possible.

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