Don’t take the title of this article the wrong way, or out of context. This is not to suggest that 9mm full metal jacket is objectively better than hollow point defensive ammo. But all the same, within the scope of relevance, the title remains true.
All else being equal, full metal jacket ammo feeds more reliably and is more accurate, especially at intermediate ranges, than hollow point ammo.
Here’s what you need to know about it.
With Respect to Feeding
Hollow point ammo is notoriously unreliable for feeding in some firearms. This is due to an indelible fact: that it is a hollow point in the first place.
The thing is, 9mm full metal jacket has a smooth, round nose. There are no sharp edges to hang up on anything. The same is not true for hollow point ammo.
Hollow point ammo sometimes has a fairly sharp ridge at the edge of the bullet’s nose. The problem here is that this creates an aberration that can easily “snag” on protuberances.
The edge of a hollow point can easily snag on a magazine’s feed lips, or on the edge of a chamber. Some firearms feed ramps are sharply angled, resulting in issues with chambering, too.
For instance, the MP5 is notorious for this. It has, historically, not performed well with some hollow point ammo. That is not always the case but it is something that shooters have observed.
By contrast, 9mm full metal jacket ammo is smooth and tapered at the nose, which makes it much more reliable with respect to feeding.
Interestingly, this same feature also makes it superior when it comes to accuracy.
With Respect to Accuracy
The thing about hollow point ammo is that they are designed for consistent expansion – on impact – not consistent flight.
As a result, most ammo manufacturers are not very concerned with the accuracy of their defensive rounds. Most hostile engagements occur at distances of only a few paces, anyway.
Now here’s a term you need to learn: radial symmetry. It refers to how symmetrical a bullet is around an axis that extends in a radius (basically, a circle) from the center of the bullet’s nose.
The more radially symmetrical a bullet is, the fewer aberrations there will be in terms of mass in the jacket, which means there is no heavy “side” to the bullet. As a result, the bullet will spin evenly.
Bullets require spin for stability and thereby accuracy. The higher the radial symmetry of a bullet, the more consistently it will spin and therefore (all else being equal) the more accurate it will be at intermediate and extended ranges.
Hollow point bullets are not manufactured for radial symmetry and in fact as a result of their manufacture, are not particularly symmetrical. This means that at intermediate and long ranges hollow points are not very accurate.
Worse, the hollow point in the nose of the bullet is not streamlined. It incurs considerable drag on the bullet, which slows it down and can throw it off its intended aim – slightly, but small degrees matter here.
Spitzer (pointed) bullets, and round nose bullets like 9mm full metal jacket, have a smooth, round, solid nose that is streamlined and intended to cut through the air efficiently, making them inherently more accurate at intermediate and extended ranges.
The takeaway: while hollow points are tops for defensive applications, they are not very accurate and worse can cause feeding complications in some guns.
Here for 9mm Full Metal Jacket (or Defensive Ammo)? Get Them Online
At the end of the day, 9mm full metal jacket and hollow point rounds are good for their respective, intended applications. As stated at the outset here, it’s not that one is inherently better than the other.
Whichever ammo you came here for, get it online at Bucking Horse Outpost. They carry a wide range of ammo from the top manufacturers, and at competitive prices. Check out their website today and save.
