Factory Vs. Reloads for Personal Defense

Violator22

Violator22

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So we quit steering another thread off course.

I have no problem using reloads and will continue to do so. I know what my loads will do, and I know factory loads sometimes have duds, so do I but not anywhere near as many as factory. Machine are reloading those rounds, not a person. Plus, I can ensure my load isn't going to do a thru and thru and get an innocent bystander. The only factory round I know that will ensure that is the Glaser saftey slugs, and they are a bear to find. Les
 
I guess there's three issues people have to consider if they're deciding what to do regarding this issue:
  1. Given how I use my firearms, what advantages is there to me using handloads rather than factory ammunition?
  2. How does the quality and external ballistics of my handloads stack up against factory ammunition?
  3. What are the real life - not imagined - risks that use of handloads will actually become an issue when the police/authorities review the shooting?
For most people, I believe, the answer is they're better off selecting their defensive ammunition from Double Tap, CorBon, or somebody similar.

However, that is a general statement and each person has to review their own circumstances.
 
I would buy factory because if you have to use it to defend yourself and kill the person the law might come down on you for reloading "special" ammo to cause more injury. Just use what the police use after all if it's good enough for the police it's good enough for you.
 
Have fun defending yourself in court should you ever have to use a firearm in self defence using handloads. The defence will eat you up. With the variety of tried and proven factory loads on the market by major manufacturer's, why take the risk? Its about the stupudist thing you can do....using your own handloads.

Go to the local gunstore or online and buy some Win Ranger T's, Rem GS, Speer GD's, Federal HST's, or get yourself one damn good lawyer.
 
See that is the thing, Colorado when you have your CCW, and I think it is the same in Florida, if you have to use your fire-arm, you cannot be prosecuted if it was a justifiable shooting. Police make that decision, so if it was justifiable, they can't do squat, in either civil court or criminal cout. That is why I prefer to use my handloads. Les
 
You should find out for sure if it is the same as Florida.
The family of the perp. may be able to sue you in civil court for using your reloads. Why take the chance.
 
Violator22 said:
See that is the thing, Colorado when you have your CCW, and I think it is the same in Florida, if you have to use your fire-arm, you cannot be prosecuted if it was a justifiable shooting. Police make that decision, so if it was justifiable, they can't do squat, in either civil court or criminal cout. That is why I prefer to use my handloads. Les
Click to expand...

I think your argument applies if you shot an intruder in your home, or vehicle. All other circumstances may be looked at differently.
Bottom line is, there are many excellent types of personal defence ammo available. I fail to see the need to take a chance on reloaded ammo if the SHTF.
 
Main reason I started this was we were getting way off base with another thread, figured might as well start one where we could lay it all out in the open. I have looked at the Honady TAP ammo, but for me to use it, I have to chage the point of aim on my P90, don't like screwing with the sights. Easier to modify a load than the weapon. IF that is the case on handloads, what are your thoughts on Laser sights. Seems to me a good lawyer could say you put that on to ensure you killed the goblin. Les
 
Violator22 said:
what are your thoughts on Laser sights
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If you dilligently practice you shouldn't need a "laser sight". Most deadly force situations with handguns are very close encounters. Waiting, even for a split second, looking for the placement of that red dot could mean the difference of walking away or not. Laser's sights are just a gimmic that should never take the place of proper practice.
 
NAA, I am with you there, I use Iron sights on every gun I own, but there are people that think Laser Sights make it better to get that 1st shot hit with, not in agreement with that, just wanted some thoughts. Les
 
gushulak said:
Have fun defending yourself in court should you ever have to use a firearm in self defence using handloads. The defence will eat you up. With the variety of tried and proven factory loads on the market by major manufacturer's, why take the risk? Its about the stupudist thing you can do....using your own handloads.

Go to the local gunstore or online and buy some Win Ranger T's, Rem GS, Speer GD's, Federal HST's, or get yourself one damn good lawyer.
Click to expand...

Can you reference any cases where that has in fact happened or is this just supposition? I can't see how a reloaded round could be presented to be more deadly than an evil "black talon of death" factory round. If you are concerned about court, don't shoot.
Having said that, all the factory ammo has consistent, and demonstrated performance. So I would personally opt for known and tested over my own creation.
 
redleg said:
Can you reference any cases where that has in fact happened or is this just supposition? I can't see how a reloaded round could be presented to be more deadly than an evil "black talon of death" factory round. If you are concerned about court, don't shoot.
Having said that, all the factory ammo has consistent, and demonstrated performance. So I would personally opt for known and tested over my own creation.
Click to expand...

Massad Ayoob has written plenty of articles on the use of handloads and has citied cases in which he has personally testified on the use of handloads vs. factory loads. The overwhelming response from the experts is that using handloads is trouble waiting to happen. You may have a justifiable shooting, but the jury and defence will bring up the fact that factory ammo just wasn't good enough for you and you had to make your own ammo. This has led to many civil cases where this has been an issue and has lead to troubles in an otherwise justifiable shooting.

Why take the chance when your life is on the line using reloads? Use factory ammo and reduce chance the defence can use anything against you. Besides, factory ammo is consistent and has proven performance, just as you said.

Want references, do some searches on Glocktalk and other american gunforums and you will get a resounding answers to the question of factory vs. handloads.
 
gushulak said:
Massad Ayoob has written plenty of articles on the use of handloads and has citied cases in which he has personally testified on the use of handloads vs. factory loads. The overwhelming response from the experts is that using handloads is trouble waiting to happen. You may have a justifiable shooting, but the jury and defence will bring up the fact that factory ammo just wasn't good enough for you and you had to make your own ammo. This has led to many civil cases where this has been an issue and has lead to troubles in an otherwise justifiable shooting.

Why take the chance when your life is on the line using reloads? Use factory ammo and reduce chance the defence can use anything against you. Besides, factory ammo is consistent and has proven performance, just as you said.

Want references, do some searches on Glocktalk and other american gunforums and you will get a resounding answers to the question of factory vs. handloads.
Click to expand...

I've read his articles but they represent opinions about what might happen or his recounting of how the evidence was presented. I have never seen one where someone ended up convicted "because" they used handloads.
Same for other internet sites.
In any event if you plan on shooting someone you should be prepared for the legal s%^tstorm that will follow.
 
gushulak said:
Have fun defending yourself in court should you ever have to use a firearm in self defence using handloads. The defence will eat you up. With the variety of tried and proven factory loads on the market by major manufacturer's, why take the risk? Its about the stupudist thing you can do....using your own handloads.

Go to the local gunstore or online and buy some Win Ranger T's, Rem GS, Speer GD's, Federal HST's, or get yourself one damn good lawyer.
Click to expand...

Lawyerease: "So Mr. Canadian gunowner, please tell the courts why you felt you had to buy "man-stopper ammunition" that has beeen proven by factory testing to be more efficient at killing instead of using some of the less lethal "target ammunition" that was found on your premises at the time of your arrest? How long have you been planning on killing someone in self defense rather than incapacitating them?

OK, so I'm not actually a lawyer.......:D
 
redleg said:
I've read his articles but they represent opinions about what might happen or his recounting of how the evidence was presented. I have never seen one where someone ended up convicted "because" they used handloads.
Same for other internet sites.
In any event if you plan on shooting someone you should be prepared for the legal s%^tstorm that will follow.
Click to expand...

I never said anyone was convicted because of handloads, but as Ayoob has pointed out on more than one occasion an over zealous defence team will try use that against you. Like you said, be prepared for the legal &%*storm that will follow, give the defence on less thing to try to nail you on.

As to Joe's legelease: it usually goes like this: this person wasn't happy with the killing power of ammunition on the market, the stuff law enforcement uses, No, he had to reload his own, high powered, untested super lethal rounds using the most destructive components he could get his hands on. Now we have my client who is either dead or crippled as a result of his actions. Justifiable shooting or not, the defendant was out looking for someone to use his own handloaded ammunition in a fight.

I'm not sure why everyone is so unclear about this risk, when almost every authority states that the use of handloads for a CCW or home defense firearm is a no-no. Apart from the potential legal risks involved, do you guys really trust your lives to basement handloads more than premium factory JHP's?

Click rather than bang when your life is on the line. How much do you trust your handloads? How much do you trust that a defence team isn't going to bring it up at trial or a civil case?

Ask the guy who runs the CCW from Utah that does classes in Canada what he thinks about carrying handloads, call Gunsite in Arizona and ask them. I'm not really sure why so many intellegent people are arguing this one.
 
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