
The Best Concealed Carry Self-Defense Ammunition
Updated: 2/7/2025
I know many of you rush to the nearest store when there’s a sale on ammo—I’ve done it myself. After all, you can never have too much ammo, right? I’m sure some of the vets out there who’ve been in firefights have wished that was true. But when it comes to concealed carry, it’s not just about how much ammunition you have—it’s about what kind of ammunition you’re putting in your magazine.
When carrying for self-defense, your ammo selection can be a matter of life and death. You need a round that will stop a threat effectively, not just punch holes in paper at the range. That means choosing the right type of ammunition is just as important as choosing the right firearm or holster.
Let’s break down the best options for concealed carry ammunition, what you should avoid, and why your choice matters.
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Why Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) Ammo Is Best Left for the Range
We all love bulk ammo deals, and full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds are great for keeping costs down at the range. FMJ bullets penetrate targets cleanly, making them ideal for training, competition shooting, and general practice.
However, when it comes to self-defense, FMJ ammo has a serious drawback:
- FMJ bullets don’t expand when they hit a target. Instead, they tend to pass straight through the body without creating enough damage to stop an assailant immediately.
- If an FMJ round doesn’t hit a vital organ, an attacker could continue their assault for several minutes—time you don’t have in a life-threatening encounter.
- Over-penetration is another major concern. An FMJ round can pass through the target and hit an innocent bystander behind them.
For these reasons, FMJ ammo should stay in your range bag and out of your concealed carry firearm.
The Best Defensive Ammunition for Concealed Carry
For self-defense, you need a round that expands upon impact, creating a larger wound cavity and transferring more energy into the target. This makes hollow point ammunition the preferred choice for concealed carry.
Why Choose Hollow Points for Self-Defense?
- Expansion & Stopping Power – Unlike FMJ, hollow points mushroom upon impact, increasing the size of the wound and reducing the risk of over-penetration.
- More Efficient Threat Stopping – Since hollow points slow down and transfer more energy to the attacker, they create greater damage, making them more effective at stopping a threat quickly.
- Less Risk to Bystanders – Because hollow points expand instead of exiting the body, they significantly reduce the chance of unintended injuries.
Recommended Self-Defense Ammo Options
There are plenty of great defensive rounds on the market, and a lot comes down to what works best with your specific firearm. Here are some of the most reliable options:
- Hornady Critical Defense – Features a polymer-tipped hollow point for reliable expansion, even through heavy clothing.
- Federal HST – Known for exceptional penetration and consistent expansion, even in tough conditions.
- Speer Gold Dot – Trusted by law enforcement, this round has bonded core technology to maintain weight and performance.
- Winchester PDX1 Defender – Offers deep penetration and uniform expansion, designed for defensive scenarios.
- Remington Golden Saber Bonded – High-performance jacketed hollow point ammo with deep penetration.
The key is to test different brands and loads in your firearm to see what performs best in accuracy, reliability, and consistency.
Testing Your Self-Defense Ammo
Choosing self-defense ammo isn’t just about what looks good on paper—you need to test it in a realistic setting to understand how it behaves.
How to Test Defensive Rounds
- Ballistic Gel Testing – This is the closest simulation to human tissue and is widely used to measure expansion and penetration.
- Shooting Through Clothing Layers – Some rounds fail to expand when passing through heavy clothing. Test rounds through denim, jackets, or layers of fabric to see how they perform.
- Meat Testing (Ham, Watermelons, etc.) – While not scientific, shooting meat or produce can visually demonstrate how different rounds behave.
The goal is to ensure your ammo feeds reliably, expands consistently, and penetrates to stop a threat effectively.
When to Change Out Your Concealed Carry Ammo
Many people don’t realize that concealed carry ammo needs to be replaced regularly. Just like your firearm requires maintenance, so does your ammunition.
Why Rotate Your Ammo?
- Moisture & Oil Exposure – Sweat, humidity, and exposure to cleaning solvents can break down primers and powder, reducing reliability.
- Repeated Chambering – If you eject and rechamber the same round multiple times, the bullet can become set back into the casing, which may cause higher pressures and dangerous malfunctions.
- Potential Performance Degradation – Over time, older ammunition may not perform as expected, especially if stored in less-than-ideal conditions.
How Often Should You Replace Concealed Carry Ammo?
A good rule of thumb is to replace your carry ammo every 6 months to a year. When swapping out your rounds, shoot your old carry ammo at the range to ensure it still functions properly.
Secure, Comfortable, and Versatile.
Clinger Holsters® offers the best holsters for you to be prepared to protect what matters most. Grab a Core Bundle today.
Shop now!
Conclusion
Your choice of self-defense ammo matters just as much as your choice of firearm and holster. Selecting a high-quality, reliable hollow point round will ensure that if you ever need to use your firearm, you have the best possible chance of stopping a threat safely and effectively.
Key Takeaways:
- Use FMJ for the range, but avoid it for self-defense due to over-penetration risks.
- Choose high-quality hollow point ammo for maximum stopping power and safety.
- Test your defensive ammo in your firearm to ensure reliability and expansion.
- Rotate your carry ammo every 6-12 months to prevent degradation.
Speaking of concealed carry essentials, if you need a comfortable and secure way to carry extra magazines, check out our affordable Mag Pouch here.
Hannah Staton holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith where she also is a Writing Tutor.