When it comes to concealed carry, your firearm is only half the equation. The other half rides inside your magazine—your choice of ammunition. Whether you're carrying a compact 9mm or a snub-nose .38 Special, ballistics matter more than most folks realize. This isn't just about brand loyalty or what your buddy swears by at the range—it's about real-world performance when your life may depend on it.
Here’s a breakdown of what makes ammunition effective for CCW, with a focus on terminal ballistics, reliability, and carry practicality.
1. What Are Ballistics, Really?
Ballistics can be broken into three categories:
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Internal Ballistics – What happens inside the gun when the round is fired.
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External Ballistics – How the bullet behaves in flight.
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Terminal Ballistics – How the bullet performs on impact.
For concealed carry, terminal ballistics is the key. You want ammo that penetrates deep enough to reach vital organs, expands reliably, and doesn’t over-penetrate and pose a risk to bystanders.
2. The Goldilocks Zone: FBI Standards
The FBI standard for self-defense ammo calls for 12 to 18 inches of penetration in ballistic gel, with reliable expansion. These tests simulate a bullet passing through clothing, muscle, and sometimes bone, then stopping inside a target. If your ammo doesn’t meet these numbers, it may not stop a threat effectively—or it might go too far.
3. Popular Calibers and Their Best Loads
9mm
The king of CCW calibers. Easy to shoot, higher capacity, and modern loads offer impressive performance.
Top Performers:
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Federal HST 124gr or 147gr – Excellent expansion and barrier penetration.
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Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P – Proven track record with law enforcement.
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Hornady Critical Duty 135gr – Built for barrier-blind penetration, ideal for urban carry.
.380 ACP
Popular in ultra-compact pistols, but it’s a borderline performer. Shot placement is even more critical here.
Top Performers:
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Hornady Critical Defense 90gr FTX – Designed specifically for .380’s lower velocities.
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Federal HST Micro 99gr – Optimized for short barrels, solid expansion.
.45 ACP
Big bore fans love the punch of the .45, and modern ammo balances expansion with adequate penetration.
Top Performers:
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Federal HST 230gr – Classic performance with deep penetration.
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Remington Golden Saber Bonded 230gr – Great weight retention and expansion.
.38 Special +P
Still a strong option for revolver carry. Use +P loads if your firearm can handle it for better velocity.
Top Performers:
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Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P Short Barrel – Tailored for snubbies.
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Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP +P – A powerhouse round with serious stopping power.
4. Ballistic Gel Isn’t the Real World, But...
While gel tests aren’t perfect, they’re consistent. They give a repeatable standard to judge ammo by. Look for rounds tested through denim and other barriers—not just bare gel—if you want the full picture.
5. Hollow Points: Why Expansion Matters
A good hollow point opens up on impact, creating a wider wound channel and transferring energy quickly. The goal? Stop the threat fast. Expansion also reduces the risk of the bullet exiting the target and hitting something—or someone—you didn’t intend to.
6. Barrel Length Matters
Many CCW guns have short barrels, which lowers velocity. Ammo designed for full-size pistols may underperform. Seek out rounds tested specifically in short barrels—they’re tuned for compact carry pistols.
7. Reliability Comes First
No matter how fancy the ammo, if it doesn’t cycle reliably in your gun, it’s worthless. Run at least 100 rounds of your carry load through your firearm to verify feeding, ejection, and accuracy. Don’t rely on “what works on paper”—prove it in your hands.
Final Thoughts: What Should You Carry?
Your life may depend on your ammo choice. Don’t carry cheap ball or gimmicky rounds. Stick with proven defensive loads that meet FBI standards, function in your gun, and give you confidence.
And remember—gear matters too. A solid holster that protects the trigger, retains the firearm, and allows a clean draw is just as important as the load in the chamber.
Stay safe. Stay prepared.
Black Swamp Leather Company LLC makes rugged, purpose-built holsters and belts designed to perform when it counts. If you're serious about concealed carry, pair your quality ammo with American-made leather gear you can trust.
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