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Infographic - Are Guns And Ammo The New Gold?
There are those who contend that when fiat dies, gold and precious metals will take its place. Then, a smaller subset out there, claims that it matters not who owns the gold or silver. All that matters is who is in charge of the lead. The following inforgraphic from ammo.net may shed some much needed light on the topic, which as recent Thanksgiving record sales indicated, more and more people are starting to lock in on (and load).
Via: Ammo.net
From ammo.net
The threat of a U.S. double dip recession coupled with this summer's debt debacle in Washington - and the subsequent failure of the so-called "debt supercommittee" - has many ordinary Americans looking at gold as a safe store of value. However, there's another commodity that historically has risen in price along with gold - and is potentially more useful in the event of a global crisis: Ammunition.
Some of the fear-based psychological reasons for gold's popularity in times of economic crisis appear to be similar to the reasons cited for purchasing guns and ammunition. Michael Thompson, a small business owner from Virginia, had this to say about why he recently purchased 2,000 rounds of 223 ammunition to go with his growing collection of AR-15 assault rifles: "Since ARs are so well-known & widespread, quality ones don't really go down in value. I don't trust what's going on in Washington and a reliable firearm that'll hold it's value plus ammo that I can always re-sell later if I don't use it up seems like as safe a place as any to put my money in these uncertain times."
One prominent factor which customers at Ammo.net cite as one of their primary reasons for stocking up on guns & ammo now is the uncertainty surrounding U.S. firearm regulations. Many wonder if President Obama's official position on firearm regulation will change if he wins a second term. Others point to recent actions taken by President Obama's appointees in the EPA and the Department of Justice, citing the EPA's recently proposed ban on lead ammunition due to health concerns about the lead seeping into ground water supplies and the on-going debacle surrounding the Deparment of Justice's failed Fast & Furious sting operation. Several states have also enacted anti-gun legislation recently, such as California expanding their controversial gun registry to now include purchasers of new rifles and shotguns.
Dustin Ramsey, a 28 year old self-proclaimed "realist" from Tennessee who says hunting and fishing are two of his favorite outdoor activities, counts the 5,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition he keeps on-hand as one of his investments along with gold coins: "I'm a hunter so I know I can use my guns & ammo to feed my family if something happens to our usual food supply and there's a run at our grocery store. Plus, it seems like somebody on Wall Street is always getting bailed out nowadays and my faith in the stock market has been gone for a long time. Look, I've seen what happens when times get tough and I figure I can always barter a popular caliber like 9mm for other supplies like I would with gold if push comes to shove. And if a crisis never materializes where I need my stash of ammo, I still love to shoot so those bullets won't go to waste. Given the uncertainty in our world, ammunition seems more practical to me than gold, whether there's an economic crisis or not."
Whatever their reason, Americans are purchasing firearms and ammunition in record numbers. USA Today recently reported that the FBI experienced on Black Friday their single largest number of background check requests ever in a single day, smashing the previous record by 32%. Background check requests are processed by the FBI according to federal law. Gallop also reported that gun ownership is at an 18 year high, with 47% of Americans admitting to Gallop they own a gun. These statistics coupled with customer feedback at Ammo.net indicate more Americans are taking advantage of their constitutional right to own a firearm - and are arming up in increasing large numbers.
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I think that was supposed to be, only armed men are free.
"Only free men are armed."
That is the sine qua non of freedom.
"Firearms stand second in importance only to the Constitution itself." George Washington
Take the Pledge! I will leave the GOP if the "conservative" media continues its bias against Ron Paul
http://www.ronpaulblowback.com/
Did you see the hatchet job Fox and Friends did on him this morning?
Kilmead even called his foriegn policy ideas "crazy".
I'll show you crazy.
RP is not on board the Good Ship Israel. He understands that nothing grows gov't like wars. So the Jew-stooge neo-conz hate him. He's going Third Party, and that's all good.
Pledged, signed, thanks.
dupe
ratso, "racism"? seriously?
fear, paranoia and racism are all out there, you're just confused on the producers
A gun is one of those things where it is better to have it not need it than not have it and need it.
It's official, there is website is full of whack-a-doos! More Doom Porn please!!!
ratso should wipe Soros' semen off his lips.
Well, ratso, I had to add to your minus column even though you beat my personal record of -132 back on a george washington comment thread. As a common sense, fiscally conservative, firearm owner/enthusiast, competitive pistol shooter, NRA, ISRA, USPSA member, I hope you have an epiphany some day soon and realize what is going on here. You're a member, do you read the articles and the intelligent comment threads? If you are a troll, well....
Wow, you must feel really intelligent, secure and knowledgeable. Good Luck with that approach. I suspect it doesn't work.
Merry Christmas
When they come to take our guns be sure you give them the bullets first
Sorry but I am definitely going to be stealing that line!
http://www.kimberamerica.com/
Super Match II
http://www.kimberamerica.com/1911/custom-shop/super-match-ii
Never answer the door without one!!
This is deserving of a cheezy Dave hester YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!
Brains are always better than guns. People WILLINGLY give Gold to smart people.
Sell your guns and learn to THINK.
In a truly bad situation, those smart unarmed people will hand over their gold to an idiot with a gun right quick.
this... is.. my... BOOOMSTICK!!
Shop smart ... shop S-Mart
U.S. to cut three quarters of National Guard troops on the border in “cost-cutting measure”????
Last updated at 8:13 PM on 21st December 2011
The number of National Guard troops on the border between the U.S. and Mexico will be cut by three quarters over the next year, the government has announced.
From next month the force of 1,200 border guards will be reduced to fewer than 300, a Defense Department official said yesterday.
Read more: h*t*t*p://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2077227/U-S-cut-quarters-National-Guard...
…
THE REAL REASON FOR FAST AND FURIOUS. TO KEEP CURIOUS AMERICANS AWAY FROM THE BORDER?
THE REAL REASON FOR DEMONIZING MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS IN THE MEDIA MYTHOLOGY?
THE REAL REASON FOR THE ‘OUT OF SEASON’ H1N1 FLU ORIGINATION AREA IN MEXICO A COUPLE YEARS AGO?
THE REAL REASON FOR MEXICAN 18 WHEELERS NOW GOING DEEP INTO THE US?
…
UPDATE on Chinese Troops In Mexico
Written by The Watchman
Thursday, 17 March 2011 21:04
The latest in information about Chinese troops in Mexico, along the border, and incursions into American airspace.
May 17th, 2011
Last Thursday (May 11th) was quite a stressful day. A report came in at around 6:30pm from our people near New Mexico on the Mexican border that two Chinese KIO Spotter helicopters had been seen entering US airspace. The two contacts were told by their superiors to keep it quiet. After our man on the ground got the message out he sent out a second message saying that his location had just been approached by Govt. Officials.
Approximately 25 min. after the second message all communication was lost with him and his unit. Our contact was unable to be reached for several hours. It was not until later that evening that I received an OK from my source letting me know that our contact was OK.
We expect to hear more details from a briefing that is classified regarding time, location, and individuals tonight on the conversation he had with our contact and the chain of events that took place on Thursday.
We have had independent verification of the Chinese choppers sighted you can read that here from the initial post and reply.
http://thestrongwatchman.com/news-underground/47-news-underground/785-updates-on-chinese-activity-in-mexico-and-inside-american-border.html
I know this is confusing because it has been “sanitized”. The point is…that there was a definite cover up of information regarding the identity of the choppers as Chinese and they were allowed to be flying in American airspace in New Mexico.
…
GOOGLE FOREIGN TROOPS IN MEXICO
Better be good with your first shot if you need to defend yourself and then be very mobile. this is Big Brother at it`s best. http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/12/22/sniper-detectors-coming-to-americas-heartland/
ShotSpotter can be spoofed, dudes. Think about it. Make the equipment in your shop.
I think i could make the same argument for a pound of sliced bacon or bell peppers, @$6 for a pound of bacon yesterday, I would like to see a bacon chart? but then, perhaps health foods do carry a premium?
Bacon, the new gold.
I heard that corned beef hash was also a good investment in "uncertain" times. I once read that the value of the above stated commidity once traded as high as a night with a super hot former soccer mom
And silver....
I still contend that platinum, silver, and gold will be a better play than a gun, but a gun (or more than one) will be a necessity.
I hear the Philharmonics make fairly good slingshot ammo.
a good wrist rocket (sling shot) with steel ammo, is good for hunting small game and limited self defense without the "bang". should be in every prepper's tool box.
Also good for taking out security and traffic cameras and plate glass windows at Wal-Mart and other such good deeds of public mayhem without fear of accidentally killing someone.
Pop me your address so we can test that theory shortly.
My theory that owning a gun is a necessity? Or that the price action in PM will be high enough so to trade for guns and other necessary goods? Which?
You edited. Or I have ADD and didnt read your whole quote> both could be true.
No edit
I hear things at bars cuz "that's my habitué." one thing was one guy (lying) "I have a hundred acres" ( his Dad owned the land of course.) The other guy (BFF) responding (truth) "I have a gun."
Every male can have a couple acres...after a properly executed knee to the nads!
You'd "kill for another man's land"' then?
That's pretty much describes every war ever fought.
You only own what you can defend, if you are trusting civilization, you are a sucker.
Concealed carry, regular handgun, shotgun, AR-15, 22 LR.
Wisconsin just issued me my Conceal Carry.
Wife asked it I was going to start carrying a gun.
"not unless you stop me."
CC permit does little good in a shtf scenario. Then, no one will care if you have a license. Best to have a good rifle of at least 30 caliber, and sand bags for your house. nAnd lots of ammo.
Unless you lead some kind of really dangerous life, you're going to find that there is zero reason to carry a firearm for protection in Wisconsin! Maybe a couple of the cities have some rough neighborhoods?
No sense being a victim if you don't have to be. As far as it being useless in the SHTF game, where will you be when it comes down? Its better to have a gun and not need it....
Oh, and I carry.
Is this your stash, or a list of wants? If its a list, its wrong. Get all the firearms you can afford, and all the ammo and reloading supplies. If the shtf, arm your friends who were complacent.
Right, and in common calibers, too: 12 guage shotgun, .223/5.56, .308/7.62, 9mm, .38, .40, .45 -and of course, .22.
Utility function, bitchez.
Well, on average, a good quality firearm will increase in valua aprox. 10% per year. Beats the hell out of CD's
Silver bullets!!! You always need some for when the blood sucking vampire squids come calling.
don't leave home without it
"Let me map your mind and I will tell you all you need to know."
But but but, CONsumer CONfidence is rising according to the propaganda so why would people feel the need to buy guns and ammo, not to mention the barbarous relic?
Consumers have confidence, because more now own some fire-power. Makes for a leveler playing field.
f you're hoarding .223, you're already dead.
how's that?
If you're going to survive what is coming you need 3 things:
1. Range
2. Penetrating power
3. Things that make bigger holes
.223 don't cut it.
Yeah... a .223 does none of those things.
You're an assclown.
Okay, set a target up in deep underbrush or as I live, in tropical conditions.
Make it visible and fire your Mommy's gun, a Bushmaster at 250 yards.
Then get a real gun which shoots .308.
Let me know which gun hits the target with the bigger hole.
If I'm an "assclown" you're an ignorant fool and never shot a weapon besides playing a video game or masturbated about it while watching Red Dawn 100 times.
.50 cal, running around 150 grain?
".223 don't cut it."
An understatement!
.223 is for rodent control or people with heavy weapon suppport (cannon fodder guys).
Shoot a bowling ball at 100 yards with .223...then one with .308
Come back and let us know the result.
It's better to have the power, and not need it....
The 5.56 was adopted during the Vietnam Conflict because of its non-lethality. Wounded NVA soldiers use up more resources than dead NVA soldiers. It's easy to fire and to keep on target in full auto, but since most civilian AR15's don't include a fire selector, we don't get that benefit.
I like AR's cause parts and ammo are readily available. The HK91 would be a way better rifle but they are harder to come by and way more expensive.
I like range and I'm real particular. I have a pairing of a .270 Winchester and a .300 Winmag. The 130 grain 270 is one of the most popular cartridges in the US and the 180 grain 300 winmag has almost identical ballistic characteristics so the line of sight drop and wind impact is the same. I like the fact that the holdoffs are almost precisely the same so you get a feel for shooting in the wind with one and its the same for the other. I can keep 500 yards between me and a threat with both of those.
There are a few hundred thousand dead who might take exception, if they only could...
Aha! A loyal listener! And you thought "the only war is in Iraq." You should try your hand at being a media personality! I like my life as an amateur fisherman a lot better.
Fly fishermen have the longest rods, and might even handle a Monteal Whore a couple times a day.
http://globalflyfisher.com/streamers/swaps/attractor/whore.htm
I'm a fly fisherman! I'm a fly fisherman! Where'd you hear that one? I like it!
When you need comic relief, there's always Marketwatch.
<1% are able to employ a firearm consistently and effectively under stress.*
>99% rely on dumb luck.
Get professional training.
Practice.
Be in the 1%.
*Gun fights are stressful
Well said.
I use this little rule. Pick your fights carefully.
Win all fights.
The perceived dangers are most likely your own inner demons.
Well, there's Whitewidia, my Green Demon.
And Brandiminia, my amber liquid demon.
RonPaulia, my spokesmen demon.
Bersa0nia- my very concealable led delivery demon...
Oh, and Preparatparanoionia, my "I have an IQ of 130 and know enough to drop my normalcy bias" demon. He's my favorite.
Obviously so. Fortunately, both these inner demons and actual dangers can be vanquished with ability and capability.
I have learned to listen to my instincts, but you have every right to ignore yours.
Agreed. You have every right to ignore reality. However, you do not get to ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.
How the hell do we move beyond what we "perceive"? I"'ve tried "driving by sense of smell"...but only briefly.
I find this mentaility striking. My company has a business continuity plan that has contingencies escalating from an event localized in the NY Metro area to an event that essentially assumes the entire eastern half of the US is "offline" that includes staffing and operational support backed up all the way to the Rockies.
In the context of normal corporate risk management, this is not paranoia, it's sensible if not standard operating procedure for similar businesses. If I personally decide to make preparations that assume the entire Eastern Seaboard could go "offline," I am a paranoid nutjob giving in to my inner demons.
I'll admit that I stockpile food, ammo, medical supplies and precious metals. Perhaps I should simply call that Business Continuity Planning.
You can call it BCT for short. I'm looking at the Zero Hedge rule book" and it says "you can call anything anything you like."
I honestly think if similar minded people adopted a corporate approach to describing this mentality, the sheep would get it.
Call it "ammo stockpiling for when the shit hits the fan" and you're paranoid.
Call it "calmly remove the life vest from the pouch beneath your seat-business continuity planning" and you are a prudent rational person.
It's all about the marketing!!!
I was at a Doctors office earlier this year as a new patient. On the paperwork there was a question about if I had firearms in my dwelling. I checked no. All of my guns, ammo, extra food, and pm was lost in a tragic boating accident. For some reason I suspect people don't tell pollsters the truth about whether or not they own guns and gold.
I would have circled the question and added a commit like F**K off and die and walked out. That Dr. is part of the problem.
I checked "no" as well...but wrote in "I have an arsenal." something about the wording bothered me.
You should have stated, No, it's in your office with me.
#boattrash - LOL
Standard stuff. ZOG is looking toward regulating firearms as a "health measure".
+1
Gun fights are stressful indeed. Training is VERY important. When faced with a life or death situation the body instantly goes into parasympathetic shock, loss of fine motor skills, tunnel vision, brief loss of hearing and time seems to slow down.
Training can help unfreeze you while your body goes through it's natural fight/flight. Don't rely on a weapon you are not familiar with, and have trained with extensively. I prefer Glocks and Springfield as carry pieces for this reason. No safety to manipulate under stressful circumstances, just "extend, front sight, touch, press"
Jim Cirillo was in numerous gunfights while serving on the NYPD stakeout squad. His book "Guns, Bullets, and Gunfighters" is very informative.
Rob Pincus has a dvd series "Combat Focus Shooting" that is very informative as well.
http://combatfocusshooting.com/
" the body instantly goes into parasympathetic shock, loss of fine motor skills, tunnel vision, brief loss of hearing and time seems to slow down."
At first glance, it would seem that training on shrooms would be wise.
Maybe not shrooms, but people have been known to take meds to counter the bodies natural response to stress.
On average, 30% of shots fired by low-skilled shooters in close-quarters combat hit their mark ... If you stay cool, that can go to 70%. Focus is more than half the battle.
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is a good source of knowledge, as well.
So is William Money http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccqdEhytKOk
Does playing copious amounts of MW3 count as training? Killology.com says it does...
I have to admit playing MW3 is a vice of mine. I do get irritated by the little kiddies that pretend to be weapons experts because they play COD. They're always flooding the comments of gun related youtube videos with "akimbo" this "sleight of hand pro" that, and blah, blah, blah.
Perhaps it is more social engineering from the likes of the Rockefeller cabal, but it's better than watching faux news or mslsd... and it helps me vent.
I also like to turn on my bluetooth and play AE911truth videos, interviews with Dr. Alan Sabrosky, and talk about the banking cartel while I'm in an online match, some people listen, most just mute me.
Getting people to kill is easier than it was in WW I where they figured 18% could be counted on to actually aim and shoot at the enemy. A little combat experieince brought more of them around. Its called "seasoning the troops". Best to try and stay alive untill you get used to it. Its about surviving, not winning.
You haven't lived until you've had a gun pointed at you in anger. Practice under stress.
If someone asks me, "Do you own a Gun?" Do you think I tell them??
or how many?
Are you a prof?
Do you think that when they send 15 guys with guns to subdue you and yor family, you'll have enough fire power to repel it and have time to call other guys to help you, and they will be willing to do it? Just give me a break!
15 guys....
Well those same 15 guys may reconsider if a well armed homeowner has them forced into a chokepoint or "fatal funnel" such as a doorway. A steady stream of combat accurate fire from an elevated position and a bag of loaded magazines can even the odds.
What's the alternative?
I hope your home is made of stone or concrete, cause Mr. Molotov likes to play.
Well there's no 100% guarantee, all I'm saying is you can increase your chances.
Don't know anyone that can throw a bottle more than 50yds, just have to focus on the guy carrying the molotovs first. He can play with 55 grains going 3200 fps
Ignore the 15 guys. Go after the one that send them. Go on the offensive.
hell. invite 'em in. pour 'em a drink. open the CO bottle and leave to take a leak. something like that. the back ups will be wondering soon enough.
oh, and leave town.
if they're zombies, just bury them deep while you air out the house.
:o]
David Koresh. All I'm saying is he was heavily armed and they did in fact go after him. Ignore everything else about the story. Also remember, human beings listen to authority as proven by the Milgram experiment.
Koresh made the mistake of relying on stick buildings as self-defense. Oh, and believing that the Feds wouldn't kill women and children. I guess he never heard of the 7th Cavalry. They killed plenty before meeting the end.
There is no fixed fortification that can't be breached and destroyed. Is your home a fortress? Survive is the first rule, Don't be stupid is #2. Don't go look for a fight is #3.
#4 Have an exit
Maybe dig a 50yard tunnel off of the wine cellar
has your theory been tested on a citizenry this armed?
This is Sparta!
You're assuming they(police?, etc.) will continue to work without getting paid, and in the meantime, who will protect their family while they are out violating the peoples sovereign rights?
if it comes to not being paid, we're talking collapse, and most will work for food, rest assured.
and then there are the ones who do the work. . . for fun.
Actually you could ask, "Why, do you work for the ATF?"
...helps put things in the proper perspective...
Gallup estimate has to be low. Who would tell some clown on the phone about their gun ownership?
Not from a country where we have access to these things, so this is a question for the US folks:
why would you possibly need ammo with jackets? aren't those to pierce "light" armor?
If somebody attacks you and you shoot that person with a lead-slug, won't the wound be just as disabling?
What is the attacker is in a car?
I have heard that a .50 round fired into the vicinity of the engine compartment would probably put the passengers on their feet. Then just a matter of picking them off.
.50 round fired into the vicinity of the engine compartment would probably put the passengers on their feet
...and the trigger-puller on their backside. .50 is a special round that is only really useful for well-trained individuals.
There's a lot of kick taken off by a really, really heavy barrel and a properly tuned muzzle brake. Shooting exceptionally long distances is only really useful for well-trained individuals... but within 500 ish yards, you don't need anything but a steady hand.
Well it's good to know we can pick up a brand new Barret .50 at the gun store if we're feeling adventurous...
Not really... Anyone with knowledge of rifles can shoot a .50. The biggest difference I see is the $12K it's going to cost you. (If you go with a Barrett)
Watch a 12 year old send a .50 downrange no sweat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iODHogALyMI
I stand corrected. Too many Vince Flynn novels, I guess. I tout two Remington model sevens for hunting, an 870 shotgun and a .38 handgun (plus enough ammo to keep me company for a long, long time).
Denpends on who is shooting at you.
Have you never heard about the Hollywood bank shootout??? It's not just the good guys wearing bulletproof vests ;)
You mean.... the banksters are too!!!
A copper jacket(most common but other alloys can be used) on bullets do a number of things in regards to ballistics and terminal performance but piercing light armor is not one of them. One example is that some of the new rifling groves cut into the barrels do not function well without a jacketed bullet. The rifling in glock barrels will fill up with lead and cause dangerous pressures to build up if unjacketed bullets are used.
Edit: typically pistol rounds are not capable of penetrating "light armor" as that is what the bullet resistant vests are designed to stop. Rifle rounds on the other hand will penetrate light armor unless a steel or ceramic plate is installed. Also high velocity bullets need some kind of jacketing to keep them from deforming or coming apart from the forces produced by the spin of the bullet. Older slower rifle rounds did not have these forces so many of them were just plan old lead. Not sure if they would penetrate light armor or not.
thanks! the rifling argument makes sense!
If you can still find it at gun shows I recommend Aguila IQ. I have seen an IQ 9mm penetrate both panels of a BP vest, (no trauma plate). Not sure if they are still available commercially?
http://www.thegunzone.com/aguila-iq.html
You've sorta answered your own question. Yes, light armour. Such as certain individuals are known to wear.
Also of note, if you use military calibers, then military rounds are cheaper. And military rounds are jacketed.
Why use military calibers? Because they're good calibers. And because surplus military weapons come in military calibers, even if they're 110-year old military calibers, and surplus military weapons are good and also cheap. Mosins and Mausers and Enfields are great weapons. Just ask the taliban, who beat the russians wit them.
Another reason for the use of military calibers is the ability to use your opponents supplies against them if things really get out of hand.
I prefer lower velocity, hollow point rounds, they transfer a lot more energy into the target and make a much larger exit wound. I also prefer single shot semi-autos or even bolt or lever actions to autos since it forces you to make a better first shot. Autos are useless after the first round exits the muzzle. I'm not a believer in "spray and pray". My motto is "Shoot&Scoot", catch me if you can.
Many a youngsters apply this same philosophy to teen pregnancy.
"Autos are useless after the first round exits the muzzle."
Anyone with trigger time on an M249 SAW will disagree with you.
I prefer 30 cal AP myself...
Jacketed ammo fouls barrels alot less then straight up lead does, it doesnt really penetrate armor much better.
For that you want steel core ammo which is legal to buy and possess in most states.
The jacket on the bullet isn't there to increase armor penetration, it's there to decrease friction with the barrel as the bullet travels down it.
what are you talking about? Luxembourg has the least restrictive gun laws in Europe after Switzerland......
We like to keep our bullets warm, most US states are fairly cold in the winter.
Seriously, the copper jackets allows for higher velocities and won't foul the barrel with lead. Technology and all that.
Having been disabled by a "plastic jacketed slug" it is true "one not need a full metal jacket." I believe however the heat generated by the explosion calls for a full metal jacket. Not that there couldn't be a plastic alternative of course.
I only shoot copper jacketed ammo. Shooting lead ammo (no jacket) dirties the shit out of your gun and can lead to failure to fire. Not to mention it makes cleaning more of a pain in the ass.
As far as "piercing light armor" I think you might be thinking of teflon...
Refering to your comment about the lead slug, that is exclusive to shotguns.
Jacketed bullets keep the bore cleaner(no leading) and perform better. A copper jacket in no way imbues an ability to pierce anything that plain lead would not. Armor piercing are another thing altogether.
The copper skin serves several purposes achmachat. First, it prevents lead fouling of the barrel, and dramatically increase accuracy. Second, for Geneva convention purposes it holds the rould together so that it does not expand (expanding rounds are illegal in warfare under the convention - which is ironic because they are actually cruel to use, see below). Third, when used in hollowpoint ammunition, it causes controlled expansion, which keeps the round from fragmenting - fragmenting can be extremely deadly.
Hollowpoints are used in self defense and law enforcement because they are more humane and often less lethal believe it or not. Plus they prevent overpenetration which is when the round goes through someone and often strikes a bystander. Full metal jacket rounds, those that do not expand, are like stabbing someone with an icepick the diameter of the bullet. Unless you hit the nervous system, they're not going down right away. Which means that you have to shoot them multiple times to stop them as a threat. This is the deadly part. Multiple wounds, all bleeding out at once, very difficult for surgeons to treat. With a hollowpoint, a single round hits the assailant, expands, and dumps ALL of its energy into the attacker. That energy dump is extremely potent at knocking them down in often a single shot. Then that single wound can be treated the the person saved from death. This is the humane part. You're not shooting him full of a half a dozen holes to stop him from harming you, which often leads to an agonizing, drawn out death. Instead, you're thumping him with a single, hard-hitting shot that puts his ass on the ground like right now.
Just lead alone is cruel in my opinion. They fragment way to much and produce horrible wounds.
No to the armor piercing. Wikipedia is good for some things:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullet
"The next important change in the history of the rifle bullet occurred in 1882, when Major Eduard Rubin, director of the Swiss Army Laboratory at Thun, invented the copper jacketed bullet — an elongated bullet with a lead core in a copper jacket. It was also small bore (7.5mm and 8mm) and it is the precursor of the 8mm "Lebel bullet" which was adopted for the smokeless powder ammunition of the Mle 1886 Lebel rifle.
The surface of lead bullets fired at high velocity may melt due to hot gases behind and friction with the bore. Because copper has a higher melting point, and greater specific heat capacity and hardness, copper jacketed bullets allow greater muzzle velocities.
European advances in aerodynamics led to the pointed spitzer bullet. By the beginning of the twentieth century, most world armies had begun to transition to spitzer bullets. These bullets flew for greater distances more accurately and carried more energy with them. Spitzer bullets combined with machine guns greatly increased the lethality of the battlefield."
A lead bullet up close might be more deadly due to easy expansion/fragmentation. But it will not fly faster for longer distances.
They drill out tips of jacketed bullets, "hollowpoints" so that the bullet reliably expands inside the "victim" causing maximum damage. These are used for self defense/hunting mainly. Armies don't go to war with them.
Bullets and the damage they do is mostly about mass and velocity.
Big slow bullet...big damage....short range.
Small slow bullet...tiny damage..short range.
Small bullet accelerated very fast...medium/big damage...long range.
It's all engineering tradeoffs.
Stock up now before the prices go up and there are shortages. Iraq is falling apart after the withdrawal. Everything he does fails.
Next Afghanistan. Drones are being rendered useless by enemy hackers in several nations that hate the US including China and Russia.
If guns and ammo are the new currency, I'M GOING TO BE RICH!!!!!
Northeast better catch up
Northeast can't catch-up. Gun ownership laws are onerous in most NE states. I live in NY City and I can tell you that, unless you are a cop or work for the G'ment, it's practially impossible to get a permit to even own a gun, much less carry one. And the penalties for not complying with registration laws are really severe including mandatory time in the big house.
I'd tell you what state to go to but I'd be shot
Another good reason to get out of NYC!
Although Zombie Rockettes might be an interesting sight...
I live in MA. Just go for legal long guns and spend time at the range. a .22 is better than nothing (and the ammo is cheap)
Er, Vermont & New Hampshire ring a bell? Both are OPEN carry states. Just hang a gun on your belt and walk around town. New Hampshire you just trot down to the police chief or sherriff and have them sign your conceal carry permit. Vermont I don't think they even need the permit! I'm not sure about Maine but I don't believe the gun laws are onerous (it's definitely not open carry though).
many states are open carry, unless you have a felony or DV conviction