Thank you and I appreciate the opportunity to post for those who not only recognize the value but truly appreciate the info even though it comes from a pruny.
I did not test the Fed HSTs at the time, but most of the other popular hollow points including the Hydrashock.
the wound cavity from all were impressive and would not be in my opinion survivable in the major body cavity.
The other thing that I was looking for specifically was the muzzle flash produced from short barrel guns including 2" revolvers and semi autos up to the 5" 1911 handguns.
In every case including the 357 with 158 gr corbon ammo there was not enough muzzle flash from any of the popular self defense ammos to cause problems with follow-up shots.
This is so critical to all of us when you think that we may have to pull the trigger at o dark thirty. We know we must hit our intended target, but it may be imperative to get off additional shots and even if not we must be able to see our threat at all times, including when and if he is down.
I spent a lot of time with these tests and even filmed the flashes from every round and to say the least the powder and ammo manuf have done some incredible R&D to give us the quality and power that we now get from handgun ammo.
I realize as do you all that handgun deaths are still relatively low compared to rifle or shotguns but the newest of the SD handgun ammo will give you the best penetration with huge wound cavities when we cut meat, which make me think they will be enough to either stop the threat under most circumstances or kill them outright. Either one make us the winner so as I pointed out and in agreement with you all, the real work is up to us to become and to stay as proficient as we can possibly be under any and all circumstances.
There is simply no substitute for practice and realism in practice.
Make it tough, make it often and use your imagination. Even when at home we can practice our dry fire and mag changes while watching the news etc.
but again, and I know without doubt the most important things of all are to harden our own perimeters. If we make it look like our home is the most difficult on the street to approach and if we change our routines constantly we make it very difficult for the BGs to get a fix on us or to give them an opportunity to attack us or our loved ones, we will very possibly never be a victim.
I have taught this and practiced it all of my adult life and in classes all over the country and the numbers of my students who have actually been victimized is countable on the fingers of both hands. And not one of them has been severely injured with three fatalities to our good guy count and also with no prosecutions of any of them.
I cannot over emphasize this work and precaution. It will make you as safe as it is possible for any of us to be and if the devil does jump up, I also have faith that you will survive to spend time with your kids and grand kids.
Take care all and good luck.
I sincerely hope some of this will help you to make wise and informed choices.
Kenny
www.caswells.com