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Posted On: 5/21/2026
By: Gary Hulett
A: Hi Gary! The FMJ isn't considered ideal for defense. This is primarily because the bullet cannot deliver terminal expansion. A bullet does two important things when it expands inside its target: (A) inflict more damage to the target, and (B) reduce the risk of over-penetration that could jeopardize innocent bystanders. Is that to say that the FMJ is ineffective for defense? Hardly. That being said, self-defense ammo is (A) held to a higher standard of consistency, reliability, and overall quality, as the manufacturer understands it's a lifeline, and (B) loaded with expanding bullets (e.g. soft points) to supply the terminal expansion that neutralizes a threat most effectively. I recommend using M193 for target shooting only, and using law enforcement ammo like this for defense: https://www.luckygunner.com/223-rem-55-grain-gold-dot-soft-point-speer-gold-dot-20-rounds