9mm Full Metal Jacket Ballistic Gel Test. Viable Option For Self-Defense? 

A lot of videos are aimed at selling hp ammo they try to make you think a fmj won't stop anything

FMJ beats a stick every day!

Up into the mid 1970’s, if you carried a semi auto pistol for defense, you had one option- FMJ, so all gunfights and confrontation was settled with Fmj , and in revolvers round nose lead, or semi wad cutter. Super Vel was the company that started hollow point ammo for automatic pistols, and improved on the idea for revolvers.

When I was in the Army in 1956, a .45 cal FMJ mil spec killed two men and lodged in a third. More recently, a truncated .9mm FMJ penetrated deeper than a round nose bullet of the same weight in gelatin. I found by testing that the .45 is good for stopping cars by disabling their engines. Retired now, I carry only .9mm HP, 115 grain, for safe self defense, should the need arise. Thank you for this latest test; that was good to know info.

Been using 230gr FMJ Ball ammo in a 45ACP for decades. It works fine for self defense. Have also used 9mm 124Gr FMJ MagTech in a Sig in a previous self defense use, and it worked admirably., broke some ribs when it went in. So yeah, if all I have is FMJ I will use it with confidence.

Good video and shows how hollow points are safer to innocent bystanders. I find it strange that some states outlaw HP ammo when it is safer to use for self defense.

FMJ are plenty lethal. Add bone to the event and lots happens when the bullet hits it. I actually stagger my ammo. We learned that in the state police academy. The gel test is just that. A body has more components whether it’s human, hog, alligator, wolf, bear, etc. People shouldn’t worry at all about using FMJ in their EDC. THANKS FOR YOUR INTERESTING VIDEOS AND DEDICATION TO HELPING PEOPLE.

the dangers of an fmj is more of a myth than anything. you hear people claiming the fmj will over penetrate and hurt or kill an innocent bystander all the time. while the possibility is there, i have yet to see a single documented case of it EVER actually happening. i have, however, seen cases where an innocent was hurt or killed simply because the shooter missed his intended target and hit someone else and that can happen no matter what the round is. the average 115 gr fmj can do everything the fanciest marketed hp can do and then some, at a fraction of the cost

In combat, 124 fmj is the preferred round. Over penatrate is exactly what you want.

Dang man! This video does a great job of showing the real difference bullet weight makes. Great footage!

In my .45, a RIA 1911, I have been using FMJ standard ball ammo. It runs in the pistol like a champ. It starts out about as large as many hollow points open up to. And it has twice the weight of most 9mm's. I feel OK using .45 FMJ as a defensive round. It looks like 9mm would do it a pinch. Thats not surprising, 9mm FMJ has been in use as long as .45. Both will get the job done if it's what you got.

Another great video. I've always wondered about the .40 flat point fmj versus the ball type fmj

I understand over penetration concerns where there are likely innocent by-standers around. But in a civil breakdown (SHTF) those distinctions between bad and innocent will likely be easier to make. In defending my loved ones I will use it all.

"Jelly time" , I love it ! The video was great as usual , and the results were pretty impressive for fmj rounds . I always wondered about the performance of these type of rounds , and like you said , they'll do the job if that's all you've got . Good Job

Thanks for the video. Very informative. As you probably know the 124 grain is what the 9 mm auto was designed to shoot. Regarding over penetration, I wouldn’t worry about it. You’ll probably just take out another bad guy. Two 4 one! Now that Shoot’n.

Cowboys didn't have hollow points.

Back in the "stopping power" days where Marshall and Sanow collected data and reported what they compiled, FMJ in 9mm and .45 ACP were both in the 60% range. .38 Special round nose lead was almost 60% running in the high 50s. What shuts bad guys down may not always be quite what we think it is.

I’ve always wondered how the projectiles looked afterwards. Thanks for the research man.

Jelly Time! Toolman I'm liking this more and more, BETTER & BETTER!!

Thank you for the video. It came in handy answering a question from someone about preference in using JHP or FMJ in self defense, when budget is the limiting factor. I linked your video in my reply, and made sure to credit you in my response. Thanks again.

If that's all I got, then that's what I'm using! I can see where FMJ could be used if you have to shoot through a door or windshield or some other barrier and still be able to stop a bad dude. I keep mags loaded up with both, if someone is trying to break down my door to cause harm FMJ it is and A LOT OF IT! lol! As with any situation you have to know what will work best in that particular situation! These tests you do help a lot in gaining knowledge to what these different types of ammo is capable of, just have to apply it to your own situation! Thanks for sharing your tests!

Was at aftermath of Australian SOF IN NAM HE WAS INSIDR AN armored car expanded everything but browning high-power with fmj he survived there were 9 dead VC & he had 2 rounds left I was impressed I was a door gunner for 189th ahc ,so was fairly familiar with gunfights ,just saying damn good shooting & long on balls

Fmj have really good penetration and do really well against barriers where expanding ammo might not. So if it what you have to use fear not it will work. Shot placement crucial anyhow. A fmj in the vitals beats a jhp in attackers arm. I use hollow points in my handguns but if I lived in a place where I could not I’d just use fmj flat point of some kind. Nice video.

Very good information thank you for making the video. As a rule in my carry pistols I load the first 3 rounds with hollow points and the rest with ful-metal jacket. Because after the first shot, everyone wants to take cover. And I want bullets that will penetrate doors chairs tables etc. Even my backup magazine is all full metal jacket.

I only carry non +p fmj in my EDC (Glock 26). I have almost 4,000 rounds of fmj through it with only one ftf (brand new magazine). I have no doubt that the Magtech that I've always shot at the range will function when I need it most.

Thanks tools good info. That is about twice the penetration of the tests you did with the hollow point. And I agree we always had to be concerned on what's behind. So thanks again for the info

I carry critical defense at all times and have other hollow points as well. This was cool to compare FMJ to hollow points so thanks for doing this video! It’s Jelly Time!! 😁 keep up the good work Tools!

If that's all I had, and could not find anything else, I would pack it. I wouldn't feel undergunned at all. It would be interesting to see a 45acp FMJ vs a 10mm FMJ in the ballistic gel.

Great idea with all this crazy stuff going on can't hurt. Thanks Tools

Plenty of people have met the Reaper by way of FMJ rounds. Not ideal but viable in some situations.

Hey tools enjoyed your live cast yesterday you touched on a lot of great subjects....as to FMJ Ammo ....the way times are and are going to be....All my ammo is now defense ammo....when I was an M.P. in the early 80s we used 230 gr. BALL IN OUR 1911a1s....I felt confident that colt 1911#2334823 would end the threat of any Bad guy...i feel confident with Ball ammo ....placement is everything...keep up the great work tools! 😀❤🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

Looking back on this, that 124gr is nice lol! be interesting to see the 124 nato vs the m1152 active duty! hope ya havin a good weekend brother! 💥💥

I'd like to have seen the trifecta with the 147 gr ball. It's typically quoted as much slower.

Nice vid as usual! Love the education. It is hilarious when I hear people say ball ammo is not effective. Heck, 22LR can be deadly if placement is right! I have hollow point and fully believe they are safer and hopefully you only take out your intended target. But if you shoot someone with ball ammo it will do far more than just tickle! Thanks again. I always look forward to your vids!

What I get outta this is that if you gotta use FMJ, which have been used in war by the military for more than a century, it's not necessarily a bad thing to have two holes in the target. I think an adversary is likely to drop faster that way. That doesn't account for what hurt the projectile might do after exiting the target, but if FMJ is all you got, you only have two choices... pull that trigger or not. Hopefully you might have a tick of time to evaluate what's behind the target. Also, if you gotta use FMJ, would not a larger caliber be a better choice? Two bigger holes? Maybe a little less velocity to help reduce the negative potential of overpenetration?

I'd like to see you test the 147 grain 9mm flat points, "the poor man's defense load." 😅

The Winchester white box! I have this stuff for my .45 in both FMJ and JHP! You listening to feedback and testing practical applications in possible real-world scenarios is awesome. PSA has a 1500 count 9mm NATO spec sale right now that would be great for training and SHTF scenarios. Ammo is better than no ammo, FMJ or not. Thanks for the test! Respect 👍

Hey Tools&Targets - would be cool to take the results of the 9mm (enjoyed that fully) and show us what the venerable .45 230gr Ball would do. I'm a 9 guy myself but given the history of performance, would be interesting to compare - ball to ball (that sounded funny...).

*THE FLUKE ANOMOLY might have been a combination of two anomalies: tumbling bullet combined with compression detonation of the gel. This can also be called dieseling. The impact pressure actually sometimes detonates the natural fuel in the organic ballistic gel.... This Detonation or Dieseling effect does not occur in live animal tissue. OCCASIONALLY a high speed camera can also catch the flash of gel detonation... AFTER, the effect a flight path might be charred, scorched, or darkened.*

I enjoy all of your vids. No nonsense and JUST THE FACTS. Thanks!

Good to know Tools. 7 months ago got stuck carry all I had . Will get some hate but steel cased 115 fmj in my Star bm9 . Yeah bad ammo and a dumb pistol. But it works . Thanks Tools, I do have better now , Sierra 124 hp and a good carry for my Berreta.

Today was my sons bday I grilled chicken , we did more plinking than I’ve done in 2 years and did an orange boomer too was one of his presents lolz, thx for the work tools 🇺🇸👍😎

Hollow point could be a better choice but many don’t expand. I used both 158 gain 38 spl works 9mm nato fmj. Worked great. Bullet do there on thing once they hit the target.

Good comparison. I never knew exactly how they would perform. Still wouldn’t want to be shot with either. Thanks for the video and information.

Very good information T&T! Thanks for all your efforts and videos! Always enjoy your videos. Thanks again and God bless you.....

Thanks for the video. Great information. Do you keep a log on the results? Would be cool to compare the penetration on all the 9mm projectiles. How far they went. All the hollow points and the FMJ. I know we ask for a lot. Lol.

That big wound from the one 124gr is where the round tumbled all of them appear to have tumbled but that one just had a massive tumble if i had to guess

I don’t have a problem using FMJ in 45ACP but the 9mm is a little different. Any round capable of producing an exit wound is a waste of energy. A personal opinion of coarse…If I do have to carry 9mm FMJ it’s generally the Winchester NATO 9mm 124gr load. Great video.

Cool video, thanks. I appreciate the gel test, keep on shooting.

I just picked up a box of Winchester 115 grain 9mm “service grade” full metal jacket. This stuff has got to be +p+. It’s warm to say the least. My chrono gave up the ghost a few months ago but if I was a betting man I’d say it is over 1300 fps. Have you ever tested the “service grade” in the brown boxes before. That would be interesting!

At the end of the day a bullets a bullet but when it comes down to it shot placement is key

Just curious, but I’ve heard that penetration is a lot more when a flat nose FMJ is used, as opposed to round nose FMJ… It could be interesting as a test!

9mm JHP has been easy to find. At 52-60¢ per round it's not too far from what FMJ is, only there's assurance one will expand/stop inside the target and the other zips through and keeps going hitting who knows what. Maybe not. Methinks in January 2020 I bought one last 25 round box (American Gunner) for $16. Still sitting among my stash. I yet have to fire my Fiocchi 147gr JHPs which I've had in my CCW for... 3 years? Here's hoping we'll never have to use it despite the world's gone totally bonkers.

People obsess with their hollow point bullets. Yes I have some but I have no problem using FMJ they will still mess up the bad guy. Some people act like you might as well be throwing cotton balls at the bad guy if you're using FMJ.

Actually the 124 grain NATO spec is loaded to +P pressure it says on side of box ( this ammo is loaded 10-15% more power than standard 9mm) thats why it was as fast as the 115 grain even though its heavier just an FYI. However loved the video I've been wanting to see what the NATO spec ammo would do in ballistic gel I have some boxes but it's not my carry ammo. great video buddy thanks

I would like to see this same test with 45 ACP ball point. Maybe versus 9mm hollow point. I have always wondered what the comparison is.

Nice to see tests from back in the day. Did you ever redo this with a clothing barrier ?Thanks

Greatly informative video....THANKS! I know many will consider this total heresy but many people have been stopped by FMJ ammo and I like knowing I have the necessary penetration for whatever clothing is worn or how large and fat an aggressor is. I want a bullet that penetrates front to back. Besides many JHPs clog and don't expand anyway. So for the difference in cost in "SHIT hits the fan" buying of ammo I'll buy FMJ and not worry too much about it.

Jelly time

I agree with your comment about using range ammo when PD ammo may be unavailable. To me there are two workable solutions that seem to be minimally acceptable in a pinch: first, standard pressure .380ACP flat nose FMJ, and second, 185 gr flat nose 45ACP especially in the officer’s model 1911. My little Colt Defender really functions well with the 185 gr flat nose ammo. I prefer Federal HST loads when I can get them but these two FMJ types would do when all else failed.

Depends on what situation you find yourself in. FMJ is going to be better for soft barriers such as glass and wood. Also, during the winter it won’t clog up with heavy jackets. Problem is, should the time ever come. You don’t know what situation you are going to find yourself in. Pistol rounds rely on hits to arteries and organs anyways. So shot placement is going to be key in any situation.

I wanna know between m1152, m882, or solid copper round. Which would go through a small brown or average black bear head better. Solid copper is expensive to function test and do penetration tests if it’s a gimmick load that does less than other +p FMJ loads.

Great video. This is a real question for some of us that aren't made of money or can't find HP's. Thank you

You can used fmj and if you aimed at the head, face, throat, center of chest, or knees they will be effective

I live in central America to be more precise in Guatemala a country many of you may not even heard of, the point is that here we're almost forced to go with fmjs because the self defense labeled ammo is super expensive. Fmjs have worked just fine here actually all of the crimes or the majority of them have been comitted in this country with stolen 9mm pistols using fmj rounds.

A question I have is on twist rate of the rifling or the hexagonal thingys of 9mm pistol barrels and tumbling of FMJ bullets. I think twist varies from about 1 in 10 inches for many european guns and about 1 in 16 to 18 in american made guns.

Can you test a Tokarev? (Or a current production Zastava M57A?) My understanding is that the 7.62x25 is quite powerful and was the most powerful caliber deployed by any nation during WW2, more powerful than the .45 ACP. I am thinking that it would make a decent carry gun, I got to borrow one for a spell and was quite impressed at how thin it was, but, I'd like to know if hollowpoint ammunition would not be subject to over-penetration.

You know, I try really hard to avoid firefights at home. Notice that as the barrel (and chamber) heat up, velocities creep up!

To add to my other post, I believe hollowpoints may have less than desirable penetration after passing through glass or steel barriers especially in lower calibers.

Limited in handgun availability, my guns have to double for woods defense too An xds and g17... When i go to the woods,. They load with hot flat points.. the new mil spec stuff from winchester usually. But i do have handloaded hard cast . 147 grain chronyed at 1135. .

If you're wanting to use 9mm FMJ, it's best to use 147 gr. FMJ, as you get less penetration and better wounding, without over penetration, like the lighter rounds.

Hollows in standards,JSP/fmj/underwoods in extendeds for feeding reliability/hard targets

Have you ran the M1152 ball 9mm through some "Jelly"? I read that the flat nose is supposed to keep the round from curving and more on a straight path. I believe its supposed to penetrate 14" of ballistic gel at 50 yards.

I have done a lot of 9mm testing on feral hogs. They will only fall to ball. They soak up HST’s and gold dot like a sponge.

Great Job, Thank You. Personally I think fmj are under rated. I do carry hollow points, but would not feel under prepared with fmj, especially flat points.

great test sir, Thanks.!

You should do a test with solid bone or cartilage like the center of the chest. or pelvis area.

Tools and Targets if you get a chance wadcutter and or flat nose if you think they would perform any different in gel. They do in a body for sure.

Fmj would work just fine. It’s the over penetration is going to be the main concern. I keep a spare mag of 124gr nato for when I’m out and about just in case. You never know when that extra penetration may be of great benefit. I also keep a mag of critical duty i case I want that happy medium of penetration and expansion.

I have an old western auto revelation 12-gauge bolt action shotgun. It has a 2 shot clip and in the bolt. I inherited from my dad. It has a 28" barrel. Worst case scenario can this be used for home defense. Thanks

Odd with only 9 grains different & 30fps different that 124s both tumble but not the 115. Tumbling makes a lot bigger wound channel but both over penetrated for Home use. Good video. Wonder what flat nose fmj will do?

In the Army, we had “ball” ammo. Our reasoning was… well, it’s not like I’m gonna shoot em only once…. And it feeds always and pokes through chest carrier magazines, thick clothing and such which is nice!

I carry HST 124. I practice and SHTF-stockpile with FMJ. My stockpile has some JHP, don't get me wrong, it's just that it's a definite minority. I need a SHTF-Mag-Plan to maintain a minimum qty of JHP. Maybe first 3 in the mag JHP and the rest FMJ, with a back-up mag of each.

I carry flat nose in .380 typically, and hollowpoint in 9mm. But, if it’s all I had, I’d run FMJ. I only shoot FMJ out of my 1911 just to make it run 100%, but I don’t carry it often. 38/357 I either carry flatnose or hollowpoint.

Maybe for Bears, FMJ would do the trick? i stick to 147HP/HST or 124+P gold dot 9mm(HST .45 or Hornady HP .45)

It depends with fmj. They are good at penetrating hard barriers. I have a lot of them in 9mm 115 grn I’d rather critical defense but who knows and I like the xtp’s American gunner.

Just being able to get ammo if you can go with hollow points go with hollow points if you can get your hands on them but if all you got is FMJ

Another excellent review demonstration 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thanks for taking the time to make these fantastic informative ballistic test videos. Definitely, a JHP bullet is preferred for self-defense ammunition to avoid over penetration and cause more injury trauma. Of course, if there is nothing else available, FMJ will do. Most militaries of the world use FMJ. The thing is, the military is not so concerned with over penetration. But in a civilian urban environment you owe to be concerned with over penetration due to criminal and civil liabilities. Keep on rolling, bro!

Would fmj in 22 mag be good for defense since 22 mag HP don't expand and fmj have great pentetration at least?

Could be the 1st 124 gr tumbled more than once. Wound channels in the clear gel from pistol cal FMJ bullets aren't dramatically different than from hollow point bullets. It's because of the clear gel. In organic gel you see a far better representation of energy transfer, permanent and temporary wound channels. Organic gel is the gel the FBI uses. However, organic gel is not clear and as such you have to cut it open to see (and film) the results. This is why very few channels use it anymore. IMO other media such as "The meat target" do a great job of showing bone and tissue damage after the bullet has penetrated clothing layers (Which may/may not plug the hollow point causing it to act like an FMJ) However, this type of target is very expensive to use and must be disassembled to view the results. I know this was long winded but IMO FMJ bullets in clear gel vs high quality reliable hollow points bullets in clear gel do not represent the true difference in performance. If the pistol cal FMJ does not tumble a few times the wound channel will be very small. Tumbling and hitting bone are the only ways pistol cal FMJ bullets show more than a thin wound channel.

Military been using ball -FMJ. For ever. They work

I just renewed my license and recently moved so now I can't buy ammo until my info is updated on CFARS which I've been told can take months. All I have is fmj and Sierra Outdoor master jhp which looks just as bad based on the tests I've seen.

Its jelly time!!!.. great test as always

Your making good videos . Keep it up man ❗️

Probably ain't no difference but have you tested the CCI blazer fmj? Wouldn't carry it but palmetto had some on sell the other week. I searched but didn't see a video. Thanks for everything you do.

You need nothing else. Period. No more to talk about. ❤🎉🎉🎉 Thanks!

Love your videos I watch your jelly test all the time lol how about some 45 ACP semi-wod cutter lead bullets and compare them to powder coated to my wad cutter bullets that would be a good one!

Obviously 9mm FMJ over penetrates! Do a test of .380 FMJ and .32 FMJ, you might be surprised!

Keep walking, keep walking, nothing to see here... the tumble was where the wound channel opened up. The military uses FMJs so I really wouldn’t have a problem with it if I ran out of hollow points. You’re the man, Tools!

Thanks