Reply #45: I won't jump you for the bad terminology...I think you mean hollow points

[ProgressiveProfessor]

Modern ones are designed not to break up. Some informational links on the history and technology
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expanding_bullet
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollow-point_bullet
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_point_bullet

Like many of the technical aspects of firearms, there are trade offs when it comes to using hollow points. Some autoloading pistols do not feed them reliably since they were designed for military style full metal jacket rounds. That can often be addressed with some gunsmithing. Hollow points also lessen penetration, often a good thing. They are standard issue will all cops shops that I know and are restricted in the military to non-combat use only. Generally speaking they are the preferred round for self defense since they are perceived as having more stopping power.

My personal take as an instructor is the bullet placement matters more than "stopping power". Better the firearm you can effectively hit your target with reliably than a hand cannon that will totally destroy it if you get lucky enough to hit it.

Microstamping is a solution looking for a problem. When the obvious technical deficiencies have been pointed out, the supporters said things like:
- We will make anything that defeats it illegal
- We will require new submissions if you change relevant parts
- If we check your gun and the microstamp is no longer visible even if you have done nothing to it, it will be a crime.
Clearly it is not a viable technical approach so stick with the stuff that works.

I do not know anyone who has been involved in a legitimate self defense shooting that has tried to ditch the gun etc. Most of the time they are too broken up over it to do much of anything.

Local cops have discussed finding extra casings at crime scenes. Sometimes they have looked to be seeded but it is not always obvious. One has said he has found spent casing in baggies in some cars. Clearly the gang bangers are already on to this. They also know how to obstruct a GSR test as well.

Finally I would be careful with the "If it helps catch bad guys in the slightest we should do it" approach to things. It is a very slippery slope when it comes to privacy etc.