How many hold back carry ammo for testing?

[Bark'n]

I recently started doing this about 18 months ago. I don't know how necessary it is, but have felt it's only prudent to do after reading several articles in just how many ways ammunition has played a role at trial.

I will keep back a minimum of 5 or 6 rounds of my carry ammo and keep it in the original box in order for LEO or my Defense Attorney to do ballistics testing.

I also keep the box to have a record of the manufacture date and lot number should anything about my ammunition comes into question it will be available for testing.

I was wondering how many people follow this practice as well?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[unrequited]

I do this unintentionally... I have a 50rnd box of HST's and I only carry 13-26 of them at any one time. Every trip to the range, I kill off two mags of 'em and then use more from the box, so I always have a box partially used of what I'm carrying at the time.

[Pete]

I have heard of this before and I see the logic in it, but I don't make any effort to do it myself. I may (or may not) have extra rounds left over in a box that match my carry ammo. But as I don't carry reloads it isn't as much of a deal as if I did, IMO.

I don't watch all the CSI shows, what are they going to be able to gain from factory ammo samples other than compatibility and a positive match?

[jeep45238]

I have heard of this before and I see the logic in it, but I don't make any effort to do it myself. I may (or may not) have extra rounds left over in a box that match my carry ammo. But as I don't carry reloads it isn't as much of a deal as if I did, IMO.

I don't watch all the CSI shows, what are they going to be able to gain from factory ammo samples other than compatibility and a positive match?

Nothing, and a lot of the ballistic stuff you see on CSI is pure imagination.

[Chaddae52]

And if lawyers weren't so good at what they do we wouldn't be having this topic! We're always trying to CYA because of those stories we read about the BG sueing the GG because he shot him after breaking in! Not trying to kill the thread, just makes me go nuts. I have not even thought that far ahead as to prove what I'm carrying in court. They can dig it out of BG after I shoot it?

[BikerRN]

I do this and have for at least ten years.

I got the idea from a Massad Ayoob article.

Biker

[Eddie A.]

And if lawyers weren't so good at what they do we wouldn't be having this topic! We're always trying to CYA because of those stories we read about the BG sueing the GG because he shot him after breaking in! Not trying to kill the thread, just makes me go nuts. I have not even thought that far ahead as to prove what I'm carrying in court. They can dig it out of BG after I shoot it?

+1
Amen Chad

[Bark'n]

Yeah... I don't watch CSI. Never have.

Actually they can get a lot of ballistic evidence with GSR (gun shot residue). Comparisons of GSR from your gun vs. the other guys. Also a lot can be told about what distance you fired from which very well could bolster your case of self defense if they have some cartridges for comparison.

Ammo from the same brand but from different lots can make a noticable difference with GSR testing.

Most of the time those issues at trial are "red herrings", but if you have comparison ammo available from the same factory lot, you can avoid some of the pitfalls that may come up.

I have had to testify as a witness in a shooting homicide trial in the past. After my testimony (rather limited as I was just testifying as an EMS provider who responded) I was allowed to sit in for the remainder of the trial. I went back for 3 additional days of the trial and was pretty facinated at all the stuff brought out.

[Musketeer]

I have not even thought that far ahead as to prove what I'm carrying in court. They can dig it out of BG after I shoot it?

But they cannot duplicate gun shot residue patterns to establish the distance between shooter and shootee. This is not so much for your civil protection but for your CRIMINAL protection.

After the shooting you are going to tell the story as you remember it to the authorities. The criminal may tell the same or a different story. The DA may or may not believe you. Assuming you are telling the truth it is in your best interest to provide as much evidence as possible to support your position. Having the original ammo from the same box handy helps you to defend yourself.

[SVTCobra]

I got the idea from a Massad Ayoob article.

Me too. I do like the above poster, buy 50rd box and load mags. What's left over stays in the original box. Every couple of months I'll shoot out my carry mags and use up the rest of the box.

[pgrass101]

No, I don't.

I'm carrying the last of my Hydro-shoks in my .380 now. When I buy more carry ammo I'll shoot these. I've got some more Gold-Dots for my snubbie still left but I'll shoot those too. My full size Rossi has the last 6 of Fedearl Defense .357mag in it. I'll get some more Gold-Dots and shoot these up too.

[jwhite75]

I also write on the insdie lid of the box date laoded and what weapon I loaded it in.

[xercise2nd]

I do this and have for at least ten years.

I got the idea from a Massad Ayoob article.

Biker

I'd be interested in reading the article. Anyone have a link to it? Thought-provoking thread!

[Musketeer]

I'd be interested in reading the article. Anyone have a link to it? Thought-provoking thread!

Check the second to last issue of Combat Handguns. There were two months of stories about myths that can send you to jail. Keeping ammo was listed in the same section as the one talking about the risks in having handloads for defense.

FYI the DA presented that the ammo used was the brass that remained, Fed 38 spcl +P, and not the lower powerred rounds handloaded by the owner which would have resulted in a much reduced distance that powder residue would be thrown. The judge did not allow the inclusion of reloaded ammo as evidence.

[firefighter_56]

Thought provoking thread, this is an area I have not considered before.

This type of information and discussion is what makes this forum so good. All of us together are much smarter than any one of us alone.

Thanks

"First rule of a gun fight is to have a gun"