Should the Army switch to hollow point ammunition?

2015-07-14T18:10:21-04:00

What happens if we switch? What will our adversaries do in the future? Is this throwing the Geneva Convention out? Are we going to come with more in-humane ways of killing each other? Or is it time to retire the ancient ball round and move forward with something that puts the bad guy down once and fore all?

Army to consider hollow point bullets for new pistol

A Defense legal review has opened the door to expanding ammunition including hollow points for general purpose soldiers.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jul 14 at 2015 6:18 PM

2015-07-14T18:18:49-04:00

We (the United States) will be considered cruel and inhumane if we use them just for the mere fact that some (our citizens) would consider wounding or killing an adversary with anything other than ball ammunition excessive. Not going to chime in on my opinion, just stating fact given the recent PC world in which we live that is like GEN Perkins says, "Unknown, unknowable and ever changing".

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 6:26 PM

2015-07-14T18:26:53-04:00

I've heard the stories of what our adversaries are doing and have found them quite barbaric. I think any type of round we use wont matter...

Response by SPC George Long made Jul 14 at 2015 8:16 PM

2015-07-14T20:16:26-04:00

Yes. It is more lethal and we have never signed any international agreement to not use it. Many of our snipers routinely shoot what is legally defined as hollow point. Use the most lethal ammo available and let the enemy respond as they will.

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Jul 14 at 2015 8:17 PM

2015-07-14T20:17:52-04:00

As far as the Geneva convention I don't care.
Our advisories don't follow it anyway.

On a function side I think whatever ammo we use had better have the ability to function as well as ball.
Ball has the ability to be more reliable. If it can stand the test I am fine with it.
A jam due to ammo when you are in the heat is the wrong time to have a jam.

One standard.

Response by SPC George Long made Jul 14 at 2015 8:38 PM

2015-07-14T20:38:31-04:00

The US is not a signatory to any agreement with any person or nation that bans hollow points. That's a non issue.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jul 14 at 2015 8:38 PM

2015-07-14T20:38:37-04:00

The "can't use hollow points because it's against the Geneva Convention" is actually one of the oldest and false myths that some people still perpetuate. There is nothing in the Geneva Convention about hollow point versus non-hollow points. The convention just says we can't use something that causes "excessive" injuries, but where does it say that a hollow point causes excessive injuries? Hollow points are actually more likely to be deadly, which is of course in keeping with the convention to prevent unnecessary suffering (not death).

There is simply nothing in the Geneva Convention which prevents the use of hollow points. It's something you hear about in boot camp, but it doesn't make it historically accurate.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 14 at 2015 9:50 PM

2015-07-14T21:50:31-04:00

I suspect the hollow point option is to keep the 9mm in the hunt as its FMJ configuration has been bashed by those who had to use it. Also we'd still be able to feed NATO stuff in the tube.