Lehigh has changed my idea of a field pistol

[GJM]

In the quest for a semi-auto pistol that would reliably launch a bullet with the reasonable possibility of penetrating a bear's skull, I went through a slew of pistols. After trying Glock 20 and 29 pistols, third Gen S&W 10mm models, and numerous .40 pistols with hard cast loads, I ended with the HK USP FS .45, and .45 Super loads, as this was hands down the most reliable pistol/cartridge combination I tested, and I found the others lacking in reliability when shooting penetrator style loads.

For the last year I have been testing the Lehigh Xtreme penetrator bullet as loaded by Underwood, in .45 Super, .45+P, .40 S&W and 9mm. My wife and I have shot this ammo in USP FS .45, HK45C, P2000 .40, PX4C 9, PX4 FS .40, Glock 22/23/27, USP FS .40, USP T 9, and probably some more types I have forgotten. We have yet to experience a single stoppage in any pistol we have tested the Lehigh Xtreme bullets in. I attribute this to the bullet being solid jacketed and despite having cutting edges, they are within a FMJ ball profile.

Since the Underwood Lehigh loads function reliably and by construction/velocity have the capability of penetrating a bear's skull, I have come to believe that any field pistol you have, that you verify function of this ammo, is now your "field pistol." Right now, I am partial to Underwood .40, as it is 140 grains at 1,200 fps which is right where I would like to be with a pistol penetrating load, it is still relatively soft shooting, and is very accurate in the pistols I have tested it.

[FPS]

Here is a guy shooting the 9mm load through a bear skull. Very encouraging.

[JHC]

Here is a guy shooting the 9mm load through a bear skull. Very encouraging.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Dv5LSsss3U

Thanks for posting that. If comparable skulls were more widely available I think some would be surprised how well a lot of service pistol caliber ammo would work on them. Just a bet.

Right next to that one on youtube was this pretty fast bear charge with the shotgun stop. Russian I assume.



Because "field pistol". And bear.

[Boxy]

I would be interesting to know how the subject bullet performs in actual field use in putting down animals.

[LSP552]

Thanks George, great info. This might actually be the only reason I've had to buy a Glock 22....

[JTQ]

Does Black Hills use the same bullet in their Honey Badger rounds?

http://www.brownells.com/ammunition/...lls+ammunition

[Dave Williams]

What is the consensus on these type of rounds for shooting people?

[Dagga Boy]

Much of your testing has changed a lot of my ideas about this stuff. I was lucky that during my one bear issue that luckily did not result in having to shoot the bear, I was carrying my Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull that is still my current favorite back country fishing gun. I would have no issues now with going to my USP 45 Expert with the +P .45 as a universal woods and two legged gun. Federal +P .45 HST for people and the Underwood round in the back country. I would think POI would be really close with both loads, and my gun will be getting custom fixed sights that could be zero'd right to POI. Where I see huge potential for 9mm or .40 is for those who bicycle in the back country. My Bowen S&W 296 was my go to mountain biking gun in the Eastern Sierras and Big Bear, that would be easily replaced with a P2000SK or Glock 26/27. Good stuff George.

[5pins]

Does Black Hills use the same bullet in their Honey Badger rounds?

http://www.brownells.com/ammunition/...lls+ammunition

That looks like their Xtreme Defense, not the penetrator.

[scw2]

Thanks George, great info. This might actually be the only reason I've had to buy a Glock 22....

Good news! Saw new G22's on sale at Palmetto state armory for ~$400 this morning. Not sure what their shipping cost is on top of that or what your ffl costs might be, but seemed like a great price.