Since being released around a decade ago, RIP rounds have courted controversy, but is that fair? It’s a hoo-point ammo that’s available in a range of calibers, and while some think that the RIP name has lethal undertones, it actually stands for Radically Invasive Projectile.
Generally speaking, hollow points are used by law enforcement and the general public due to the increased stopping power and lethal nature, meaning that what you hit tends to go down faster. They’re also known for breaking up on impact, meaning they don’t over-penetrate when that outcome would be undesirable, such as in close quarters.
So, What About RIP Rounds? Are They Legal?
In short, yes, they are legal, and there are a number of benefits that come along with using RIP rounds. For instance, you get multiple points of entry, as opposed to standard 9mm FMJs, which will have just a single point entry and exit wound. Other benefits include:
A lack of overpenetration – when you live in a block of flats or other locations where over-penetration would be a particular problem, these hollow points are an advantage. The way they fragment means they’re far less likely to go through what you’re firing at and hit something or someone standing behind it. It’s why they’re the preferred ammunition for sky marshalls.
Fragmenting rounds cause more damage – as fragmenting rounds hit solid targets, they split up and speed off in different directions. This means that they cause more damage to the target without causing any other collateral damage.
Anything Not-so-Great About RIP Ammo?
In a life-or-death situation, the under-penetrating nature of hollow point rounds like these can cause an issue. What we mean by that is they might be stopped by bone, meaning that the round doesn’t offer lethality, and an assailant may keep coming at you.
Something else you should take note of is that RIP ammo is on the costly side – and can be priced at around twice what you’d pay for a standard box of hollow points. What do you get for that? Whether they’re more effective than regular hollow points is up for debate, but there’s no doubt that they have a cool name if you’re into that kind of thing.
To Buy or Not to Buy RIP Rounds? That Is the Question
RIP ammo has been reviewed and reviewed again by many different experts since it came out in 2014. Do they look great to your buddies when you’re shooting at the range? Sure.
However, many believe that they don’t offer anything more than regular hollow points, so it’s something you need to factor into your purchasing decisions. Are you paying for advertising over performance? Possibly. The thing is, people have different reasons for what they spend their cash on.
If you are after something higher on the cool scale, then RIP ammo certainly fits the bill, and they will protect you well without over-penetrating. Should you buy RIP ammo? That’s ultimately for you to decide.