As you probably guessed there are as many different opinions as there are bullet weights and manufacture's. I tend to carry a 40 s&w or a 45 acp but I do own several 9s including a Shield. In it I load 124gr. Federal HST's. I really can't tell much difference in recoil between the 115, 124 or 147, but then after a few rounds of 40s and 45s the 9 seems pretty mild. I don't think for self defense rounds you can go wrong with most any of the main manufacture's, for range ammo most anything will work. Good luck with your search.