I am wanting some opinions on what is the best self defense/home defense 9mm ammo for my S&W 9mm full size?

I prefer going heavy with 147 grn loads, two of the best currently available are the Winchester PDX1 and the Federal HST.

is it ok to use +P ammo like the 124 grn PDX1 in my s&w 9mm

Modern Full-Size S&W 9mm are all +P rated. Many Police Dept use +P+.

I believe the PDX1 124+P is the same as the Ranger T RA9124TP Law Enforcement loading. If so that is an excellent round and was the alternative for departments that didnt want to use the over pressure 127+P+.

Another good round that seems to be commonly available is the Speer Gold Dot 124+P (NYPD Load).

If you pick a round using modern bullet designs its really hard to go wrong compared to where we were a decade or so ago.

Disclaimer: Thats to the best of my knowledge.

PS If you like it you can pick it up online in 50 Round Law Enforcement Packaging for about half the price per round.

__________________
Gene

Plenty of good ones out there but, my favorite is the Ranger 127 gr +P+...super accurate and a great performer.

Speer 53617 124 grain Gold Dots or Winchester 124 grain Ranger T RA9124TP.

I'm partial to Winchester Ranger Bonded 147gr (RA9B), but I'm growing fond of the 127gr +P+ (RA9TA); it has a big punch.

Speer Gold Dot is also very effective, in any caliber.

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Fast is fine;accurate is final

************ 9mm Luger / 9X19 ************

Federal HST: LE Only
** 147-gr. +P HST HP (P9HST4)@ 1,050 fps +P Outperforms Standard Pressure Version
* 147-gr. HST HP (P9HST2) @ 1,000 fps Standard Pressure is Still OK, but +P is Preferred

http://le.atk.com/general/federalpro...cticalhst.aspx
LE - Wound Ballistics
LE - Wound Ballistic Videos


Winchester Ranger T: LE Only
** 147-gr. HP (RA9T) @ 990 fps


Federal Tactical: LE Only
* 135-gr. +P Bonded HP (LE9T5)

LE - Tactical Bonded
LE - Wound Ballistics
LE - Wound Ballistic Videos


Buffalo Bore:
** 124-gr. +P+ Bonded Gold Dot HP (24B)


Remington Golden Saber:
* 147-gr. HP (GS9MMC)


Double Tap:
* 115-gr. +P Barnes Tac-XP Copper Jacketed HP
147-gr. +P Flat Nose FMJ: For barrier penetration & protection in the mountains.


Corbon – Dakota Ammo:
* 115-gr. +P DPX [Barnes XPB] Copper Jacketed HP @ 1,250 fps (DPX09115-20)


Black Hills:
* 115-gr. +P Barnes Tac-XP


Federal Tactical – Barnes XPB:
115-gr. Barnes XPB Expander Copper Jacketed HP @ 1,140 fps. (T9XB1)

LE - Tactical Barnes XPB


Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian Version of Bonded Ranger T
* 124-gr. +P Bonded PDX1 HP (S9MMPDB) @ 1,200 fps


Speer Gold Dot: See also Double Tap & Black Hills with Gold Dot Loadings
* 124-gr. +P Bonded HP (23617)

Federal 9BPLE 115 grain +P+ or the standard pressure 9BP 115 grain are great. Hydra shock 135gr Personal Defense loads would be my 3rd choice.

There's really a lot of good defense ammo available today in 9mm. You are unlikely to go wrong with any of the modern loadings.

I use 124 gr +P Federal HST or Speer Gold Dot--whichever I have on hand at the time. For a standard pressure load, I like the Federal 115 gr JHP (the 9BP).

To give you the answer, we'll need to know size of the attacker, clothing, cover to penetrate and angle of the shot. You'll see there is no "best".

Pick a round with a reputation for expanding and penetrating, test it in your pistol for accuracy and reliability, then practice to make sure you can put the bullet where you want it to go.

The 3 I carry federal 135 grain tactical bonded hp,cor-bon 115 +P and winchester ranger 127 grain +P

Remington Golden Saber 124gr is what I keep in my 9's

Got any opinions on ammo for a M&P 9mm compact

I prefer full power 124gr ball ammo (1200 fps) in my 9mms for penetration. They are also likely to turn broadside in soft tissue due to
the roundnose profile but i'm sure others will differ....so just my choice.

For a short barrel and best overall performance (since penetration usually suffers due to lower velocity), you need to upgrade to a heavier bullet that makes up for lack of penetration (over lighter projectiles) and also loses less velocity.

Suggest your consider a 147-gr. load from Winchester (Ranger T - RA9T), Federal (HST - P9HST2), or Remington (Golden Saber - GS9MMC).

Penetration is more important than statistical velocity.

For those who still prefer mid-weight bullets in a short barrel for more speed, using a bonded bullet will also improve penetration results over a similar standard projectile, but a heavy for caliber load is preferred for improved performance from a short barreled handgun.

Again - penetration is more important than statistical velocity.

Find what shoots to the point of aim of your gun, as well as what reliably (every time!) functions in your gun. There are plenty of good rounds available, from lightweight 100 grain (Pow'rball) to the heavier 147 grain loads.
Statistically speaking, one bullet is not realistically better than the other. There really is no such thing as a magic bullet. Opinions will vary and arguments can ensue over a favorite load. The only advice I would give is to not use a FMJ as a carry load when there are so many other loads available. When in doubt, find something that a large LE agency (that has the resources to test what is effective) has used/is using. For example, NYPD uses the Speer Gold Dot 124 grain +P and Chicago issues the Winchester 124 grain +P Ranger Bonded.
Reliability should be the first consideration of how a round performs in your gun, then accuracy.

I carry Speer Gold Dots in my 9mm and 40 cal. (9mm-124gr+P) (40 cal.-180gr. I've done some testing by shooting directly into water. This is about the most violent of impacts for hollow point bullets. I have found the Gold Dots to be the most consistent in both expansion and weight retention. They also don't ever suffer from jacket separation.

Okay, I just joined 10 minutes ago. How do I post a question? If I post here, then this is my question: Can I use 9mm + P JHP ammunition in a Fabrica Militar Hi-power manufactured in 1997? - Thank you for any help. dmkollector at [email protected]

i picked up some Fiocchi 147GRS. XTPHP... whats your opinion....Was recommended by local gunshop employee....

If the Fiocchi 147-gr. load has Hornady's heavy duty 147-gr. hunting bullet in it.......it will indeed penetrate a lot without much expansion.

The XTP bullet acts a lot like a bonded projectile and when using the 9mm caliber for civilian SD, I recommend midweight bonded 124-gr. (XTP) loads or the preferred heavy for caliber 147-gr. UNbonded loads for better expansion than the XTP provides.

In short, the 147-gr. XTP is outstanding for hunting or barrier penetration, but is somewhat overkill for civilian needs. Hang-on to the Fiocchi's and keep looking for unbonded Federal HST, Winchester Ranger T, or Remington Golden Saber's in 147-gr. Many shooting enthusiasts order these preferred loads online because their local shops do not carry them. Example: See AmmoToGo.com for starters.