Hi guys, I'm a long time owner of a pair of identical non-police issue 5903's. I love them and use it as my bedside and carry. About 2 months ago I fired the M&P 9mm at the range just to see a change of pace and I fell in love!
I just placed my order for a new M&P 9mm PRO 4.25" which should arrive within a week. My intent is to make this my carry weapon and being that it's a new pistol I want to break her in properly and smoothly so that I can work my way up to the powerful rounds.
My question is this: what is the best ammo to use in this case at the range while she breaks in and ultimately what the best self defense ammo to use in THIS PARTICUALR PISTOL. I don't want any overkill so packing the biggest punch is not my priority. I want something that I can routinely practice with and will no harm the gun. Thanks for the suggestions ahead of time.

I use win white box or remington umc hard ball for the range.
PMC is not bad either... or several more I can think of.

For carry ammo, I normally load with win 127 gr +P+.

If you are worrying about harming your pistol, the speer
gold dot 124 gr +P is good or a number of other premium HP's, whichever your pistol easily digests.

You may want to consider what is more important, excessive wear to your pistol or giving yourself the best chance to come out on top in a close quarter armed confrontation.

Congrats on the new M&P; you'll love it.

Range Ammo - I've run thousands of rounds of Wal-mart Federal Champion 115gr ammo ... $10.47 for a box of 50 rounds. This is some really good range ammo.

Self-Defense Ammo - There are many great rounds on the market today. Personally, I use Gold Dot 124gr +P and Federal LE HST 124gr +P ammo. The GD are probably my favorite in all my 9mm's. In my longer barrel's (4.25"+), the Remington Golden Saber 147gr felt really good. Again, there are several other very good rounds on the market too so quality ammo is not a problem.

Good luck.

Almost any FMJ ball ammo will be fire for the range. Find a good deal on something and buy it. I have shot Remington, Winchester, Federal, Magtech, PMC, CCI, Blaser, S&B, Speer, Hornady, Fiocchi and probably a few others I don't remember right now and usually they all work well. Of course your handgun will like some better than others but that's normal.

As for SD carry ammo you will have to find a good name brand ammo that shoots well in your pistol. My son carries 124gr Federal Hydra-Shok JHP ammo in his 9mm. I hear Winchester Ranger T ammo is very reliable too.

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