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Old 06-27-2017, 10:39 PM
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Default 9mm Shield Ammo

I've been carrying .38s and .357s forever. Tended towards heavier ammo. 145 gr Silvertip and 158 gr LSWHPs. The Shield has become my daily CCW piece. What is the prevailing thought on 9mm, lighter or heavier ammo?
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Old 06-27-2017, 10:56 PM
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Default I started a 'study'.....

I shoot 125 or 147 gr JHPs. I've theorized that heavier ammo would do a better job, if the velocity could be kept high enough and thought that with the higher pressure and no barrrel gap of a semi pistol, I should be able to top the .38 easy and approach something more like a .45. I've experimented with Power Pistol and Acc #7, but the main problem is that I don't know what the max loads are with them using 158 and 165 grain bullets. The other problem is that you need to use bullets that are designed to expand at lower pressure or soft lead HPs or a Speer Gold Dot that is designed to expand at lower velocity. Oh, and I'd like to do this with a short barreled compact gun.

Well data for 158 gr in 9mm is scare and 165 almost non existent. The power companies didn't help.

I tested 165 grain but they were hard FMJ bullets that I formed a hollow point into that they didn't expand at all.

I just tried some 158 grain with the chrono, but I had a problem feeding the rounds and wasn't able to get a measurement at the higher loadings. Dammit.

You can look up my thread, "How to make a 9mm act more like a .45. Some said that what I had was equal to a .38 special, but without max loadings I can't get the velocity that I need.

I haven't quit yet, I'm going to load up more 158 grains and do velocity and penetration testing as time allows.
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Old 06-27-2017, 11:04 PM
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For my 9mm Shield and all my 9's, I plink 124gr and for SD, shoot the well regarded 147gr Federal P9HST2.

50 Round Box - 9mm Luger Federal HST 147 Grain Hollow Point LE Ammo P9HST2 | SGAmmo.com
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Old 06-28-2017, 08:36 AM
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I've only used 115 gn in any of my MP 9's, including my Shield (PC model). 115 has been accurate for me in my full size, and I get the same accuracy in the Shield; so never had a reason to change. Granted the high % of rounds fired are fmj at the range for practice/fun, but my SD rounds practiced with have been the same 115 gn with the same results.

I'll continue to use 115 for range ammo; and at some point I will try some 124/147 SD ammo just to see how it acts for me vs the 115 though.
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Old 06-28-2017, 08:39 AM
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Federal 124 HST.....accept no substitutes........
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Old 06-28-2017, 09:04 AM
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I use 115 gr. I've tried 124 and 147, but I like where the 115 hits, closer to my POA.
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Old 06-28-2017, 11:08 AM
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My preference is 124 grain bullets, and I am very comfortable with Speer Gold Dots or Remington Golden Saber brands.
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Old 06-28-2017, 01:04 PM
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I use 124gr for range and carry. 124gr FMJ is relatively easy to find, as is 124gr JHP.

For carry, ALL my pistols (even the KTs) like Gold Dot and I can usually find 124gr Gold Dot in 50 round boxes, so even after 'sample' firing a couple mags, I still plenty left from the box to load up several mags.
(tough {and more expensive} to do with the smaller 20 round boxes).
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Old 06-28-2017, 02:27 PM
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Google "Doctor Roberts ammo recommendations", find his list of recommended loads, pick a few to try, and stock up on the one you like the best. Ideally, pick something available in 50-round boxes as that'll give you the best value. Also, if the box says something to the effect of, "For Law Enforcement Use Only," it's ok for you to use (assuming it's not some weird armor-piercing type of round, or something like that).

My own personal preference is for medium-to-heavy bullet weights in self defense ammo. For 9mm, that'd be 124gr-147gr. It's hard to go wrong with HST or Gold Dot, in either standard pressure or +P versions. I use the standard pressure 147gr HST for my 9mm gun.

Last edited by ContinentalOp; 06-28-2017 at 02:31 PM.
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Old 06-28-2017, 06:17 PM
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I prefer Speer Lawman 147 And Speer Gold Dot 147 in my Shield and my SR9c.
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Old 06-28-2017, 06:32 PM
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+1 on post #9;

Some like the lighter bullet weights for Summer time and use
the Heavy 147gr HP's in the Winter time where heavy clothing might be worn.

Some swear by the Federal +P+ 115gr loading, as "The bullet" to use.
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Old 06-29-2017, 10:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nevada Ed View Post
Some swear by the Federal +P+ 115gr loading, as "The bullet" to use.
Smith & Wesson would disagree. Here is their position on the use of +P+ ammunition as stated in the Shield owner's manual:

"'Plus-P-Plus' (+P+) ammunition must not be used in Smith & Wesson firearms. This marking on the ammunition designates that it exceeds established industry standards, but the designation does not represent defined pressure limits and therefore such ammunition may vary significantly as to the pressures generated and could be DANGEROUS."
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Old 06-30-2017, 09:49 AM
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I personally like the way Federal HST handles for SD purposes. For plinking, I experiment with a lot of different brands - but I keep coming back to American Eagle in the 124 or 147 grain.

I did pick up a box of Winchester 147 grain designated as a training round this week. I'm interested in seeing how that one acts.
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Old 07-04-2017, 10:12 PM
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Check this site out. It's a pretty good test of ballistics for pretty much all the important calibers.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/
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Old 07-04-2017, 10:48 PM
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swsig;

If you look at the fps in todays Federal +P+ 115gr JHP ....
it is no where near the "True" +P+ fps loads that may damage pistols.

Look up what Underwood has for it's 115gr +P+ loads.........
Those high fps come from a 5" plus barrel on most of the data boxes.
I can get higher fps than the Federal +P+ ammo box
with a full load of Unique powder in a Beretta 5" pistol, that
is in most reloading manuals for a maximum +P loading.

I know S&W states no +P+ loads, since they are not registered.........
It is a great safety notice.....
but if one owns a chroney you will learn what the ammo is specked at.
Many a +P ammo is only good out of a 5" for the companies fps listing. Out of a 3 or 3.5" barrel it is just a standard loading.

I do understand that you don't need a +p fps in a load to get +P+ pressures, how ever.
One reason we all need to use new ammo with caution !!

.................

On you-tube there is a 4" Glock 19 that shot the Federal 115gr +P+ at 1236fps average.

The same pistol with a Speer 124gr Gold Dot +P had a 1204-1210fps average.

The Underweood 115gr Gold Dot +P+ load clocked in..... 1434fps !!
This is "the load" that you only shoot in approved weapons.

Last edited by Nevada Ed; 07-06-2017 at 06:58 PM.
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Old 07-05-2017, 12:06 AM
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In my Shield I like the Speer 124 grain Gold Dots or Federal 124 HST loads.
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Old 07-05-2017, 08:56 AM
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I carry Speer Gold Dot LE 124 grain HP's in my Shield 9.
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Old 07-05-2017, 10:55 AM
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147gr. HST +P
Ammo Quest 9mm: Federal HST 147gr +P ammo test P9HST4.mp4
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Old 07-05-2017, 07:01 PM
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Don't have a shield, but do have a SD9VE. Wanted something that would be easy for the wife to handle. Didn't want to go the +P route, since research indicates nothing is really gained except for increase in recoil. Decided to go with the Federal 150gr Micro HST. Recoil is soft, and testing it showed POA=POI at normal HD range. Load was developed for subcompact 9mm's specifically. Only disadvantage is price.
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Old 07-22-2017, 01:11 AM
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I use the Winchester train and defend loads for practice and carry in the 9mm 147 gr size .. My Beretta PX-4 seem to like it and shoots POA with it ..

I've also used the Winchester Train and Defend in 40 S&W 180 gr in both my Sig P229 Legion and my S&W Compact for Training and Carry also ..
They both shoot POA with them ..
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Old 07-22-2017, 01:21 AM
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I can't speak specifically to the Shield but for 9mm SD ammo I prefer the middle ground 125/125-gr ammo in +P. I've carried Remington Golden Saber 124-gr+P in my Glock 19 for years simply because it has a solid rep, it is generally available, and most importantly, I shoot it well.

Don't get too hung up on loads, nearly all modern SD ammo will do you fine. Find which one you're comfortable with and shoot well.
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Old 08-10-2017, 12:20 PM
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For recreation “fun” purposes, I buy whatever brand of 124gr ammo is lowest price at time of my purchase.

I shoot at a bullseye target 10 to 15 yards distance. With few exceptions, the type of accuracy differences resulting from bullet type or weight is of no significance or detraction to me.

For defense, I now load and practice with only one ammo - Federal 124gr HST.

My practice with it is serious serious business. Each shot I take during drills with it has one purpose; to stop an attack.

Always using the same ammo, HST with its consistent energy, velocity and penetration, enables me whether short range point shooting or further distance sight shooting,to print on target within lethal zones.

The cost for HST is not of consideration to me. Its effectiveness for life protection is reason for choosing it.

Last edited by carbuff; 08-10-2017 at 12:21 PM.
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Old 08-10-2017, 01:11 PM
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147 grain hst is what you want.

Cost is not a factor as it is less than $20 per 50 from bonefroggunclub.com
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Old 08-10-2017, 01:30 PM
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I carry 150gr HST (Micro) in my 9mm Shield, for the same reason you carried heavy for caliber in your 38's and 357's. Penetration.

Also, it has noticeably less recoil and muzzle flash than its 147gr brother.
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Old 08-10-2017, 01:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Protected One View Post
I carry 150gr HST (Micro) in my 9mm Shield, for the same reason you carried heavy for caliber in your 38's and 357's. Penetration.

Also, it has noticeably less recoil and muzzle flash than its 147gr brother.
And most Walmarts stock it, just picked some up
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