What self-defense round for M&P9c

mkygod · #1 08-07-2011, 10:59 PM

Unfortunately, I don't have a way of testing out different hollow-point rounds due to the rules at my local range.

Can you guys recommend me some good HP rounds that you've known to be reliable on the 9c specifically?

thaatguy · #2 08-07-2011, 11:08 PM

Hi,

I have not had the opportunity to formally introduce myself yet, but I do have a fair amount of experience testing duty ammunition in all sorts of circumstances.

Of all the 9x19 ammo that I have tested or seen tested by others, IMHO the Speer Gold Dot 124gr +p is the most reliable.

Through all sorts of different media and barriers it expands as advertised and penetrates well. I used to carry Federal HST in several weights, but I have since switched to the 124 GDs after watching them in action.

I don't buy into the "short barrel" argument unless the gun is sub 2.5 inches. Your M&Pc has a 3.5 inch bbl!

MIST · #3 08-08-2011, 12:31 AM

Agreed. I carry Speer Gold Dot 124 grain +P in my Kahr PM9. The same round is in my wifes M&P 9C. My M&P 40C is loaded with 165 grain Gold Dot.

clcdawg · #4 08-08-2011, 01:14 AM

I agree on the speer gold dot 124 gr +p it is my favorite self defense round in my m&p 9.

icemn · #5 08-08-2011, 08:30 AM

first choice is speer gdhp 124 +p as many have already said. second choice is corbon hp 115 +p.

ashecht · #6 08-08-2011, 09:05 AM

Win ranger 124 +p for me

novalty · #7 08-08-2011, 09:20 AM

I like Remington Golden Sabre's 124gr standard pressure.

chuck s · #8 08-08-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Keeping in mind that handguns generally offer poor incapacitation potential, bullets with effective terminal performance are available in all of the most commonly used duty pistol calibers—pick the one that you shoot most accurately, that is most reliable in the type of pistol you choose, and best suits you likely engagement scenarios.

The following loads all demonstrate outstanding terminal performance and can be considered acceptable for duty/self-defense use:

9 mm:
Barnes XPB 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)

.40 S&W:
Barnes XPB 155 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Speer Gold Dot 155 gr JHP
Federal Tactical 165 gr JHP (LE40T3)
Winchester Ranger-T 165 gr JHP (RA40TA)
Winchester Partition Gold 165 gr JHP (RA401P)
Federal HST 180 gr JHP (P40HST1)
Federal Tactical 180 gr JHP (LE40T1)
Remington Golden Saber 180 gr JHP (GS40SWB)
Speer Gold Dot 180 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 180 gr JHP (RA40T)
Winchester 180 gr bonded JHP (RA40B/Q4355/S40SWPDB1)

.45 ACP:
Barnes XPB 185 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal HST 230 gr JHP (P45HST2)
Federal HST 230 gr +P JHP (P45HST1)
Federal Tactical 230 gr JHP (LE45T1)
Speer Gold Dot 230 gr JHP
Speer Gold Dot 230 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr JHP (RA45T)
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr +P JHP (RA45TP)

Notes:
-- Obviously, clone loads using the same bullet at the same velocity work equally well (ie. Black Hills ammo using Gold Dot bullets, Corbon loads using Barnes XPB bullets, etc…)

-- Bullet designs like the Silver Tip, Hydra-Shok, and Black Talon were state of the art 15 or 20 years ago. These older bullets tend to plug up and act like FMJ projectiles when shot through heavy clothing; they also often have significant degradation in terminal performance after first passing through intermediate barriers. Modern ammunition which has been designed for robust expansion against clothing and intermediate barriers is significantly superior to the older designs. The bullets in the Federal Classic and Hydrashok line are outperformed by other ATK products such as the Federal Tactical and HST, as well as the Speer Gold Dot; likewise Winchester Ranger Talons are far superior to the old Black Talons or civilian SXT's.

(Dr Roberts ballistic data.)

-- Chuck

Cervantes2010 · #9 08-08-2011, 11:34 PM

124 Speer Gold Dot in my m&p 9c

Skip

remat457 · #10 08-09-2011, 01:19 AM

For me what is important is being able to hit with it and that boils down to what is available locally either in quantity or continuously.

I carry Winchester 147gr Rangers. I like heavier bullets in general but them seem to more available locally at fair prices. Before that I had Hornady 147gr XTP TAP.

I second the Speer 124+P but I can never find enough it, or at under $1/shot...

agksimon · #11 08-09-2011, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaatguy

Hi,

I have not had the opportunity to formally introduce myself yet, but I do have a fair amount of experience testing duty ammunition in all sorts of circumstances.

Of all the 9x19 ammo that I have tested or seen tested by others, IMHO the Speer Gold Dot 124gr +p is the most reliable.

Through all sorts of different media and barriers it expands as advertised and penetrates well. I used to carry Federal HST in several weights, but I have since switched to the 124 GDs after watching them in action.

I don't buy into the "short barrel" argument unless the gun is sub 2.5 inches. Your M&Pc has a 3.5 inch bbl!

I totally agree with this posting and carry these in my M&P9c. The Gold Dot has a bonded core, so if for some reason, you have to shoot through a windshield, the jacket won't separate from the core and retains full weight.

kd4gij · #12 08-09-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkygod

Unfortunately, I don't have a way of testing out different hollow-point rounds due to the rules at my local range.

Can you guys recommend me some good HP rounds that you've known to be reliable on the 9c specifically?

I would find a differnt range. If you are going to carry HP you need to practis with them and see if thay shoot relyable in your gun. ALL GUNS ARE DIFFERENT. Now if HP's are illigel in your state you should probly not use them anyway!

09roadking · #13 08-09-2011, 03:55 PM

Hornady critical defense is what I use

Bicky Robby · #14 08-09-2011, 04:41 PM

124 gr CorBon DPX

D Rock · #15 08-10-2011, 05:06 PM

Remington Golden Saber +P 124g or Fiocchi Extema 124g XTPHP.

I can't find Speer Gold Dots very often. Definitely not at a good price.

The Fiocchi is quality ammo, available and about half the price of Speer or Remington.

Dave

cpippen · #16 08-12-2011, 03:28 PM

124+P speer gold dots for my 9mm

mrsig · #17 08-14-2011, 10:38 AM

Anyone ever use or have an opinion on the MagTech 115 gr. +P+ ammo ? I bought a box but have not had a chance to go to the range and try it. I am told it is suppose to be pretty hot. Does anyone else make a +P+ in a little heavier load ?

Janx11 · #18 08-14-2011, 11:13 AM

I shoot Double Tap +P 115gr JHP. 1,450fps & 511 ft. lbs. from a G17. I shoot Double Tap in almost every pistol I own except for my FN Five-Seven and a couple others. You can check out comparisons of the two on YouTube. My 10mm ammo from them gained almost 200 ft. lbs. over the HST's I was shooting, and they make a bigger wound cavity. They are $38 for 50 rounds, which is pricey to me, but after I research ammo and pick one, I usually shoot a full box through it just to make sure everything's good, then i'll load up a couple mags with it. 90% of the time I shoot FMJ's because i'm just shooting at cans or some kind of target. Double Tap, Buffalo Bore, Elite Ammunition, and Georgia Arms.

marshallartist · #19 08-24-2011, 10:01 AM

Mine really liked the Winchester DPX1 124gr +P and Speer GD 124 +P and standard pressure. I tried a few rounds of Federal 9PBLE (115gr. +P+) and it was fine except for the ball of flame at the end of the barrel that accompanied it. So I chose the DPX1 because it was locally available at Walmart as well as several LGS' (Local Gun Shops). My second choice was the standard pressure Gold Dot 124's again because they were available over the counter at a number of LGS'.

I have noticed that my Walmart is now carrying the DPX1 147gr but I never had a chance to test it before I traded up to a M&P45.

BudMan5 · #20 08-24-2011, 10:10 AM

Speer Gold dots (124g) in my PM9 and in my M&P 9 fs