What is a good self defense round for a 9mm J frame revolver?

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otis

Hi Otis,

I'm carrying Federal HST 124gr +P in my 940-1. I recently chronographed the load in the 940 and got 1151 fps average of five shots. Energy translates to 365 ft-lbs. It's snappy in the 940, but controllable.

You can try the 124 or 115 Speer gold dot in Standard loads.

If they don't do well, you can always try the +P ammo.

Good luck.

With the 940, you don't have to worry about feeding but you may have to worry about extraction - may be sticky with hotter loads.

So I would try several different expanding bullet 9 mm loads and find the one you and the gun like. Fortunately the Great Ammo Shortage Of The 2020 Decade is on pause for now and you can actually find...Gold Dot. Critical Duty/Defense. HST.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

My first picks for 9mm would be Federal's HST or Speer's Gold Dot. I'm no longer a huge fan of 115 grain bullets in the 9mm. With modern JHP bullets, I prefer 124 or 147 grain loads.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

As noted, extraction can be sticky with many loads. I am inclined to use standard duty ammo from Dr. Roberts' list for auto pistols in that caliber; I have but rarely carry a 940 and a customized .45 ACP revolver. I use the same ammo I like in the various platforms.

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NHI, 10-8.

The no-dash 940 was not approved for +P (big whoop, but it matters to some folks) and was a lot more likely to have those extraction issues than the +P-allowed dash-ones. (I ran RA9TA 127-gr +P+ in my no-dash and lived to tell about it, but would never encourage you to violate what the factory says. )

That said, what you want to do is look for a modern defensive hollow point loading that delivers velocity and accuracy from your gun (all guns are a law unto themselves). Given the Mothership caveat against +P ammo, I'd consider SIG-Sauer's superb 115- or 125-gr Elite V-Crown loadings - just the standard pressure ones - that have delivered a lot of velocity and great accuracy from a number of my smaller guns. You're looking at a cylinder-plus-barrel (minus gap) length of under 4", but I'd bet you that you'd be perfectly happy with the accuracy and power delivered by either of the standard pressure V-Crown loadings. (I'd avoid the P365 standard pressure 115-gr V-Crown, which is less juicy.)

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Now go make God proud...

I use the HST +P because it's what I use in all my 9mm semis, and I don't want to get something special for the 940. I haven't polished the chambers yet, which should get rid of the sticky case issues.

Exactly the same as if you were shooting it in an automatic!

My first choices would be any +P Federal 124 gr. HST or Hydra-Shok. There is nothing wrong with any of the first quality +P loads from among Hornady or Speer selections either. Pick any of these, you will never know the difference among any of them!

+P loads are not proof loads, not even close!!! There is nothing about +P in any caliber that will harm any firearm in good condition. They will cause slightly faster wear to the gun, but not catastrophic failure! That said there is absolutely no reason to shoot +P ammunition exclusively. The additional expense cannot be justified.

Shoot standard pressure for the most part and carry the gun loaded with +P for the added performance, every little bit extra helps in serious social situations!

I use the same ammo in my 940 as I do my autos. Any 9mm defense ammo will work as intended; I prefer Gold Dot, but am content with any top tier HP.

Attached Images

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213th FBINA

My 940 no dash has been shooting +P+ just fine for years. I don't bother with factory loaded ammo but Power Pistol (still available locally for $64.95 a pound) has been the powder of choice and there are no extraction issues. My 940 also shoots cast bullets very well, especially the 158 gr. SWC run through the Lee .356" push through sizing die.

It doesn't matter any of the big brand names or of course there is the WiZ Bang Acme Super Plus ammo,
Shot Placement is what matters

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Still Running Against the Wind

100% agree. A 940 is an up close and personal type of defensive carry revolver. I am not even sure I would be worried about hardball ammo in it. If you are planning on using it past say 10 yards, you would be better off carrying something bigger, Just sayin

Winchester 147 JHP.

Just for kicks, here are some velocities from my 2.25" SP101 - the Golden Saber and Ranger grouped well in that gun:
(5980'>sea level, c. 65 degrees F, c. 15% humid)
S&B 124-gr ball - M 1085 fps/spread 20.33/deviation 8.36
Remington Golden Saber 124-gr +P BJHP bonded M 1174/S 28.40/D 12.24
Winchester Ranger 127-gr +P+ RA9TA M 1249/S 34.06/D 14.10
Speer Gold Dot 147-gr JHP M 954.9/S 33.92/D 13.41
Federal 115-gr +P JHP 9BPLE M 1246/S 42.60/D 17.80

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Now go make God proud...

Thinking I will go with something 124gr or 147gr. Found some Honey Badger ammo locally. Going to check that out.

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otis

My former dept’s street ammo is the Federal Premium LE 147 grain hollow point for the Glock 19 duty weapon. Fortunately they have very few OIS so I’m not sure how well it works.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

My 940 is one of those that often displays very sticky extraction with most anything warmer than standard pressure ammo. I'd much prefer using something like the Federal 124+P HST or Winchester 127+P+, but I've settled for the venerable standard pressure Federal "9BP" with the old tec 115 JHP. This, just because it extracts easily, and that is what I happened to have in stock.

Just due to ballistic curiosity, I have chronographed the standard pressure Federal 9BP and some of the warmer 9mm in the 2" 940:
The Federal 9BP 115 JHP averaged 1013 FPS
The Federal HST 124+P averaged 1195 FPS.
The Federal 9BPLE 115+P+ averaged 1213 FPS.
The Winchester 127+P+ averaged 1190 FPS.

None of the higher pressure stuff causes the 940's cylinder to bind, but extraction is a "whole nuther thing". My Ruger SP101 and LCRX both handle any of the higher pressure stuff without issue. Cases extract quite easily from both of these.

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

Mine was like yours, amigo. I used to have a little circle cut on the heel of my hand most of the time. There were times (Blazer aluminum stuff - and I shot 2k of it!) that I just got used to whacking the ejector rod with the handle of the demooner tool someone gave me (I'm more of a homemade demooner kinda guy - ask my 625-3).

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Now go make God proud...

I forgot that I had a box of Hornady 147gr XTPs. That’s what I will stoke her with!

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otis