self defense reload for 9mm 1911

[walter o]

I have several 1911 in 9mm and am going to reload some self defense rounds for them .I could use some help in what direction to go with as far as bullet type and powder to get a reliable cartridge for feed and function in an 1911

 

[mikld]

There are many good SD bullets for 9mm on the market today. I use Hornady XTP, Gold Dots, Nosler JHP, and maybe a couple more I forgot. I chose 124-125 grain bullets (I started my reloading with 124 gr 9mm because that is what the original 9mms used and developed some good loads), but many choose 115 gr. JHPs. For powders I use several including Titrgroup, W231, Unique, Universal and CFE Pistol. My handloads with Gold Dots/CFE Pistol run about 1100-1200 fps from my FMX and a hair higher from my Masada. Use data right out of your manual and don't forget the plunk test.

I don't quote powder charges/data in forums mainly because my Rule #1 which I also suggest to newer reloaders; I pay little attention to any load data I see on any forum or Pet Loads website, hear at the range, from a gun counter clerk, good intended friend, or gun shop guru. I get 98% of my data from published manuals and a few from powder distributor/manufacturers' websites. One reason I suggest this to new reloaders is their "BS Meter" isn't developed and they can't tell reliable data from "Primitive Pete's Reloading Special" data. I'm sure you will get exacting powder charges in posts following and use any at your own risk (I don't think any will purposely post bad load data, but faux pas happen often). I started reloading pre-web, in 1969 and using data, first from my Lee Load data sheet to my published manuals I have had one squib and no Kabooms...

Go slow. Double check everything. Most important, have fun...

 

[bigggbbruce]

I like 115gr GDHP and H-6.. YMMV..

 

[walter o]

Thanks for a direction to start in ,and advise

 

[max]

Make sure your bullet will feed in your gun. I have some that will feed in my Sigs, but not Smiths. Most HP's that have a sort of round nose look to them will work.

 

[mikerjf]

I just started 9mm myself, so no expert. But in a lot of reading I get the impression that one thing to be careful of is the COAL (Cartridge OverAll Length) you load to.

Different lengths may work better or worse in different guns. You have to be sure you aren't too long, as the cartridge may be too long for the magazine or the nose may hit the start of the rifling in the chamber. So be sure they work in your magazine, and the "plunk test" is important - be sure it "plunks" in your chamber, and also drops out freely.

This is important because you don't want to be too short - that can cause pressure to go up, and in a 9mm with its small case and normally high pressure, there's less margin for error.

Usually proper load data will include a "minimum COAL", you want to use calipers and be sure you are longer than that. Since bullets are different shapes and some have longer noses than others, that means you want to find load data for the specific bullet you are using, so the COAL will apply to that bullet.

 

[H Richard]

The O.A.L. can be critical, and needs to be watched. The interior space of a 9mm case is very small, and if the projectile is seated too deep the pressures can escalate rapidly. A change of mfg. from one 124 to a different 124 needs to be worked up separately as nose dimensions could be different enough to cause it to seat deeper or shallower, and alter the ballistics. Find your preferred bullet and stay with it, and check the OAL often.

 

[Squarebutt]

I reload several calibers, including 9 mm., but for defensive use I carry Speer Gold Dot 124 gr.+P. To try to reload a bunch of shells to the +P level is to walk a tightrope between not enough and too much power. The Speer rounds, Winchester Ranger and other quality ammo isn't all that expensive in 9 mm.
But if you prefer to load your own, that's great. I've used Accurate #7 and Unique under 124 gr. FMJ and HP bullets for semi-warm 9mm. loads.

 

[Univibe]

Use a light taper crimp.

 

[chief38]

The O.A.L. can be critical, and needs to be watched. The interior space of a 9mm case is very small, and if the projectile is seated too deep the pressures can escalate rapidly. A change of mfg. from one 124 to a different 124 needs to be worked up separately as nose dimensions could be different enough to cause it to seat deeper or shallower, and alter the ballistics. Find your preferred bullet and stay with it, and check the OAL often.

I agree ! I have both 9mm Speer GDHP and 9mm Federal HST - both in 124 grains. Bullet designs are very similar however the Speer version is .020" longer and is sometimes a little finicky in some guns. The HST NEVER fails to feed properly, so even though it's just .020" shorter it makes a huge reliability difference. OAL is VERY important when reloading (and in Factory also)

H Richard is spot on - find a load that is totally reliable, accurate, powerful and works properly in it's application. Then, stay with it.

That said, for PC courtroom reasons, I would not use reloaded ammo for SD/HD - but that's just me. There is now enough really great 9mm ammo out there that using reloads is unnecessary and sometimes detrimental. If you want to duplicate your carry load and practice with it - great, but to buy a few boxes for EDC isn't a major expense and just might save your hide in court one day. Just my .02 cents.......

 

[scooter123]

I use a 147 grain Speer Gold Dot over a charge of Vihtavouri 3N37. Note, these are backups to the 147 grain Federal HST commercial load, a real favorite of many police departments.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Two loads I've tried and that work well in both my LC9 and EMP4 is a 115XTP Hornady with 6.7 grains of Power Pistol, and a 124XTP Hornady with 8 grains of Accurate #7. I prefer the 115 and PP, but the XTP's feed well in my pistols at 1.070" COL.

 

[Nevada Ed]

For my 9mm pistols I ended up with the Speer 125 Gold Dot and the Federal 147 HST factory loads after testing several types for function and POA.

The GD did not do well at 1.08" OAL and it needed 1.12" OAL to feed and eject with my test powders.
The HST needed 1.13"OAL to work in all my 9 mm's.

However the Berry JHP can be seated to 1.075" OAL for practice loads and the "Ball" FMJ type bullet in 125 grs can be as long as 1.165" OAL for light target load with Bullseye at only 945fps in a 3.5" barrel.......
for my weapons.

Finding the correct bullet weight is one of the 1st things you need to find out for the best ammo for your weapon.
Have fun.

 

[mikld]

Make sure your bullet will feed in your gun. I have some that will feed in my Sigs, but not Smiths. Most HP's that have a sort of round nose look to them will work.

Yep, and check with a plunk test. I now have 4, 9mm pistols and the plunk test in one worked for the others, except my new gun. Got a new pistol and first range trip I discovered my "Just in Case" ammo didn't work in my new Masada. My JIC ammo is my standard load I keep on hand for emergencies, grab and go. I have about 1,000 rounds sitting next to my 9mm Ruger. Checking my ammo I discovered the Masada chamber is a hair short for the particular bullet in my JIC ammo...