9mm Defense Ammo.

[jimmyj]

Looking for a recommend load for a 9mm.
1. Speers Gold Dot
2. Winchester Ranger
3. ??

 

[loc n load]

Looking for a recommend load for a 9mm.
1. Speers Gold Dot
2. Winchester Ranger
3. ??

I would add: Federal HST, Hornady Critical duty and Hornady Critical Defense.

 

[URIT]

Your firearm matters in the final decision, but if it's a 3.5" then I suggest you look at Lucky Gunner ballistic test results.

 

[Cphobes]

Federal HST seems to perform very well in most 9mm. There’s a boat load of ballistic testing on YouTube. Bonus is that is cheaper than most at nearly $0.50/rd and easily sourced online.

Ultimately you need to try it in your pistol to ensure it runs reliably.

I used to use Speer good dots but it locked up my 9EZ so switched to HST for all my 9mm pistols. No issues in any of them and is very accurate.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Federal 9BP is a long-time defense standard round but newer designs might be better...but probably only marginally. Winchester Silvertip is also a very viable round for the purpose.

Bullet technology is alway improving...what's the best today might be an also-ran next year. Most are quite good...and the real world differences are usually pretty minor. It all depends on shot placement and tactics. Find the round your gun likes and you can best control under stress.

 

[sceva]

I would say the tried and true go to rounds are the Speer Gold Dot or the Federal HST. I prefer 124 grain and I have the Gold Dots myself.

 

[jasonfreeland]

Never had an issue with a Speer Gold Dot and they gel test well. At one point I think the FBI was using them, but I vaguely recall them switching to Hornady. I mainly based it on which rounds feed right in my AK-V. I wanted to use the same defensive ammo between all my 9mm guns and the Speer never had a malfunction.

 

[Oldsalt66]

When I carry 9mm I carry 147 grain HST, but I don't believe an assailant will be able to distinguish between any of the accepted, bona fide, duty/service loadings if struck by any of them.

Depth of penetration through soft tissue and bone is determined by momentum rather than energy, and the law of momentum favors heavier projectiles.

 

[pharmer]

I have been carrying Federal124 gr HST for 20 years. Feeds well, full power and reasonably priced.

Federal Premium Law Enforcement HST 9mm Luger Ammunition 124 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point - P9HST1

Federal Premium Law Enforcement HST 9mm Luger Ammunition 124 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point - P9HST1 at Target Sports USA with free shipping available.|^||^|

www.targetsportsusa.com

Joe

 

[375hh1973]

Another vote for the 124gr +p HST

 

[rwsmith]

I like Federal HST and Remington Golden Sabers. Sig V-Crown is pretty good but I use it in .380 ACP but not 9mm. I would use it if my common choices aren't available.

 

[Onomea]

No expert here, but I carry Hornady Critical Defense. I like it because, unlike Hornady Critical Duty, while it will go through a heavy coat, it will not go through walls. My thinking is if I shoot in self sefense, I will be shooting directly at my assailant, and while I hope I am accurate, I want to mitigate possible injury to bystanders.

If I were a LEO, I think I would carry Hornady Critical Duty or similar, based on the assumption that I might need to shoot through barriers to stop BGs.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Hard to beat the HSTs. Buffalo Bore & Underwood have some excellent 9mm choices. The Lehigh bullets are also available if you choose to reload...?

Cheers!

 

[stansdds]

Federal HST may well be the best in 9mm. Many prefer the 124 grain HST, but I like the 147 grain HST standard pressure load.

 

[MetalMan]

I've just recently purchased my first 9mm - Sig P365 w/manual safety - and also purchased a box of Federal HST 124 grain based on LGS recommendation.

Unfortunately, haven't yet had the chance to put the P365 through its paces but, from what I'm reading in this thread, it sounds like the LGS made the right call here.

 

[Michaelp57]

Can agree on HSTs. That said, the underwood extreme defender is an excellent choice as well, provided it will feed in your chosen firearm.

 

[Racer X]

Federal 9BP is a long-time defense standard round but newer designs might be better...but probably only marginally. Winchester Silvertip is also a very viable round for the purpose.

Bullet technology is alway improving...what's the best today might be an also-ran next year. Most are quite good...and the real world differences are usually pretty minor. It all depends on shot placement and tactics. Find the round your gun likes and you can best control under stress.

The 9BPLE is the +P+ version, fwiw.

 

[GerSan69]

Hi Jimmy, the job issued Gold Dots in all of the approved calibers. Right off the top of my head, I don't recall the bullet weight but I probably have it written down somewhere. Even after retirement, I've continued to use Gold Dots for my carry ammunition in all the calibers I have, including .44 Special. Never a hiccup in my semi-autos or revolvers.

 

[oldbbb]

Because I do carry a short barrel, I use Sellier & Bellot XRG Defense 9mm Luger 100 gr Lead-Free in the summer and Federal S9SJT2 Syntech Defense Segmented Jacketed Hollow Point 138 gr in the winter.

 

[walkin' trails]

I used to have to carry whatever a law enforcement agency authorized that mirrored what the FBI blessed. Now in retirement, I don’t go looking for stuff that will meet all the barrier penetration they look for. I started with 124 grain +p Gold Dots, bought the same in HST when I couldn’t find Gold Dot, have acquired Hornady Critical Duty 135 +p, but have recently backed down to 115 grain Gold Dot standard pressure. Arthritis and a micro 9 and +p ammo don’t all go together. Additionally, my micro won’t necessarily take the beating of a Glock 19 despite what others claim. Anyway, first and foremost, the ammo you use must shoot point of aim and you should be able to handle the recoil impulse in whatever you are carrying. FWIW, I’ve found the Critical Duty 135 +p’s recoil to be less than the +p Gold Dots or HST. On the other hand, I’ve heard the CD doesn’t necessarily get up enough velocity to perform out of a three inch barrel, I.e. Sig P365.