Best ammo for my Sheild 9mm, Hollow Points?

I carry 115gr or 124gr Gold Dot JHP or 124gr HST JHP, which ever is available when i go to buy more. They all are top brands and work very well in my shield.
 
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I've tested several of the popular ammo types in my Shield 9mm...

Federal HST 124g SP is what I ended up carrying for SD. I had no problems with the 147g version in SP either and would probably prefer the slightly heavier bullet just because it seems to impact almost exactly where range ammo like Federal 115g white box ball hits the target at my typical distances of 5 to 15 yards or so.... BUT... I haven't found that to be readily available in our local stores.

I have no issues with Gold dot 124g either, they shoot and seem to perform almost the same as the HST in standard pressure.

I was carrying the 135g Hornady CD rounds but all the ballistics information got me to switch to the HST mainly because I would rather have slightly less probability of over penetration and I myself desire the best possible expansion and weight retention.

I have fired a full box of several types of SD ammo, and it sure isn't cheap to do these days..... but I wanted to be SURE the ammo I carry works well in my particular pistol.

I've even fired several CCI shot shells through my Shield, and had no feed or FTE issues at all. I was surprised at that with the rather stiff spring on the Shield... I spend a LOT of my time out in the deserts and I like to carry the puny little shot shells in the top two positions on my mag since I'm apparently a rattler hater AND a poor enough shot that I would even bother with these at their best range which is about FIVE FEET or less.
I missed a rattler one time with ball ammo up fairly close and he struck at me , and HE missed TOO .... second shot got him. I've dropped at least two dozen with shot rounds the last couple years. Not as much shot in the 9mm versus a 44 spcl case, but it still works.... but ya HAVE to make sure it works in YOUR pistol. Don't ever try to use this stuff as an SD round cuz it ain't... Stick with a proven jacketed HP of your choice that works well in YOUR gun and that you have practiced with and know it's characteristics.
ALL the top popular SD ammo will do the job in a 3" barrel.
YMMV
 
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If your bullet found the BG, chances are any of the premium SD ammo would drill a nice hole and do its thing.

All I care is that the ammo feeds, ejects, and helps me keep aim on target. I'll let our LEOs carry +Ps and the experts dissect uneatable gelatin.
 
I'm curious - has anyone tried the Freedom munitions ammunition made with hornady XTP bullets? It shoots well in both the full size and compact 9mm and the price is hard to beat.

The other ammo I currently have on hand is Hornady Critical Duty. Definitely can't go wrong there.
 
I like Federal 9BP - the federal classic load with 115 gr JHP. Old standard velocity load, but with good reputation for effectiveness. And it seems to feed in any pistol that feeds ball ammo. Plus it is reasonably priced, especially in 50 round boxes, so you can afford to shoot some to get used to it and assure function.

I do not like to cycle my carry ammo much and put rounds that have been up the ramp a few times in practice bin. This can get expensive with rounds costing a dollar each or more.

SG ammo generally handles. Out of stock now but might want to get on notification list. Links to case and individual box prices.

http://www.sgammo.com/product/feder...lassic-hi-shok-115-grain-jhp-hollow-point-9bp

Link to box price when available

http://www.sgammo.com/product/feder...lassic-hi-shok-115-grain-jhp-hollow-point-9bp
 
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Watch shootingthebull410 on YouTube.

The 124gr standard pressure federal HST performed awesome through a 3" barreled gun.

He tested a bunch of different 9mm loads in the same fashion and the HST performed the best.
 
Winchester Ranger T-Series, 124Gr +P, RA9124TP.

I use the same T Series in .45 ACP, RA45TP, 230 GR +P.

Fairly hard to find from time to time however I'm settled on both.

Best.
 
+1 Speer gold dots. Low flash, accurate, reliable and a lot of places sell them. The 115g and 124g +p function flawlessly in my shield.
 
sipowicz said:
Our dept has authorized the Shield and out duty ammo is Ranger 147 RA9t. I have never had a problem with this ammo in any 9mm I have tested it in including my M&P, 92f, P35 and P2000. Not telling you what to use, just telling you this stuff is pretty consistent.
Click to expand...

While I was still active, our department used the 147 gr "Black Talon/XST/Ranger" type rounds in the 9mm. Our duty pistol was the S&W 5906, off duty was 3913. This was in the mid-1990s. Back then seems like the heavier 9mm bullets were considered a bad choice by non LEO folks, but PDs apparently keep using it. I have no personal experience with the merits of ANY SD 9mm bullet weight or velocity, but it's interesting that many departments still use the 147 gr rounds in their 9mm pistols. I assume there is a reason. I was told once that it was used (by PDs) for shooting through doors, etc)

I just bought a M&P Shield 9mm, and it will be my EDC SD pistol. I have been doing research on recommended SD rounds and here are my conclusions so far:
1. 124 plus grains and standard velocity- no 115 or less bullets
2. HP works with 9mm (not so with the 380 I WAS considering)
3. Seems like Fed, Speer, Win, and Rem all make a 9mm round that is tailored toward SD use, and I suspect they are all very good at what they do.
4. The old adage remains: carry the same round you use to train. (Man, that get's expensive when you're buying your own ammo!) So I am gong to try to determine what "cheap, training" 9mm round prints as close as possible to the more expensive SD rounds I find......I suspect that will be Win, Fed, Speer or Rem.......whichever has bullet shape and weight consistent. Any ideas there? I have just begun the search.

Thoughts?
 
I like most if not of the loads mentioned and I used them in my guns with no issues. I'm more than likely going to just go with Winchester Rangers. They function flawlessly in my guns so far and For about the same price you get 25 more rounds. That means I can shoot more.

Buy in bulk online and you get a discount and makes shipping it to my door worthwhile.

From what I've seen they are good rounds. May not be the best in every ones book, but I haven't seen anything to suggest they are terrible self defense rounds.
 
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Ammo For 9mm Shield

For EDC, I prefer Hornady Critical Defense. At 115gr. it has manageable recoil and will do the job it is expected to. For training & targets the shield easily chews up Blazer Brass, Winchester White, Magtech and Sellier & Bellot.
 
HST

I prefer to use Fed HST , Win Ranger T 115 grains

Awsome expansion from both

No +p stuff out of my compact
 
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