Shield 9mm Best Ammo for EDC??

Reggie TisFree

Reggie TisFree

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Hey Guys,

I am newbie to the S&W family, yet I did tons of empirical research and had friends who help sell me on the product.
I purchased a S&W Shield 9mm recently and already had ammo from my CANIK TP9SF.
Been shooting it regularly out in the country @ my Pops house.
Using Winchester 124 NATO & LUGER the gun performs flawless!

I have pumped a few mags of Gold Dots & Federal Tactical HST also, all cycled well and recoil was no problem. Decent groups at 8 yds & 15.
I actually shoots a tad smoother than my CANIK!

Here is a sample of what I have for EDC defense, what do you think would be best for my EDC situations in my Shield??

Appreciate the feedback in advance,

Reggie

1. Hornady Critical Duty +P 135 gr FlexLock
2. Hornady Critical Duty +P 124 gr FlexLock
3. Federal Hydra-Shok 135 gr
4. Speer Gold Dots +P 124 gr JHP
5. Federal Tactical HST 124 gr JHP
6. Federal Premium HST 147gr. JHP
7. Remington GOLDEN SABER 124 gr BJHP
8. Personal Defense Hydra•Shok 124 gr Luger
9. Speer Gold Dots 147 JHP
 
As said above, I would go with HST for short barrels or Hornady Critical Defense.

Hornady Critical Duty is made for barrel 4inches or longer
Critical Defense is for shorter barrels.

That said, either will work.

Personally Im not volunteering to be shot with any of the rounds you mentioned. I prefer heaver bullets either 124-147.

After I have my weight, I usually stick with Speer, Winchester then Federal/hornady. If I have those available to me.
 
I carried 124gr HST or Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P in my Shield and that’s what I carry in my S&W 9mm EZ now.
Just my 2 cents.

Be SAFE and Shoot Often. (Maybe not so often with the price of ammo).
Like you, I shoot Winchester 124gr NATO ammo for practice. Before all
the crazy price increases I paid $9/box.
 
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Welcome! You are fortunate to have found a nice CCW gun and wise to have stocked up on ammunition. :)

I don't think you have to worry much in choosing any round you have. If one is 100% reliable and prints close to the sights I would opt for that one. It would be nice if that choice is the one you have in the largest number of rounds also; it may be a while before you can find any of your stash again at any price.
 
All the rounds you mention look good, although the Hydra-Shoks are old technology. Before the Great Ammo Panic, I would have advised you to choose a round that your Shield could fire at least 100 consecutive times without a failure of any kind. Unless you have a huge stash of the self-defense rounds you listed, that advice is no longer practical, but shoot as many as you can.

From my own experience with my ammo-picky 1.0 Shield 9, I have found two of the rounds you listed to be highly reliable. My Shield has fired 387 rounds of Hornady Critical Duty 135g +P without a single failure. It has also fired 225 rounds of Federal HST 147g without a single failure. I carry the Critical Duty 135g +P rounds, but I would not hesitate to carry the HST 147g if I needed to. Reliability is the most important factor with a self-defense round, but don't just take my word for the most reliable round, choose the round that is the most reliable in your Shield.

Here are two good sources of info about self-defense rounds:

Service Caliber Handgun Duty and Self-Defense Ammo

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/

Good Luck and Good Shooting!
 
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Reggie, check the loads you have on hand against the Lucky Gunner tests that swsig gave the link to.
You'll find that the various HST loads and the Gold Dots give more consistent expansion while still getting good penetration, than the other loads you listed, certainly better than the Hydra Shoks.

As far as weights, the heavier 147's will impact higher on the target than the lighter weight loads.
Depending on your particular gun, that might or might not be a bad thing.

My .40 Shield that I put a 9mm conversion barrel in would shoot way low with 115 or 124 grain. It did best with 147 grain.
My FS 5 inch does best with 115 grain, heavier loads shoot high.

Think of changing grain weight as having an adjustable front sight, it will get you closer to your aiming point.
 
HST in any variety is great, my preference is 124 over 147, don't feel the +p is needed, it still performs well, but the extra recoil isn't work it imo. The short barrel stuff is good to, but due to higher price per round during normal times, I don't use it as I like to practice a few times a year with my carry ammo, and keep a decent stockpile.

Gold dots and golden sabers are pretty good as well.

I'm not certain how those specific Hornady loads performed, but last I looked pretty much everything they made was good, but not the best in most calibers.

The classic hydra shocks are probably the worst on the list since they are probably the oldest design on the list. The hydra shock "deep" line I think is new, and seems promising, but I'm not super knowledgeable about it yet.
 
Seldon...........sounds like you are right on track with things. Don't completely dismiss
the use of Plus P. When I worked behind a badge and when carrying 9mm I often carried
Golden Saber plus P. You will not notice the recoil as an issue. Hornady has some good
offerings in their Critical Defense and Critical Duty line.
When I owned a Shield I even carried Winchester White Box 147 gr. and it ran pretty well.
I don't recall ever having any problems with ANY brand of ammo with the Shield version 1. that I had. My 83 year old arthritis hands gave up and I now carry a 38+p Airweight.
Good luck and stay safe.
 
Wow! This certainly displays the power of networking amongst individuals with greater expertise and simply asking questions. I'm thinking based on YouTube Video's and tons of reviews that the Hydra-Shoks were some formidable rounds!
Seems like they have a "Cult like" following in some places.
Shouldn't have any problem selling them, if they're a total bust.

Hmm...LOL

I really appreciate the info, wise council, and recommendations guys!
 
JAREDSHS said:
Seldon...........sounds like you are right on track with things. Don't completely dismiss
the use of Plus P. When I worked behind a badge and when carrying 9mm I often carried
Golden Saber plus P. You will not notice the recoil as an issue. Hornady has some good
offerings in their Critical Defense and Critical Duty line.
When I owned a Shield I even carried Winchester White Box 147 gr. and it ran pretty well.
I don't recall ever having any problems with ANY brand of ammo with the Shield version 1. that I had. My 83 year old arthritis hands gave up and I now carry a 38+p Airweight.
Good luck and stay safe.
Click to expand...

The big gain for +p imo is better barrier penetration. That is something I could see wanting as a Leo, not so much for personal protection.
 
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