147 grain ammo and the shield

[markmiela]

Took my Shield to the range and I seem to shoot the 147's better than 115 and 124 grain. With that said I am looking at the Ranger T in 147.

I have seen the ballistic tests on shootingthebull and they performed well.

So I wonder if it performs well in my Shield if it would be a good SD ammo?

 

[dcsamps]

With the short barrel of the shield (3.1"), I think 124 +P ammo would perform/expand well. I like the Gold Dots 124 +P short barrel (if you can find them).

 

[TAROMAN]

Best SD ammo is what you shoot best in your gun.
If its 147, that's the choice.

 

[SoCalDep]

I've shot a fair amount of 147gr Ranger-T through my Shield and it runs 100%. I recently switched to the 147gr Federal HST, and the gun runs perfectly with that ammo too.

When doing ballistic testing, the Ranger-T did well from a full-size M&P as well as a Beretta, but expansion was notably less consistent out of a Shield. The HST was extremely consistent from all three.

My briefest summation: The Ranger-T is a good round in 147gr 9mm but I prefer the HST and strongly prefer it in short barrel guns. In .45 both Ranger-T and HST perform exceptionally well and I would take either unless you forsee having to deal with laminated windshield glass...in that case the slight nod goes to the HST (assuming we're not talking about the bonded options that are out there).

 

[swsig]

I haven't used any Ranger ammo in my Shield 9mm, but I've shot both HST 147 and Remington Golden Saber 147. Both cycled well, but I found the Golden Sabers to be much more accurate than the HSTs. Of course there are enough idiosyncrasies between Shields so rounds that worked for me may not work for you. Much of the fun in owning a new gun is trying out different ammo, so buy a bunch of different rounds and fire 'em all.

A detailed post of my Shield ammo experience can be found here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/462682-sd-ammo-shield-9mm.html

 

[agksimon]

I use 147 grain American Eagle FMJ for range and competition ammo, for my Shield, Compact and Pro 5". For SD, I carry Federal 147 grain +P HST. My Pro, with the Apex barrel will put the HST into a 1-1.5 inch group at 25 yards, off a sandbag, if I'm careful and it's right to POA.

 

[Pointblank2U]

My Shield likes the HST in 124 and 147, both standard pressure. I decided to go with the 124 standard pressure HST since it kicks a bit less. Both have excellent track records.

 

[MyDads38]

I use the Hornady CUSTOM 147 gr. XTP in my Shield 9, very accurate and reliable in mine. My SD9VE carries the Winchester W Defend 147 gr. JHP ammo for the same reason. I prefer heavier bullet weights in my 9's for SD ammo, just my preference.

 

[markmiela]

Thanks. I would love to try hst 124 or 147 but no one has them.

 

[agksimon]

Thanks. I would love to try hst 124 or 147 but no one has them.

Federal HST 9mm 147 GR +P-500 Round Case- 2 case MAX- FLAT RATE SHIPPING! - MassAmmo.com - $12.99 Flat Rate Shipping on every order

 

[markmiela]

Thanks but by the time I have it shipped to an FFL and do a transfer fee I don't save money. I live in Connecticut and they hate me because I hunt, fish and own guns.

 

[markmiela]

I think I will hold out for Federal HST 147 when they come in.

 

[Whitwabit]

My 9mm Tanfoglio TZ-75 Series 88 4 1/2 inch barrel and my Beretta PX4 - Sub Compact both like the 147 grain bullets .. the PX-4 with its 3 inch barrel shoots POA with Winchester Defend the TZ-75 shoots about an inch high with its longer barrel both have excellent expansion with the Defend 147 grain bullet..

I tend to like the heavier rounds as I shoot the Winchester Train 180 grain in my S&W 40c with excellent results ..

With the Train and Defend your shooting the same round in both training and defense ..

 

[markmiela]

The 9mm Winchester hollow point did well in the gel test.

 

[markmiela]

I think I will still wait for the Hst. Not going to be carrying for a while yet and when they come in I'll grab a box or two. If it takes to long I will reevaluate 124 gr.

 

[pyro]

The better question to ask is, what is a bad SD round for the Shield? I would never turn down hornady, ranger, hst, gold dot, golden saber or 6 or 8 other premium rounds.

 

[agksimon]

The better question to ask is, what is a bad SD round for the Shield? I would never turn down hornady, ranger, hst, gold dot, golden saber or 6 or 8 other premium rounds.

I used to carry Hornady Critical Duty, until I read and saw two very well done expansion tests. They don't.

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data

 

[markmiela]

The better question to ask is, what is a bad SD round for the Shield? I would never turn down hornady, ranger, hst, gold dot, golden saber or 6 or 8 other premium rounds.

I would think a bad round would be an under penetrating, over penetrating or a round that separates from it jacket.

 

[Pants]

I currently carry the Winchester Train & Defend 147gr in my Shield. The Ranger T 147 grains are just as good an offering from Winchester. Check out the tests on YouTube. After that both the 124 & 147gr are phenomenal. I prefer the 147 HST, non +P.

 

[EdJG]

I used to carry Hornady Critical Duty, until I read and saw two very well done expansion tests. They don't.

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data

Thanks for the info!

Why isn't penetration results of at least 12" sufficient as most bodies are under 12" in depth. Wouldn't anything more just result in over penetration?