1st time gun owner

[davecarries]

I got the M&P Shield 9mm for CC and I'm ready to get out and learn how to use it. I've been reading up on the different types of ammo available. I have to admit I'm unsure what brand to buy because there are so many to choose from. What you you folks suggest I start with?

 

[federali]

They're all Good

Any of the major brands of ammo will do just fine for self defense. You may also consider some less expensive practice ammo that sells for less, not because of lower quality but because they may use non-reloadable aluminum cases rather than brass and they use full metal jacket bullets which are less expensive to make than jacketed hollow-points.

But, self defense does not begin and end with a gun. You must understand and master the interrelationship between mindset, judgment, tactics, marksmanship and firearm should that day ever come when you're called upon to defend yourself.

 

[Aldonola]

+1 on the above comments. FWIW I shoot 115 gr jhp fro Sig Sauer in my Shield and it works great. Obviously YMMV and you need to shoot it until you are ready to trust your life to it. I shoot at least 1 mag of it per month.
There is a wealth of info online. You might check out Active Self Protection with John Correira to learn about self defense scenarios. Welcome to the shooting community.


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[Ranger17]

Hi OP, welcome aboard.
For range ammo in my asst MP 9's i use mostly Blazer Brass and Remington UMC all in 115fmj. Though i cant use the Blazer in my PC Shield. Have also used Herters from cabelas. Zero issues and for me similar feel and accuracy among those examples. I tend to stick with 115 mainly as it is usually the most economical. I like to run a lot of rounds at the range. So far for sd rounds i have been using Hornady also in 115.
Now when i train to carry i may alter my rounds somewhat but the above has served me well so far.
I would suggest practice and practice some more along with a good education in both fundamentals and defensive needs.

 

[scribbly1]

Lots and lots of ammo to choose from. I tend to stay with Federal HST 124gr ammo for self defense.

As for range ammo any full metal jacket ammo from your local gun store or big box store should do fine in the shield but I usually stay with brass case ammo for the most part. Blazer is pretty cheap and cycles well.

Good luck and welcome to the world of gun ownership. It is a lot of fun but take the responsibility of safe, logical gun ownership seriously. We, the responsible ones, are the only thing keeping our rights from being stripped as more and more idiots make all gun owners seem like mad men/women


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[kenv1950]

Welcome and beware , the addiction starts with the first gun

 

[Targets Guy]

Just take your time and try them out. I've had my Shield 9mm for just over a year and still have not settled on one in particular. I have learned I like the 124 grain over the 115 grain.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[DocB]

Wow, a first time gun owner. I was a first time gun owner once. Back when I was 12. Hard to even remember.

 

[Crmcdm]

So i am about a year and a half ahead of you on the same journey. Shield first gun....then came the full size, the the
22 Compact, built thr AR, then the second, and most recently the Stoeger MK3 shotgun
...yeah, kind of addictive. Join a club, practice much, take some training. I did a MAG40 class- well worth it! Practice Ammo: I have had terrific experience with Freedom Munitions online, both new and reloaded. Defense: I carry Hornady Critical Defense. Enjoy!

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[swsig]

Welcome to the Forum! My Shield 9mm functions well on most any major brand ammo, with the exception of Winchester NATO. For my practice rounds, I have settled on Speer Lawman 124g. They are affordable, accurate and reliable.

My Shield has been pickier about self-defense (hollow point) rounds. My standard is that it must fire a minimum of 100 consecutive problem-free rounds of self-defense ammo before I will carry them. I've done extensive testing with my Shield (fun, but expensive), and the two rounds that have met that standard are Speer Gold Dot 124g +P, and Hornady Critical Duty 135g +P. Your Shield may vary, however, so I strongly suggest that you conduct your own tests of self-defense rounds.

Good Luck!

 

[FLS&W]

Congrats and get ready to buy more. DAMHIKT.

For my Shield 9 I use Speer Gold Dot 124gr GDHP. But Federal 124gr HST are also good. I use the 147gr HST on my double stacks. For target I use new brass Federal 115gr FMJ but you can also use the 124gr FMJ if you choose. I don't reload my ammo so I buy new brass ammo.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Federali said what I would have said.

Don't obess over ammo selection (yet). Basic marksmanship skills first, then quality defensive oriented training.

 

[Bonephish]

For 9mm SD, I buy Hornady Critical Duty 135gr Flexlock. For the range, I buy CCI Blazer Brass 124gr FMJ. I don't run steel or aluminum in my handguns.

 

[fdw]

Out of all the M&Ps I've owned I only had one malfunction and that was the first day I took my FS out. Since then and 1000s of rounds all has been well so for practice....

I'd say shoot what you can buy the cheapest.

For carry, I like Federal HST 115 or 124. Try um, you'll like um...

PS- I also like Speer Gold Dots...

 

[gwpercle]

For a first time gun owner, get some instruction on the basic's. Every range has instructor's that can teach you the basic's safely.
Gun accidents can happen because of simply not being familiar with how a gun works , loads , unloads and what to do with a jam.
They will have advanced lessons and Concealed Carry classes.
Find a range , join and learn .
Gary

 

[Bill In Texas]

For shooting at the range any full metal jacketed ammo would be fine.

For defending yourself or your family anything on DocGKR's list would be great. Here's the link;

Self Defense and Duty Loads...ballistics info by DocGKR

 

[patrickd]

To start I'd buy a box of Hornady Critical Defense ammo for carry ammo.
BUT, you say this is your first gun so you'll be miles ahead if you get some lessons by a pro. That money spent will pay off in spades by keeping you from starting off with bad habits, etc. Then shoot hundreds if not thousands of rounds of the cheaper FMJ training ammo and learn that pistol inside and out. Practice practice and more practice is the answer.

 

[joeintexas]

Welcome to the world of firearm ownership. It is exciting but comes with a considerable amount of learning the ins and outs of your individual firearm and your own limitations. My guess is you are the type of person that spends a proper amount of time and effort into learning anything new. If so, you will do just fine. Learn, listen, practice, practice and then practice some more. By the way, someone suggested Freedom Munitions for practice ammo, that's a good choice price wise. Winchester PDX1 hollowpoints are a decent self defense round. Good luck and welcome!!

 

[jbtrucker]

Check with the Indoor Range first if Aluminum or Metal Cased ammo is allowed.

 

[JL Murray]

Hornady Critical Defense 115gr and Federal HST 124gr, 147gr, and 150gr are popular as well as the Speer Gold Dot.