Don't own a 40 cal. Have about a dozen 9s. I like warm 124gr ball for
reliabilty and penetration.
reliabilty and penetration.
9mm and 40 S&W Loads for Self Defense?
- Thread starter okie john
- Start date
Erich
Member
No longer bother with the .40 (used to use Double Tap 165-gr JHPs, tho). In 9x19, I use Win RA9TA 127-gr +P+ in full-sized guns and Speer 124-gr +P short barrel Gold Dots in the 3" guns.
9mm: Speer 124gr Gold Dot (standard pressure)
Based on various tests available on the web, out of short barrels (e.g., 3 inches) the difference in velocity between the standard pressure 124gr and the +P 124gr appears to be negligible.
Last edited:
Erich
Member
@Goffman - hey amigo!
You know, I've seen so many shooting cases now, and I'm totally convinced that the 9 performs as well as a stopper as does the .40 for my purposes (this might be different for an LEO who may have to overcome barriers - I really can't say). Since the 9 is cheaper to practice with (so I practice more), is less touchy to reload for (I had good luck with the .40, but certainly noticed some striking signs of dramatically increasing pressure with temperature shifts near the upper end of the loadings), recoils less (so I can shoot more on target in less time), and is 1/20" thinner (more go in a magazine of a given length), well, I just think the 9x19 works out better for my uses.
I play with other calibers, but when it comes to carrying a gun as a defensive tool, it's pretty much always going to be a something in the 9mm bore range. (I've still got a couple .45s and I love loading for them (the .45 AR is my favorite round to load for) and shooting them, but I don't think they generally perform manstopper duties better than a 9, either.)
Just what I've arrived at . . . please note that I'm only answering Goffman's question here, and I'm not in any way trying to re-ignite The Caliber Wars. I trust that whatever every individual is shooting and carrying is well considered and works just right for his/her needs.
handgunner356
Member
First rule of a gunfight, bring a gun. Second, bring enough gun. But I to feel that the 9mm in compact guns works better for me. I don't see that much difference between the premium 9/40/45 rounds in short barreled guns to give up capacity and increased recoil of the larger bores. I do have 40s' and usually go with the 165gr Remington Golden Sabers in them. Likewise I use the 124gr PlusP Golden Sabers in my 9s'. The three most critical factors in stopping power are; bullet placement, bullet placement and bullet placement!
"Life's too short to shoot cheap guns!"
"Life's too short to shoot cheap guns!"
Erich
Member
Bullet-placement and adequate penetration . . . 
Jeff Lynch
Member
Winchester Supreme Elite Bonded PDX1 124g +P in my M&P 9c
Old_Salt
Member
My choice is: Federal Hydra-Shok 135gr JHP & here's why...
I love this stuff because in my experience the low recoil characteristic makes my handgun (M&P9) react nearly identical to the 115gr FMJ range ammo I practice with, this for me, is essential since I will not be suddenly surprised by a drastic change in muzzle flash, kick, and sound in the unlikely event I must fire in anger. This I think is increasing my chances of hitting my target just like I did thousands of times at the range. Don't know many people who can afford to practice regularly with +P or +P+ and have not found a handgun MFR willing to guarantee their product when using +P+ which flies in the face of the reliability that is so coveted (and should be!) in a CCW weapon. I also know plenty of CCW carriers that use (as this forum post suggests), +P & +P+ ammo which acts MUCH different than typical range ammo, and when I bring this up to them as to how they mitigate the significant difference they usually claim there is little difference making me think they may not have actually fired any of the carry ammo! (Even more frightening!), I'm not flush with cash to be able to buy unlimited rounds of anything, so economy was a consideration, If I had my choice I would carry and practice with the same exact ammo, I do regularly spend my old carry ammo and replace with new stuff to keep familiar and confident my skills will translate and thus far I have been very satisfied. Those are just my 2 cents.
I love this stuff because in my experience the low recoil characteristic makes my handgun (M&P9) react nearly identical to the 115gr FMJ range ammo I practice with, this for me, is essential since I will not be suddenly surprised by a drastic change in muzzle flash, kick, and sound in the unlikely event I must fire in anger. This I think is increasing my chances of hitting my target just like I did thousands of times at the range. Don't know many people who can afford to practice regularly with +P or +P+ and have not found a handgun MFR willing to guarantee their product when using +P+ which flies in the face of the reliability that is so coveted (and should be!) in a CCW weapon. I also know plenty of CCW carriers that use (as this forum post suggests), +P & +P+ ammo which acts MUCH different than typical range ammo, and when I bring this up to them as to how they mitigate the significant difference they usually claim there is little difference making me think they may not have actually fired any of the carry ammo! (Even more frightening!), I'm not flush with cash to be able to buy unlimited rounds of anything, so economy was a consideration, If I had my choice I would carry and practice with the same exact ammo, I do regularly spend my old carry ammo and replace with new stuff to keep familiar and confident my skills will translate and thus far I have been very satisfied. Those are just my 2 cents.
9mm - Winchester 147 gr. JHP Personal Protection (USAJHP2).
Why? Because Wally-World had their 50 rd. boxes on sale for $18.
Like Erich, I don't want to ignite caliber debates again, I'll just repete my time worn response to this question...
"There are no magic bullets in any caliber. If there were all the other ammo companies would be out of business. Ballistically, there's not a nickles worth of difference (performance wise ) in today's premium JHP ammo. So, pick what you shoot the best in your particular gun, or in my case, what I shoot best that's on sale, that works reliably in my guns."
Wally back to decent prices now? When my CCW was a 9mm ( S&W MP9c) I always bought from them. A 115 ( or 117 gr) WW jacketed HP NON +P. Very cheap ( then) accurate and I fired enough of them into old stacks of magazines and water filled milk jugs to know they would do all I needed. Sadly I had to give yp the semi auto's...even had to sell out my Kimber 45ACP collection.....but ..thats life I suppose
Erich
Member
I saw the same
to which Moondawg refers in my local Wally World the Sunday before last for $15.47/box . . . and foolishly didn't buy any because I assumed that there'd still be some around when I returned the next day. That's an accurate and very consistent round - and I'm told it's the same bullet as their heavy Silvertip but with a different color to the jacket.
Smokester653
Member
Very good opinion. I do the same in the current economic times. The only difference is that I carry the white box Winchester defense. Practice, practice and then practice some more!!!
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