Hey fellas, I am new to this forum and just got my first pistol, the shield 9mm. I have been doing some research and it seems like the 124 gr seems to be the most popular choice for best ammunition to put though the shield 9mm.
Ammo for shield 9mm
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wtburnette
Member
I've run plenty of 124 gr and 115 gr through mine and it's been just fine. Shields should run either of those fine. Haven't tried 147 gr yet as I just haven't found any good deals on any.
sawlog
Member
hello. from Illinois too.
congrats on the shield, I love mine. I just run cheap 115 grain federals thru mine. 25 bucks for 100 rounds at walmart, no problems
congrats on the shield, I love mine. I just run cheap 115 grain federals thru mine. 25 bucks for 100 rounds at walmart, no problems
After doing some lengthy research, I found that one of the best SD rounds for the Shield 9mm (3" barrel) is the Federal HST 124 grain. I would have 100% confidence in this round for SD. For plinking, I just use Federal or Winchester 115 grain - works great without any problems.
Ammo Quest 9mm: Federal HST 124 grain tested: 3" barrel - YouTube
Ammo Quest 9mm: Federal HST 124 grain tested: 3" barrel - YouTube
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Hornady 115 Critical Defense works just fine in my Shield (as does Winchester PDX1). Pretty much any ammo designed for personal defense should do the job if ever called upon to do it. Try different ones and see what your particular pistol likes the best
For range use, any 115gr brass cased (I simply don't care for Euro sttel cased stuff) rounds from WM will work. Federal 100 round value packs are my favorite.
For SD, My preferred round is Speer 'LE' (law enforcement) 124gr Gold Dots. Speer LE comes in 50 round boxes and is the same as their 20 round box counterpart.
For SD, My preferred round is Speer 'LE' (law enforcement) 124gr Gold Dots. Speer LE comes in 50 round boxes and is the same as their 20 round box counterpart.
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Speer Gold Dots are good, but this review made me change to the Federal HST (for the 3" barrel Shield):
Ammo Quest 9mm: Speer Gold Dot 124 grain tested in ballistic gelatin test review - YouTube
Ammo Quest 9mm: Speer Gold Dot 124 grain tested in ballistic gelatin test review - YouTube
flgolfer29
Member
I've used lots of 115gr LRN and 124gr JHP, both good. I will try this weekend 125gr LRN and 147gr LTC. Hopefully, those will be good as well.
joe
joe
SMR
Member
I also use the Federal HST 124 standard, but I use the LE rounds. Supposed to be a little better than the standard HST.
Were you paying full attention? This test was of SGD 124gr.
He put a note at the end of the video that subsequent test of SGD 124+P did much better.
I've got even better news for you.
SGD makes ANOTHER specific offering for short barreled pistols called SGD 124+P Short Barrel. These are designed for maximum performance shot from a short barrel like the Shield's.
The Shield has a 3" barrel and you will find many recommendations for using +P ammo to ensure proper expansion. The Ammo Quest videos on You Tube have tested various rounds to determine both penetration and expansion. The Speer Gold Dot 124 grain +P short barrel, the Federal HST 124 grain and the Federal HST 147 grain have been his top recommendations for a 3" barrel. I am heading to the range this weekend with 200 rounds of the Federal HST 147 grain. Unless I encounter a hiccup, this will be my SD round. The heavier load combined with very acceptable velocity provide for consistent penetration well within FBI recommendations and the expansion on this round is one of the best you will find. I based my decision on the fact that it passed both the FBI's testing protocols and on the results so clearly demonstrated in the Ammo Quest video. Another good round is the Corbon DPX but I elected not to use it after extensive discussions with the tech guys at Corbon. That round in 115 grain will consistently penetrate 16 to 18" which is at the upper parameters of the FBI protocol. Additionally it is a solid copper round capable of going through glass and steel. Over penetration is a possibility according to Corbon. Given the performance of the rounds previously mentioned, I saw no reason to take the chance. By the way, despite the instructions that come with the Shield, S & W has told me that you can shoot +P without worries about over pressurization or excess wear and tear unless you shoot 1000's of rounds through it in a condensed period of time. Enjoy your Shield - I really like it! Stay safe!
Saw that - the ammo I was commenting on was the non +p Gold Dot. I've heard good things about the short barrel Gold Dot ammo, but have never been able to find any. For me it comes down to availability, and the Federal HST 124 grain is much easier to find and has near perfect and consistent results in a 3" barrel. The video really does a great job supporting that.
Here you go bud:
Ammo 9mm Luger +P Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 124 Grain JHP 20 Round Box 1150 fps 23611
Thanks for pointing out his channel too, it's a good one.
Keep in mind that the video results showed that the results between the SB and "regular" were pretty close. I too looked everywhere and could not find any SGD +P in SB which also led me to the Federal HST 147 grain.
Definitely a good channel - keep waiting for the next ammo test to be posted. I saw the Cheaper Than Dirt Speer GD ammo - a little on the high side for me ($36 shipped for a box of 20). Wish I could find more high end SD ammo locally in my area. I did find a good deal for the the Federal HST 124 grain (box of 50) for anybody that's interested:
Federal Premium LE 9mm 124gr HST Tactical HP 50 Rnds - JEK Inc
I agree. The CTD prices/shipping is ridiculous. Well, you can try getting on MidwayUSA's waiting list. They're better on shipping.
Anyway, I also agree with Ammo Quest guy, this is the good stuff fellaz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjRcV0eTohs
I'm using Hornady Critical Defense in mine right now due to availablility locally. I keep looking for the Federal HST and can't find any yet but I'd probably use it based on the Ammo Quest videos.
For practice, I haven't found anything that doesn't work from gun show reloads to Federal, Blazer brass etc.
For practice, I haven't found anything that doesn't work from gun show reloads to Federal, Blazer brass etc.
The ammo they are designing today reduces the need to argue between 9..40..45cal any more...All the better defensive ammo is designed to penetrate between 12 and 15 inches...whether it`s 9,40,45...I`ve reduced my handgun calibers to 22,9,45..I only have 45`s because I love my 1911`s... If I were to purchase more 1911`s I`d be looking for 9mm...
I`ve been using Horn. critical defense but think the federal hst and the speer gold short barrel are great choices [ if you can find them]
I`ve been using Horn. critical defense but think the federal hst and the speer gold short barrel are great choices [ if you can find them]
