Best 9MM Round for Self Defense?

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Old cop

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I’ll be picking up my new Gen 4 Glock 17 soon and began to research the best round for self defense. The more research I did the more confusion that resulted. I’m an old revolver guy so this is pretty new to me.
 
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my personal favs are anything speer gold dot, or federal hst/hydroshock. i really like any major mfg in 124gr +p, but prefer federal hydro in 135gr non +p. opens up like crazy. we (me and my bunch of fools) shot tons of stuff into gallon jugs of water, wet phone books, and big blocks of soap from sedanos markets. 115gr hornady critical defense worked well on soap, and had way less recoil.124 +p is a bit spicy in smaller guns, but a G17 won't be an issue. if you want punch, 147gr +p bonded golden saber is an outstanding round against barriers, or heavy layers of clothing. i carry the 135 federal hydroshock non +p and trust its terminal performance. may not be much help, but just my 2cents...
 
I like the videos by Shootingthebull410 on Youtube. He did a years long analysis of 9mm JHP rounds using pretty solid methods and came to the conclusion that Ranger T, Federal HST 124gr, and Federal HST 147gr (standard pressure) were the ones to beat.
 
Google "Dr. Roberts ammo list" and pick a few to try. Stock up on whichever one is reliable in your gun and that you can shoot well.

Or, to make things simpler, pick HST or Gold Dot in 124gr or 147gr, standard pressure or +P. It's hard to go wrong with these. They're also available in 50-round boxes for a better value.

The 124gr Gold Dot +P is used by NYPD and has established a good track record with agencies that use it.

My own personal preference is 147gr HST, which has also established a good track record.
 
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Don't read too much into "best," or "deadliest," find a modern SD load that functions reliably in your gun and, most importantly, one that YOU shoot well. Lots of refutable brands already listed here (Gold Dot, HST)- I prefer Remington Golden Saber 124-gr+P in my Glock 19 because it's available, affordable, effective as the res of the bunch as far as performance (mostly), and I shoot solid groups with it in my ccw.
 
Valmet said:
Don't read too much into "best," or "deadliest," find a modern SD load that functions reliably in your gun and, most importantly, one that YOU shoot well. Lots of refutable brands already listed here (Gold Dot, HST)- I prefer Remington Golden Saber 124-gr+P in my Glock 19 because it's available, affordable, effective as the res of the bunch as far as performance (mostly), and I shoot solid groups with it in my ccw.
Click to expand...
I have said almost the exact same thing in many of these thread. What people often forget is that they have to ensure the ammo functions and you can shoot with it. That means 400-1000 rounds of practice to start with, from each gun you intend to use it in.

So, why bring this up? Cost. I have people ask me about which gun to get and how to save money, but I always point out that the cost of a gun is one of the least expensive things about shooting. The cost of ammo and range time are the really expensive bits.

So, Golden Saber 124g +P comes in at $0.40-$0.50/round. It has been tested in a slew of tests to penetrate adequately, yet not over-penetrate, and the hollow point projectile more often than not expands as intended. And then, for me, the round has never failed in either my CZ-75 P01, designed for NATO ammo, which is 124g and is loaded to higher pressures than US standards, or my Walther PPQ. I shoot both guns great with it. If there were any problem it is that it shoots to a slightly lower POI than my normal practice ammo, winchester white box(WWB).
 
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The VERY BEST ONE is whatever works with total reliability in your weapon that you can also shoot accurately. You should probably avoid military ball as it has a high shoot-thru potential which has some safety and liability issues. I would also tend towards the heavier rounds rather than the lighter 115 grain rounds all things considered, but that's just me.
 
Anything from Dr.Gary Roberts(DocGKR) recommended ammo list is a good choice.

Barnes XPB 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Federal HST 124 gr +P JHP (P9HST3)
Remington Golden Saber bonded 124 gr +P JHP (GSB9MMD)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester 124 gr +P bonded JHP (RA9BA)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr +P PT
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Speer G2 147 gr PT
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)
 
That's because....

That's because there is no BEST round, but people do have preferences. We just had a discussion about the 'Boutique' ammos but if you have a short barrel that's a limiting factor that can't really be made up by more powder.. Speer makes ammo especially for short barrels. I've never shot anybody but I've looked at a LOT of tests and the major manufacturers of ammo do a great job.
Hornady FTX Critical Defense, Federal HST, Remington Golden Saber, Speer Gold Dot are all just fine

If you want you can spend more money on Boutique ammo, but more power doesn't automatically mean more effectiveness. I'd be very interested in the type of bullet used in said ammo.
 
oneounceload said:
Sorry, but I don't give a you-know-what about what someone else found to work in THEIR gun; I want to use what works best in MY gun -PERIOD
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Unless you have some old or unusual gun then just about every modern ammo will physically work in your gun.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
Old cop said:
I’ll be picking up my new Gen 4 Glock 17 soon and began to research the best round for self defense. The more research I did the more confusion that resulted. I’m an old revolver guy so this is pretty new to me.
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124 - 147 gr. Speed Gold Dots, Federal HST, Winchester Rangers all work well and have been street tested.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
Out of that list did you notice that there was..............
one (1) 115gr loading
six (6) 124gr loads
six (6) 147gr loads
that made the list of loads that worked?

My 3" had better accuracy with a lighter 115gr bullet but the heavier
147gr HST had less felt recoil and would work even with heavy winter clothing.

As for my CD 3.5".......... it eats any thing, lucky me.

If you shoot a 4" or longer barrel, fps is not a problem....
it is just a matter for finding an accurate load that you feel comfortable with.
Most JHP bullets work at 1150fps which should be no problem with a 4" barrel.

Bullet test are nice if you have the time but net test will get you close.
My tests showed me to not use the 125gr Gold Dot in my J frame snub nose that only did 830fps.

I have yet to find a "No-Go" load in the 9mm SD ammo that I have used.

Good shooting.
 
seen a bunch of tests and opinions by arm chair commandos. The only meaningful paper I have ever read about shooting people with handguns was written by the Detroit medical examiner.
What he said ?
Out of hundreds of gunshot autopsies he did, unless cops came and told him what gun was used or he recovered the actual bullet he couldnt tell the difference in ANY service sized handgun round injury on an actual human.
Go buy a couple boxes of standard for caliber weight JHP and just shoot
 
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