Shield 9 Self Defense / CC ammo

[Fir3hawk]

What are you all running for a SD/carry ammo for your Shield 9? I'm hoping to pick up some HP's for my new Shield 9 tomorrow so was hoping for some input for people who've shot a few different types through their Shield 9.

 

[Ransom]

I've shot both of these with no problems:
Speer Gold Dot 9mm 124 gr +P
Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 9mm 124 gr +P

Here's a good write-up testing both of these rounds in the M&P Shield.
Pocket Guns and Gear: Gel Testing Speer 9mm Gold Dot vs. Gold Dot Short Barrel

 

[moxie]

In addition to the Speers noted by Ransom above, I'd also look at the Federal 124+P HST. This is of course assuming they are 100% reliable and very accurate in your gun.

 

[Pistol Pedro]

124 gr. Remington Golden Saber

 

[jeffhughes]

I run the Federal HST 147g +P. It was recommended to me by a DEA Special Agent who spends a lot of time in dangerous places overseas. Hard to find right now.

SGAmmo.com | Family Owned and Operated, Stillwater Oklahoma had a bunch of Winchester Ranger 127g ++P at 37/50 this morning. That would be a good ammo to run in the Shield for carry. Yes, I know the manual says no ++P. The reason is that there is no SAMMI spec for ++P. While extended use of ++P would probably cause accelerated wear, a few mags a year won't hurt anything and for sure will not kaboom the gun.

 

[t1.8matt]

Corbon 124gr. +p. Never ran them before but heard good things about them for a while now so I gave them a go. Also have Hornady critical duty 135gr. +p in my Kahr CW9

 

[badge]

Winchester 124 Plus P T's

 

[moxie]

"for sure will not kaboom the gun.[/QUOTE]

Really? Based on what?

 

[jeffhughes]

"for sure will not kaboom the gun.

Really? Based on what?[/QUOTE]

Personal experience. I'm in the load development stage for a new ammo company.

 

[zotzer]

In my Shield, I run Liberty Halo Point Civil Defense. In my full size "home" gun, I run Federal HST.

 

[S&WProtected]

I have shot the Speer 124 +p and the Federal HST 147 +P, I like both loads and @ 7,10,15 yards I have not noticed any real difference in POI.

 

[shield]

Federal HST 147

 

[moxie]

Really? Based on what?

Personal experience. I'm in the load development stage for a new ammo company.

To clarify, you've run enough +P+ factory loads through a Shield to be able to say, empirically, that the loads are safe in the Shield despite Smith & Wesson's proscription? Did you employ any metallurgical testing methods to ensure no weakening of chamber material? Care to share with us?

And just to be sure we're on the same page, when you say "++P" are you actually referring to +P+? Ditto "SAMMI" vs. SAAMI. Ammo companies are typically pretty picky about this kind of thing.

 

[JNewell]

To clarify, you've run enough +P+ factory loads through a Shield to be able to say, empirically, that the loads are safe in the Shield despite Smith & Wesson's proscription? Did you employ any metallurgical testing methods to ensure no weakening of chamber material? Care to share with us?

And just to be sure we're on the same page, when you say "++P" are you actually referring to +P+? Ditto "SAMMI" vs. SAAMI. Ammo companies are typically pretty picky about this kind of thing.

In addition, there's a difference between "unsafe" and "accelerated wear." It would be important to know if a load is going to turn a Shield into a pistol with, say, a 2K round service life.

 

[AFrost20]

I'm a fan of the Hornady Critical Duty in all my EDC and home hand guns.

 

[agksimon]

Hornady Critical Duty 135gr+P.
Supposed to be good manstoppers and go through angled windshields.

 

[team sidewinder]

Federal 124gr HST

 

[Fir3hawk]

Hornady Critical Duty 135gr+P.
Supposed to be good manstoppers and go through angled windshields.

Went to two different LGS today (and called Cabelas) and that's the only thing they had in stock. Have never used it before but the price was right (50 rounds for $40) so I gave it a shot.

I was a little worried 135gr +P would be a little hot for that small of a gun but he assured me that it would be fine in the shield.

 

[jeffhughes]

To clarify, you've run enough +P+ factory loads through a Shield to be able to say, empirically, that the loads are safe in the Shield despite Smith & Wesson's proscription? Did you employ any metallurgical testing methods to ensure no weakening of chamber material? Care to share with us?

And just to be sure we're on the same page, when you say "++P" are you actually referring to +P+? Ditto "SAMMI" vs. SAAMI. Ammo companies are typically pretty picky about this kind of thing.

Yes +P+ and SAAMI. Been fighting the flu this week.

Empirical data only, no problems.

No metallurgical data, and I doubt Smith has any to support their stance either.

I would never shoot +p+ exclusively through any of my carry guns. I would sure have no problem running a few mags a month though.

Bulk target ammo is going to be my first product.

Hot SD loads are a bit down the line for my company. I will by a new M+P or Glock this week and dedicate it to +P+ ammo. In several thousand rounds I'll test it share the data.

 

[moxie]

Yes +P+ and SAAMI. Been fighting the flu this week.

Empirical data only, no problems.

No metallurgical data, and I doubt Smith has any to support their stance either.

I would never shoot +p+ exclusively through any of my carry guns. I would sure have no problem running a few mags a month though.

Bulk target ammo is going to be my first product.

Hot SD loads are a bit down the line for my company. I will by a new M+P or Glock this week and dedicate it to +P+ ammo. In several thousand rounds I'll test it share the data.

That data will be good for that one gun only. A sample size of one cannot be extrapolated to the whole population, i.e., all Shields. Think of the SD! Nor can data from other M&P models be extrapolated to the Shield. It's a unique gun. A significant sample size needs to be addressed. A further complication of +P+ ammo is the fact that each brand varies since there is no standard for +P+. So, even if one type were to be declared safe in a particular gun, this finding couldn't be applied to any other types of +P+.

I recommend that anyone concerned stick with the recommendations of S&W, namely that +P is OK but might accelerate wear or require more servicing. And, that +P+ is simply NOT to be used, not even a little bit. See page 11 of the Shield owner's manual.