Shield PD ammo
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Fleshwound
Member
I use the critical defense in my shield 9mm. Works great, low recoil and accurate and feeds flawlessly. Gets my vote! Good luck..
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Abacus
Member
I use Federal 124 grain +P HST's. I have found these to be very accurate in both my shield and my FS M&P. Recoil is snappy but manageable.
Pbchucker
Member
I use Hornady Critical Defense, because that was in stock at the time, and I bought a bunch. These function flawlessly in my 9mm shield, and they are accurate.
Having said that, there are several other very good defense rounds, and many other good rounds. Before I switched to the Hornady CD, I was using, "gasp!", the old Federal classic 9BP, 115 gr HP.
If I had to start from scratch today, I think the standard pressure gold dots or Federal HST would be my first pick.
Having said that, there are several other very good defense rounds, and many other good rounds. Before I switched to the Hornady CD, I was using, "gasp!", the old Federal classic 9BP, 115 gr HP.
If I had to start from scratch today, I think the standard pressure gold dots or Federal HST would be my first pick.
JMichaelTX
Member
Here's an interesting chart showing the results of a survey at defensivecarry.com forum:
View Poll Results: What ammo do you carry?
Top 3:
View Poll Results: What ammo do you carry?
Top 3:
- Federal HST: 39.55%
- Speer Gold Dot: 35.03%
- Hornady Critical Defense: 19.21%
Remington 147 Golden Sabers. Theyre not bad, I can find them without too much trouble and they aren't horribly expensive.
I let the salesman talk me into buying a box of hydrashocks (25) for $30 when I bought my shield, but I hadn't bought 9mm defensive ammo in 20 years either. I'm sure I'll use them eventually.
I let the salesman talk me into buying a box of hydrashocks (25) for $30 when I bought my shield, but I hadn't bought 9mm defensive ammo in 20 years either. I'm sure I'll use them eventually.
danhalen1096
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I have been using critical defense in my pistols including my shield for a few years now and I have never had any problems with it and it has always been very accurate no matter what I shoot it thru.
When I first got my Shield 9, I shot and compared Gold Dot 124+P, Golden Saber 147, HST 124, Win Defend 147, and Hydra-Shok 135, all at 12 yards. All fired without any problems. The Gold Dots were the most accurate, and the HSTs were a close second. I carry the Gold Dots. Somehow I've never gotten around to checking out the Hornadys. I'd like to repeat the tests now that I have over 1600 rounds through my Shield (and a brand new RSA I've waited 3 1/2 months for). But first, I must find some more of those elusive Gold Dots.
Ballistic147
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Currently HST's in 124 grain since those were available at the time. I will also run Speer Gold Dots if I can get them.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Ammo Quest at Shooting the Bull 410 has a good series of SD Ammo tests. Last I looked, The Federal HST's were top rated in 9mm caliber.
Jim1392
US Veteran
Speer Gold Dot LE 124 grain HP.
so, just curious, as to why so many people favor the 124gr rounds. In my other carry gun, Springfield EMP (which is also a short barrel gun), I am running 147gr. Speer Gold Dots.
Is it the 147 grain cannot achieve velocities over 1000 and therefore are less effective for penetration and expansion? OR some other reasons?
Is there really a reason to run +P ammo or the new "short barrel ammo"?
Is it the 147 grain cannot achieve velocities over 1000 and therefore are less effective for penetration and expansion? OR some other reasons?
Is there really a reason to run +P ammo or the new "short barrel ammo"?
MKE.guns
Member
The key take away with his SD Ammo Test was does the ammo expand properly. The Gold Dots and the Gold Dot G2 in 147 grains did not perform well. Federal HST in 147 grains was flawless.
Some ammo did not expand reliably if shot from a 3 inch barrel. So just because a particular ammo feeds through a gun, your search may not be over.
MKE
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JMichaelTX
Member
Is this the series you are referring to, a series of YouTube videos:
9mm Ammo Quest by ShootingTheBull410
Is there a summary of results somewhere?
I couldn't find one.
JMichaelTX
Member
Great test/video by ShootingTheBull410:
[ame=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lGqdMdbir0&list=PLgNSGOEQko_M90AMdRCDMgd-w4Yozc27i&index=7]Ammo Quest 9mm: Federal HST 124 grain tested in ballistic gelatin test review[/ame]
He says the Federal HST 124 is the best performance in gelatin he has seen, and rates it very high.
[ame=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lGqdMdbir0&list=PLgNSGOEQko_M90AMdRCDMgd-w4Yozc27i&index=7]Ammo Quest 9mm: Federal HST 124 grain tested in ballistic gelatin test review[/ame]
He says the Federal HST 124 is the best performance in gelatin he has seen, and rates it very high.
I think this is way over thought, if a bullet makes a hole in the intended target it will stop the attack usually.
I know all the arguments about over penetration, truth is a miss will cause more damage than a shot going through the intended target.
It's a proven fact when SHTF all of our shooting skills go out the window.
I know all the arguments about over penetration, truth is a miss will cause more damage than a shot going through the intended target.
It's a proven fact when SHTF all of our shooting skills go out the window.
Thanks guys for all the advice. I picked up a box of the hornady critical defense. Going to give them a try and then I'm going to try a box of the federal hst's. Also picked up a box of the Winchester fmj's 115g for the range.
Protected One
Member
You won't be disappointed with the Hornady Critical Defense.
I selected the 135gr Hornady Critical DUTY for its enhanced barrier penetration capabilities, but also have boxes of Critical Defense, Gold Dot 147gr Law Enforcement, and Winchester Ranger T. Any of them would get the job done in a SD situation.
2011redrider
Member
Winchester 180Gr LE 40 S&W, am I the only one with a shield in 40?
No, my Shield is a 40 also, At work they use the 180gr Gold Dots, in my Shield I use 165gr HST's, I just shoot them better in the smaller gun than the 180's.
Fleshwound
Member
Yep.. I have maybe 200 rounds of hollow points of various types and 4000 rounds of range ammo. As long as they blow holes in yer clothes, thats all that matters! [emoji6]
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Speer GD 124gr
Does anybody have a preference on Speer GD 124gr standard pressure or +P (Short Barel) from 9mm shield for PD ammo?
Does anybody have a preference on Speer GD 124gr standard pressure or +P (Short Barel) from 9mm shield for PD ammo?
V0OBWxZS16
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ShootingTheBull410 had poor results from the standard 124gr Gold Dots and acceptable performance from the +P and +P Short Barrel
https://youtu.be/V9UxDu4smlI
https://youtu.be/VjRcV0eTohs
Before asking "What ammo should I use?" you should ask "What should ammo do, what shouldn't it do, and how is it tested?" I recommend the following:
Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness by the Firearms Training Unit of the FBI
Basic Wound Ballistic Terminal Performance Facts by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)
Ordnance gelatin test assessment for rifle and pistol calibers by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)
What's Wrong With The Wound Ballistics Literature And Why by Dr. Fackler
For specific recommendations I start here:
Service Caliber Handgun Duty and Self-Defense Ammo by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)
Then here:
9mm Ammo Quest on Youtube by ShootingTheBull410
BigDog48
US Veteran
Some believe there are. I don't. Can you hit the bad guy (meaning practice more with the ammo) is more important than what you hit them with, unless you're expecting a Die Hard experience, and plan on facing tough guys who like being shot...just my opinion.
