Speer Gold Dot 9mm +P+ ammo

[g4sjedi]

I'm the proud owner of two fine 9mm pistols. One is a model 659 and the other is a model 3906. I just bought a box of Speer Gold Dot LE only 115gr +P+ 9mm ammo. Is it safe to fire through both guns. I'd only be using this ammo for home defence. I would only fire enough to make sure it feeds properly. Any other range time with both pistols would be firing with non premium FMJ ammo.
On box it says ammo rated for 40,000 cups presure. Very new to premium LE duty ammo. Any help would be great. Anyone with these model guns please let me know what hollow point work well.
I don't want to damage these guns.

 

[2238945]

Ive fired this round in my 6906 and many other 9mm handguns. The recoil is stiff and snappy, but your Smiths and every other 9mm produces within the last 40 or so years should be adequately strong enough to handle the pressures.

Just firing 5 or so should be completely fine.

Other HPs that I know personally will work without a issue are the Winchester T-Series, both 124gr+P and 147gr. Also the Federal Hydra Shock 147gr I know will work pretty much guarenteed in any 9mm, hell Ive run them in Full Auto Stens subguns even.

 

[willepeterson7]

Standard pressure Speer 124gr. Gold Dots work quite well in your model gun, fired into ballistic gelatin. Exspansion is excellent, I personally be utterly confident with the standard pressure 124 gr. Gold Dot. I personally use Gold Dots in all 4 Glock handguns that I own and carry. In .45 acp and 9mm they are excellent preformers. But there are many other choices in premium defensive ammo that can suit your needs. But the most important factor in a self defense shooting is shot placement. A well placed shot with a non-premium round is better than a periferal hit with a premium bullet. I think you would be ok with a + P ammo in your weapon as long as you used it sparingly. But thats my opinion. Im a little biased toward Gold Dots because ive been useing them for years and have always been VERY happy with the preformance of them. Many law enforcement departments issue/approve the Gold Dot, including my own. So thats saying something. NYPD, Chicago PD, and Denver PD have each issued the 124gr. Gold Dot + P variant and been very satisfied. A 115gr bullet clocking 1300 fps (Speer Gold Dot 115gr +p+) has also been proven in many a real world shooting. Remember the "Illinios State Police load". Many have even gone as far as to say its the "most desisive manstopper available" in 9mm. Just try several brands of premium hollow point (Federal HST/Hydrashok, Gold Dot, Winchester PDX1/SXT & Ranger, Corbon DPX, Remington Golden Saber, ect..) and see which one is most reliable and accurate in your gun. After you narrow down what works best in your gun, practice practice practice.

 

[ElectroMotive]

I would stick with manufacturers suggestions on ammunition.

Then again I still dont understand the wants or needs of +P or +P+ ammunition. Its not the energy of a handgun bullet that wounds, its how deep it penetrates and how much it expands.

 

[5906fan]

a bit 'off topic' I suppose but I used my Marlin Camp 9 loaded with my handloaded +P 124gr Rem Golden Saber rounds to fill a doe tag.
shot it at the base of skull/neck juncture. through the neck bone out the off side takeing a chunk about lemon size out.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would worry about using such a high velocity 9mm round for home defense. The 9mm is known for over penetration using a P ammo standard velocity ammo let alone a +P+ ammo. It seems the advertizing hype about +P ammo is working.

 

[Knightrider03m]

You can use it, but don't go to the range and shoot 1000s of rounds per year with it.

 

[ElectroMotive]

I would worry about using such a high velocity 9mm round for home defense. The 9mm is known for over penetration using a P ammo standard velocity ammo let alone a +P+ ammo. It seems the advertizing hype about +P ammo is working.

Not really. Velocity doesnt really increase penetration as much as momentum and just basic bullet design do. Hence why standard pressure 147gr Winchester Ranger Talon has more penetration than the same 124gr.+p or 127gr +p+ in the same bullet type.

Also it must be noted that if it penetrates well in a human, it will zip sheetrock walls easily. Its a trade off you make when using a pistol round

As far as the argument about overpenetration goes, it pretty much moot when you consider most shots miss. Even with the FBI's minimum requirements of 12 inches (and their preference of 14-16 inches) of penetration, overpenetration still isnt seen very often.

 

[SMSgt]

The S&W manual says no +P+, but shoot what you want.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Not really. Velocity doesnt really increase penetration as much as momentum and just basic bullet design do. Hence why standard pressure 147gr Winchester Ranger Talon has more penetration than the same 124gr.+p or 127gr +p+ in the same bullet type.

Also it must be noted that if it penetrates well in a human, it will zip sheetrock walls easily. Its a trade off you make when using a pistol round

As far as the argument about overpenetration goes, it pretty much moot when you consider most shots miss. Even with the FBI's minimum requirements of 12 inches (and their preference of 14-16 inches) of penetration, overpenetration still isnt seen very often.

Do you really want to take a chance of a HP bullet traveling at 1250+ fps getting clogged with sheet-rock and then going through 3 rooms of your house and possible into a neighbors house? What about that family member in the second room that just happens to be in the line of that bullet? Take a chance or do it right? The OP is talking about a 115gr bullet so the velocities will be very high... I feel the same way about not using a .357 Magnum in the house.

 

[Texas Star]

Do you really want to take a chance of a HP bullet traveling at 1250+ fps getting clogged with sheet-rock and then going through 3 rooms of your house and possible into a neighbors house? What about that family member in the second room that just happens to be in the line of that bullet? Take a chance or do it right? The OP is talking about a 115gr bullet so the velocities will be very high... I feel the same way about not using a .357 Magnum in the house.

The .357 will also danged nearly deafen you, making it hard to hear your opponent moving about in the dark.

I use Plus P .38 ammo in my .357's indoors, and Gold Dot Plus P 124 grain JHP's or Federal's HST in the 9mm. I am concerned about heavyset intruders maybe needing substantial penetration. Winter clothing may also be involved.

I have been indoors when a .45 ACP was fired at a badger, and the sound was loud enough. I suggest that you avoid firing magnum revolvers indoors.

 

[armsmaster270]

The Sacramento Sheriff's Office issued Win Ranger Talon +P+ 9mm's after Smith semi auto's blew apart they restricted the ammo to use in Sigs.

You shouldn't be stalking someone in the dark, let them come to you.

 

[ElectroMotive]

Do you really want to take a chance of a HP bullet traveling at 1250+ fps getting clogged with sheet-rock and then going through 3 rooms of your house and possible into a neighbors house? What about that family member in the second room that just happens to be in the line of that bullet? Take a chance or do it right? The OP is talking about a 115gr bullet so the velocities will be very high... I feel the same way about not using a .357 Magnum in the house.

950 or 1250 fps, it doesnt really matter when you have the momentum that all pistol rounds have. Hence the trend in LE away from pistol caliber longarms, instead using intermediate rifle rounds like the 5.56x45/.223Rem. Note that those rounds are around 2.5 times the speed of a typical 9mm, yet they have less risk of overpenetration.

The fact is in a home defense situation, you have to weigh the risks. If you choose to use a handgun for defense over a rifle (I wouldnt), do you use a round that will not get the job done (like Glaser or Magsafe or some absurdly lightweight bullet), assuming you get hits in the first place? Or do you use quality ammunition that will ensure that rounds you place in the bad guy will get deep enough to reach the vitals and CNS and thus the job done with fewer rounds?


As for loved ones in another room, its up to homeowner to lay down plans for others in the house. Getting down and under the bed is but one example.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

This is amusing. Are you telling me getting under the bed will protect me from a stray 223/5.56mm round? I think not!

In any case, I'm done here. I can't fight against all the misinformation that has been spread all over the TV, the movies and the Internet for many years. Do as you see fit and be safe...