burntmypiston
Member
Not looking for hype or a caliber war, just a simple question. If you carry a 9mm (specifically, a 3.5" barrel), what load do you use and why?
What's Your Choice For Ammo In A 9x19?
- Thread starter burntmypiston
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Vanman
Member
124gr +P Gold Dot is my 1st choice and my 2nd choice is Fed Hydroshok 124+P+ / Because they have a GREAT track record in REAL street shootings.
smith10
Member
124+p golddot also. Either factory speer or doubletap.
Second would be Win rangerT 127+p+
Second would be Win rangerT 127+p+
HEADKNOCKER
Member
Federal 9BPLE+P+
Frizzman
US Veteran
CorBon DPX...Feeds reliably in my pistols and expands well and penetration is excellent. The only down side is its pretty expensive. I also use Federal 115grain +p+ and the Federal 124 grain expanding full metal jacket.
Cruiser RN
Member
Speer 124 gr +P Gold Dot.If it is good enough for NYPD it is good enough for me......God Bless......Mike
Stu454
Member
I like Federal 115 gr +P+ (9BPLE) for my 3953.
Murray
Member
it was always 124 +p GOLD DOT or 127 Ranger for a long time I am really liking the 147 HST now
DocH
Member
Win.RA9T.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2005
- Messages
- 8,018
- Reaction score
- 7,100
Federal 9BPLE if you can get it.
If not, try this Winchester load, which has had a great increase in velocity (almost matches the +P+) as a result of their work with powders for the short mag rifle cartridges:
9mm Luger
115 gr. USA JHP
Product Symbol: USA9JHP
Handgun Ballistics Distance (yds) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft.lbs.) Mid-Range Trajectory (in.)
Muzzle 1225 383 -
This MV is only 75 fps or so less than the +P+.
From a legal standpoint; check out the thoughts put forward by Mas Ayoob.
Carry what the local PD caries(if 9mm). If you ever have to use it, greatly helps "protect" you from a legal or civil charge that you used something improper.
This is a also a very good reason NOT to use handloads. A lawyer imply that your handloads were somehow excessive, inhumane etc.
Carry what the local PD caries(if 9mm). If you ever have to use it, greatly helps "protect" you from a legal or civil charge that you used something improper.
This is a also a very good reason NOT to use handloads. A lawyer imply that your handloads were somehow excessive, inhumane etc.
varoadking
Member
Webby - 7 posts in 6 years? I thoughts I was quiet...
BTW - I went to NIU and was a cop in nearby Rochelle back in the '70's...
user
Member
I respectfully suggest that this is a load of crap. The reason for having a defensive handgun is to kill people. No lawyer needs anything more than that to show you had the willingness to kill. The question is going to be whether the circumstances were right for you to engage in behavior likely to lead to the death of another person. If you drew your weapon righteously, with the correct mental intent, then you're cool. If you didn't, you're screwed. (To use the technical legal terms.)
My preferences are all for Federal: hydrashock in the lightweight Kahr PM9, HST in the middleweight Kahr K9 and Sig 229, and HST +P in the relatively heavy Sig 226.
gmchenry
Member
I know who Massad Ayoob is and his credentials as a police officer, trainer, and expert witness in shooting trials. I don't need to ask for his bona fides. You, on the other hand, I don't know.
Your use of the word "Respectfully" doesn't give you a pass in my book. Have you read Ayoob's book (one of many), In the Gravest Extreme?
To the matter at hand, I usually carry Speer Gold Dots, 124gr +P preferred. I can easily find the Gold Dots and Speer puts a lot of work into the reliable expansion of their loadings. I'd like to give the Ranger 'T' loads a try, but they're more difficult for me to obtain.
Your use of the word "Respectfully" doesn't give you a pass in my book. Have you read Ayoob's book (one of many), In the Gravest Extreme?
To the matter at hand, I usually carry Speer Gold Dots, 124gr +P preferred. I can easily find the Gold Dots and Speer puts a lot of work into the reliable expansion of their loadings. I'd like to give the Ranger 'T' loads a try, but they're more difficult for me to obtain.
am91249
Member
User's comment preceded by Respectfully appeared just to have been a personal opinion disagreeing with a pervious post. No disrespect meant. His tone may have been blunt but at least it was straightforward which is something I can't never see enough of, if I like the rely or not. My opinion is if you are charged in a shooting the prosecuting attorney will use anything available to discredit you. If you happen to have a safe full of guns at home then you would be a gun nut, if you have taken tactical training then you are trying to learn how to kill and I could go on. So sure if you load your own bullets something must be wrong with you but what about everything else the attorney brings up. If you are ever in the situation the best defense would appear to be having a good attorney yourself. If they say don't go to a gun fight without a gun then I say don't go in a courtroom without a good lawyer. Now more to point if you are carrying defense ammo why not rely on premium grade stuff from a major manufacturer, one thing less to worry about when you need it to go bang. I have heard a lot of good things about the Speer gold dot short barrel 124 P+ but who knows it may be just more hype.
Especially for a shorter barrel, I like the 124 gr non +p Winchester partition gold and Federal le9t1. I can't remember the product number for the Winchester, but both of them were "restricted" to law enforcement by their manufacturers, so they could be a bit harder to find if you aren't in the business. By harder, I simply mean you can't often just buy the stuff in a local shop unless it is a cop shop.
The product code makes a difference as they market different bullet designs in the same weight. Federal and Winchester seem to limit public sales of some of their best stuff. The partition gold is discontinued, but I think the federal is still made?
I don't think the +p brings enough extra benefit to the table and results in more noise and light and sight picture disruption when fired. +p surely isn't worse, I just think the non +p does what I need it to.
Oh, I think the 147 gr sub sonic stuff is good, too, depending on barrel length and circumstances.
Oh, and I forgot, I think the Speer gold dot is good too, probably as good as the other stuff, but has been "tested" less because it is less commonly issued and therefore less commonly involved in shootings.
I have some experience in the issue and would say that I disagree with Mr. Ayoob about the "carry what the cops carry" theory. I would avoid carrying stuff with stupid names like "fangs of death" or something, because that just might hurt you down the road, but otherwise, I don't think it matters should you be sued or charged, and I don't think the weight or brand or +p aspects will make you more likely to be sued or charged.
The product code makes a difference as they market different bullet designs in the same weight. Federal and Winchester seem to limit public sales of some of their best stuff. The partition gold is discontinued, but I think the federal is still made?
I don't think the +p brings enough extra benefit to the table and results in more noise and light and sight picture disruption when fired. +p surely isn't worse, I just think the non +p does what I need it to.
Oh, I think the 147 gr sub sonic stuff is good, too, depending on barrel length and circumstances.
Oh, and I forgot, I think the Speer gold dot is good too, probably as good as the other stuff, but has been "tested" less because it is less commonly issued and therefore less commonly involved in shootings.
I have some experience in the issue and would say that I disagree with Mr. Ayoob about the "carry what the cops carry" theory. I would avoid carrying stuff with stupid names like "fangs of death" or something, because that just might hurt you down the road, but otherwise, I don't think it matters should you be sued or charged, and I don't think the weight or brand or +p aspects will make you more likely to be sued or charged.
Similar threads
- Locked
