Self Defense Ammo

cjmroz · May 26, 2009, 10:40 AM

I just recently bought myself a glock 23 to carry and i was looking for a good personal protection ammo to use for it but there is so many out there i was just wondering if anyone would recommend a certain kind? Thanks

#18indycolts · May 26, 2009, 11:37 AM

180grain Federal HST,180 or 165 grain Winchester Ranger T or 180grain Speer Gold Dot.

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_De....htm#.40%20S&W

Keltyke · May 26, 2009, 11:51 AM

If you get 5 answers, you'll have 5 different suggestions. Check the ballistics reports on some top brands - Corbon, Winchester, Speer, Hornady, etc. When you find a round with the characteristics you like, get a box and see how your gun and you like it. Does it feed and eject reliably? Does it shoot to POA and are YOU accurate with it in YOUR weapon? If the answer to all is "yes", then go with it.

Personally, my favorites are:

.40 S&W - Corbon DPX,
140 gr.
HP
1200 fps
448 ft.lbs

9mm - Corbon DPX +p
115 gr.
HP
1250 fps
399 ft/lbs

.380 ACP - Corbon DPX
80 gr.
HP
1050 fps
196 ft/lbs

.38 spcl. - Hornady Critical Defense +p
110 gr.
HP
1270 fps
394 ft/lbs

My wife likes:

.32 ACP - Fiocchi XTP
60 gr.
HP
1000fps
133 ft/lbs

I'm always open to other suggestions with ballistics specs.

GuyMontag · May 26, 2009, 12:25 PM

While it's expensive, buy a few boxes of what you read works well and test them in your gun. Make sure they feed ok and shoot to point of aim. Ammo performs different in different guns.

KC9LDB · May 26, 2009, 12:54 PM

well I had a hydra shock 9mm that went through a wall, standard house wall and ended up on the floor perfectly intact. Also had a a speer gold dot 9mm +p through a seat in a car, and hit a peal pan in the back seat land on the floor and it was mangled if that means anything

BurkGlocker · May 26, 2009, 03:57 PM

When I carried my G22 I used Black Talons, just liked the feed profile of the BTs. So, if I had my way it would probably be Winchester Rangers or maybe the new PDX stuff.

Deaf Smith · May 26, 2009, 06:41 PM

cjmroz,

There are several good JHPs made for the .40 S&W. Weights from 135 to 180 grains. As others have posted:

Corbon DPX, Federal HST, Winchester Ranger T & Silvertips, Speer Gold Dot, Remington Golden Sabers, and others.

I personaly use Winchester Ranger 155 gr. JHPs, but there are so many!

And of the above will do fine. Just get a AACK .22 unit for your 23 so you can shot alot.

Skill is more important than just what weapon you have or what ammo is in it.

tblt44 · May 26, 2009, 06:42 PM

What ever you can find
I use golden saber,HST and critical defence

Huntergirl · May 26, 2009, 08:40 PM

I think its important to find out what your gun shoots well/ accurately. With the shortages today, whatever you can find that your gun likes. My P99 likes Speer Gold dots, and I bought alot of them before the ammo crisis hit.

dabigguns357 · May 26, 2009, 09:39 PM

I have a glock 22 .40 cal i use either the 180 gr winchester ranger t series or federal 180 gr hst with no problem.

Mannlicher · May 27, 2009, 03:48 PM

being able to hit your target in a vital spot, while under stress, is much more important than what you shoot the target with.

I would guess that whatever is A: the most reliable in your gun, and B: the most accurate in your gun, would be the correct choice.

You might have to try several different brands, bullet weights and designs to find that 'best choice' item.

Housezealot · May 28, 2009, 09:30 AM

In .40 I like the hornady TAP rounds.

cschwanz · May 28, 2009, 05:44 PM

i personally carry and like the Federal HST. i like what i saw whern looking at reviews and its is very accurate inmy carry gun (XD .45). what ever you select, buy a few boxes and do some tests. the best ammo in the world wont do you any good if it jams in ur gun....

hkkilla · June 5, 2009, 07:47 PM

I go with Federal hydrashok .40 SW 135 grain 1190 fps reduced recoil load... packs a wallop and allows you a quick follow up... also accurate when practicing double taps. just make sure you can put at least 2 quickly into the vital zones and the ammo because less important

#18indycolts · June 5, 2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

I go with Federal hydrashok .40 SW 135 grain

The hydra shok is a well out dated bullet, especially in the 135 grain. Look at the Federal HST in a heavier round like the 180 grain.

skydiver3346 · June 5, 2009, 09:51 PM

Speer Gold Dot, Ranger "T" Series and Federal Hydra-Shok bullets are hard to beat.

Steviewonder1 · June 6, 2009, 02:45 PM

Used to carry Federal Hydro's, now all have Cor-Bon DPX. All is 9MM, 40S&W and .45ACP. More than one gun in each caliber.

May 26, 2009, 11:51 AM	#3
Keltyke Junior member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 2,933	If you get 5 answers, you'll have 5 different suggestions. Check the ballistics reports on some top brands - Corbon, Winchester, Speer, Hornady, etc. When you find a round with the characteristics you like, get a box and see how your gun and you like it. Does it feed and eject reliably? Does it shoot to POA and are YOU accurate with it in YOUR weapon? If the answer to all is "yes", then go with it. Personally, my favorites are: .40 S&W - Corbon DPX, 140 gr. HP 1200 fps 448 ft.lbs 9mm - Corbon DPX +p 115 gr. HP 1250 fps 399 ft/lbs .380 ACP - Corbon DPX 80 gr. HP 1050 fps 196 ft/lbs .38 spcl. - Hornady Critical Defense +p 110 gr. HP 1270 fps 394 ft/lbs My wife likes: .32 ACP - Fiocchi XTP 60 gr. HP 1000fps 133 ft/lbs I'm always open to other suggestions with ballistics specs. Last edited by Keltyke; May 26, 2009 at 03:57 PM.

May 26, 2009, 03:57 PM	#6
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	When I carried my G22 I used Black Talons, just liked the feed profile of the BTs. So, if I had my way it would probably be Winchester Rangers or maybe the new PDX stuff. Last edited by BurkGlocker; May 26, 2009 at 11:49 PM.

May 26, 2009, 06:41 PM	#7
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	cjmroz, There are several good JHPs made for the .40 S&W. Weights from 135 to 180 grains. As others have posted: Corbon DPX, Federal HST, Winchester Ranger T & Silvertips, Speer Gold Dot, Remington Golden Sabers, and others. I personaly use Winchester Ranger 155 gr. JHPs, but there are so many! And of the above will do fine. Just get a AACK .22 unit for your 23 so you can shot alot. Skill is more important than just what weapon you have or what ammo is in it. __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

May 27, 2009, 03:48 PM	#11
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	being able to hit your target in a vital spot, while under stress, is much more important than what you shoot the target with. I would guess that whatever is A: the most reliable in your gun, and B: the most accurate in your gun, would be the correct choice. You might have to try several different brands, bullet weights and designs to find that 'best choice' item. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

May 28, 2009, 09:30 AM	#12
Housezealot Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 606	In .40 I like the hornady TAP rounds. __________________ We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.

May 26, 2009, 10:40 AM	#1
cjmroz Junior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Posts: 8	Self Defense Ammo I just recently bought myself a glock 23 to carry and i was looking for a good personal protection ammo to use for it but there is so many out there i was just wondering if anyone would recommend a certain kind? Thanks

May 26, 2009, 11:37 AM	#2
#18indycolts Junior member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Indpls Posts: 1,159	180grain Federal HST,180 or 165 grain Winchester Ranger T or 180grain Speer Gold Dot. http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_De....htm#.40%20S&W

May 26, 2009, 12:25 PM	#4
GuyMontag Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 131	While it's expensive, buy a few boxes of what you read works well and test them in your gun. Make sure they feed ok and shoot to point of aim. Ammo performs different in different guns.

May 26, 2009, 12:54 PM	#5
KC9LDB Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Woodridge, IL Posts: 147	well I had a hydra shock 9mm that went through a wall, standard house wall and ended up on the floor perfectly intact. Also had a a speer gold dot 9mm +p through a seat in a car, and hit a peal pan in the back seat land on the floor and it was mangled if that means anything

May 26, 2009, 06:42 PM	#8
tblt44 Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2009 Posts: 164	What ever you can find I use golden saber,HST and critical defence

May 26, 2009, 08:40 PM	#9
Huntergirl Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Wyoming Posts: 907	I think its important to find out what your gun shoots well/ accurately. With the shortages today, whatever you can find that your gun likes. My P99 likes Speer Gold dots, and I bought alot of them before the ammo crisis hit.

May 26, 2009, 09:39 PM	#10
dabigguns357 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Location: Ona,West Virginia Posts: 1,215	I have a glock 22 .40 cal i use either the 180 gr winchester ranger t series or federal 180 gr hst with no problem.

May 28, 2009, 05:44 PM	#13
cschwanz Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Location: IN Posts: 321	i personally carry and like the Federal HST. i like what i saw whern looking at reviews and its is very accurate inmy carry gun (XD .45). what ever you select, buy a few boxes and do some tests. the best ammo in the world wont do you any good if it jams in ur gun.... __________________ SA XD .45 Compact -- 5" Colt XSE -- Glock 21SF Savage Mark-II .22LR Member:NRA, DU, PF Ignorance can be fixed....its called education. Stupid will get you killed!

June 5, 2009, 07:47 PM	#14
hkkilla Member Join Date: May 30, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 79	Ammo choice I go with Federal hydrashok .40 SW 135 grain 1190 fps reduced recoil load... packs a wallop and allows you a quick follow up... also accurate when practicing double taps. just make sure you can put at least 2 quickly into the vital zones and the ammo because less important

June 5, 2009, 09:51 PM	#16
skydiver3346 Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,222	Best bullet: Speer Gold Dot, Ranger "T" Series and Federal Hydra-Shok bullets are hard to beat.

June 6, 2009, 02:45 PM	#17
Steviewonder1 Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2009 Location: John's Creek, Georgia Posts: 328	Self Defense Ammo Used to carry Federal Hydro's, now all have Cor-Bon DPX. All is 9MM, 40S&W and .45ACP. More than one gun in each caliber.