Best ammo selection in 9mm

1hogfan83 · October 18, 2012, 12:57 PM

I just put down some money down on a new HK P2000SK in 9mm. I haven't had a 9mm in a long time, at least 5 years. I was just wondering what kind of defensive ammo you use in yours. Weights, brands, ECT. I use golden sabers, 185 gr in my 1911. I wasn't sure if they were any good in 9mm. I've seen videos about guard dog (not impressed), pdx1, critical defense, and gold dots. I would like to stay away from hydra shok. Thanks for the help.

myshoulderissore · October 18, 2012, 01:16 PM

Gold Dots, Critical Duty, PDX1, any premium, heavy for caliber bullet is good in my book. I am a fan of heavy/slow in pistol calibers. Whatever you choose, as long as it works in your pistol, you'll probably have made a good choice.

WVsig · October 18, 2012, 01:21 PM

Take your pick and buy in bulk.... Find a good place that has 50 round count boxes an buy in bulk. Buying 20 count boxes is too expensive.

I agree with larger heavier bullets for 9mm 124 or 147 grain.

Sparks1957 · October 18, 2012, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Gold Dots, Critical Duty, PDX1, any premium, heavy for caliber bullet is good in my book...Whatever you choose, as long as it works in your pistol, you'll probably have made a good choice

Ditto. Remington Golden Sabers in 124 gr are my preferred, cheaper than some premium brands, loads very reliably in all my 9mms, and proven over time as a workhorse load.

StainlessSteel215 · October 18, 2012, 02:01 PM

Ditto on the Rem Golden Sabers - my top pick for overall price and quality. Just picked up 100 rounds to top off my home stash. I use them and Federal 124gr Hydra-Shok ammo the most...as well as Fiocchi 115gr JHP

comn-cents · October 18, 2012, 02:18 PM

I also like GD 147gr, but I'll carry any modern HP, I've carried a lot of CorBon 115gr. If they will funtion in my gun I'll use them.

pturner67 · October 18, 2012, 03:00 PM

Federal HST 124 or 147 gr or Hornady Critical Def/Duty 115/135 gr.

BigJimP · October 18, 2012, 03:03 PM

All the big names are pretty good...personally in 9mm, I like 147gr Hydra Shok...

RBid · October 18, 2012, 04:46 PM

Speer Gold Dots in 124gr, 147gr, or 124gr +P
Or
Remington Golden Sabers in 147gr

chris in va · October 18, 2012, 06:30 PM

Nobody mentioned the obvious...get whatever your gun feeds best.

Take that back, one person mentioned it.

Wahoo95 · October 18, 2012, 06:45 PM

I like Federal HST 147gr......can get it locally for $23 per 50rd box

Dragline45 · October 18, 2012, 06:58 PM

I gotta say regardless of caliber gold dot's have always been an accurate reliable load for me. Tough to find in my area sometimes but when I see them I scoop them up.

BGutzman · October 18, 2012, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Ditto on the Rem Golden Sabers - my top pick for overall price and quality.

Your individual experience may vary but I have read in more than a few places that Golden Sabers do not open as reliably as some other rounds.. I have not personally tested it so your milage may vary but it is worth mentioning.

moxie · October 18, 2012, 07:36 PM

I like 124+Ps, HST and Gold Dot. For a decent deal see:

http://mahsupplies.net/

marine6680 · October 18, 2012, 08:07 PM

As was said... What feeds in your pistol is best.

But the ones considered top performing are:

Gold Dots is 124gn and 147gn
Winchester PDX1 and Rangers in 124gn and 147gn
Federal HST and Tactical in 124gn, 135gn and 147gn
Remington Golden Saber 124gn and 147gn

All the 147gn tend to be standard pressure. Use +P for the other weights.

JonathanZ · October 18, 2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Nobody mentioned the obvious...get whatever your gun feeds best.

FMJ's???

Those should feed best in any pistol, but I wouldn't use them for self defense.

mitchntx · October 18, 2012, 09:28 PM

Nothin' says "I love you" like a box of hydra-shox ...

481 · October 18, 2012, 09:46 PM

I'd go with the Federal HST or the Winchester PDX1 in 147 gr.

1hogfan83 · October 19, 2012, 10:37 AM

Thanks for all your help. Now I have another question I forgot to ask earlier. I have really been researching this for a while but my HK has a 3 1/4 barrel. Some places say light bullets, some say heavy bullets. Any advice?

comn-cents · October 19, 2012, 10:40 AM

Same answer as before, whatever one is reliable in your gun.

Sparks1957 · October 19, 2012, 10:54 AM

Agreed.

EdInk · October 19, 2012, 11:06 AM

Speer makes a Gold Dot round specifically for short barrel guns.

481 · October 19, 2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1hogfan83:

Thanks for all your help. Now I have another question I forgot to ask earlier. I have really been researching this for a while but my HK has a 3 1/4 barrel. Some places say light bullets, some say heavy bullets. Any advice?

Stick with "heavy-for-caliber" JHPs. Momentum = penetration.

bikerbill · October 19, 2012, 01:53 PM

I use Hornady Critical Defense in all the guns I carry or use in my home for SD ... that said, I'm guessing that any brand-name JHP will serve you well if you are in a situation where you have to fire it to protect yourself ... if you look at magazine tests, which I know many folks who frequent TFL don't trust, in some guns one brand shoots a tighter group or hits a higher muzzle velocity than another, but the loser in that test wins in another ... I tried a number of brands in the guns I carry and the Hornady round performed well for me ...

loose_holster_dan · October 19, 2012, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Quote:
Gold Dots, Critical Duty, PDX1, any premium, heavy for caliber bullet is good in my book...Whatever you choose, as long as it works in your pistol, you'll probably have made a good choice
Ditto. Remington Golden Sabers in 124 gr are my preferred, cheaper than some premium brands, loads very reliably in all my 9mms, and proven over time as a workhorse load.

all of this. heavier the better w/ 9mm IMO

October 18, 2012, 12:57 PM	#1
1hogfan83 Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2011 Location: Fayetteville AR Posts: 193	Best ammo selection in 9mm I just put down some money down on a new HK P2000SK in 9mm. I haven't had a 9mm in a long time, at least 5 years. I was just wondering what kind of defensive ammo you use in yours. Weights, brands, ECT. I use golden sabers, 185 gr in my 1911. I wasn't sure if they were any good in 9mm. I've seen videos about guard dog (not impressed), pdx1, critical defense, and gold dots. I would like to stay away from hydra shok. Thanks for the help. __________________ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe—and shudder. James 2:19 "I do not fear the man that practices ten thousand kicks one time, I fear the man that practices one kick ten thousand times." Bruce Lee

October 18, 2012, 01:21 PM	#3
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: WV Posts: 2,495	Take your pick and buy in bulk.... Find a good place that has 50 round count boxes an buy in bulk. Buying 20 count boxes is too expensive. I agree with larger heavier bullets for 9mm 124 or 147 grain. __________________ Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.-Pete Townshend The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced. -Frank Zappa Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.-Frank Zappa

October 18, 2012, 02:18 PM	#6
comn-cents Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pac.N.W. Posts: 1,770	I also like GD 147gr, but I'll carry any modern HP, I've carried a lot of CorBon 115gr. If they will funtion in my gun I'll use them. __________________ Be Smarter Than A Bore-Snake!

October 18, 2012, 04:46 PM	#9
RBid Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2012 Posts: 574	Speer Gold Dots in 124gr, 147gr, or 124gr +P Or Remington Golden Sabers in 147gr __________________ Currently Own: Ruger SR9c, Glock 23 (Gen 3), Glock 19 (Gen 4)

October 18, 2012, 07:36 PM	#14
moxie Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: TX Posts: 513	I like 124+Ps, HST and Gold Dot. For a decent deal see: http://mahsupplies.net/ __________________ If you want to shoot...shoot...don't talk! Tuco USAF Munitions 1969-1992 RVN 1972-1973

October 18, 2012, 01:16 PM	#2
myshoulderissore Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 447	Gold Dots, Critical Duty, PDX1, any premium, heavy for caliber bullet is good in my book. I am a fan of heavy/slow in pistol calibers. Whatever you choose, as long as it works in your pistol, you'll probably have made a good choice.

October 18, 2012, 02:01 PM	#5
StainlessSteel215 Junior member Join Date: September 26, 2012 Posts: 250	Ditto on the Rem Golden Sabers - my top pick for overall price and quality. Just picked up 100 rounds to top off my home stash. I use them and Federal 124gr Hydra-Shok ammo the most...as well as Fiocchi 115gr JHP

October 18, 2012, 03:00 PM	#7
pturner67 Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2006 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 586	Federal HST 124 or 147 gr or Hornady Critical Def/Duty 115/135 gr.

October 18, 2012, 03:03 PM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 9,952	All the big names are pretty good...personally in 9mm, I like 147gr Hydra Shok...

October 18, 2012, 06:30 PM	#10
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 11,718	Nobody mentioned the obvious...get whatever your gun feeds best. Take that back, one person mentioned it.

October 18, 2012, 06:45 PM	#11
Wahoo95 Member Join Date: February 19, 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 58	I like Federal HST 147gr......can get it locally for $23 per 50rd box

October 18, 2012, 06:58 PM	#12
Dragline45 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 1,380	I gotta say regardless of caliber gold dot's have always been an accurate reliable load for me. Tough to find in my area sometimes but when I see them I scoop them up.

October 18, 2012, 08:07 PM	#15
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Posts: 359	As was said... What feeds in your pistol is best. But the ones considered top performing are: Gold Dots is 124gn and 147gn Winchester PDX1 and Rangers in 124gn and 147gn Federal HST and Tactical in 124gn, 135gn and 147gn Remington Golden Saber 124gn and 147gn All the 147gn tend to be standard pressure. Use +P for the other weights.

October 18, 2012, 09:28 PM	#17
mitchntx Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 335	Nothin' says "I love you" like a box of hydra-shox ...

October 18, 2012, 09:46 PM	#18
481 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Posts: 412	I'd go with the Federal HST or the Winchester PDX1 in 147 gr. __________________ My favorite "gun" book - QUANTITATIVE AMMUNITION SELECTION

October 19, 2012, 10:37 AM	#19
1hogfan83 Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2011 Location: Fayetteville AR Posts: 193	Another question for you guys Thanks for all your help. Now I have another question I forgot to ask earlier. I have really been researching this for a while but my HK has a 3 1/4 barrel. Some places say light bullets, some say heavy bullets. Any advice? __________________ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe—and shudder. James 2:19 "I do not fear the man that practices ten thousand kicks one time, I fear the man that practices one kick ten thousand times." Bruce Lee

October 19, 2012, 10:40 AM	#20
comn-cents Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2008 Location: Pac.N.W. Posts: 1,770	Same answer as before, whatever one is reliable in your gun. __________________ Be Smarter Than A Bore-Snake!

October 19, 2012, 10:54 AM	#21
Sparks1957 Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,396	Agreed.

October 19, 2012, 11:06 AM	#22
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,877	Speer makes a Gold Dot round specifically for short barrel guns. __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis

October 19, 2012, 01:53 PM	#24
bikerbill Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: Lago Vista TX Posts: 2,134	I use Hornady Critical Defense in all the guns I carry or use in my home for SD ... that said, I'm guessing that any brand-name JHP will serve you well if you are in a situation where you have to fire it to protect yourself ... if you look at magazine tests, which I know many folks who frequent TFL don't trust, in some guns one brand shoots a tighter group or hits a higher muzzle velocity than another, but the loser in that test wins in another ... I tried a number of brands in the guns I carry and the Hornady round performed well for me ... __________________ "The gun has been called the great equalizer ... It insures that the people are the equal of their government whenever that government forgets that it is servant and not master of the governed." --Ronald Reagan