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View Full Version : Hot 9mm ammo choices for Self Defense ?


scottperk
May 14, 2010, 03:42 PM
I just got done shopping around and realized my old Favorite
9mm Winchester Ranger +P+ 127gr ammo was no longer being
sold anywhere.

What I see now are dollar plus and even up to Two dollars per shot
ammo from Cor-Bon and Buffalo Bore for their hot +P+ rounds.
That is highway robbery in my opinion.

I have learned to trust that all Double Tap ammo has
exaggerated performance claims and they are not cheap.

That leaves the MagTech 9mm ammo that MidwayUSA.com has
at a reasonable price for a ( BOX OF 50 ) of only $26 dollars.

Now that is reasonable. I cant stand those outfits selling a box
of 6, 10 or 20 rounds for their spicy stuff.

So the question boils down to ... Does the MagTech stuff
perform reasonably close to their claims ? If so they seem
to be the only real value option. I cant stomach the notion that
self defense ammo should be more than three times the cost
of quality first fired range ammo.

http://tinyurl.com/2dhmdxd

and here

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=989888

oneounceload
May 14, 2010, 03:51 PM
Since there are no specs for +P+, the name is superfluous. If you want more than what a 9mm or +P can deliver, why not get a 10MM and stop beating your gun to death?

Complaining about the pricing does nothing, as the ammo costs what is costs because people are buying it. If you don't like those prices, you can : reload your own, shoot other ammo, start your own ammo company making whatever you think will sell

scottperk
May 14, 2010, 04:18 PM
oneounceload
If you want more than what a 9mm or +P can deliver, why not
get a 10MM and stop beating your gun to death?

Complaining about the pricing does nothing,
__________________

Well oneounce since you asked a question and have some
opinions ( but apparently KNOW NOTHING about Magtech )
I will reply.

1. I already own a small 9mm pistol which is great for certain
conceal situations. I do not know of any 10mm options that
fill the bill there and if I did I dont feel the need to spend
the extra money needlessly.
The fact of the matter is that my pistol CAN DELIVER
what I want. What I want is the +P+ performance
made popular in the world of Law Enforcement for
many years. Just ask Winchester if you seek
greater knowledge.

2. The reason why it is a good idea to complain in a
community like this is this. I not only am spreading the word that
there are some suppliers lying or robbing them blind and which
ones they are but I am also possibly alerting everyone to a
reasonable supplier that is not gouging in their pricing and
credible in their performance.

Also note that I am not beating my 9mm to death. The
self defense situation hopefully is a rare occurrence that
demands the very best of everything we can bring to
bear in the instant encounter. I dont shoot +P+
as target ammo as it probably would not be good
for the gun over thousands of rounds.

THIS is the way capitalism works and sure, let em
try to charge what they want to. I aint buying
and will spread the word the best I can.

omnibus1967
May 14, 2010, 04:51 PM
Rem golden saber 147gr...13" penetration....60 expansion. see brassfetcher.com.

whats not to like??...:)

Coltman 77
May 14, 2010, 05:03 PM
Gold Dot, Golden Saber, Federal HST is all very good SD ammo IMO.

I'd like to find some Ranger, but it's as scarce as hen's teeth.

(As is most of the above).

Keep checking ATG and LTD ammo. Good luck. :)

2damnold4this
May 14, 2010, 05:09 PM
From DocGKR:

9 mm:
Barnes XPB 105 & 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)

oneounceload
May 14, 2010, 07:28 PM
Hmmmmm, using non-SAAMI spec high pressure rounds DOES help beat a gun to death prematurely - but since YOU seem to know it all - go ahead - it's your gun, It never ceases to amaze me how someone buys a gun and then tries to make it or turn it into something it isn't - whatever

As to the pricing, try learning about supply and demand economics - just because something seems high to YOU, does not make it gouging, ripping off, or anything else - it means that people are willing to pay what the market will bear, and there are more folks willing to buy at that price than you are. Stop your whining about getting hosed - don't buy it!

If enough people feel the same way, one of two things will happen - either the price will change or folks will buy something else.

As for suppliers lying or robbing blind - please provide documented proof of your allegations - otherwise it is mere supposition on your part, and without said documentation, would be called libel

LOUcifer
May 14, 2010, 08:34 PM
Hey Scott...I'm a huge fan of the Ranger +P+ but when I couldn't find it either I ended up finding this!!

http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t201/mitsu3k/0623090335.jpg

Not the same but it's STILL Ranger ammo and STILL +P and at least it's bonded...so i can't knock it at all

WC145
May 14, 2010, 08:44 PM
If you can find it Federal 9BPLE +P+ is hot, accurate, reliable, and thoroughly tested in real world LE encounters. I carry it on duty and trust it 110%.

Also, I've chrono'd Magtech's +P 9mm and it's a dog, slower than WWB 115gr FMJ.

twhidd
May 14, 2010, 09:40 PM
I never understood why people say they want the best, but then they complain about the price.

FEG
May 14, 2010, 11:47 PM
I cant stomach the notion that self defense ammo should be more than three times the cost of quality first fired range ammo.

It's the difference between a "loss leader" and their primary source of revenue.

I'm not suggesting that Winchester loses money on every value pack they sell, but I do know that they couldn't survive on that margin.

Eagleks
May 15, 2010, 12:23 AM
Uh, I bought 500 rds of Winchester Ranger NATO +p+ for $159 a couple of months ago. It's still around. But, you have to grab it when it is.... as it doesn't last long. That's about 31.8 cents per round.

CWPinSC
May 15, 2010, 07:11 AM
+1 "twhidd"

I don't count cost when choosing SD ammo. I pick what has the best ballistics for my need and combine that with what shoots best from my gun.

My top 3 (in order) are:
Corbon DPX
Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel
Hornady Critical Defense

If SD ammo cost is important to you, then PRACTICE so one shot will do the job and you'll save money.

Rifleman1776
May 15, 2010, 07:17 AM
I used (never actually shot) Glaser pre-frag ammo. Choice was for safety of those innocents down range and behind walls.
As pointed out, there are many excellent, very lethal, choices on the market. But, in my opinion, the responsibility of carrying and (potentially) using a self-defense firearm involves more than downing the bad guys. We are doing that to protect the innocents. I respectfully suggest you fit that consideration into your equation when making an ammo choice.

Warchild
May 15, 2010, 07:59 AM
Oneounceload, are you going to contribute anything positive to this topic or just ridicule and harass the OP?

Scott, I used plenty of Magtech and actually like it a good deal, pretty clean ammo from what experience I have with it. Never have had any issues with it but no chrono unfortunately.

ClydeFrog
May 15, 2010, 05:38 PM
Depending on what you want to pay for new factory made 9x19mm rounds, I'd get these brands;

Winchester Ranger T 124gr JHP +P, Remington Golden Saber 124gr JHP +P(bonded), Corbon DPX 115gr JHP, Speer Gold Dot 124gr JHP +P.

Clyde Frog
www.cabelas.com www.sportsmanguide.com www.dakotaammo.net www.Streichers.com

INMY01TA
May 15, 2010, 06:03 PM
Oneounceload, are you going to contribute anything positive to this topic or just ridicule and harass the OP?+1. Someone pee in your cornflakes this morning?

scottperk
May 15, 2010, 06:35 PM
omnibus1967- comment:
Rem golden saber 147gr...13" penetration .60 expansion !
see http://brassfetcher.com.

--------------
I am surprised no one mentioned this comment. I'd say the odds
are a thousand to one that this referenced hobby website has tested
the exact specific 9mm ammo I was considering. Well they did test
it and I was sorta turned away from the Magtech 115gr +P
ammo due to the total fragmentation in the gelatin.
While the 147gr referenced did very well penetration wise,
I have a hard time shooting the 9mm as a sub sonic weapon.
I have over the years grown to know it as my laser beam
as compared to my 45 ACP toys.

Thusly I am leaning toward a 125 ish gr bullet weight ... .that or we
have to find a tougher HP bullet for Magtec to use.

I found a 100 Hornady XTP 125gr bullets for $14 on line
and I am considering just pulling and swapping bullets.

May have to reduce the powder load a bit .... but then I figure
if I was going to do that, why not swap bullets with a cheap
range ammo like the Federal stuff from walmart that sells
for $9.50 a box I know one drawback is that I have no
idea what powder is being used but I could work up
or down and look for signs of pressure like all the other
load development I have done.

I have reload equip for several rifles and am heading in the
direction of 10mm pistol loading but I guess I will just have
to buy some 9mm dies as well. The potential benefit of swapping
bullets is I dont have to pay hazmat for a hundred times more
powder and primers than I need.

Just thinking out loud here. I really didnt want to put a whole
lot of effort into 9mm as my major focus recently has
been 10mm.

FEG
May 16, 2010, 01:34 AM
Uh, I bought 500 rds of Winchester Ranger NATO +p+ for $159 a couple of months ago. It's still around. But, you have to grab it when it is.... as it doesn't last long. That's about 31.8 cents per round.

A lot of the Ranger ammunition has been "resold." I know that Whittaker's gets most of their boxes of Ranger from police departments with excess inventory. My understanding is that most departments have X amount of dollars budgeted for ammo, and they have to spend it to avoid losing it in future years.

Murdock
May 16, 2010, 08:12 AM
I don't count cost when choosing SD ammo. I pick what has the best ballistics for my need and combine that with what shoots best from my gun.


+1

mavracer
May 16, 2010, 09:17 AM
here's the stuff I use.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=169430291

ftballgod
May 16, 2010, 11:12 PM
16 rounds of any ammo will do the trick. just make sure you hit what you are shooting at. ;)

nefprotector
May 17, 2010, 09:50 AM
I load all my guns with Corbon or Buffalo Bore ammo.