self defense 9mm ammo

taximan · May 8, 2014, 12:02 AM

Just got my first 9mm m&p shield what is a good self defense ammo

colbad · May 8, 2014, 12:20 AM

The two I can vouch for first hand are Federal 147grain hydra-shock and Speer Gold Dot
124 grain GDHP.

Mike1234 · May 8, 2014, 12:51 AM

I have 124gr Federal HST. All the tests I've seen HST comes out at or near the top in performance. I might switch to 147gr but there's really no need to.

Theohazard · May 8, 2014, 01:42 AM

I like 147 gr. JHPs for two reasons: 1) They're a little more efficient out of a short barrel, and 2) They penetrate a little more reliably than lighter bullets.

Defensive handguns are all pea-shooters and there's no "magic bullet", so make sure you have a load that will penetrate far enough and then make sure you place those rounds well. Sure, a 124 gr. +P JHP might expand more, but that extra expansion doesn't necessarily translate into greater effectiveness. But if that round doesn't penetrate far enough to hit vitals, it will definitely be less effective than another round that does.

But it really doesn't make much difference what round you pick. Shot placement matters far more than anything else. So pick a load that doesn't have too much recoil or muzzle blast and you're good to go.

JD0x0 · May 8, 2014, 01:56 PM

Quote:

I like 147 gr. JHPs for two reasons: 1) They're a little more efficient out of a short barrel, and 2) They penetrate a little more reliably than lighter bullets.

Pretty much.

I like heavier expanding bullets, to ensure they penetrate adequately. The down side, is that a 147 could generate slightly more recoil than a 115 or 124 grain.

A good 147 grain JHP at 900-1100fps, is pretty much an ideal SD pistol round, IMO.

Also be aware many people don't like 147's because of their reputation DECADES ago, when the 147 grain bullets didn't expand as reliably as they do now which is why many people opted for a 124 grain bullet. With current manufactured ammo there should be no real difference in reliability of expansion.

skoro · May 9, 2014, 06:51 AM

Quote:

what is a good self defense ammo

Just about any top shelf hollow point ammo will serve well; Speer Gold Dot, Remington Golden Saber, Winchester PDX, etc.

biohazard313 · May 9, 2014, 07:14 AM

Speer gold dot
Winn Ranger T series
Fed HST

only 3 kinds of SD ammo i will ever use. they perform the best in my personal testing. for 9mm i use 124 GR HP +P where i can +p+ is not nessesary

Garycw · May 10, 2014, 09:54 PM

Hornaday XTP 147 grain , 1050 fps. It also has the little plastic tip to help with penetration through clothing before it expands. They're around $1@ rnd

Nick_C_S · May 10, 2014, 10:21 PM

I'm a big fan of Speer Gold Dot 124's.

They make two different types; a standard pressure (23618), and a +P (23617).

Through a Kahr CW9, 3.7"bbl:
Std pressure: 1048 fps; 302ft/lb
+P pressure: 1182 fps; 384 ft/lb

And I have fired them taking turns back-n-forth with each-other. The +P's do have noticeably more recoil. It's subtle, but definitely noticeable.

Since shot placement is far and away most important, either one would be a great choice.

Water-Man · May 10, 2014, 11:36 PM

I'm using Black Hills Barnes TAC-XP 115gr.+P.

Ridge_Runner_5 · May 13, 2014, 03:47 PM

124gr Gold Dots in my Sig.

southjk · May 13, 2014, 04:33 PM

Quote:

I have 124gr Federal HST. All the tests I've seen HST comes out at or near the top in performance.

Same here and also in my Shield. And in my P226 and M&P FS 9mm.

keithdog · May 13, 2014, 10:55 PM

I carry the Speer Gold Dot 124Grain +P Short Barrel HP in my Shield. This bullet had good reports back when I was trying to decide, and my Shield feeds them flawlessly.

lefty60 · May 13, 2014, 11:08 PM

Any premium defense round should work just fine.

I prefer the Hornady Critical Duty +P 135 gr. It is easy to get in this area and works very well in my SR9c

Most important is to find a defense load that is accurate and functions well in your particular gun.

May 8, 2014, 12:02 AM	#1
taximan Junior Member Join Date: October 9, 2013 Posts: 5	self defense 9mm ammo Just got my first 9mm m&p shield what is a good self defense ammo

May 8, 2014, 01:42 AM	#4
Theohazard Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Location: Western PA Posts: 3,829	I like 147 gr. JHPs for two reasons: 1) They're a little more efficient out of a short barrel, and 2) They penetrate a little more reliably than lighter bullets. Defensive handguns are all pea-shooters and there's no "magic bullet", so make sure you have a load that will penetrate far enough and then make sure you place those rounds well. Sure, a 124 gr. +P JHP might expand more, but that extra expansion doesn't necessarily translate into greater effectiveness. But if that round doesn't penetrate far enough to hit vitals, it will definitely be less effective than another round that does. But it really doesn't make much difference what round you pick. Shot placement matters far more than anything else. So pick a load that doesn't have too much recoil or muzzle blast and you're good to go. __________________ 0331: "Accuracy by volume."

May 10, 2014, 10:21 PM	#9
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	Speer Gold Dot I'm a big fan of Speer Gold Dot 124's. They make two different types; a standard pressure (23618), and a +P (23617). Through a Kahr CW9, 3.7"bbl: Std pressure: 1048 fps; 302ft/lb +P pressure: 1182 fps; 384 ft/lb And I have fired them taking turns back-n-forth with each-other. The +P's do have noticeably more recoil. It's subtle, but definitely noticeable. Since shot placement is far and away most important, either one would be a great choice. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

May 13, 2014, 10:55 PM	#13
keithdog Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2013 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 321	I carry the Speer Gold Dot 124Grain +P Short Barrel HP in my Shield. This bullet had good reports back when I was trying to decide, and my Shield feeds them flawlessly. __________________ In MY house, I AM 911

May 8, 2014, 12:20 AM	#2
colbad Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2012 Posts: 506	The two I can vouch for first hand are Federal 147grain hydra-shock and Speer Gold Dot 124 grain GDHP.

May 8, 2014, 12:51 AM	#3
Mike1234 Junior member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: Alamo City Posts: 356	I have 124gr Federal HST. All the tests I've seen HST comes out at or near the top in performance. I might switch to 147gr but there's really no need to.

May 9, 2014, 07:14 AM	#7
biohazard313 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2013 Posts: 128	Speer gold dot Winn Ranger T series Fed HST only 3 kinds of SD ammo i will ever use. they perform the best in my personal testing. for 9mm i use 124 GR HP +P where i can +p+ is not nessesary

May 10, 2014, 09:54 PM	#8
Garycw Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2011 Location: Ohio-Kentucky - florida Posts: 1,221	Hornaday XTP 147 grain , 1050 fps. It also has the little plastic tip to help with penetration through clothing before it expands. They're around $1@ rnd

May 10, 2014, 11:36 PM	#10
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	I'm using Black Hills Barnes TAC-XP 115gr.+P.

May 13, 2014, 03:47 PM	#11
Ridge_Runner_5 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,925	124gr Gold Dots in my Sig.

May 13, 2014, 11:08 PM	#14
lefty60 Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Posts: 18	Any premium defense round should work just fine. I prefer the Hornady Critical Duty +P 135 gr. It is easy to get in this area and works very well in my SR9c Most important is to find a defense load that is accurate and functions well in your particular gun.