9mm carry ammo

J

jaytex1969

New member
I normally carry a Keltec P11 in a pocket holster.
Usually, I load Speer GD's for carry. (115 gr, I think?)

I'd like some debate on HP vs FMJ for carry in this caliber. Also, any projectile weight insights are welcome.

What ammo do you recommend or carry in 9mm.

Yes, I have a .45, but that's not my concern here...:D


Thanks.
-Jay
 
I would go with a hollow point in 9mm, particularly a more modern design. Gold Dot should be fine, also Hornady XTP, Winchester SXT, etc. There has been alot of effort put into bullet design in recent years, getting them to expand in various media, and getting good but not excessive penetration. Why not take advantage?

9mm FMJ gets criticized for ineffectiveness in Iraq. Also I think the NYPD finally were able to carry HP after years of being forced to do with FMJ. I am sure they were not happy with with FMJ, but political correctness forced them to. I am not aware of ANY police departments in this country that use FMJ in 9mm. Does that tell you something?

Generally, the heavier the weight of the bullet, the more penetration. 124 gr. is probably a good compromise. 115 is OK.

What's readily available in your area for resupply is also key, sometimes the crucial factor.
 
I carry a 9 ..... 124g XTP's feed well in my gun, so I use factory ammo loaded with them .... Hornady Custom or Black Hills......
 
Federal HST 147 grain

My favorite 9mm defensive ammunition is Federal HST 147 grain. It is described on the Federal Ammo Law Enforcement website and expands to 0.821 inches with good penetration, exceeding Winchester, Remington and Speer.

Test Event #1 – Bare Gelatin @ 10 Feet

The gelatin used for this test is 10% gelatin as called out in the FBI Protocol and was calibrated by temperature as well as BB penetration at a specified velocity.

Bullet Caliber/Weight -Penetration - Expansion (in.)
Federal HST 9MM 147 gr. - 13.25” - 0.821”
Winchester SXT 9MM +P 127 gr. - 13.25” - 0.641”
Remington GS 9MM 147 gr. - 15.00” - 0.593”
Speer GDHP 9MM +P 124 gr. - 13.25” - 0.665”


As noted in the table above both the Federal HST and Speer GD had larger expansions than Winchester SXT and Remington Golden Saber. The expanded diameter of the HST was 38% larger than the Golden Saber and 28% larger than the SXT.
Click to expand...
 
Georgia Arms or Hornady

I like the Georgia Arms 124 gr +p with Gold Dot bullets.
In the winter,I carry Hornady 115 gr Critical Defense because of its ability to not get affected by heavy clothing.
I don't carry a 9mm that often,preferring a 38 Super(Corbon 125 gr JHP's(1350 fps&506 ft lbs:D).
 
winchester bonded pdx

i carry either speer golddot 124gr+p or Winchester bonded PDX 124gr +p in my sub compact xd 9mm.


after an jam/a.d. (slamfire) in a now repaired/ sold sig P6 i have full confidence in the winchester PDX. it left a quarter sized hole in the wall after traveling through a shoeshine kit (containing 2 cans of shoe polish) and a full bottle of lotion.:eek:
 
147gr Hydra Shok ....but in a "pocket gun" that round might be difficult to shoot -- not sure ---it depends on how the gun fits your hand.

But its what I carry in a Sig 239 or in a 4" Kimber 1911 when I carry them ( instead of the .45 acp ) .....
 
I normally carry a Keltec P11 in a pocket holster.
Usually, I load Speer GD's for carry. (115 gr, I think?)

I'd like some debate on HP vs FMJ for carry in this caliber. Also, any projectile weight insights are welcome.

What ammo do you recommend or carry in 9mm.
Click to expand...

To address the basics first: (You can skip to last paragraph for my conclusion.)

FMJ, JHP, or whatever you like will make no appreciable difference against body tissue, whether soft or hard. The wounds will be almost indistinguishable from each other. The JHP is what most will carry because it has enough penetrating ability to hit vital organs from almost any angle. It limits liability from overpenetration, unlike a 9mm FMJ, which can penetrate quite a bit, especially in NATO loadings. It also can penetrate external barriers and stay in one piece better than a semi-jacketed HP or other.

The JHP gives you the penetration you need, but not so much you will stirke the person down the block. As far as wounding, it will cause a little bit more damage than a FMJ, but not much. It really depends on what organ is hit, and most will not function properly with even a .22 hitting it. In 9mm, there isn't much a JHP can't do against someone that would be better accomplished using FMJ, so the limitation is really just penetration. In that respect, it (JHP) is the same, + or - a few inches depending on load, with the .40, .45, etc. We've all seen the charts/pics, I'm sure.

The Speer Gold Dot, being a bonded JHP, is significantly less likely to experience a core-jacket separation, especially after hard barriers, like auto glass. The down side is the copper "dot" in the middle can limit expansion, making it capable of overpenetrating easier. (Not something to really worry about, honestly.) Other JHPs are more likely to have the copper jacket peel away from the lead core, which can make it stop short, depending on the medium it is fired through.

In the end, ANY 9mm load will be equally effective against body tissue, even the WIN USA bulk JHPs from Wal-Mart. You will see no difference there. Why choose a premium JHP over the cheap ones then?
  • Premium JHPs generally go through better quality control processes.
  • Premium JHPs, esp. bonded, are designed to stay together better.
  • A well-designed JHP often works better through tougher barriers, which might tear up a cheaper JHP.
  • Premium JHPs are usually designed for optimal expansion for the weight and/or caliber.
I know points 2 & 3 go together, but thought it would be better said separately.

Your choice of the Speer 115 gr. Gold Dots is excellent. If it ever becomes a money issue, switch to the WIN or REM bulk JHPs and you'll be fine as well. I would also opt for overpenetration over underpenetration EVERY time.
 
I carry Win Ranger 147gr T-Series. I used to carry HSTs. I read an article over on the box o truth site that said that the Ranger powder is the best in low light situations.
 
I carry 115-gr Cor-Bon DPXs in my Kel-Tec PF-9. Excellent reliability and expansion, combined with deep penetration. My second choice would be Federal Tactical Bonded or HSTs. :cool:
 
Nothing wrong with them, 8shot.

I'm just interested in learning what the options are and why.
Click to expand...

There might be better or worse, but GDs seem to be rated pretty high.

To find a better round IMHO is pretty much useless.
 
9x19mm carry-protection load choices....

In the 9mmNATO/9x19mm carry round, I highly suggest these picks:

The Winchester Ranger T 127gr +P+ JHP(a popular US law enforcement round), the Ranger T 124gr bonded JHP +P, the Hornady TAP 9mm, the Hornady Critical Defense 9mm, the Federal EFMJ(expanding FMJ), the Corbon DPX load, the Remington Golden Saber bonded 124gr +P JHP, Speer Gold Dot 124gr JHP +P. If you plan to be in densely populated areas(malls, apt complex, office buildings, etc), you may consider a Corbon Glaser Safety Slug, PowRball 9mm or Magsafe SWAT round. These special purpose loads feed in semi auto pistols and reduce ricochets/over-penetration. ;)

www.Cabelas.com www.Thesportsmansguide.com www.dakotaammo.net .

I prefer the 124gr weights in 9mmNATO, you can train with milspec 124gr rounds(UMC/FMJs) then carry a 124gr JHP for protection. I also advise using factory fresh ammunition, no reloaded or hand load rounds.
 
Winchester Supreme Elite PDX-1 124gr +P bonded JHP.

Its available at my local wally world and the price isnt too bad.

100% in my Browning Hi-Power (as is every other kind of ammo :p)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top