9mm SD ammo: School me

T

Tucker 1371

New member
Hey y'all, recently picked up my first 9mm, wanted to get the HK VP9 but I've been trying to save for months and something always forces me to use my "gun money" so I went and bought a Canik TP9SA in FDE for about $350. Love the gun, trigger is phenomenal, muzzle flip is comparable to a Glock 19.

Now I need help narrowing down what ammo to carry with it. I run Golden Sabers in my Glock 23 and Colt 1911, but I know nothing about 9mm GS. Currently I am leaning towards Speer Gold Dots 124gr but don't know whether to go with +P or standard pressure.

What is the recoil trade off like with 9mm +P vs standard? I like 9mm recoil and don't want to turn it into a .40

Does the extra velocity of the +P cause the bullet to over expand and lose petals?

I'm pretty sure 124gr is where I want to be, can anyone recommend other solid performing 9mm SD rounds in that weight?
 
The Speer Golddot is my fav bullet in any defensive caliber. I run 147gn in my G19 (only because i run a suppressor alot). Otherwise the 124 would be my pick as well.

I dont see the +P being worth the extra recoil and blast. Id rather have the faster follow up shot split time over the SLIGHT increase in performance.

YMMV
 
HST or Gold Dot. I think the HST expands with sharper pedals.
Do a YouTube search on HST and you won't find a bad test in any caliber. Its that good.
 
Not a 124gr.,But IMHO the Hornady 115gr.Critical Defense
is accurate,soft shooting,tests well,and has a good reputation.
 
The real problem of course is that in 9mm there is absolutely no shortage of ammo that will do the job just fine.

My personal preference is Hornady Critical Defense. It tests well and I like the concept. But I wouldn't be unhappy using Gold Dots or any one of two or three dozen other rounds.
 
Step #1. Get a Shooting Log.

Step #2. Shoot them all, and keep "Good" notes.

Step #3. Review your notes and pick the "Best"

Only your testing of your weapon, can you determine which ammunition, will work best in your weapon.
 
Step #1. Get a Shooting Log.

Step #2. Shoot them all, and keep "Good" notes.

Step #3. Review your notes and pick the "Best"

Only your testing of your weapon, can you determine which ammunition, will work best in your weapon.
Click to expand...
I think he is asking about terminal performance, not reliable functioning or accuracy. Its the classical, "which round kills best", answered enthusiastically by persons who have never dug a bullet out of a cadaver, but are willing to share their opinions anyway.:rolleyes:
 
There is a lot of good ones out there. Most have great results. My advise is try different ones and see what performs best in your gun. My Sig P250C likes the Hornady American Gunner the best. My Beretta PX4 Compact likes Hornady Critical Defense. My Glock 19 has always shot best with Winchester Ranger 124gr +P's. They only one I stay away from is Winchester Silvertip, never had good groups with it out of anything.
 
I strongly suggest watching the above YT channel, and narrow it down based on the test data.

These tests got me to Federal HST 124gr. I'd carry Speer GD's too. All 124gr and standard pressure. Penetration over Expansion for me.
 
I hate .40 Smith and Wesson.

I carry and shoot 127gr Winchester Ranger T +p+ and I still handle it just as well as the standard or +p rounds. It's all about practice. It isn't as bad as people are saying it is.



Edit to add, also a Glock 19.
 
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I only shoot my own reloads. I was kinda' hung up on the Rem. 124 gr. GD until I started shooting the old fashioned Rem. copper jacketed 124 gr. JHP. With the "old style" bullet, I get a little better velocity, and recovered bullets from all sorts of test medium tend to shed jackets less than the GD.
Whatever you decide on, get some. Take that along with whatever you have left from previous trials. Head out to wherever you do your casual shooting. Along the way, stop in at a 99 cent store, and buy about 5 small watermelons.
Set those up at about 15 yards. I think you'll find that any decent ammo will make an admirable mess of a watermelon, but the "keeper" will absolutely blow it into sticky, gooey rain. That's what the "old style" Rem. 124 gr. JHP does for me.
My range ammo is all loaded with 115 gr. plated HP's. They expand and fragment, but never in a pretty little mushroom. No matter. If you end up having to use your gun, and those are all you have, hitting your adversary will still make him bleed, and cry, and maybe make him stop.
 
Heavy for caliber tends to ensure the best penetration. A premium brand JHP tends to ensure reliable expansion.

Do a YouTube search on HST and you won't find a bad test in any caliber. Its that good.
Click to expand...

Except for .380 Auto, which expands nicely, but fails to penetrate adequately.
 
I was kinda' hung up on the Rem. 124 gr. GD until I started shooting the old fashioned Rem. copper jacketed 124 gr. JHP. With the "old style" bullet, I get a little better velocity, and recovered bullets from all sorts of test medium tend to shed jackets less than the GD.
Click to expand...

Im confused by the above post. First im assuming GD means Gold dot. If so that is not a Remington product. Second the SPEER Gold dot is a bonded core bullet, there is no jacket to separate. You might get a petal to fragment off, but thats very rare.

Im courious what "media" you are shooting them into, and getting these results.
 
Golden sabers have a tendency to shed their jackets.


Stick with a bonded jacket round like Speer gold dot.


HST is good too.
 
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