Best ammo selection in 9mm

1hogfan83: said:
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.
 
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 ...
 
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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
 
Plus 1 on Hornady's new line of "Critical Duty" (not to be confused with their Critical Defense line). I really like the .135gr offering as it IMO perfectly bridges that gap between 124-147. Cycles seamlessly in all my 9mm's (my CCW gun is a P11 and it eats them like there's no tomorrow).
 
PT-92: said:
Plus 1 on Hornady's new line of "Critical Duty" (not to be confused with their Critical Defense line). I really like the .135gr offering as it IMO perfectly bridges that gap between 124-147. Cycles seamlessly in all my 9mm's (my CCW gun is a P11 and it eats them like there's no tomorrow).

Although I prefer heavy-for-caliber bullets, I find the 135 gr Critical Defense to be very appealing. I'd carry 'em happily.
 
Gold Dots every time for my HD it's a CZ75B (9mm, not my .357 or .44mag) first 7-8 shots 124g GDHP +P, the rest Fiocchi cross circle NATO 115 +P+. Those are really hot and they don't flash.
 
Federal HST 124, 124+P, 147, or 147+P
Speer Gold Dot in any of the same from 115+P on up.


I would stay away from Hornady Critical Defense due to a very high number of unrelated internet posts across various forums where people had dud rounds and hard primers (the problems continue -- most of these threads are recent). I have no comment on Critical Duty, as it is newer to the general shooting community. Again, the primers are the issue. Everything else about the bullet seems good to me (although at least one manufacturer of .45 pistols specifically states NOT to use Critical Defense in their guns due to hang-up of the tip).
 
Federal HST 124, 124+P, 147, or 147+P
Speer Gold Dot in any of the same from 115+P on up.


I would stay away from Hornady Critical Defense due to a very high number of unrelated internet posts across various forums where people had dud rounds and hard primers (the problems continue -- most of these threads are recent). I have no comment on Critical Duty, as it is newer to the general shooting community. Again, the primers are the issue. Everything else about the bullet seems good to me (although at least one manufacturer of .45 pistols specifically states NOT to use Critical Defense in their guns due to hang-up of the tip).

Yep, I never bought a Horaday. There prices are crazy, and I know they're not that good for the money, I'll keep my GDHP +P 124g at $00.25 a round.
 
Why not Hydra-Shok? It's the FBI uses what CIA uses what NSA uses and what Fed Protective Services uses... Oh and that one little agency called secret service... If its good enough for them.. LOL you get the drift.. I've been using Hydra-Shok for a long time and I love it...
 
Im certainly no expert but from most of the videos and reports I've seen shows the hyrda shoks coming apart. Just because they use the bullet dosent mean that other bullets cant perform as good or better than the bullet. The FBI has a set test, so many bullets have passed that test and has moved on that I just dont want "good enough", I want the best.
 
Best ammo selection starts with the one which shoots each time and every time. Then I look at which produces the best groups from the pistol. If barriers may be involved, the bullet weight goes up. Availability is important. Plus, can I afford them?

Toting Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel currently.
 
In the interest of using the same ammo for practice and carry, and not having deep pockets, I usually try to keep a supply of Fiocchi Extrema 124gr and Golden Saber 124gr or +P 124gr. Both have been problem-free in every gun I've run them through, and I find that I shoot 124gr more accurately than 115gr regardless of brand.
 
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