Looking For A New Carry Ammo

B

Brasscatcher84

Moderator
I'm a reserve deputy sheriff, and until recently, my department mandated the use of Speer Gold Dot Ammo for duty use, and too keep things simple I used it off duty, too.

We have a new sheriff, however, and his policy is that we may use ammo of our own choosing, so long as it is not hardball stuff.

I've got a few varieties to try out, but I'm looking for more options. I've got Hornady TAP, Corbon Pow'rball, and Federal Hydra Shock.

I carry a S&W M&P 9mm with a M&P 9 compact for a BUG.

Any other ammos I should try before I choose for good?
 
Probably not what you want to hear, but Speer Gold Dot is the top of the stack of near the top in every caliber it's made in. Incredibly consistent round with a great mix of penetration and expansion.

In my own opinion, the only round that comes close is the Federal HST, which happens to be what I carry. I would just as happily carry the Gold Dot though.

If you feel the need to switch (I understand, it's fun to have choices), I'd go with the 147-grain Federal Tactical HST 9x19.
 
I have no problem with the Speer, but I just wanted to test out a few others and see if there was something that felt better to me, or that I shot better with.

Also, cost is an issue, since reserves in my department are only reimbursed for 100 rounds/month.
 
Personally, I have the short barrel. 45 ACP Speer Gold Dots at the house but not in magazines. (Although it is great ammo) But in my carry pistol I have Winchester Ranger T's. They are the new talons and works amazing with great expansion. Also as said above, Federal HST's are probably at the top for over all expansion, and reliability. These are far better then the other stuff you said that you carry besides the Gold Dot's. If you can find HST's for a great price, jump on them. If not, get some Ranger-T's, either way it will he an excellent choice. My 2 cents...
 
When I don't use Speer Gold Dot, I use TAP 230's +P. They penetrate more than the Gold Dot, but expand less. I find the TAP to be extremely accurate.

The Gold Dot and TAP are my two defensive rounds. Because of overpenetration fears, I usually pick Gold Dots first. You can't go wrong with either.
 
Accuracy?

It seems to me that of all the quality rounds mentioned in this thread, I would not be overly concerned with slight differences in accuracy. Reliability and terminal performance is far more important. Assuming one round can hold a 3" group at 25 yards while another shoots 2" in the same gun. Most shootings happen in poor light, throw in some adrenalin, the anxiety of a deadly force encounter etc and you can no longer shoot as well as the least accurate ammunition you have.

If you miss your adversary, you would have missed no matter what you used.
 
I tested the Corbon DPX 115g JHP against 4 other popular brands
in a backyard test that I repeated from others from Youtube.

I filled 5 milk jugs with wet newspaper and added 4 layers of denim to the first jug.

The corbon expanded to nearly 3/4 inch and penetrated 15 inches, much better than the others

So..... my carry for my Kahr K9 is ALWAYS the CORBON DPX, it used to be Speer

The HSTs were next
 
A friend is retired Sheriff resreve deputy for ..

a western Michigan county.

THe various LE organization did a little study and results indicated that
Remington gold sabre rated highly.

Personally, I carry Hornady XTP ammo for accuracy and Fiocchi for their loading of the XTP's. I prefer to use standard weightsfor 9mm & .45, in the .38Spl & .357 Ilike the 140 gr XTP's
 
I chose critical defense after my research because it seemed to have consistent expantion. I carry it in A revolver though because I can't afford to test it in my semi.
 
Winchestor white box 100 rnd pack:p

Nah just kidding. I use 115 grain hornady critical defense in my sig p226 but it is a full size gun. I would be careful what I put into a small carry pistol. Imho some rounds work good in pistols with long barrels but don't do worth a crap in pistols with a 2 or 3 inch barrel.
 
Ranger T, PDX1 and HST are all good options. I would stick with the Gold Dot's since you are familiar with how they shoot and are a very good.
 
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