I carry a Browning Hi - Power MkIII. In it I carry 147 grain winchester rangers, 147 Federal Hydra Shok. I utilize these because the have an outstanding reputation for very good penetration and expansion. Personally I have not had to utilize these rounds in a self defense capacity but I do not ever feel undergunned.
Question for those carrying the 9mm
- Thread starter ken613
- Start date
armoredman
New member
CZ P-01 with 124 grain Gold Dots, or CZ SP-01 Phantom, currently loaded with Remington 115 grain JHPs. I have no isuues carrying either gun with either round.
Differently-branded 9mm JHPs do not have a big performance difference in the body. Honestly, you could use a 115 gr. Winchester USA JHP round and a 127 +P+ Ranger and see no difference in incapacitation, wounding, etc.
This is why I doubt you will see anything that truly supports anyone's choice in round.
I like Speer Gold Dots because they hold up better than most through hard barriers, and that's really the only support for my choice. Having said that, I currently have WIN USA 147s in my 9mm pistols, because they are cheap and work perfectly. The only detriment I've found is that they flash a little more.
This is why I doubt you will see anything that truly supports anyone's choice in round.
I like Speer Gold Dots because they hold up better than most through hard barriers, and that's really the only support for my choice. Having said that, I currently have WIN USA 147s in my 9mm pistols, because they are cheap and work perfectly. The only detriment I've found is that they flash a little more.
Federal HST 147 grain
I have used several 9mm guns for defense, including a Glock 19, a Sig P239 and a Kahr MK9. But I also use other calibers.
For 9mm defensive ammo I prefer the Federal HST 147 grain. I look at ballistic gelatin tests and like the penetration and expansion results for the HST.
I have used several 9mm guns for defense, including a Glock 19, a Sig P239 and a Kahr MK9. But I also use other calibers.
For 9mm defensive ammo I prefer the Federal HST 147 grain. I look at ballistic gelatin tests and like the penetration and expansion results for the HST.
)Top carry or protection 9x19 or 9mmNATO rounds...
To me the best round to get in 9x19mm is the highly rated but rare Winchester Ranger T 127gr +P+ JHP. It's in use by many US law enforcement agencies with great results.
Other good 9x19mm loads are the Speer Gold Dot 124gr + P JHP, the Remington Golden Saber bonded 124gr +P JHP, the Corbon DPX load, the Hornady TAP & Critical Defense 9mm rounds, the Federal EFMJ, Ranger T 124gr bonded JHP +P.
I advise using the 124gr JHPs over the 147gr rounds so you can train & carry the same size/wt when using a 9mm sidearm.
To me the best round to get in 9x19mm is the highly rated but rare Winchester Ranger T 127gr +P+ JHP. It's in use by many US law enforcement agencies with great results.
Other good 9x19mm loads are the Speer Gold Dot 124gr + P JHP, the Remington Golden Saber bonded 124gr +P JHP, the Corbon DPX load, the Hornady TAP & Critical Defense 9mm rounds, the Federal EFMJ, Ranger T 124gr bonded JHP +P.
I advise using the 124gr JHPs over the 147gr rounds so you can train & carry the same size/wt when using a 9mm sidearm.
gearchecker
New member
3 pistol, 3 different PD ammo choices
I shoot 3 different pistols and each of them shoots a different PD ammo better than another.
S&W 669, Speer Gold Dot. I believe it's 124 Gr. +P ammo.
Walther PPS, Hornaday Critical Defense. I believe it's 115 Gr. +P ammo.
SIG P6, Remington Golden Sabre. I believe it's 124 Gr. +P ammo.
It took a fair amount of money in testing to figure which ammo feeds the best in each of these pistol. PD ammo isn't cheap, and you should shoot at least 100 rounds thru each pistol you're going to use in it to assure reliability in a time when it's critical. I've probably spent a couple hundred bucks on ammo figuring it out.
I'd hate to need to pull the trigger and have the pistol misfire or jam on me on the 2nd round. All of my PD pistols are kept loaded with a round in the chamber at all times, so it's the 2nd and 3rd rounds I'm concerned with. Spend the extra money and find out what works best in your gun as well. Some pistols don't feed Hollow Point ammo very well. You might need to find a PD Hollow Point ammo with a bullet shape your pistol feeds well, especially if it's fussy about different ammo types or brands to begin with.
Best wishes in reaching your goal. It's mostly a pleasurable journey.
~gearchecker~
I shoot 3 different pistols and each of them shoots a different PD ammo better than another.
S&W 669, Speer Gold Dot. I believe it's 124 Gr. +P ammo.
Walther PPS, Hornaday Critical Defense. I believe it's 115 Gr. +P ammo.
SIG P6, Remington Golden Sabre. I believe it's 124 Gr. +P ammo.
It took a fair amount of money in testing to figure which ammo feeds the best in each of these pistol. PD ammo isn't cheap, and you should shoot at least 100 rounds thru each pistol you're going to use in it to assure reliability in a time when it's critical. I've probably spent a couple hundred bucks on ammo figuring it out.
I'd hate to need to pull the trigger and have the pistol misfire or jam on me on the 2nd round. All of my PD pistols are kept loaded with a round in the chamber at all times, so it's the 2nd and 3rd rounds I'm concerned with. Spend the extra money and find out what works best in your gun as well. Some pistols don't feed Hollow Point ammo very well. You might need to find a PD Hollow Point ammo with a bullet shape your pistol feeds well, especially if it's fussy about different ammo types or brands to begin with.
Best wishes in reaching your goal. It's mostly a pleasurable journey.
~gearchecker~
StrongSideArmsInc
New member
Extreme Shock 9mm Enhanced Penetration (EPR) 115 Round Nosed (plastic tip) 4 inch 1,287 fps 422 ft lbs
Nuff Said, there are 9mm rounds out now producing energy comparable to much larger cailbers.
Nuff Said, there are 9mm rounds out now producing energy comparable to much larger cailbers.
nefprotector
Moderator
125 grain Cor@Bon
I make my own
But I think my current 'bag' gun is full of Winchester's 124g PDX +P.
I think.
I load a Remington 115g JHP to 1270, 1370, and 1415fps.
These are my most-used choices.
I load numerous other modern HP bullets for my actual carry, too, but none exceed 124g, even though I have a few flavors of 147g.
But I think my current 'bag' gun is full of Winchester's 124g PDX +P.
I think.
I load a Remington 115g JHP to 1270, 1370, and 1415fps.
These are my most-used choices.
I load numerous other modern HP bullets for my actual carry, too, but none exceed 124g, even though I have a few flavors of 147g.
i bought my 9mm because it was the caliber i was most comfortable in my hands and most affordable for me (gun and ammo). i carry speer gold dots because the guy who taught my ccw class (16 year LEO) says thats whats issued to the officers in his dept, so good enough for LEO, good enough for me.
MikeNice81
New member
I prefer the Federal Premium 147gr HST hollow point. ATK Law Enforcement has tested the round against other "duty rounds" provided by departments. They go out and set up the test where the local LEA can watch and then submits their report. The HST tends to be the top performer in 9mm and .40S&W.
Through a car windshield the Winchester SXT 147gr will penetrate better. However, the HST retains more weight and expands more effectively. The HST still gets 7.5" of penetration after going through a windshield. So, it is still very similar to being hit with a .380.
My second choice is Speer Gold Dot. They tend to penetrate a little more than HST rounds of the same weight. However, they don't usually expand as well.
Golden Sabers are great at penetrating. In balistics gel the 147gr has been know to get 15" of penetration. However, they expand about 38% less than a Federal HST 147 grain round. So, you have to decide if you want an extra 1 - 1.75" of penetration or an extra .16" of expansion.
http://le.atk.com/general/irl/woundballistics.aspx
The ammo can usually be found at Ammo To Go for about $35.00 for 50.
Not all hollow points are made the same. I have tested MagTech Guardian Gold in a Taurus PT92 and a Kel Tec PF-9. There was no expansion when fired from either gun. They were fired from ten yards in to water filled milk jugs. With the water they should have shown optimum expansion. All ten rounds completely failed to expand.
In similar personal testing Hornady Close Quarter LE 147gr factory loads tended to expand less, but penetrate more than Winchester Silver Tip 147gr factory loads. The Winchester was originally designed for an old FBI protocol that emphasized temporary wound cavity over penetration. This can be seen when you test it beside similar hollow point bullets.
Through a car windshield the Winchester SXT 147gr will penetrate better. However, the HST retains more weight and expands more effectively. The HST still gets 7.5" of penetration after going through a windshield. So, it is still very similar to being hit with a .380.
My second choice is Speer Gold Dot. They tend to penetrate a little more than HST rounds of the same weight. However, they don't usually expand as well.
Golden Sabers are great at penetrating. In balistics gel the 147gr has been know to get 15" of penetration. However, they expand about 38% less than a Federal HST 147 grain round. So, you have to decide if you want an extra 1 - 1.75" of penetration or an extra .16" of expansion.
http://le.atk.com/general/irl/woundballistics.aspx
The ammo can usually be found at Ammo To Go for about $35.00 for 50.
Not all hollow points are made the same. I have tested MagTech Guardian Gold in a Taurus PT92 and a Kel Tec PF-9. There was no expansion when fired from either gun. They were fired from ten yards in to water filled milk jugs. With the water they should have shown optimum expansion. All ten rounds completely failed to expand.
In similar personal testing Hornady Close Quarter LE 147gr factory loads tended to expand less, but penetrate more than Winchester Silver Tip 147gr factory loads. The Winchester was originally designed for an old FBI protocol that emphasized temporary wound cavity over penetration. This can be seen when you test it beside similar hollow point bullets.
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IMightBeWrong
New member
Remington Golden Saber 124gr +P