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Sidearms & Scatterguns Best 9mm personal defense ammo

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fisho91

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Jan 26, 2012
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What do yall think is the best ammo for a 9mm personal defense?
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

From Evan Marshall and Edwin J. Sanow's "Handgun Stopping Power: The Definitive Study":

 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

Speer Gold Dot +P 124 is what I carry in my Glocks.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

What kind of pistol, and what barrel length are important considerations.

For example, I have a Kahr PM9. There is a Corbon +p 115gr load that advertises 1370fps and 450+ ftlb, but out of the little Kahr barrel, it was coming up way short. I think I remember getting ~1225fps or so. Meanwhile, the Winchester PDX1 124gr stuff clocked just shy of 1200, giving it a solid energy advantage.

Personally, I think most people overthink this topic. I like the concept of using whatever local LEOs use is a pretty good choice. Otherwise, buy several types of ammo loaded with proven bullets, and run them over the chronograph. Pick the one that feeds well and goes the fastest.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fisho91</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What do yall think is the best ammo for a 9mm personal defense? </div></div>I carry the Federal 135 grain Hydro Shocks myself. Second choice is Remington Golden Sabers.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

Gold dots
Fiochis
Hornady custom
Glaser safety slugs (under correct cond.)

All good starts
I test all mine on hogs, for pics just ask.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MGD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gold dots
Fiochis
Hornady custom
Glaser safety slugs (under correct cond.)

All good starts
I test all mine on hogs, for pics just ask. </div></div>

Asking.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

on my way to bed. I;ll dig up more later.

this is hornady custom 9mm luger 147gr xtp (fired from a full size G17)
went in about a 1/2 inch before expanding to about a 3" diameter permanent cavity.

(***these wont be up long on photobucket as i start to catch crap from peta hippies.)

9mm003.jpg

9mm002.jpg


more to come
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

I started feeding mine Winchester PDX1 after reading about it in one of the gun mags. The magazine (can't remember which) basically tried to recreate the FBIs hollow point testing regimen and rate a number of manufacturers products by their results in the test. Could have been a shameless plug for Winchester ammo but I found some at a decent price point and I'm kinda in line with turbo's comments above so I picked it up. Contrary to the velocity standpoint however, I've always thought that the 9mm was too fast to deposit much energy so I only got the standard 147gr as opposed to the +P ammo at 124gr. At under 1000 fps, it's muzzle energy is supposed to be around 330 ft-lbs. After taking another look later, the +P rounds were around 400 ft-lbs with a lighter projectile and more velocity. I'm thinking that I may pick some of them up after running through the standard box, still not sure though how I feel about pushing +Ps through the Beretta.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

Thanks MGD. Looking forward to further results.

Has anyone tried Buffalo Bore ammo? Their 147g JHP +p+ has a MV of 1175 and ME of about 450 fpe. I like the idea of heavy-for-caliber JHP's pushed as fast as possible to ensure expansion and adequate penetration.

Also have the fastest loads in other 9mm weights that I've ever seen in factory ammo.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ghogs Nightmare</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good Work MGD
.
Click here for someone that may know somethings findings/thoughts on the subject ....
</div></div>
Indeed. If Doc Roberts isn't the foremost terminal ballistics expert in the country, he certainly is the best informed who shares his knowledge (and is willing to interact) with us common schlubs on the Interwebs.

Here's his recommended 9mm list from the page Ghogs Nightmare linked to (updated March of this year):

Barnes XPB 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Federal HST 124 gr +P JHP (P9HST3)
Remington Golden Saber 124 gr +P JHP bonded (GSB9MMD)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr JHP
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Ranger Bonded 124 gr +P JHP (RA9BA)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

I use federal hydroshoks BUT
After spending a lot of money and doing my own testing for what my little solo likes the best.
You pistol will shoot different from everyone elses. Take the time to shoot multiple brands and see what you pistol likes the most.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fred_C_Dobbs</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ghogs Nightmare</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good Work MGD
.
Click here for someone that may know somethings findings/thoughts on the subject ....
</div></div>
Indeed. If Doc Roberts isn't the foremost terminal ballistics expert in the country, he certainly is the best informed who shares his knowledge (and is willing to interact) with us common schlubs on the Interwebs.

Here's his recommended 9mm list from the page Ghogs Nightmare linked to (updated March of this year):

Barnes XPB 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Federal HST 124 gr +P JHP (P9HST3)
Remington Golden Saber 124 gr +P JHP bonded (GSB9MMD)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr JHP
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Ranger Bonded 124 gr +P JHP (RA9BA)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
<span style="color: #FF0000">Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)</span>
<span style="color: #FF0000">Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)</span>
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364) </div></div>

Both of these have functioned flawlessly in my Glock 19's. I haven't tested expansion myself but feel DocGKR's knowledge on what works is a safe bet.

Jeremy45
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

Jim Yeager at Tactical response said they did ballistic gel tests and I don't recall what else. He said the Cor Bon self def ammo was unreal and he'd never use anything else unless he had to.

I've always been curious.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

I used to buy the golden sabers to load with back when they didn't cost a kidney. Used to get core seperation fairly frequently with'm (147).
.
I still like the 147s (personally like rangers or hst's as well) but pick bonded if you can. They may have changed the way they make'm from awhile back but just thought I'd let ya know.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

I'll use any good quality manufacturer's (Hornady, Speer, Federal, etc..) Hollow Point design. +p or not, It doesn't really matter to me. Some will counter its your life on the line. I have been in the Mil for a while and have used some pretty janky s*** to cover my life.

If its a hollow point it already is miles ahead of what we have in combat, so I guess I feel fine. Hell if it shoots w/o malfunction I have no gripes about carrying ball, but if the choice is mine of course I'll carry HP's
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

Speer Gold Dot
Federal HST
Winchester Ranger T

In any flavor.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

Federal EFMJ's are great rounds. Works well for light barrier (denim/ heavy clothing) penetration. They reliably expand.
 
Last edited:
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

Koz, those were the only other bullets that performed consistently in the report I posted. They look quite good
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

115 or 130 grain copper pre-fragmented projectiles. If you think they are to expensive ask what your life's worth and get some. Nothing competes with them.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cmonroe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">115 or 130 grain copper pre-fragmented projectiles. If you think they are to expensive ask what your life's worth and get some. Nothing competes with them <span style="font-weight: bold">for poor penetration</span> .</div></div>

Fixed it for ya.
wink.gif
That's basically how I feel about Glaser, etc. That is the type of load you're talking about, yes? Maybe if I lived in an apartment or something and was worried about shooting through a wall.

Lots of better options out there for EDC, imho. I personally have no use for that type of ammo in my life. Maybe the places you go every day mandates that you need to ensure low probability of over-penetration. I can certainly respect that if you do!

-Deadly Punk.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kellogg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">From Evan Marshall and Edwin J. Sanow's "Handgun Stopping Power: The Definitive Study":

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r107/kellogg2185/Best9mmRound.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> </div></div>

Well that 9bp-le is certainly a frangible round through thin clothing( big hole but not real deep) but when i played with it through leather and a downvest into wet phone books it was the worst tested acting just like a fmj. I was not satified with clothing thickness of standard testing. If its winter in my neck of the woods good guys and bad guys alike are insulated. Through leather and a down vest only three rounds performed, the barnes solid copper hollowpoints, the Federal 105 efmjs, and the 115 speer gold dot +p+. My pick is the speer gold dot 115 +P+ LE. Very consistant terminal balistics. Any of those three have proved themselves to me in my informal testing. YMMV. Leather seems to be the ultimate hollowpont plug, the little circular piece of leather cut by the hollowpoint often observed plugged in the hollowpoint of the recovered rounds.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly_punk</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cmonroe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">115 or 130 grain copper pre-fragmented projectiles. If you think they are to expensive ask what your life's worth and get some. Nothing competes with them <span style="font-weight: bold">for poor penetration</span> .</div></div>

Fixed it for ya.
wink.gif
That's basically how I feel about Glaser, etc. That is the type of load you're talking about, yes? Maybe if I lived in an apartment or something and was worried about shooting through a wall.

Lots of better options out there for EDC, imho. I personally have no use for that type of ammo in my life. Maybe the places you go every day mandates that you need to ensure low probability of over-penetration. I can certainly respect that if you do!

-Deadly Punk. </div></div>


You obviously have no idea of what your talking about! These rounds are designed to have 100% weight retention.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cmonroe</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly_punk</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cmonroe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">115 or 130 grain copper pre-fragmented projectiles. If you think they are to expensive ask what your life's worth and get some. Nothing competes with them <span style="font-weight: bold">for poor penetration</span> .</div></div>

Fixed it for ya.
wink.gif
That's basically how I feel about Glaser, etc. That is the type of load you're talking about, yes? Maybe if I lived in an apartment or something and was worried about shooting through a wall.

Lots of better options out there for EDC, imho. I personally have no use for that type of ammo in my life. Maybe the places you go every day mandates that you need to ensure low probability of over-penetration. I can certainly respect that if you do!

-Deadly Punk. </div></div>


You obviously have no idea of what your talking about! These rounds are designed to have 100% weight retention. </div></div>

We apparently aren't talking about the same products.
 
Re: Best 9mm personal defense ammo

Speer Gold Dots top my list.. Followed closely by Winchester Rangers.. All in +P flavor..
 
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