9mm concealed carry ammo selection

What is, in your opinion, the best 9mm concealed carry ammo

  • Federal HST (124 or 147, post in comments)

    Votes: 47 53.4%
  • Win pdx defender (ranger t is supposedly the same thing)

    Votes: 6 6.8%
  • Speer gold dot

    Votes: 29 33.0%
  • Hornady critical defense

    Votes: 14 15.9%
  • Remington golden saber

    Votes: 5 5.7%
  • Federal hydroshocks

    Votes: 6 6.8%
  • Other (post in comments)

    Votes: 8 9.1%
  • Be a victim and blame someone else

    Votes: 1 1.1%

  • Total voters
    88
  • Poll closed .
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greyling22

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I have a Glock 43 as my CCW. Never bought or shot fancy defensive ammo before. It costs a lot more than my cast lead handloads......

But I need a carry ammo. My brief research indicates federal hst might be the best for me, but I'd like to poll the audience. I'd love to hear you pick and why. Also your weight choice within that bullet.
And if you know a super deal on that bullet, post it too. For example, the win pdx is supposedly the same thing as the law enforcement only Winchester ranger t. The ranger t costs about half what the pdx does.
 
I tend to use what my employer issues, either Federal HST or Speer Gold Dot -- both in 124 gr +P. Note that the FBI recently selected Hornady's Critical Duty (not Critical Defense) in 135 gr +P (which the agency said was the most accurate load they tested) and I use this also.

I'm good with any of this stuff; I've still got a lot of Remington Golden Sabers and the newer "Black Belt" on hand, too, as well as my former duty load, Hydra Shok 115 gr +P+ JHPs, and I've seen the damage those inflict on human tissue (which is impressive).

Don't think you can go wrong with any of your candidates. I'd simply pick the load that shoots the most accurately in your carry pistol(s) ... training and practice may be far more important than one's choice of ammo, given the fact that most of today's premium 9mm JHPs all seem to offer uniformly excellent performance.
 
I would be happy with most any name rand ammo that functions 100% in your pistol and is reasonably accurate in it. I have Federal 124 Gr HST non +P in my P-365 and XDm.
 
I have both 124 and 147 hat. Got most of it from bone frog gun club online at fair price.

I've got a springfield xds with at least 6000 rounds through it and the only issue I've ever had was that hornady critical defense failed to feed by the bullet hitting the feed ramp and sticking.

Other than that, as long as it reliably functions and is accurate I'm good. Check you preferred cartridges in all your guns and all your mags.
 
I run HST in all my guns in all calibers.

My preference is 147 grain standard pressure, but have used 124 +P with confidence in the past.

I like that I can find it online for good prices regularily.
 
I've been carrying Hornday Critical Duty (not Defense) for several years now in the two 9mm pistols I've carried, no need to name model and brand pistol. I did some online research before making that choice and have stuck with it. Hopefully I will never know if it was the best choice or not.
 
Hornady Critical Duty 135 grain +p.

I run the same in my Kahrs... minus the '+P' part.

I also chose 'Other', while I like the CD ammos, and my pistols certainly do, I think they would do better without the gummy plug in the HP cavity. It's very likely, after I go through my stash of 135grn CD ammo, I'll switch to either the 147grn XTP or back to the Speer Gold Dot. Originally, the CD 135grn shot better than the Gold Dots, what I carry in my .45's, which is why I switched the 9mm to CD, but given the distances I'm likely to use it in actuality, I don't think 3" vs 4" groups at 15' are going to make that big of a difference.
 
Depends on many factors. Many times I use ARX Plus P. In fact use to shoot and Carry HST but saw the ballistics of the ARX, like the way they Pistol or revolver shoots them and made the switch. People on other post have said that recoil never matters no matter which caliber you choose. Sorry, but just cannot buy that logic. The ARX Plus P shoots very smooth and with lower recoil.
 
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I run a "run-of-the-mill" 115-grain JHP in my Kel-Tec PF9 because it's readily-available, affordable enough for adequate (or more) practice, and functions reliably in the gun. I've used R-UMC ammo before without issue, but what's in there now is Winchester SXT (or something like that) 115-grain stuff sold as a Bass Pro item, which is where I got it.

I'm not going to vote in the poll because I don't have a standard for what is "the best", and because I lack extensive information on each and every load out there. For my mission, a reliable, hollow-pointed round that functions in my gun, hits pretty much where I point it, and is there for me when I want it, suits me fine.
 
whatever one of those runs 100% in YOUR gun and is accurate for your needs







stupid ten thumbs typing
 
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I found a box of 100 remington UMC 115grn hollow points buried in the back of the safe. Think they'd work all right? Not my first choice, but essentially free has appeal.
 
I understand the appeal of free, but I really think you should see if your gun likes them. I'm going to skip voting in the poll, because I have some reservations about choosing one's SD ammo based on the popular vote.

With that said, I typically carry Remington Golden Saber, 124 grain +P bonded. They run well in both my G19 and my Shield. However, I've also run several other brands through them without problems. I'd be OK with carrying any one of several of your poll choices.
 
I understand the appeal of free, but I really think you should see if your gun likes them. I'm going to skip voting in the poll, because I have some reservations about choosing one's SD ammo based on the popular vote.

With that said, I typically carry Remington Golden Saber, 124 grain +P bonded. They run well in both my G19 and my Shield. However, I've also run several other brands through them without problems. I'd be OK with carrying any one of several of your poll choices.

I agree, no offense, but I have never taken much stock in internet polls to begin with. One thing I have learned about firearms over the years is, "MOST POPULAR" really does not mean much. There are some firearms that are the MOST popular that I would not even own.
 
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Let me get out in front of this now: Jeb Stuart's question should be treated as rhetorical. We're not going down that road in this thread.

No problem, Deleted the part that offended you. . And I will stick to the most popular vote does not mean anything. Guns of course. A simpler solution would have been to simply email me and I would have been glad to oblige rather than all the red print.
Thank you.
 
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The Federal HST in 50rnd boxes are pretty well circulated so buying and practicing with them is not difficult. For cost these seem to be the most agreeable for my wallet. The Speer is also readily seen. The others in lesser quantities at the LGS with an increased cost factor.
 
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