What 9mm Defensive Ammunition do You Carry?

I use whatever 124 grain HP load is currently on sale at PSA.

I have been carrying Hornady Critical Duty in my Kimber R7 9mm. I have recently purchased several hundred rounds of 124 grain Federal Law Enforcement HST.
I also have Underwood 124 & 147 hollow points as options.

I carry the Hornady 115gr critical defense. I did a quick little test today just out of curiosity. I got a new pair of work boots so I thought hmm I’ll shoot the old pair and see what happens. Bullet went clean through both sides of the boot and the waterproof membrane layer and still fully expanded in water jugs. Nothing scientific or proof worthy but the polymer tip did keep the bullet from clogging. Also did a separate test and shot through a layer of leather and two layers of duck canvas work pants. Still the bullet expanded fully into the 3rd jug.

I was given a few boxes of Winchester White box 115gr. HP. I watched tests on you tube. It penetrated good. I think it was around 15” can’t remember. It also expanded well. I’m carrying it. Corbon 115+P also.

AUhiker said:

I carry the Hornady 115gr critical defense. I did a quick little test today just out of curiosity. I got a new pair of work boots so I thought hmm I’ll shoot the old pair and see what happens. Bullet went clean through both sides of the boot and the waterproof membrane layer and still fully expanded in water jugs. Nothing scientific or proof worthy but the polymer tip did keep the bullet from clogging. Also did a separate test and shot through a layer of leather and two layers of duck canvas work pants. Still the bullet expanded fully into the 3rd jug. View attachment 1196484View attachment 1196485View attachment 1196486View attachment 1196487

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What a waste of a perfectly good pair of work boots !

Although supply is getting better, it boils down to what's available some days. Having said that, I like the 124grn Speer GoldDots, although I'm perfectly happy with Hornady 124 or 135grn JHP's, or even Remington HTP's. I think I actually have 115grn GoldDots in the magazines right now... as I said... it's what was available at the time, although I prefer the 124-135grn weight.

When I carried a 9mm, I generally used a +P loading of the Gold Dot bullet, whether by Speer or someone else. Prior to the GD, I used CorBon.

I'm currently deciding on a compact 9mm, and, when I decide on one, I'll probably test it primarily with Gold Dot Short Barrel if they still make it.

My CZ P-01 is loaded with Hornady Critical Duty 124 grain +P. My S&W Shield is loaded with Hornady Critical Defense 115 grain.
Full disclosure - These are house guns. My daily carry is a S&W 642 with Federal HST.

Old_Grouch said:

My CZ P-01 is loaded with Hornady Critical Duty 124 grain +P. My S&W Shield is loaded with Hornady Critical Defense 115 grain.
Full disclosure - These are house guns. My daily carry is a S&W 642 with Federal HST.

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Have you tried Hornady Critical Defense in your 642?
Just curious?

WisBorn said:

Have you tried Hornady Critical Defense in your 642?

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No, I haven't. The Lucky Gunner gel tests on the Federal HST are so impressive I haven't considered anything else.

mavs said:

What a waste of a perfectly good pair of work boots !

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Nahh my work buys me a new pair every year. They were on their way to the trash and I thought no I’ll get more use out of them with a test!

Atavar said:

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How do you like the external hollow points?

SKILCZ said:

How do you like the external hollow points?

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So far all I can say is they group great on paper. I haven’t shot anything meaty with them.

Nothing special. Keep cast target loads in all handguns. Use the same type bullets in carbines for hunting and they work just fine. My firearms are for entertainment purposses first and defense is the second but I'm confident they fill both roles w/o issue.

For 9mm I cast 125 2r bullets loaded for accuracy and not maximum speed but its still a powerful load at around 1050fps from 5" handguns. I can load them hotter at max std pressure or +p levels but then the accuracy goes away. Gold Dot and XTP HPs shoot fine also at around the same velocities but not any better - I can't justify the increased cost to use them for my needs. I've used 147 cast and the 125 HP devistator cast bullets and the Lee 156-125-2R commercial moulded bullet w/ #2 alloy performs the best across the board in all my firearms.

When I load the same bullet in a 357mag case for use in a lever gun for hunting med game it works fine but its moving at 2300fps for a shade under 1500 ft-lbs of energy. A gas check is installed and super moly lube is used w/ mag velocities but its the same bullet.

I've used both HPs and soft solids for hunting and both perform well. The most critical part of using either is bullet placement and proper firearm function. Based on that I always suggest the use of what has a reliable function and you can hit with first and then consider any other options.

For my 9's, I usually carry the ~124 gr. Speer Gold Dots.... Rod

Currently I am carrying Federal 124 HST +P. I have found this round to be accurate and functions well in all my 9MM's.

Sig- Sauer +P Ball.

Hornady Critical Duty 135+p
Fed HST 124

I've done a lot of experimenting over the last couple years. At the moment I carry Federal Premium Punch 124 gr HP. Very easy on the wallet and gets the job done. Functions flawlessly in my prized S&W 3rd Gen 915.

I too carry 124 grain Federal premium law enforcement HSTs in all my 9 mms.

In my 40s the 180 grain Winchester Rangers and in the 45 I use 230 grain Speer Gold Dots.

I use those because I found them on sale and bought a bunch.

I did alot of researching on the subject over the years and as some would say got all "wrapped around the axle about it" but it was just me nerding out because it's an interesting subject, drew from many people's tests on YouTube, first and foremost at the time being tnoutdoors9, fantastic content imo. But anyway, I was interested enough to do my own testing and my favorite is pretty much Hornady Critical Duty 135+P and standard 135's for subcompacts.

But, I have no illusions, any premium HP that LE or FBI carry is going to do its job well and has been tested for quality, truthfully any reliable bullet will poke and drain. I could be comfortable carrying quality FMJ. But, since I know they pretty much all work with slight edge in barrier penetration in some over others, I like the Hornady CD and have boxes of Gold Dots, HST, Golden Saber, Rangers, PDX1, XTP's, Hydra Shok, etc.... many different magazines loaded from different eras of my shooting and would grab any mag available and be confident. I just like the Critical Dutys because the punch through and are accurate and in Gel tests their expansion seemed to be the most reliable, not necessarily the largest expanded diameter but reliably expanded in a way that I liked in the videos I watched and the testing media I used personally.

HST 124 gr in my shorter barrels and 147 in my longer barrels. I know that's not really necessary with the HST but it makes me feel better. I also find the +p to be unnecessary with these and Gold Dots.



On a side note, HST 230gr in my .45 and Hornady 110+p FTX in my snub 38.

MechaDragon said:

Just general curiosity really. I have carried and trusted in my Barnes Tac-XPD for quite a number of years at this point.

Pretty simple and typical start to ownership really. I researched good defensive 9mm loads, saw ballistic tests and so on and so forth, and picked some up.

I then proceeded to get familiar with how my handgun shot the ammunition at my local range and I felt it was satisfactory and I could place shots accurately.

If memory serves, I believe I started carrying the Barnes around 2012-2013. Luckily I have only had to ready my weapon once, and have never had to actually fire it in a defensive situation.

Ive never carried any other defense round. I don't really feel any sort of need to change ammunition either, so this is purely a curiosity thread. What do you carry?

Oh by the way my carry weapon is a Walther PDP 4" Compact 15-round 9mm with Trijicon HD XR Night Sights. I originally had the PPQ Sub-Compact LE Edition but decided I wanted something larger right around the time the PDP series came around. I just prefer the way a Walther feels in my hand.

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Speer Gold Dot, 124 grain

AUhiker said:

I carry the Hornady 115gr critical defense. I did a quick little test today just out of curiosity. I got a new pair of work boots so I thought hmm I’ll shoot the old pair and see what happens. Bullet went clean through both sides of the boot and the waterproof membrane layer and still fully expanded in water jugs. Nothing scientific or proof worthy but the polymer tip did keep the bullet from clogging. Also did a separate test and shot through a layer of leather and two layers of duck canvas work pants. Still the bullet expanded fully into the 3rd jug. View attachment 1196484View attachment 1196485View attachment 1196486View attachment 1196487

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There's a reason behind the growing popularity of the assorted polymer nose cavity plugs being developed for LE use. As it trickles down to commercial use, it's not a bad thing.