9mm +P 115gr JHP enough for home defence?

[Yehen]

Hey guys, just picked up a H&K P7M8. Gonna use it for home defense. The only decent ammo the gun store had was 9mm +P 115gr Bonded JHP. Is this enough for home defence? I wanted a heavier bullet but they didn't have any.

 

[Leanwolf]

I know a peace officer who, while off duty, had to shoot an attacker. The officer was using the very same pistol you listed, with department issued 9mm Fed. 115 grains +P hollowpoints. One round through the attacker's heart and the fight was over immediately.

Yeah, you do your part and that bullet will do its part.

L.W.

 

[Wolfman_556]

A 9mm loaded with hollow points will do the job.

It doesn't have the shock & awe BOOM! of a .45, but it's not a toy either.

 

[B yond]

I would not recommend de-fencing your home with a 9mm. A sawzall would do the job much cheaper and quieter.



Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Now, for defending you home, a 9mm should be fine.

 

[esq_stu]

If you do your job, it will do its job.

 

[TX35]

I wouldn't want to get shot with one!!! For all those people who say that a 9mm isn't good enough, ask them if you can shoot them with one!!

 

[Beowolf1911]

self defence is like real estate, location location location. A .22 will do the job if you put it in the right spot, a .500 sw doesn't do anything if you miss the target. For a home defence round any common caliber will do the job as long as you get enough practice with the gun.

 

[Keegan]

9mm might not be as strong as 45ACP or a 12g, but you put a mag full into somebody and they'll go down just the same.

 

[Bob F.]

Yep!

Stay safe.
Bob

 

[newkahrman]

It is more about the ammo than the caliber. If you have good expanding ammo, and the bullet goes where you want it. 9mm is just fine. the lack of recoil helps stay on target as well. I all about the 9

 

[possum]

to the op yes! they have been proven to work.

 

[benEzra]

Yes, most definitely.

 

[Biker]

I tried...I really did but, the fact is, a 9mm may expand, but a .45 never shrinks. And that's a damn fact.

Shot placement *is* number one, but after that, take an edge wherever you can find it and bigger bullets make bigger holes. It really is that simple.

Choose the biggest caliber you can control. If it's a 9mm, fine. Work with it. But if you can go bigger, do. I don't trust HPs - they may or may not expand. That being said, I carry Winchester 225gr Silvertips in my .45LC snubbie. If they expand for me, great. If not, I have a guaranteed .45 hole. That's bigger than .355. Could make a difference.

Biker

 

[Yehen]

Home defense with a Sawzall Haha.

Their Remington 9mm's...Brand wise I'm sure they'll be fine.

 

[newkahrman]

I like to shoot alot. 9mm is alot cheaper than 45. so it doesn't break the bank to go to the range. and yes hollow points do expand. Never saw one that didn't.

 

[Biker]

If you never saw one that didn't, you haven't looked at very many. Do a little research beyond gelatin.

Biker

 

[Anonymous Coward]

Is this enough for home defence?

You'll never know until you know.

 

[NG VI]

are they golden sabers? because golden sabers are fantastic.

congratulations on the P7, I'm a little jealous.

and yes they will be fine, just practice practice practice till your plenty familiar with your pistol

 

[KBintheSLC]

You know it will. I personally prefer 124gr+P... It seems a little more balanced between weight and velocity. However, I bet the real world difference is negligible. A lot of folks bash the 9mm saying that a .45 is the only "real" caliber. I personally think they are trying to compensate for a shortage of certain physiological characteristics. Not to say that a .45 is not better, just saying that a 9mm is plenty for human attackers.
Do a double tap to the chest, and even the most spun-out tweaker will go down.

Golden Saber 124gr+P
Gold Dot 124gr+P
Winchester Ranger... if you can find it.

 

[akanotken]

Remember, a 9mm may slow down, but a .45 will never speed up

Lots of folks don't want to be pinched, doesn't mean I'd defend my home with a pair of pliers. :0 I wouldn't use this logic to select a HD gun.

I value in this order:
1. ability to shoot it well at speed
2. Tactics
3. penetration to a minimum optimal depth (14 inches?).
4. diameter of the hole.

(depending on how you define them, 1 and 2 may switch places)
That's to have the optimal chance. You don't have to have optimum to get the job done. Lots of folks accomplish HD (and hunting) with much less that the perfect firearm.

And for lots of folks the above is a .45

9mm certainly can help with #1, you can shoot more, and it is generally more controllable. Right bullet will help with #3.

I'm guessing you like the p7 as a platform, any reason not to increase the capacity and go with the p7m13?

 

[CAS700850]

Use what you shoot best. I'd rather hit with a 9mm than miss with a .44 Magnum.

 

[ravencon]

If you aren't a reloader the big advantage 9mm has over other calibers is that practice ammo is much less expensive. Its better to be more skilled with a lesser caliber than less skilled with a more powerful caliber.

 

[Anonymous Coward]

This topic is over-discussed.

Anyway, my untutored opinion is that you should use the biggest caliber you can comfortably shoot. More importantly, hits count, and follow-up hits count even more. One-shot stopping power from a handgun is nothing you can count on, and "shot placement" more precise than hitting center-of-mass is also not a realistic expectation.

I will waive my two-cent fee.

 

[cookekdjr]

Because of my job I've reviewed quite a few autopsies and medical records related to gunshot wounds. I used to poo poo the 9mm until I noticed that the better 147gr and +p loads performed almost as well as 40/357/45. I would not hesitate to rely on a quality 115gr +p load to protect my family.
-David

 

[Biker]

The key word being "almost".

That being said, I've always wanted a P7.

Biker