CCW ammo choice- 9mm Luger

[Dragon breath]

I shoot 124 grain +p gold dots. Like other people in this thread, I found it in bulk cheap before the current craziness. So I have shot enough of it to confirm reliability and accuracy in my carry gun. And that means more than any differences in jhp bullet performance between different brands.

 

[herrwalther]

My current 9mm of choice is Golden Saber 124gr +p of the nonbonded type. I won a half case several months ago and just haven't shot it much with the lack of replacement ammo around.

 

[FFGColorado]

Like either G9 or Lehigh/Underwood Xtreme Defense. Good test results(yes I know)...

 

[Palladan44]

I shoot 124 grain +p gold dots. Like other people in this thread, I found it in bulk cheap before the current craziness. So I have shot enough of it to confirm reliability and accuracy in my carry gun. And that means more than any differences in jhp bullet performance between different brands.

Just out of curiosity, does bulk cheap before the craziness mean approximately .50 cents/round for Gold Dots?

 

[Charlie98]

Just out of curiosity, does bulk cheap before the craziness mean approximately .50 cents/round for Gold Dots?

If you can find the LE 50rd boxes, it comes pretty close.

Personally, I was carrying the 135grn Critical Duty in my Kahrs, I turned that all over and now I'm stuck with Remington 115grn HTP's... which I don't expect to expand much, if any. My idea was to switch to 124grn GoldDots... but Wuhan Derangement Syndrome fixed that, so after I burn up all my Remington, I'll be forced to carry handloads with a box of 115grn GoldDot component bullets I happened on last week. Not my favorite thing, but it is what it is.

 

[Timeless]

How about continuing to present a deadly threat after being hit with 9mm rounds?

Over 80% of people shot with a handgun survive. More than that survive long enough to remain a deadly threat.

No harm in maximizing the chances of immediate incapacitation.

Larry

I think you both misunderstood my sarcasm. I'm fairly certain (please provide proof otherwise) that any good self defense ammo is going to stop the threat when shot placement is correct and multiple shots taken.

Otherwise no one would use 9mm at all....which is obviously not the case.

 

[DustyGmt]

Im well aware that im not under armed with any quality JHP carry ammunition in my EDC. Whether one of these choices performs better than another in a Gel test, I believe will have little to no noticeable difference in the real world if I do my part. That is because 99.9% of the battle is dependant on quality hits, accurate hits, and quick follow up hits if needed. The other .01% might sway one way or another depending on the type of quality JHP ammunition I choose.

Lets look over my current ammunition options, and see if anybody has any opinions on them.
My EDC is a Glock 19 Gen4 in standard config.

Federal HI-Shok +P+ (9BPLE). 115gr. JHP

Federal HI-Shok (9BP) 115 gr. JHP

Remington Golden Saber Bonded +P 124 gr JHP

Winchester Ranger Service Bonded +P 147gr JHP

The Remington Golden Sabers I carry currently.

Of those choices, I'd probably use the Golden Sabers 124's. Then probably the +p+. If you can find any Hornady critical duty/defense that's good stuff too. I've conducted some semi scientific tests with like 8 different brand hollow points. The only one that had shoddy unreliable performance was some generic Hornady JHP and winchester WB JHP. The golden sabers, Gold Dots, HST's and Critical duty did really well and opened up reliably.

 

[Dudedog]

I like 124 Gold Dots, or Golden Sabres in 9mm.
Back when I could order online (before CAs law back when stopped it) I got them from Target Sports USA.
Good prices on both. (back then)

 

[JR24]

If be happy with your Golden sabers or Rangers.

Have some GS in my safe as a backup option if I run out of HST.

 

[DT Guy]

I think you both misunderstood my sarcasm. I'm fairly certain (please provide proof otherwise) that any good self defense ammo is going to stop the threat when shot placement is correct and multiple shots taken.

Otherwise no one would use 9mm at all....which is obviously not the case.

Of course, perfect shots would require very little energy to stop someone. Unfortunately, few defensive situations allow for 'perfect' shot placement, and an attacker may be difficult to land multiple hits on. The question, then, isn't whether a caliber can stop an attack with an ideal placement and multiple rounds, but whether it can do it with imperfect placement and however many rounds you're able to land in the circumstances.

Lots of livestock, from what I've heard, are dispatched with a .22LR held up to the proper spot on the head; that's not the same as going hunting an 1,100# animal with a .22LR.

Larry

 

[TheBruce]

All of my self defense pistols are loaded with Federal HST (9mm and 45). I don't remember if the 9mm I have on the shelf at home is 124gr or 147gr, but either will do the job.

 

[KevininPa]

It's certainly a factor, and hard data is tough to come by. This YTD from Chicago shootings compiled by 'Heyjackass.com', however, shows that 317 people were shot in the 'chest' this year, and 154 died and 163 were wounded.
253 were shot in the 'abdomen', with 39 dying and 214 injured.

In fact, of 4,091 people shot by any firearm, 3,394 survived. Guns aren't the magic death thunderbolt lots of people believe them to be.

Again, not scientific data, but better than nothing, and confirms that most people shot with a handgun survive.

Site: www.heyjackass.com

Lots of interesting, albeit anecdotal, info on Chicago shootings there.

Larry

Honestly, I just hope to end the fight. I use Federal 9bp classics. It was good enough for Stephen Camp. If it was good enough for his Browning High Power, it's good enough for my FEG.

 

[Space Ghost]

The initial post of "do your part" was correct in my book. That said, I use 124 gr HST. The reason is simple. I was ordering a case of 147 gr HST, and clicked the wrong thing. Screw it. If I do my part, it will suffice. Maybe I'll go back next case. Probably should get another case anyhow, but that's been impossible all year in 2020... Been limiting my range time to stretch what I have...I hate it.

 

[RikSors]

Limited to the list, the one you currently carry would be my choice as well.

RemGSB +P 124jhp

 

[Deanimator]

Nothing of any use to me is available, all sold out. So, apart from what I currently have on hand, it's a moot point.

 

[unclenunzie]

Apart from current availability issues, it's good that so many solid choices are manufactured. I'm OK with 124 grain gold dots, plain or +P, or the bonded golden sabers. Just in general I seem to get really good consistency and accuracy from pretty much any Speer gold dot, but that could be perception. To me they seem top flight.

 

[Dragon breath]

Just out of curiosity, does bulk cheap before the craziness mean approximately .50 cents/round for Gold Dots?

Not quite. It means $.20 per round. These were government contract overruns. (Brass has dated head stamp)

 

[k_dawg]

I prefer the recoil/impulse of 147gr bullets. I use them almost exclusively in matches and practice.

I have a ton of reliability record with HST and GD's in my carry guns, but performance wise I'll be perfectly fine with Horn Critical Defense as well. Those three seems to have a strong track record with terminal ballistics.

Luckily, I can still get the 50round 'LE Only" boxes.

 

[JTHunter]

Yep those are good rounds. I stack two of those with a FMJ then two more etc. on down the mag. Always have and always will. Even with a revolver two HP then a FMJ. Just another thing if I need to have some extra penetration.

Good idea. I do the same as you never know when you might need some "deeper penetration".

I won't even consider anything under 124gr., and absolutely nothing but JHPs.

As I said above, you don't know when you might need to shoot through a door at somebody who is kicking it down. Or maybe they have some kind of helmet (maybe a blue one?) that you need to get through.
Just thinkin' - -

 

[TTv2]

I'm not gonna go thru every reply, but I'm gonna guess a lot of people said HST and that's a fine ammo, but it doesn't mean it's best for everyone or the OP specifically.

I see OP uses Golden Sabers and IDK off the top of my head how those do, I'm I'm inclined to believe pretty well considering it's a name brand and bonded.

I use to be OCD about various JHP options for defense... I don't care what brand people choose, so long as they've done research to see if it works. Luckygunner, Paul Harrell, TNoutdoors9, ShootingTheBull, and even guys like @5pins here on this forum have done a good job showcasing what different hollow points in various calibers can do. So long as you have evidence that a particular bullet/ammo will work, buy whatever you want.

Personally, I buy what is cheap and what I've seen works. Winchester White Box 115gr was cheap and works, even from short 3 inch barrels and it does seem 115gr hollow points work from any barrel length, plus they're also lower in recoil than 124 and 147 grain. Another I want to like is PPU Defense Line, but I've seen almost no reviews of it.

I do advocate you get an ammo that you can easily get more of. If you don't like to shop online or can't due to state/local laws, get what's available in local stores. If you do shop online, congrats, you've joined the modern world, get whatever you want.

 

[Dr.Rob]

115gr Silvertips. By the time I move to next generation ammo maybe the shortage will be over.

 

[IdaD]

I've got a decent amount of SD handgun ammo and I'm not shooting it now so I guess I'm pretty lucky. I guess I'd say my preference is standard pressure 124 grain HST. But I also have Critical Defense and Gold Dots, and some WWB JHP that's functioned well for me. When things get back to normal I'll probably shoot off my other stuff and narrow in on HST.

 

[willbe01]

Remington Ultimate Defense 124 grain not necessarily my favorite but I was able to find 1000 rounds in February. At became the one to shoot.

 

[P5 Guy]

124 grain Gold Dots fill my Glock 26 magazines.

 

[FFGColorado]

Nothing of any use to me is available, all sold out. So, apart from what I currently have on hand, it's a moot point.

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