Good home defense ammo in 9mm for older (70s) gun.

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Mizz Maddie

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My bedside handgun is a Beretta 92S made in 1979 and it's a great shooter. I'd like to find some dedicated home defense rounds that I can keep on hand but also practice with at the range, maybe something in sjhp. I'm leery about using +P or +P+ with this gun though it would probably be fine. I also have a Star BM for which I'd like to use the same ammo. Thanks for any input you may have!
 
Any regular 9mm in the defensive configuration of your choice will do nicely. Personally, I practice with Speer Lawman 124 and use one of the uber-priced bullets in the defensive ammo line for the nightstand duty
 
If you want to practice what you shoot without breaking the bank the standard 115 grain Winchester, Remington or Federal JHPs should be fine. If you want to use something more premium I'd try to find some 50 round boxes of 124 grain HST online and order in bulk.
 
Any major SD ammo / brand that you are able to run 100 or so rounds through to make sure it functions without issue.

No need for +P

HST, Gold Dot, Golden Saber, PDX1, SXT, Critical Defense or Duty(duty penetrates more). Etc.

They are all in the statistical minutiae of each other performance wise. The key thing is to make sure they function in your pistol. Even the most reliable Glock 17 on the planet can find a round that it might not like. Best to know that earlier then later if you know what I mean.

I suspect your Beretta will still be pretty reliable with whatever as long as it’s clean and cared for just because the feed system is inherently pretty forgiving/straight in. You still need to test just to make sure.

Don’t get hung up on the wunderbullet just make sure the bullet works in your gun and you can hit what you are aiming at.

My non tactical, high drag, low speed opinion.
 
The 92S is a fine gun, but if you are contemplating shooting "hot" loads in it, I would strongly recommend replacing the locking block and recoil spring with new parts-
2019-07-29-16-32-30--1090813546.jpg
https://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-92-96-locking-block-kit/le9201/
For $35 this is a good upgrade for any older Beretta and will eliminate the most common breakage item on the gun (the old-style locking block).
Changing out the parts is not too difficult, there are plently of videos online showing how to do it.
 
Saami standard pressure for 9mm is 35KPSA. +P is 38.5KPSA

Not much of a difference pressure wise.

.357 SIG is 40 KPSI. And the .357 SIG is used a a weapon the same size as a 9MM. If the thinner chamber walls of the SIG will handlle 40K, the is no question the 9mm is just fine with 38.5
 
Saami standard pressure for 9mm is 35KPSA. +P is 38.5KPSA

Not much of a difference pressure wise.

.357 SIG is 40 KPSI. And the .357 SIG is used a a weapon the same size as a 9MM. If the thinner chamber walls of the SIG will handlle 40K, the is no question the 9mm is just fine with 38.5

You are correct, but the OP stating she has an older pistol from the 70's. I would not use anything but standard ammo. I Would replace the springs and run standard ammo thru it.
 
If you want to use something more premium I'd try to find some 50 round boxes of 124 grain HST online and order in bulk.
This is what I would do also. SGammo typically has 124 grain HST ammo for $30/50 round box. Not cheap, but definitely the best option I've seen for that ammo, which is excellent. I'd probably buy 4 or 5 boxes, save half of it for my stash, and shoot the rest for reliability testing.

I see no reason to shoot +p ammo in a full size gun. The longer barrels will accelerate the bullets just fine for SD use. I tend to use them in my small carry guns, in an attempt to squeak out all the velocity I can to ensure expansion. But once I'm satisfied they work, I just shoot my carry ammo up every now and then, and replace it. I don't shoot a steady supply of +p in any gun.

I tested velocities out of my P938 with the 124 gr +p ammo, and the velocity was an extremely consistent 1100 fps from that little 3" barrel. As in the extreme spread was only 5 fps. I think that was a small sample, but my point is that test impressed me. Standard pressure from a Beretta 92 length barrel aught to do just fine.
 
I like the Fed Hydra-Shok Deep 135 gr, it performs well, is reasonably priced, and is readily available
 
I was helping mu niece with her first CCW. WHen we looked at ammo choices, I pulled these up...
Gel test video Federal 9mm 124gn HST
Gel test video Federal 9mm 124gr HST+P
Gel test video Federal 9mm 147gr HST
Gel rest video Federal 9mm 147gt HST +P

I personally find these kinds of things interesting, and I presented her with this info. I let her shoot some of each, and she made a decision based on the gel test and her recoil tolerance, which surprisingly high for a relatively new shooter and one that may best be described as tiny.

Anywho, the standard pressure really doesn't give too much up to the +P versions, and the pick of the litter for her was the 124gn standard pressure. Honestly, any good quality design from a first rate manufacturer should be fine. I don't think +P would hurt a 92S, but it is YOUR gun and you get to make the call. I recommend 50 round boxes instead of the cute little plastic things designed for no other purpose than running up price. If a case is too much, you can do what we did in college, and get some friends to go in with you.

BTW, cool little pistol. I haven't seen one in years.
 
I guess I don't understand the heartburn some folks have with +P and +P+.

I've used tons of it for many years with no ill effect whatsoever.
I'm not sure heartburn is the right word, rather simply absolutely no interest in +p or +p+ ammo in any caliber. I have absolutely no issue with other folk buying and using +p or +p+ ammo in their guns.
 
Saami standard pressure for 9mm is 35KPSA. +P is 38.5KPSA

Not much of a difference pressure wise.

.357 SIG is 40 KPSI. And the .357 SIG is used a a weapon the same size as a 9MM. If the thinner chamber walls of the SIG will handlle 40K, the is no question the 9mm is just fine with 38.5

Not sure I understand how a pistol chambered for .357 Sig is relevant to the OP's 70's era Beretta 92S ?
 
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