9mm carry loads

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1. Cost (If you can't afford enough to do adequate testing it's a non-starter).
2. Reliability - Feed and Function
3. Accuracy (Hits reasonably close to point of aim at 7 yards).
4. Penetration
5. Expansion

That is one way to look at it, and I agree in part. Today, we have so many good choices. There can be a lot of pressure on manufacturers to create the next, new thing to promote - even if what currently exists is adequate to excellent. However, I don't think that I would put cost as an absolute first criteria. How is adequate testing defined? Although it would be great, I don't think that CCW holders need to buy defensive ammo by the case to replicate tests for themselves. Sure, that would be ideal. Most people are buying a couple of boxes, shooting a couple mags, and calling it good. I'm not saying that is due diligence or adequate, just what is typical for the general CC'ing public. I think there is a lot of middle ground between "testing" 2 out of the one box of 20 that was bought and buying a case to shoot 200 rounds through it before a person considers the ammo reliable.

To play devil's advocate a little for cost being a top criteria with the Federal 9PBLE and similar category of ammos, someone would respond, "Thanks, but I'll stick with my HST's." That person is not a terrible person for desiring or purchasing ammo with more recent technology than 9PBLE and similar. However, it does need to be tested in their CCW for those things 94045 listed. Does it shoot to the sights? Does it feed and function correctly? If it has more recoil than practice ammo, has the shooter trained for this? I won't put round counts on reliability since there are too many factors involved. That should be considered, especially with subcompact and micro pistols. Today, there are a majority of handguns that do not need X amount of rounds to confirm reliability, unlike the past.

I get that expansion and penetration criteria are so overhyped today. It seems like everything must be 12-18" with 1XX % of base diameter, or people will turn up their nose and say, "Thanks, but I'll stick with my pretty, gel tested HST's." There is a use case in this instance. Civilian CC'ers do not have the same needs as law enforcement. Some may say they do. Some may think they do. However, the barrier blind criteria - let's call it what it is with the sheetmetal and glass tests - shooting at someone in a car, is a very unlikely defensive situation. However, it is very important in law enforcement. Many times, when a person purchases this kind of ammo and then uses it in their small CC, it doesn't achieve the fps window needed to expand. It doesn't act the same way it would in a full size handgun.

On penetration, it is reasonable to think about total distance a bullet may have to travel to stop a threat. Through a shoulder or arm(s) add to this distance and some ammos may be too shallow. It may not be the driving criteria, but has to be considered.

Also, with the more expensive ammos, there is a tendency to hold onto that ammo longer - the "precious" factor than many have noted. So people go 2,5,10 years + without switching it out because it's their precious, special ammo. The jackets might be tarnished and the powder might not be good, but it's their precious ammo.

At the end of the day, it is the individual's choice what ammo they carry. Having to actually use defensive ammo means that something terrible has happened. The person who pulled the trigger is very likely to experience financial stress over an incident through civil lawsuits. Everyone should be prepared, but also pray that they never have to actually use their CC or ammo.
 
Don't forget to test self-defense ammo at night. Compare a variety of loads. You'll probably notice significant variations in muzzle flash. Muzzle flash might be a tiebreaker between loads that are otherwise similar.

If you do this as part of a training class, you'll also get valuable experience handling your firearm, your flashlight, your sights (including night sights), and engaging a variety of targets in the dark, a condition where many self-defense shootings occur.
 
If we want to really get off into the weeds on this one, let's start a separate thread. That said, it comes up from time to time and presents a Peculiar Problem.

Extremely well reasoned and articulated position.

However, as one who carries reloads in my carry/woods pistols, I place the statistical probability of them causing me legal problems in the same column as worrying over the legal ramifications of shooting a Bigfoot.
 
Just test fired some of my bulk Golden Saber rounds through my 9mms. Worked just fine in the Q4. In my PPS I had some gold/brass colored flakes all over the inside. Particularly to the left of the breech block. Even some in the barrel. Rounds were Golden Saber 124gr +p. Anyone had this issue before?
 
Extremely well reasoned and articulated position.

However, as one who carries reloads in my carry/woods pistols, I place the statistical probability of them causing me legal problems in the same column as worrying over the legal ramifications of shooting a Bigfoot.
Let me reiterate:
If we want to really get off into the weeds on this one, let's start a separate thread....
 
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