Glock 23 Gen4 - Defensive Ammo Round?

There's like 100 threads on what type of ammo you should use, and everyone's recommendation. I would go with the lighter rounds for carry, as they will provide faster follow up shots, and reduced recoil.

I personally use Winchester Supreme Elite Bonded JHP (basically the same as LEO ammo, and it can be bought at Wal-Mart...)

Any US-made JHP from 155 to 180 grains will work fine. I wouldn't get excited about brands and models within those broad parameters unless/until your skill with that gun is excellent, and even then I wouldn't get excited much. It's all about shot placement.

I'd recommend you carry what your local LEOs carry. This is always a safe bet and usually a top tier cartridge that has been extensively tested already. Or, just find a good HP by Double Tap and call it good.

Anything 155-180, XTP (Hornady, available as a component), HST (Federal), Ranger-T, PDX (both Winchester), Gold Dot (Speer-CCI and available as a component, so lots of other companies offer loads with them), Golden Saber (Remington), or something like the Cor-Bon DPX (based on the all-copper Barnes X bullet, other companies use them too but I don't know any names), anything like that will be just great for a carry round. It's the best idea to put a couple hundred rounds of whatever you do end up caryring through your gun to make sure it likes it, but honestly nostalgia notwithstanding guns are better made from a functional standpoint today and there really aren't any service-type pistols that are outrageously finicky about ammunition. If your new Glock is going to choke on one round, it'll probably choke on a lot of rounds and need some attention.

Been carrying Speer 180 gr Gold Dots in my duty G22 for nearly a decade. I have full confidence in them.

Gold Dot or PDX1....

I prefer 180 grain loads because they cut down on blast & flash and tend to penetrate better. Virtually any premium JHP will do in this caliber, some of the best current examples of which are: Federal HST, Winchester PDX1 (same as Ranger Bonded), Winchester Ranger-T, and Speer Gold Dot.

The gun will be a carry gun plus I plan to carry it in the woods.

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180gr Hornady XTP's, loaded hot by (1st choice) swampfoxammo or (2nd) doubletap ammo

XTP's may not be the best choice for strictly urban setting but I think they are the best compromise for the potential encounter with 4 or 2 legged threats.

Ryan Williams said:

plus I plan to carry it in the woods.

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My understanding is that black bears are fairly common in Wisconsin, and if you ever have to defend yourself from an aggressive one with a .40 S&W (a rare event, but even rarer things have happened to me before, so...), then I think that using heavy solid or hard-cast bullets would improve your chances. Here are a couple of examples:

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=210
http://www.swampfoxgunworks.com/swampfox/home.php?cat=291

Remington 165 gr. Golden Saber. Good combination of velocity and bullet weight and proven to be one of the best stoppers in .40 S&W.

Federal HST 180 gr is what I use for a SD round. Probably any JHP from the major companies will be up to the task.

Kyle

HST, PDX, Gold Dot. All good choices. I happen to use PDX in a M&P40c