115 or 124 for 9mm self defense

[Arizonan]

I normally shoot 124 HST standard bullets for SD. But I am thinking 115 JHP will work really well also. I am shooting them out of my SD9 VE and Shield. They are my ccw weapons.
Any thoughts fellow gunners?

 

[wow6599]

With small barreled guns I like 115 gr, mid to full size I go 124, 127 gr.

It's probably just ocd working against me, but I like to get as much velocity as I can from smaller firearms, like a Shield or PM9.

4" and larger, I always like 124 gr stuff. Nothing to back this up....just what I do.

 

[C0untZer0]

I think we've covered this

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=737216

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8979055#post8979055

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8910431#post8910431

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8826720#post8826720

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8786830#post8786830

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8630918#post8630918

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8520246#post8520246

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8516005#post8516005

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8468322#post8468322

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8230427#post8230427

 

[wow6599]

I think we've covered this

And 95% of the other posts on THR have been covered as well, but why not.......at least it's not .357 vs. 10mm for bear!

 

[C0untZer0]

OK, well then I'm going to cut & paste the stuff I've said before.

 

[C0untZer0]

But I am thinking 115 JHP will work really well also.

Why do you think that?

 

[herrwalther]

By sheer luck when my brother came to visit some months ago he brought 124gr and 147gr carry ammo for his Sig 2022. Was a learning experience comparing to my 115gr at the time. The difference in recoil among the 3 weights was barely noticeable in my compact Ruger. So I ended up getting 147gr HST that afternoon. Reliability and accuracy in your chosen firearm should always be priority in your carry ammo. Find that magic ammo and stick with it.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

The question is maybe overthought and over discussed but like someone said, every topic has been except discussion of guns just invented!

For my own part I like to carry 147gr, although I'll carry 124gr if that's what I can find. Years ago I carried 115gr and felt that "speed kills" was the best theory. I have since decided it's probably more complicated than that.

 

[BSA1]

YouTube has some good videos. A very good is done by Shooting the bull. He shoots five rounds through heavy weight demin and five rounds into plain gelatin for a total of 10 rounds. Type in Ammo Quest.

HST performs very well but it is expensive. Hornady Flex Tip is another excellent performer and is much more affordable. I buy it for $17.99 when on sale.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I carry 124 gr +P HST. It isn't too expensive at all when I find it in 50 round boxes, and it performs well and is reliable in my M&P.

 

[LockedBreech]

According to the research of Dr. Roberts and others, modern 124 and 147 do better than 115. I like standard pressure 147-grain HST the best, but finding the stuff is like finding gold.

 

[TomJ]

I use HST 124 grain standard pressure. I've never heard anything but good things about them, it penetrates 15 inches in gel tests and opens reliably. I'm usually a fan of +P's but stayed with the standard pressure as the penetration is good and lower recoil makes follow up shots more accurate. Target Sports USA has them for $27 for a box if 50, about half the cost I've seen in retail stores.

 

[Propforce]

The question is maybe overthought and over discussed but like someone said, every topic has been except discussion of guns just invented!

For my own part I like to carry 147gr, although I'll carry 124gr if that's what I can find. Years ago I carried 115gr and felt that "speed kills" was the best theory. I have since decided it's probably more complicated than that.

So what are you saying? Momentum matters?

 

[tuj]

Barnes solid copper SDX 115gr +p

Solid copper retains 100% of its weight unlike many bullets that contain lead in their construction. Even if the interior 'razor petals' of the bullet break off from hard bone, 85% of bullet weight will still be retained.

Barnes has a good history of very modern, very powerful rifle bullets that also happen to be exceptionally accurate as well. Their handgun bullets use the same technology.

 

[ku4hx]

I favor 120-124 grain since all varieties (cast, plated and jacketed) perform quite well in our guns. I've loaded many 115 grain, and even some 100 grain, very successfully. The secret to good performance in my case is mating the proper powder to the weight of the bullet. Those in the 120 grain range in my experience have the most latitude when it comes to powder choice.

And that penchant for the 120 grain weight range for bullets rolls over into what little factory I do buy.

 

[RustyShackelford]

New Shield, 9x19mm.....

I recently purchased a new in box M&P Shield 9mm(no thumb safety).
For carry & defense I plan to use CorBon PowRball & maybe Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P JHP(short barrel) or Winchester PDX1 124gr +P. I like rounds like the PowRball with a rounded profile that can feed/cycle better in short pistol barrels like the M&P Shield. For spare mags, I'm going to load Winchester 9mmNATO FMJ.

I prefer the 124gr milspec FMJ over the 115gr FMJs in 9mm. In the "old days"(1980s/1990s), surplus 124gr ball was common & cheaper for range use/practice. Now, in 2014, gunners & CCW license holders have to take what they can find, .

Youtube's TNoutdoors does a lot of ammunition reviews. That might help pick a good 9mm load.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

I shoot 124 gr. Flat Points for range or SD.

VooDoo

 

[M1key]

Mozambique drill: two to the chest and one to the head.

It's the only way to be sure and any bullet weight will work.

M

 

[Lone Ranger]

I normally shoot 124 HST standard bullets for SD. But I am thinking 115 JHP will work really well also. I am shooting them out of my SD9 VE and Shield. They are my ccw weapons.
Any thoughts fellow gunners?

Have you checked with manufacturer recommendation for ammo. Follow those. Then watch a couple of YouTube vid on 9mm 115, 124, 147 ballistic test to get a better idea. I would also recommend that you go to forums that specifically deal with the SD9 VE and Shield to see what others have found works best in those weapons.

 

[Warp]

For specific rounds I've settled on

Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P
Federal HST 147gr

Though I've favored the Gold Dot +P rounds for nearly a decade now.

For a little less money you can still buy Federal 9BPLE from retailers like SGAmmo (that's a 115gr labeled as +P+)


The design of the specific bullet/round matters more than a broad-brush "this weight is best" application.

 

[Manny]

I like the recoil characteristics of 147gr loads best in my experiance and prefer the better sectional density/likelyhood of better penetration of the heavier bullets as well.

 

[C0untZer0]

I shoot 124 gr. Flat Points for range or SD.

Yep, and that's why, in this case its super-extra important to "know your target and what's beyond it."

 

[Chocolate Bayou]

Cartridge

I shoot Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P. I've never had any problems and recoil is negligible