9mm defense load recommendation?

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

cyclopsshooter

Member
Joined
May 13, 2009
Messages
2,240
Location
The Shadow Knows...
I have read in some threads that a good hot 9mm +p+ comes close to the numbers for the .357 sig

I am looking for a good defense load along the lines of 147 grain HP +P+ for use in a Taurus PT 1911 9mm

Appreciate any suggestions!
 
I don't recommend using +p+ ammo. There's no standard for loading it, and no guns, that I know of, are rated for it. 9mm +P works fine. If you want .357sig numbers, buy a .357sig.
 
124 or 147 grain normal pressure or +P JHP. Pick your brand, Federal with their HSTs are easy enough to come by, and cheaper than some other premium brands as they come in 50 round boxes.

I agree with what has already been said, if you want a .357Sig go buy a gun chambered in it. I'm sure there are people on here who use 9mm +P+, but I don't like the idea of going above +P even if it's just for occasional use.
 
Well, while +P+ doesn't have a SAAMI rating, if you're buying from any of he reputable manufacturers you really don't have anything to worry about. And most of the best bullet designs only come in +P now anyway. If you look at something like Federal's 124+P+ Hydra-Shock, it's only rated at 1200FPS, which is slower than Speer's 124+P Gold Dot at 1220. So it's not all about the rating.

Personally I'm most a fan of the 147+P HST, though the 124+P or 147 are great too. 147+P, 147, 124+P, 124 HST in that order for me. And being a big steel gun, that one won't give you any unpleasant recoil from the +P 147s, which might do so with something like a PF-9, PM9, something tiny and poly like that.
 
I think you would be hard pressed to go wrong with 124 gr gold dot or hst loadings. 147 HST is supposed to be a very reliable performer as well. Then of course there are the much lauded ranger T's. Pick your poison.
 
I use Federal 115 gr. +P+ JHP. It feeds 100% in my P95 and G26, it has a superb record in police usage and it's fairly economical (50 round boxes can be had for less than $20).
 
The rounds I use for my M&P 9 and 9c are:

- Remington Golden Saber 147 JHP +P
- Remington Golden Saber 124 JHP +P
- Speer Gold Dot 124 +P

You won't find much better ammo than choosing from these 3 loads.

Good luck!!
 
I like the Hornady XLT's in my 9mm.'s (and .45lcp, .38 spec.) They work very well and are accurate in my G 26. However, my old CZ 75B would not chamber them at all. I had the same problem with the Kimber .45 not chambering the Gold Dot HP's. I finally got it through my thick head that I needed to test fire a lot of rounds no matter what the expense, for my carry guns and I could never assume that what worked well in one gun would do the same in another of the same caliber. If it does the job and goes bang every time then imo all you need concern yourself with is practice.
 
Personally I'm most a fan of the 147+P HST, though the 124+P or 147 are great too. 147+P, 147, 124+P, 124 HST in that order for me. And being a big steel gun, that one won't give you any unpleasant recoil from the +P 147s, which might do so with something like a PF-9, PM9, something tiny and poly like that.
Click to expand...
same here, I love the 147+P's

I am a big proponent of +P ammo from the big name manufacturers, I feel they water down their stuff so much for safety, what they call +P is more like really hot standard pressure 9mm.
Other than velocity numbers, I have no facts to support that though.
 
Last edited:
I'm not a fan of +P. I think that bullets and cartridges were designed to work at specific pressures and parameters. I trust 147gr 9mm in standard pressure to have great penetration because of the extra weight. I don't know what it is supposed to do in higher pressure that standard pressure won't. If I wanted a .357 or .357 SIG, I would carry one.
 
I don't know what it is supposed to do in higher pressure that standard pressure won't. If I wanted a .357 or .357 SIG, I would carry one.
Click to expand...


Function a pistol designed specifically for hot service loads more reliably through a wider range of adverse conditions, like when the firer can't maintain a proper two handed hold because he's also busy trying not to get stabbed?

I mean, a 50 foot per second bump isn't trying to turn a 9mm into a .357 of any flavor, it's making the 9mm what it's supposed to be. There are I believe Lapua or Vita loading manuals that have recipes for 147s at almost 1200 feet per second, so 1050 really isn't extreme at all for a load.

As far as calibers and guns being designed to work at certain parameters, 9mm really runs the gamut, from the pure service pistols like the CZ 75s and Glocks that work better with the hotter loads, since they were designed for Euro 9mm stuff, to the Rorbaughs that really shouldn't even be used with regular standard pressure stuff if you can find a lighter load instead. Not to mention all the older guns with worn out springs and the purpose-built target guns that were never meant to use defense/service type loads.
 
I hadn't shot anything living with a 9mm until earlier today when two decent sized dogs (75lbs) came after me. Firing standard NATO 9mm (should be 124g FMJ @ ~1200fps) from a M9 they both went down hard with a single shot to the body. After always hearing how FMJ won't stop anything I was pleasantly surprised at the effectiveness.

In America I carry speer gold dot 124g +p as my defensive load and have no doubts as to it's effectiveness in stopping a threat.
 
Hornady Critical Defense are sure expanders they run them all in the lighter weights for caliber to get more velocity. Its what I use for carry ammo in every caliber I use for carry.
 
This is great info guys! Thanks! FYI one reason I was looking to go 147 is that the lighter bullets shoot low... by up to 4" at 10 yards!- heavier bullets shoot closet to point of aim.
 
And they also do better out of short barrels than lighter bullet loads too.

Unless you carry a fullsize all the time, your ammunition will most likely perform closer to intended spec if using a heavier bullet out of a shorter barreled gun.
 
Of the currently available ammo for the 9mm I would try the Winchester Supreme Elite Bonded PDX1 and the CorBon DPX.
 
I hadn't shot anything living with a 9mm until earlier today when two decent sized dogs (75lbs) came after me. Firing standard NATO 9mm (should be 124g FMJ @ ~1200fps) from a M9 they both went down hard with a single shot to the body. After always hearing how FMJ won't stop anything I was pleasantly surprised at the effectiveness.
Click to expand...
UGH! that is my nightmare! assuming were talking domesticated dogs here.
Im sorry to hear you had to blast 'em, but its good to now you're ok, and also good to know NATO ball ammo works!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
  • Locked
9mm & hiking: HST (or equivalent) HP only
Replies
23
Views
4K
Paladin7
P
G
  • Locked
Defense ammo for 9mm
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
cookekdjr
C
R
  • Locked
low priced gun for defense drills?
Replies
5
Views
685
ugaarguy
ugaarguy
minutemen1776
  • Locked
New respect for 147-grain 9mm?
Replies
24
Views
5K
azrocks
azrocks
C
  • Locked
NEVER use 147 gr AMMO in a 9mm pistol?
2 3 4
Replies
78
Views
101K
9mmepiphany
9mmepiphany
Back
Top