9mm SD carry ammo???

[CZ223]

I just bought an LC9 for my daughter, and am wondering which ammo has the best record for expansion/penetration. What are the cops carrying? I know this sounds like a rookie question but, I assure you, I am no rookie. I gave up on the 9mm around the time the 40S&W came out because I consider it a much better round. The 40 has too much recoil for my daughter, so I want her to carry the best 9mm ammo available. On the other side of the question is the fact that I believe you should practice with the ammo you carry, at least on occassion, after you have made sure that it functions ireliably in your weapon. For this reason, I currently have the LC9 loaded with Remington JHP's bought from WM. I have several hundred round of this stuff through it plus another couple hundred FMJ's without a hitch. At leastI know this stuff will work. I also bought some 147 grain Fiocchi XTP ammo which works quite well. I doubt that it will expand, but maybe reliable penetration is enough. There are so many different rounds out there, at around a buck a piece, that it would be nice to at least have a good place to start. The rounds that I have seen locally are:
Winchester personal protection
Remington JHP (the stuff I carry now)
Remington HD
Fiocchi XTP
Winchester PDX
Speer Gold dot
I am sure that there others that I am forgetting about but I swould like some recomendations. The one I am leaning toward right now is the PDX because it is available at Wal-mart and is currently on sale at Cabelas.

 

[Ben86]

My current choice is Winchester pdx1 124 grain +P. This might have to much recoil in a tiny, light gun like that for your daughter.

You might want to stick with standard pressure loads. Speer gold dot 124 grain might do the trick.

 

[Odd Job]

Speer Gold Dot.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I am not too sure about any "+P" in that lightweight gun with its thin grip.

 

[Blue68f100]

If your daughter is recoil sensitive you may want to look at the Hornady Critical Defense ammo. It does not meet FBI penetration test but is close 10" vs 12". Expansion is what these are know for. I live in a state in which we are responsible for everything the bullets hits so over penetration is a concern. The local PD where I live uses Winchester.

 

[Tomac]

Of the ones you have listed I'd choose the Winchester 147gr PDX1 (current FBI issue load). It's what I carry in my S&W M&P9c compact and I prefer the 147's recoil cycle to that of lighter bullets (more push, less snap).
If that's too much for her then check out the CorBon 115gr DPX (should be available at your Cabela's).
HTH...
Tomac

 

[rellascout]

I am current using 124gr +p Gold Dots and Winchester 147gr Ranger Ts. For smaller shorter gun I prefer the 147gr because it is my understanding that the extra friction from the larger bullet allows for more powder to burn and results in better velocity from shorter barrels. I agree that +p ammo is not fun out of these little guns.

Ranger Ts $26.95 for a box of 50 http://www.sgammo.com/product/winchester/50rds-9mm-ranger-ra9t-147-gr-t-series

Gold Dots $27.95 for 50 http://www.sgammo.com/product/speer/50rds-9mm-speer-gold-dot-124-p-le-hollow-point

 

[mljdeckard]

blue68f100, that would be EVERY state.

And remember also, that even if there were a magical which is guaranteed to penetrate sufficiently without being dangerous AFTER it leaves a human target (which there isn't,) that doesn't do stop them from hitting innocent bystanders when you MISS your intended target. There is no over penetration, there's just penetration, and you want all you can get.

 

[Mike1234567]

I'm currently carrying Federal 124gr HST in my Kel-Tec P-11. I recently switched from Hornady 115gr Critical Defense which I had due to living in a condensed urban environment. I'll be replacing my Kel-Tec P-11 with something a "little" beefier and will change to 147gr HST.

 

[Reddragon1260]

I bought some 147gr Federal HST for my CZ P-07 but if readily available ammo is what you are after than Gold Dots or Critical Defense is what you need.

 

[TYFOOON]

I am a big fan of these: http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_37&products_id=495

Bullet : Brass Jacketed JHP Made by Remington

Ballistics : 124gr @ 1310fps / 473ft. lbs. from a G17.
124 @ 1295fps / 462 ft. lbs. from a G19

 

[Strykervet]

My wife carries the Winchester T-Series 124gr. +P. They are sold as LE ammo and you can't get the bullet in a component. Supposed to be one of the best performing 9mm bullets. I also have the regular 115gr. Winchester +P+. Either one would be fine, the Illinois State Patrol used the 115gr. +P+ for over 20 years I understand. The T-Series is the new Black Talon round, just not black. I use those in 9mm, .40, and .45 --anything +P or high pressure that I don't wish to handload.

The Corbon 115gr. +P is good too. Anything +P and 115 to 127 grain hollowpoint should be fine. You really want the 9mm to open up, because if it doesn't, they tend to overpenetrate. The FMJ can punch right through a person. So in that case, a high velocity hollowpoint works best.

The XTP is probably the most accurate bullet you can get. They have been the most accurate bullet I've used in any handgun on average. I've shot a sillhouette at 300m using a .357 and 140gr. XTP's. But in 9mm, they are sort of anemic, and the XTP is known for penetration and not expansion. In 9mm, if it doesn't expand, it can overpenetrate, even at lower velocities (especially lower velocities, because that is what tends to prevent them from opening up and slowing down).

Of your list, I like the Gold Dot the best. Those things open up real fine in any calibre, the lead is soft. If it weren't for my easy access to the T-Series stuff right down the street, I'd be using the +P Gold Dots in the lighter weights.

 

[kokapelli]

I suggest those of you that are worried about over penetration you should just shoot 380 with a good JHP round. There are a number of good 380 JHP rounds that get 10" of penetration in ballistic gelatin.

 

[Dr_B]

Gold dots. Just go with the regular 9mm Gold Dot loads in the LC9.

 

[General Tso]

I use Hornady TAP.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I really like the Federal HSTs. The 147gr or the 124gr both seem to be really solid performers. They are also much cheaper than other premium HPs for the most part. While money isn't the main concern when it comes to your SD ammo if it performs as good or better for less I'm not going to buy the pricier just because it is pricier either. I also like the Federal 9BPLE but there is quite a bit of muzzle flash from them and it would be only worse in a short barrel pistol.

 

[mdauben]

Personally, I think these days all the SD cartridges from the major makers are pretty equal. For my own 9mm I'm happy with any 115gr or 124gr +P JHP round from Federal, Speer, Horniday, Corbon, etc.

 

[Pyro]

I'd say Glaser "Blue" but I know a lot of people don't like fragmentation ammo.

 

[rcmodel]

I am of the opinion it doesn't matter much what brand it is.
As long as you can afford mass quantities of it to practice with.
And it works in your gun 100% of the time.

There is no Magic Bullet that will end all gunfights.
That is done with good reactive shooting skills, gained through lots & lots of shooting practice.

rc

 

[HoosierQ]

My carry gun and my shooting ability "like" the Hornady Critical Defense 115gr. They feed as well was as FMJ and I can hit the target with them. I carry and shoot a Glock 19.

 

[rodinal220]

I still have a bunch of ISP +P+ 115gr jhp,so I use that mostly.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

If she's recoil sensitive then I suggest a standard pressure 124gr load from this list - http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19887

 

[Loosedhorse]

115gr Corbon DPX

...or similar (aka Barnes Tac-XP bullet). 115 gr has less recoil but penetrates as well as heavier bullets because of superior weight retention.

But the main thing is reliability, and that must be tested with whichever round you prefer.

 

[orionengnr]

First consideration should be: Does it function reliably in your firearm?

Some people say 200 rounds, some say fewer, some want more. It is up to you to determine the round count, but I think 200 trouble-free rounds of one load is a fair basis upon which to base your trust.

This entails a certain financial outlay, and is not to be taken lightly. If you find a round you like, consider buying 500 rounds of one lot. Shoot 200 to ensure function and confidence. Now you have enough to carry for a while, burning up your carry ammo every 30/90/120 days without rapidly depleting your stock.

I shot and carried Winchester Ranger 127 +p+ in my 9mm, but no longer carry a 9mm. I shoot and carry Winchester Ranger 230 +p in my .45s, but have been buying and shooting CorBon DPX for a while and once I get enough
rounds downrange I will probably switch.

However, the HST has caused me to re-consider. It may be the best choice out there, and is far more reasonably priced than the DPX, which approaches $2/round. Sometime before I deplete my stock of Ranger +p, I need to make a decision. At current rates of depletion, I have two years or so to decide.

Point is, to think ahead.

 

[MikeNice]

In the LC9 I would go with a 147gr round. The weight means it takes slightly longer for it to exit the barrel. Thus it loses less of its energy and stays close to optimal performance.

I would personally buy One box of 50 and shoot 35 rounds. Then you still have enough to carry +1 and fill another magazine. After that I would buy a similar round for practice. If I used Speer Gold Dot I would use Lawman or Blazer Brass in the same weight. If I used HST I would use American Eagle in the same weight. That is the ideal solution in my opinion.

With finances the way they are I carry 147gr Winchester Ranger Bonded and shoot the cheapest quality 124gr ammo I can find.