Best defense loads for a GLOCK 19?

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MEH

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Which one of these would be a better defense load out of a G19?

Federal Hi-Shok 115 gr. Hollow Points

Federal LE 115 gr. +P+ Hollow Points

Federal Hi-Shok 147 gr. Hollow Points

~Thanks
 
speer gold dots. i've seen a valid test(in a bullet test tube) to where they expand beautifully!
 
Any of the LEO surplus ammo is a good choice and economical when compared to boxes of commercial "personal protection" ammo at over 2X the cost. For the most part, other than the +P+ stuff, LEO ammo is the same as the commercial.

Right now I have my G19 stocked wtih Winchester Ranger 124gr Partition Gold and one of the extra mags have Federal Hydra Shocks of the same weight. I doubt if one is significantly better than the other.

Any of the ones you mention would be a good SD round, just make sure they feed reliably and hit where you aim.
 
Speer

I've found that Speer Gold Dot's in the twenty box are about $18 if memory serves me, but the box of 50 is only about $23.00. You might look for that.
 
Glock does not suggest shooting +P+ through their pistols. +P is ok though.
Click to expand...


From http://www.glockworld.com/articles/9mmhistory.htm

Glock is even more positive and states that its guns are designed for continuous use with NATO ammunition and, therefore, may be used with +P+ because, "This type of ammunition does not exceed maximum NATO specification pressure levels and is totally compatible to be used in Glock pistols."
Click to expand...
 
I believe that penetration is most important, so I always use 147gr.

One load that you ought to consider is the Winchester White Box 147gr. JHP that they sell at Walmart. It's MUCH cheaper than most other serious self-defense loads and has both good penetration and expansion. I've also found it to be very accurate at 7 yards in my own Glock 19.
 
When talking about 9mm defensive ammo, it dosen't get any better than the Federal 9BPLE (115gr +P+).

As stated the US Border Patrol used it (for ever) and had a couple hundred shootings over the years that verified it's effectiveness.

My local PD issued it until about 2001. They had a couple of shootings and no one there questioned it's effectiveness afterwards.

Considering the price its going for at some of the internet mail order places and at gunshows, its a great deal. Proven performance at a price you can afford to stock up on.
Will
 
I would actually take a different tack, I hate buying 9mm, .40, and .45 ACP in boxes of less than fifty, and since you've posted all Federal bullets, why not give HST a shot? It is Federals' current service round, expands very well, heavy bullets in HST expand better than lightweights, and best of all, it is $20 per box. Only downside is that you will almost certianly have to order online, but Ammunition To Go is great to work with.
 
This may be a shot in the dark... but does anyone happen to have performance data for these various loads (fps,ft./lbs,penetration)? I would be really interested to see it, as I'm in the decision making process myself.

Thanks
 
Well I know HST consistently penetrates 13-14" and expands 2x caliber plus change while it's at it.

The best performer in the HST 9mm is the 147, I don't know if the +P 147 is a big difference or not, I think everything stays about the same but with thirty or so more foot pounds.
 
Federal Hi-Shok 115 gr. Hollow Points

Federal LE 115 gr. +P+ Hollow Points

Federal Hi-Shok 147 gr. Hollow Points
Click to expand...


Why are you limiting yourself to only these three loads anyway?

There are a lot of other good self defense loads for the 9mm.

I would find one of these that worked well in my gun and be done with it.

The following loads all demonstrate outstanding terminal performance and can be considered acceptable for duty/self-defense use:

9 mm:
Barnes XPB 105 & 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)
Click to expand...
 
Repeat: Cheapest that feeds.

Scan the rack and get the three cheapest HP loads you can find. Test them out. Carry the cheapest of the three that feeds properly in your gun.

Forget all about HP-style or bullet weight. Cheap cheap cheap.

Then spend the coin you save on learning to place shots properly. ;)


-T.
 
It depends on what you think you are likely to encounter. The Border Patrol probably likes the 115 gr +P+ because they are in wide open areas, and where it warm such that most perps are probably lightly clothed, and likely not in vehicles.

As flawed as the FBI blaming the 115 gr 9mm in the Florida shootout may be, they chose to go with the 147 gr. for the penetration. Which would also be better for penetrating glass and sheet metal, not just for the occasional "in the elbow, through the arm, exit, and back into the torso" shots.

I like the mid to heavy for caliber bullets such as the 124 gr or 147 gr in 9mm, 165 or 180 gr in .40 and 230 gr. in .45. I am doubtful how well handgun bullets expand in real life conditions including clothing and various cover. I would rather ensure maximum penetration than bank everything on expansion. But then, I live a northern suburban environment where heavier clothes and vehicles are more likely to be encountered than smugglers walking across the desert border.
 
Here's my top picks for the 9 MM:

Federal LE 115 gr. +P+ Hollow Points (Duty Load and in one of my Off Duty Guns)
Corbon 115 Grain +P DPX JHP
Winchester 127 Grain +P+ JHP
Gold Dot 124 Grain +P JHP

Any of those loads should get you through the night, they do me. What I like about the Winchester and Federal +P+ loads is that they have both been around for years and have been proven to work.

If you find that you like the +P+ loads you may want to consider a 357 Sig.

Biker
 
My Glock 19 (primary carry gun) is always loaded with 147 grain Winchester White Box Brass-cased JHP's. I have put more than 1000 rounds through the gun with NO stoppages of any kind. I could never afford to test reliability so comprehensively if I were to commit to that 60-70 cents/round "Personal Protection" ammunition (HST, Hydrashock, Ranger, etc).

It doesn't matter how the end of the bullet is scored or cut if you can't rely on the round to fire and cycle.

As was said, stock up on the best value (cheapest) JHP that you know functions reliably. Winchester White Box cycles in all my 9mm firearms.
 
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