CCW(CHL) what kind of ammo do you use?

[Yelovitz_503]

So I just want to open by saying I know it's smart to avoid the 'novelty' ammo like the Hornady Zombie stuff (which sucks because it's basically the same as their critical defense ammo, just green and in a stupid box) and other fancy things.

Depending on the weather and where I'm going for the day I carry one of 4 handguns.

Mostly:
Sig SP2022 .40 S&W
Loaded with: Federal Premium 135gr Hydrashock JHP

Sometimes:
Glock 17 (Gen 2)
LW: Speer Gold Dot 124gr GDHP (Sometimes I'll have one mag with +P, and one with just regular velocity)
-or-
S&W 686 .357mag
LW: Hornady Critical Defense 125gr FTX

Special Occasions:
CZ-75B Omega 9mm
LW: Same as the Glock

I was wondering if any of this ammo is unadvisable for either tactical or legal reasons. I also want to know what do you all carry, and what do you load it with?

 

[MedWheeler]

I don't really care for the expense of (and issues obtaining) the "trendy, hi-po" ammunition. What functions perfectly fine and is readily available and affordable around here for me, as far as defensive ammo goes, is plain-old Remington-UMC 115-grain JHP stuff. It goes in my PF9, which is my EDC.
My P32, rarely carried alone (usually backs up the PF9), is stoked with Fiocchi 73-grain FMJ, but their Extreme 60-grain HP looks pretty good. Might try it out one day.
My two HD revolvers (both 4-inch service revolvers chambered in .357 Magnum) are loaded with R-UMC 125-grain +P SJHP.
All simple stuff.. I'm okay with it.

 

[orionengnr]

See what your local PD carries.
It will (should) be a quality JHP.
And it will be somewhat prima facie evidence of your due dilligence (or at least a good effort in that direction), should the worst happen.
Odds are good that they use Gold Dots.

 

[foghornl]

In my 1911's 230-Gr Rem Golden Sabre
.357's get the 158-Gr Gold Dot

 

[Valkman]

I carry 230gr Win. Ranger SXT. Bought 500 rounds years ago and still using it.

 

[Deus Machina]

My CZ gets 147gr or 124+P Federal HST, mostly because they're a decent JHP that I could get 50 rounds at a time without breaking the bank.

Failing that, it's 124gr Gold Dots, with or without the +P. I do have a 100-round box of Remington bulk 115gr JHP's that would work well enough, or 147gr Winchesters that I don't trust as much but are better than FMJ.

Mostly, I'm a fan of feeding it anything but FMJ and hitting what you're aiming at. Any whiz-bang technology beyond expanding at all is just a great bonus.

 

[smalls]

Winchester PDX1 124 +P.

Feeds reliably, I like 124 +P, and is available pretty much anywhere for a decent price.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just as a side note, it's usually not a good idea to carry so many different handguns for SD. You would be better off using one and getting very familiar with it. You don't want to make a mistake when under pressure when fine motor skills vanish.

If you really choose to carry all those different handguns at different times at least carry them all in the same position on your body. Sorry for going a little OT...

 

[skt239]

In my semi auto carry I use Gold Dot 124gr JHP +P. My EDC is a j-frame and I carry a few different types of ammo. For the j-frame I like Underwood 125gr JHP +P, Gold dot short barrel or Georgia Arms FBI load.

 

[mljdeckard]

I think Critical Defense is gimmick ammo too,but there's nothing wrong with it.

There is nothing wrong with any of the ammo you are carrying. I think in real life, the vast majority of the good your ammo will do is from showing up. If it is JHP, it holds a bit of advantage, and WHICH JHP it is makes little difference.

I'm not sure I buy into the 'carry what the local cops carry' idea too much. It would be just as easy for a prosecutor to claim; "This guy wanted to go out and PLAY cop, he even bought the same bullets POLICE carry."

 

[highorder]

Winchester PDX1 124 +P.

This.

 

[1911 guy]

I use 230 grain Federal Hydra-Shock in both of my carry guns. And because someone always asks, no, I do not carry two 1911's at once. They get rotated ocassionally.

 

[Pyro]

My NAA .32 Guardian gets a steady diet of Prvi Partizan JHP's.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Speer 135-gr. +P Gold Dot Short Barrel or Winchester Ranger Bonded 130-gr. +P for my .38 Specials.

Winchester Ranger Bonded 147-gr., Federal 147-gr. HST, and Federal 147-gr. HST +P are my preferred for 9mm, depending on what I can get. I prefer standard pressure HST.

 

[firesky101]

My tangfolio witness gets whatever premium 124gr +p JHP I have. I have tested them all, and no hiccups whatsoever so that is what it gets. Right now is 124gr+p Golden Sabers since that is what I found a deal on.

 

[rsbufo1966]

I carry Hornady TAP 180 gr. in my M&P 40c.


"A People that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both" Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Shoot more, talk less...

 

[FMF Doc]

In my M&P Shield9 it is 124gr Golden Sabres, in the Glock 19 it is 124gr Hornaday TAP. I like the 124gr weight best, I think it shoot POA/POI best in most guns, penetrates well and expands reliably. I want to find a good standard pressure 115 JHP to carry, that works well so I can shoot the same weight and powder charge I carry as I practice with in the bulk ammo I buy. Any suggestions...?

 

[wildehond]

PMC Starfire 180gr 40 S&W. I found them easy to shoot and functions very well in my handgun.

 

[Mr.510]

230 grain Federal HST +P

 

[joecil]

I probaby tried most of them on the market however my personal favorite in 9mm are the Speer Gold Dots 124 g +p short barrel and the 45 ACP would be the Speer also but the 230 gr. I've never been a fan of lighter bullets in these calibers. Now this is something I don't load myself but buy factory ammo only for SD needs.

 

[mgmorden]

I normally carry a .380 - (either a Ruger LCP or a commercial Makarov).

In those I typically carry either Hornady Critical Defense or PMC Starfire.

I have been known to carry my CZ-82 as well, but when I did I was just carrying Fiocchi FMJ.

 

[WinThePennant]

After considerable research, here's what I've got:

9mm - Hornady 124 grain XTP

.380 - Hornady 90 grain FTX

 

[Skribs]

My preference is for something on the heavy range for the caliber. 147 gr. in 9, 185 gr. in .40, and 230 gr. in .45.

My two first picks would be Speer Gold Dot or Winchester PDX1. For bigger rounds, though, you would be fine with generic brand JHPs.

 

[mdauben]

In my 9mm, 124gr +P from either Speer (Gold Dot) or Federal (HST).

In my .45ACP, 230gr from either Speer (Gold Dot) or Federal (HST).

 

[sureshotbob]

In my.38 special S&W 642 I feed it Buffalo Bore standard pressure short bbl.low flash 158 gr. soft lead SWC-HC .In my .9mm CZ 75 Compact I carry 115 gr. Winchester Silver tip HP.