Favorite 9mm for defense?

[DonP]

OK Guys.

I've tried the search function and can't find a past thread with opinions on 9mm for defense. I know there has to be one out there ... somewhere.

I found the recent thread on .38 special loads for snubbies and a couple on favorite .45 loads. Both were, as usual, very helpful.

If there is a thread on 9mm, here or elsewhere, please just point me to it.

If there's not one out there, HELP!

I'm trying to decide what to load my Beretta 92FS with for home defense.

 

[boldkharma]

I am a .45 guy myself, but if I had to use my 9mm for SD, I would use a good +p hollowpoint like Remington Golden Saber or Corbon. Hope that helps.

 

[Headless]

Winchester Ranger SXT comes in 9mm. That's what i chose for my S&W 659. I've seen shots of expanded SXT slugs and i wouldn't wanna be hit with them

Check out post #8:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=227070&highlight=sxt+9mm

That whole thread is pretty much great info, actually.

And this page:
http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/9mm.htm

I'd go with the SXT +P+ 127gr JHP if i were you 1200fps out of a 4" barrel

 

[noops]

Any good JHP?

I use both 9's and .45 and generally use Speer Gold Dot's or Federal Hydra Shoks. I bet any quality HP from a reputable company will do the job.

 

[orionengnr]

1. Ranger 127 gr +p+

2. CorBon DPX is supposed to be very consisntent and reliable in expansion. Currently hard to find and pricey. The former may change, the latter...probably not.

Stephen Camp has done some very good write-ups on DPX (in different calibers) on this forum...worth a look.

 

[Plastic Cowboy]

Since the 9mm is a relatively low power round, for personal protection you should look for the heaviest load you can find (+P in a newer firearm) preferably with a high quality controlled expansion hollowpoint. Corbon and Hornady make excellent personal protection rounds if you don't reload and are willing to pay a little more.

When your life is on the line you want to hit the BG as hard as possible to make sure he stops before he can harm you!!

 

[Muncus Agruncus]

my suggestion

Winchester Ranger 147gr RA9T. The LAPD seems to be happy with this load in their Beretta 9mm's.

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

I actually asked this question not too long ago, and speer gold dots sound like the best option.

 

[Dr.Rob]

In standard pressure loadings Winchester's 115gr Silver Tip is my choice. I'm getting over 1150fps from my FEG Hi-power clone.

Reminton's GS, Federal Hydrashock and Speer God Dots are all great performers. If I was to pick a +p load it would be Speer Gold Dot 124 +p.

Pretty sure the gold dot load is Denver PD's issue load for 9mm.

 

[outofbattery]

I carry 124gr +P Gold Dots in my 9mm's.I don't really have much of an authentic personal reason to use them other than they've proven reliable in my SIG's and FWIW,many people recommend them.Other than shooting a few gallon jugs to watch them splash,I've never done any personal comparison of rounds IRT mass retention,penetration and expansion.I'll trust the people who have done them in a controlled manner but am aware that no round is magical and they are all situationally dependant.I have confidence that my 239 or 226 will fire the Gold Dots if I ever need them to and that's my main concern.

 

[Wags]

Browning Hi-Power is 1st choice.

Any one of my Novak modified Spec Ops Browning Hi-Powers loaded with a quality +P 115/124gr JHP is favorite carry. In close 2nd would be a Novak modified Colt Combat Commander in 9mm also. I also have a Walther P1 9mm "somewhere" down stairs loaded with Win USGI 124gr FMJ.

 

[Skofnung]

I like Speer Gold Dots bullets (in both .45 and 9mm) loaded by CCI or Georgia Arms. The GA cartridges can be bought in bulk at most gunshows, and the quality is very good.

 

[riverdog]

Speer 147 Gr Gold Dot JHP

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

My two favorite 9mms for defensive carry are the Kahr P9 and the Browning High Power. Both are slim and easy to carry, and both are very reliable and very shootable. I have had one of each for a very long time. That said, I carry a .45, not a 9mm.

Whoops! I guess I should have actually read your starting post. You are interested in 9mm LOADS, not 9mms.

 

[Soybomb]

I use these http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=hotpig27&ct=65200&pd=249882

 

[robertbank]

R.C.M.P. up here use 147 gr Ranger SXT if that helps.

Take Care

Bob

 

[TOADMAN]

Georgia Arms 147grn+P Gold Dot...Rated at 1050FPS

 

[Gary G23]

Speer Gold Dot 124gr + P
Georgia Arms Gold Dot 124gr + P
Winchester Ranger SXT 127gr + P +

 

[10-Ring]

Hydrashoks have served me well in 9mm, 45 acp - at one time in 40 & 10mm too

 

[TC-TX]

Cor-Bon DPX

or

Gold Dots.

 

[Hook686]

Buffalo Bore 147 Speer Uni Core @ 1175 fps
451 ft. lbs in my S&W 3913 TSW.

 

[Waywatcher]

If you have a bit of spare time check out http://www.stoppingpower.net

Some of the best performers (I would use any of these) in no particular order are:

Gold Dot 124 +P
Cor-Bon DPX 124 (+P?)
Winchester Ranger 127 +P+
Federal 115 +P+ (9BPLE)

There are a few police agencies/people that are still sticking to the 147 grainers, but they're in the minority.

 

[Mayo]

The best by far is the Black Hills JHP 124gr!

 

[RNB65]

I use Black Hills 124grn +P JHP.

Is it the best? Who knows. But I think it will get the job done.

 

[JShirley]

Thing to do, is find several good HPs, and then test them all for reliability and accuracy.

Find something you can afford to practice with sometimes, and run enough through your weapon to be sure it works.

Gold Dot is rarely a bad choice. I got a good deal on a bunch of 124 grain +P, and have had no problems with them.

J