favorite defense ammo-9mm/38spl?
- Thread starter Axis II
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I carry Remington Golden Sabers, 124 +p in 9mm, and (I think) 125 grain 38 spl.
You might also take a look here: http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/
P5 Guy
Member
I guess not much.
Back in the day Massad Ayoob claimed Speer gold dot 135 grain plus P 38 special was designed for the New York Police Department. He said they were quite happy with the results they got on the street from off duty and back up revolvers 2 and 4 inch. Since then that's the load I carried. It shoots accurate out of my 2 inch guns. I figured if a police department was happy with the way they worked on the street that was good enough for me.
FL-NC
Member
I honestly think people overthink these things. I say hollow point ammo from an established American firm (Remington, Winchester, Federal, Hornady) that functions reliably in the given handgun.
Winkman822
Member
Can't really comment much on the .38 SPL, but for 9mm, I really like the Corbon DPX 115 +P, the Barnes Tac XPD 115 +P, Federal HST 124, and Speer Gold Dot 124.
mercervillerental
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Federal 124gr HST for me
It's not like I can say "I shot the areolas off this fella one time and he just kept on comin' at me! This ammo sucks! ". I have cor bon in my magazine at the moment, but I can't say it's any better than the critical defense or any other. Haven't shot anyone; don't really want to.
9mm: Federal HST preferably standard pressure
.38spl: 158gr LSWCHP +P or Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P
gonoles_1980
Member
I load my own except for self-defense. My choice for my 357 snubbie are 38+p. My wife carries 115 grain jacked hollow point 9mm.
JR24
Member
I like 147 grain HST standard pressure im my 9mms, Winchester PDX-1 +P 130 grain in my .38.
I prefer 230 grain HST in .45 over both though.
I prefer 230 grain HST in .45 over both though.
Jim NE
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Just today I received an order of Lehigh Defense Xtreme Penetrator in 140gr. +P .38 Special. I ordered them because I'd heard good things about this ammo in .380 auto. (which I also ordered.) I'll let you know what I think after I give them a try.
Usually +P jacketed hollow points of a trusted brand is what I count on. As Rusty sort of eluded to in a previous post, the only thing most of us can speak with authority on is the accuracy and, in the case of the 9mm, reliable cycling. Most terminal performance issues are the purview of a ballistics lab (whether pro or amateur.)
I'm hoping the Lehigh stuff will be accurate though. Odd bullet shape.
Usually +P jacketed hollow points of a trusted brand is what I count on. As Rusty sort of eluded to in a previous post, the only thing most of us can speak with authority on is the accuracy and, in the case of the 9mm, reliable cycling. Most terminal performance issues are the purview of a ballistics lab (whether pro or amateur.)
I'm hoping the Lehigh stuff will be accurate though. Odd bullet shape.
9mm Winchester 115gr silvertip (works for me) in my FEG HP clone. ( I have a couple hundred rounds of it)
When my supply dwindles I will likely switch to Federal 124 gr HST standard pressure ammo.
When my supply dwindles I will likely switch to Federal 124 gr HST standard pressure ammo.
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bullseye308
Member
Go to your local ammo supply place and buy one box of each big name brand 9mm 124 hp they have and see how they shoot in your gun. Pick the one that does the best. Do the same with the 38. If you hadn't said duty gun I'd say reload and find what your gun likes and mass load it.
Personally I load my own, Speer Gold Dots in 9mm around 1100 fps. It is very accurate in my carry guns and totally reliable. In the infantessimal chance I ever have to use it the last thing to worry about is how much trouble I might get into with using reloads.
Definitely try the Sig Vcrown, HST, and Gold Dots tho.
Personally I load my own, Speer Gold Dots in 9mm around 1100 fps. It is very accurate in my carry guns and totally reliable. In the infantessimal chance I ever have to use it the last thing to worry about is how much trouble I might get into with using reloads.
Definitely try the Sig Vcrown, HST, and Gold Dots tho.
NYC PD has shot plenty of human targets with 9mm Speer 124 grain +P Gold Dots, and .38 +P 135-grain Short Barrel Gold Dots, with favorable results for the police, a significant real-world sample size. Other police departments have also reported favorable results with the same 9mm load. I see no reason to argue against success. I load my Glock mags with this 9mm ammo, and load my SP101 snug-guns with the .357 Mag loading of the 135-grain Short Barrel Gold Dot.
Notably, there is very little difference in real-world velocity between the .38 +P and .357 135-grain Gold Dots. Anecdotally, the Speer 135-grain .357 Short Barrel worked VERY well in a local shooting.
I load my S&W Airweight J-snub with the old Federal 125-grain standard-pressure Nyclad. I used 158-grain +P LSWCHP in the past, but I, and the J-snub, are getting-on in age, and prefer milder ammo, with less recoil.
I use my 9mm Glocks for police duty and personal-time carry. I use my snub-guns for personal-time carry and back-up while on duty.
ponchh
Member
DRT
You should check to be sure they are legal where you are. I have never put one of their pistol bullets into meat, but the DRT 223 will put down what ever they hit.
You should check to be sure they are legal where you are. I have never put one of their pistol bullets into meat, but the DRT 223 will put down what ever they hit.
BSA1
member
Every gun is a rule onto itself.
Which means there is no substitute than trying different brands and types of ammunition in your gun.
Case in point. The Lady was at the range practicing with her new S&W M&P 9mm. With 124 gr. FMJ bullets she was having large groups of about 4". I attributed this due it being the first time she had shot the gun and was learning how to shoot it.
Then I gave her a box of Winchester Silvertips to shoot. Wow! What a difference. Her groups went to about 1 1/2" slightly to the left of the bullseye. Next range session I am going to take a brass punch and hammer just it case we need to drift the sight over to hit center of target (gun has aftermarket Truglo sights).
For the moment her self-defense ammo of choice is Winchester Silvertips. However over time we will be testing a variety of different ammunition.
Which means there is no substitute than trying different brands and types of ammunition in your gun.
Case in point. The Lady was at the range practicing with her new S&W M&P 9mm. With 124 gr. FMJ bullets she was having large groups of about 4". I attributed this due it being the first time she had shot the gun and was learning how to shoot it.
Then I gave her a box of Winchester Silvertips to shoot. Wow! What a difference. Her groups went to about 1 1/2" slightly to the left of the bullseye. Next range session I am going to take a brass punch and hammer just it case we need to drift the sight over to hit center of target (gun has aftermarket Truglo sights).
For the moment her self-defense ammo of choice is Winchester Silvertips. However over time we will be testing a variety of different ammunition.
Zendude
Member
For 38 I've always used Hornady Critical Defense. In all the tests I've seen, the FTX bullet exhibits reliable expansion even at low velocities. Plus they are stocked in most stores.
_N4Z_
Member
Ruger SR9 9mm = Federal HST 124gr +p or 147gr +p.
Ruger LCR 38spl = Winchester Ranger 130gr bonded hp +p, or Remington 158 lhp +p, or RemingtonUMC 125gr sjhp +p. In that order.
Ruger LCR 38spl = Winchester Ranger 130gr bonded hp +p, or Remington 158 lhp +p, or RemingtonUMC 125gr sjhp +p. In that order.
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1MoreFord
Member
For 9mm I have 124gr HST and 24gr Gold Dots. For .38spl I have 125gr Golden Saber. There's more older stuff but that's the current front line stuff.
dickydalton
Member
I like those HST 147's in my LC9S and Underwood 125 Hollow Point 38+P in my SP101.
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