Glock Home Defense Ammo

[Vegas Silver]

I'm trying to decide which ammo to go with for home defense for my Glock 17 (9mm). I realize there are threads similiar to this, but I wanted this one to be more "Glock specific", with any specific comments directly relating to how these loads shoot in Glocks. I know that I should choose which one shoots best in my gun, but that's very expensive to test, so I thought I would at least ask around to see what everybody thinks before spending a boatload. Everything I'm considering is HP. The ammo (in all their different loads) that is up for debate:

1) Winchester Ranger Talon (seems to be the hands down "evil" favorite)
2) Speer Gold Dot HP (I keep hearing that Speer standard pressure is what most LEOs actually use...no idea if this is true)
3) Federal LE Tactical HST (I keep seeing the Federal brought up in many of these types of threads)
4) Federal LE Tactical Bonded
5) Remington Golden Sabers (the "vanilla" choice among many)

Some things I'm looking to figure out:

1) Will the glock 17 like the higher grain loads and/or the +P / +P+ loads? I'm shooting 115 grain stuff at the range. Everything I'm looking at is 115 - 147 grain and most is either +P/+P+.
2) Will the higher pressure loads harm the gun in any way?
3) Has anybody had any problems with any of these types of loads? Which ones shoot the "best"?
4) What do you use? What's your favorite of the bunch?

Please don't gimme the "None of the above - buy yourself a .45".

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

All of the ones you listed are great choices. I've tried golden saber, gold dot, and federal hst. The accuracy was fine with all and no failures with any in a Glock. It seems the most popular weight these days is the 124gr +P loads, a compromise between the fast light 115 and slow heavy 147. I'd probably go with whatever is cheapest and buy a few extra boxes to ensure it runs well for you and where it hits as well as accuracy.

 

[Don Lu]

I carry Gold dot, But any of those listed will do.

 

[skers69]

Vegas. I have been in your shoes...only with two guns to test. I tested ranger, speer, black hills, saber, cor bon, federal. 50 rounds of each with my g26 and cz pcr. I found that 124 grain gold dots in regular pressure worked best for me. I have shot some gold dot 124 plus p in both as well and have found that the regular pressure is just fine for me. I do not make a habbit of shooting a lot of plus p in either gun to save on wear and tear on the guns. But both guns will shot extra pressure with out any issues that I can find. Good luck and shoot safe.

Just recalled the hydra shocks. Looked at the data again. And after all my tests I went with the Gold Dots.

 

[Vegas Silver]

Thanks

Thanks so far for all the information. Excellent response in particular, skers69...this is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. Any more info/experience others want to add would be great....can't hurt to have too much info.

 

[jbird714]

Another reccomendation for the Gold Dots in 124gr. I keep them in my wifes Glock 26 and use the 230gr 45 acp in my 21. I avoid the 147gr in a pistol. I've seen a couple of instances with one of our local departments where the 147's did not perform at all in real life shootings.

Jay

 

[glockman19]

I shoot Federal Hydra Shok's & Speer Gold Dot's in all my SD/HD loads.

 

[fearless leader]

It's all good

I use +P+ Ranger Talons in my M9, but I don't have to worry about kids and other people in the house. I just have to shoot ADL (above dog level). I keep Mag Safe 40 caliber as the first 6 shots in my G-23 for home defense. It is only intended to get me to a rifle or shotgun.

If you preforate a BG with most High Performance ammo, he will ususally be duely impressed. There is no "magic bullet". Even the best "Hot Rod" ammo fails to expand, or over penetrates. If you discharge your bullet launcher of choice, most persons of reasonable, prudent sensibilties will not hang around to see how many they can catch.

 

[gallo]

I'll pass a little piece of advise I got from the NRA Basic Pistol instructor. If you feel the need for a plus P cartridge, you may consider the next caliber gun. In your case, perhaps a G23 would better meet your needs.

 

[Vegas Silver]

Personally, I don't feel the need to shoot +p loads. I think standard pressure 9mm loads will cause plenty of damage on any intruder, so I don't feel the need to upsize my gun. That being said, I think it'd be foolish to use my target ammo for home defense when there is better quality stuff out there, so I am trying to choose the best ammo to compliment my gun.

I've always been leaning towards using 124 grain Gold Dots, and my thoughts are somewhat being confirmed as more people post. I will of course be testing "what works for me and my gun", but the more information I can start with, the better....

 

[ilsrwy27]

I'll pass a little piece of advise I got from the NRA Basic Pistol instructor. If you feel the need for a plus P cartridge, you may consider the next caliber gun. In your case, perhaps a G23 would better meet your needs.

To me +P is a way to put my 9mm back to its intended Parabellum level for SD.
And I can still mostly shoot cheap detuned US 9mm stuff at the range ans save some $$$
I see no point in switching to .40 as it is now so expensive you might as well switch to .45

Just my personnal 2 cents... I'm cheap so ammo price definitely influences my choices

 

[LawofThirds]

http://www.brassfetcher.com/index.html

Enjoy and make your own decisions. I'm a big fan of big and slow but I know plenty of people in the fast and light crowd. Look for something that meets the FBI standards (12+" of penetration in gelatin) since they should know what they're talking about.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Glock pistol HD ammo...

I would get either;
Remington Golden Saber Bonded +P 124gr JHP
Speer Gold Dot bonded JHP +P 124gr
Glaser Silver Safety Slug 9mmNATO
Magsafe SWAT load 9mmNATO

Any of these factory made loads would do well in a Glock 17 9mmNATO, .

For the spare mags/reloads I would get some well made factory 124gr FMJ rounds or the Federal EFMJ 9mmNATO load. The Corbon PowRball 9mm round would work too. Note; these loads feed and function well but go deeper than most JHP/fragmented rounds. This may cause a ricochet or could over-penetrate. That is why I suggest they be used for back up/spare use or maybe training ONLY...
Rusty

 

[Water-Man]

You asked about home defense. Therefore +P wear & tear is a non issue. Alot can be said for penetration and that's why I like 147 gr. for a 9mm. Federal LE HST seems to expand better than the rest.