Hi-Po self defense 9X18 ammo? Anywhere?

[woad_yurt]

Hi. Does anyone know where I can get some hot self defense ammo for 9X18? I just found a gen-oo-wine Makarov for cheap; color me happy!

 

[Bigdtc]

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=10480_14658_14743_14911_14762 Only thing I could find was here. They have the Glaser slugs and some good H.P.

 

[jon_in_wv]

http://www.shop.reedsammo.com/category.sc?categoryId=9

Reeds Ammo makes Gold Dot and XTP loading for the 9x18.

http://www.dakotaammo.net/products/glaser/powrball.htm

Corbon/Glaser also loads a pretty hot 70gr/1250 fps load in the Powr'ball.

I used to carry my Mak with Silver Bear 115gr JHPs. Its a pretty stout load and seems to penetrate better than other load while still expanding. Personally I think the Reed's Gold Dot looks like a promising load and would probably be my first choice.

 

[jon_in_wv]

http://www.brassfetcher.com/var9x18mm.html

Here is a link where they tested the Hornady XTP load and the 115gr silver bears. The silver bear expanded to .51 inch and penetrated to 12.5 inches. Not too shabby. I have heard the Silver Bear's quality control can be suspect though. I havent' had any problems other than some sparky powder on one batch I bought. Accuracy was equal to the other brands I tried.

 

[brigadier]

Silver Bear is a brutal little round. Accurate too, especially out of the Bulgarian Makarov. There are allot of much bigger rounds I would rather get hit by.

 

[strat81]

Hornady loads an XTP for 9Mak:
https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_se...&category_id=0bda98269a991e54ff51361a7b3b2aba

 

[cookekdjr]

Due to the blowback design, you are only going to get so much out of the Mak. I'd stick with the ammo it was designed for (93-95gr fmj @ approx 1050 fps). Pick ammo that will go "bang" every time. The rest is details.
-David

 

[jon_in_wv]

I like the reeds stuff though. Another 100fps over the Hornady stuff for the XTP or Gold Dots at the same velocity. Nice loads. Haven't tried them but they look appealing.

 

[gbelleh]

I like the 115 gr Silver Bears and I use them whenever carrying my Bulgarian Mak. I've never had a problem with them and they seem to pack quite a good punch.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I went through a lot or two of the silverbear that the powder was very "sparky" when I shot it. Have you noticed any of that lately? I wonder why no one else has duplicated that heavy load for the 9x18?

 

[jwxspoon]

I've been buying the silver bear by the case for a while, not had any problems with it. Probably shoot 1500 rounds or so and have nothing but good things to say about it.

When I carry a 9x18 (admittedly not very often) I carry the silver bear hp.

jw

 

[Trebor]

How are the current 115 gr Silver Bear loads for feed reliability?

I know there were many reported problems with an older load. I'm wondering if they made a change or if that was a different load.

 

[jon_in_wv]

My Mak fed the Silverbears perfectly and it was the most accurate round for my gun too.

 

[Keeterbird]

I love Silver Bear. I have only four boxes left. It seems to have disappeared from the sources online that I used to get. Never had problem with silver bear. A trusted accurate round. Have gone to Wolf now, shoots well, but needs a lot of cleaning.

Need to start looking for more Silver Bear.

 

[woad_yurt]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I just got some Pow'r Balls in the mail.