Mixed reviews on best EDC Ammo for S&W Shield 9mm?

[ReggiesFree]

Hey Studs,

I have scoured the internet and there is a zillion opinions & experiences on this topic.
What are your top 2-3 ammo choices that works best with S&W Shield 9mm?
Here is a list of what I currently have...I have shot all except the Golden Sabers 124 gr. & the Hydra-Shoks 124/135 gr.
They cycle well & my groups are pretty tight at 7 yds & 15.
Out a 3.1 inch barrel is 147 gr more effective than 124 gr +P & non +P?

This my CCW daily!
Currently it and 2 spare mags are loaded with Federal Tactical HST 124gr JHP's.

BTW...I have a guy I've purchase several times from, who is offering me a "deal on 7 boxes" of 25 each on Remington Golden Sabers 124 grains BJHP for $235 shipped/insured from Utah to Alabama...
What's your thoughts on that? About 74 cents per round!!


Thanks in advance,
Reggie T.

1. Hornady Critical Duty +P 135 gr FlexLock
2. Hornady Critical Duty +P 124 gr FlexLock
3. Federal Hydra-Shok 135 gr
4. Speer Gold Dots +P 124 gr JHP
5. Federal Tactical HST 124 gr JHP
6. Federal Premium HST 147gr. JHP
7. Remington GOLDEN SABER 124 gr BJHP
8. Personal Defense Hydra•Shok 124 gr Luger
9. Speer Gold Dots 147 JHP

 

[1KPerDay]

I wouldn’t feel bad about carrying any of those, personally. Make sure they work in your gun and shoot them as regularly as you can to maintain proficiency. Nowadays any quality defensive ammo from a known maker will basically be about as effective in an actual shooting as any other IMO.

if you want to pick theoretical nits have a look at Lucky Gunner’s chart and pics showing penetration depth and expansion in ballistic gel of most of the varieties of defensive ammonia. Brass fetcher also does good stuff and so do a couple people on this forum.
Also see if Paul harrel has done a youtube video on your selected ammo. His “meat target” analog isn’t perfect but it shows good results in somewhat realistic materials.

 

[guyfromohio]

All will be effective enough. Don’t over-think it. The price quoted to you is good and I’d take it. I carry 147gr HST simply because I got what I thought was a good deal a few years ago....1000rnds for $500. They are reliable and have a good reputation. I’d say the same if my deal was on 124gr too.

 

[mavracer]

I have a bunch of 124+p gold dots and 147 Ranger Ts and have shot/chronographed thru my guns and IMHO it's probably a wash in 4" and longer barrels unless you have some precognition as to the body type of your assailant.
In a 3" the 147s lose less muzzle velocity compared to the 124s so I use 147s in 3" guns.

 

[FFGColorado]

I have scoured the internet and there is a zillion opinions & experiences on this topic.
What are your top 2-3 ammo choices that works best with S&W Shield 9mm?

Any one that is 100% reliable...If they all work, cycle, go bang..I think 'which' is lost in the noise, particularly considering the chances of actually 'needing' it......

All will be effective enough. Don’t over-think it.

Yup....

 

[ReggiesFree]

I wouldn’t feel bad about carrying any of those, personally. Make sure they work in your gun and shoot them as regularly as you can to maintain proficiency. Nowadays any quality defensive ammo from a known maker will basically be about as effective in an actual shooting as any other IMO.

if you want to pick theoretical nits have a look at Lucky Gunner’s chart and pics showing penetration depth and expansion in ballistic gel of most of the varieties of defensive ammonia. Brass fetcher also does good stuff and so do a couple people on this forum.
Also see if Paul harrel has done a youtube video on your selected ammo. His “meat target” analog isn’t perfect but it shows good results in somewhat realistic materials.

Thanks, I have been pouring over that Lucky Gunner chart off & on for the past few days.
Great intel!
Paul Harrel's name certainly rings a bell for sure! LOL

 

[ReggiesFree]

All will be effective enough. Don’t over-think it. The price quoted to you is good and I’d take it. I carry 147gr HST simply because I got what I thought was a good deal a few years ago....1000rnds for $500. They are reliable and have a good reputation. I’d say the same if my deal was on 124gr too.

Over-thinking...being given to over analysis is a curse inherited from my Mother's side of the family.
I am currently in hot pursuit of breaking the cycle.

 

[Hangingrock]

Either Winchester Ranger 147Gr-JHP or Federal HST 147Gr-JHP both brands are marketed as Law Enforcement Ammunition. The main attribute is Function Thru My EDC without problem!

 

[ReggiesFree]

Either Winchester Ranger 147Gr-JHP or Federal HST 147Gr-JHP both brands are marketed as Law Enforcement Ammunition. The main attribute is Function Thru My EDC without problem!

I concur!!

 

[FL-NC]

I keep it simple. I tend to buy a HP round from a major American manufacturer (Winchesters, Federal, Remington, Hornady) that FUNCTIONS reliably in the pistol.

 

[LightninST]

If you want light weight carry ammo , these have a big bang but very little recoil

 

[LightninST]

I keep it simple. I tend to buy a HP round from a major American manufacturer (Winchesters, Federal, Remington, Hornady) that FUNCTIONS reliably in the pistol.

FL-NC is right on target ! The best advice always is use what works in your gun and you can hit something with it