New carry ammo: Speer vs HST

[trigga]

It's been years since i've last carried and with the current climate, I plan on renewing my license soon. Recently bought a G43x with shield arms mags. I have not shot it yet. Previous carry is a G27.

A relative got me a deal on either 124gr HST tactical or 147gr gold dot g2. Both should be +P. I have no experience with either but seems to be very popular.

I load my own ammo and have some 124 XTP but have not found any primers to load. Usually I load 124 gr rn as target ammo and am running low. I was leaning more towards the 124 gr HST but prefer the speer from what I've heard. I wouldn't be asking if he had a deal on 124 gr gold dots. I have never shot 147 grs and read they can have issues out of a shorter barrel therefore stick to 124 gr. What do you guys think?

 

[Hartkopf]

The 124gr HST expands well from the short barrel (online tests + my own tests). I don’t know anything about the latest GoldDots.

In the good old days of cheap and plentiful ammo (2019), I shot 100 rounds of 124gr HSTs through a Glock 43x. Zero issues with factory magazines.

 

[Buzznrose]

I’m pretty sure either round would work fine.

 

[JR24]

124 grain HST is my gold standard for carry ammo, but either will do the job.

 

[Yo Mama]

I just got a chance to shoot some Speer Gold Dots vs the Federal HST. By far the HST shot much more accurately in a short barrel for me.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I’m running 124 gr HST out of my 3” or shorter 9’s. Prefer the 147’s for 4” barreled 9’s.

My 43X with the 15 round Shield mags shoots the 124’s extremely well.

 

[bdickens]

6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other.

 

[rabid wombat]

Shoot what shoots better…you will be fine

 

[nettlle]

Both are arguably the best SD bullets made. 124 rain Gold Dots are the most accurate for me.

 

[Mike J]

I’m running 124 gr HST out of my 3” or shorter 9’s. Prefer the 147’s for 4” barreled 9’s.

My 43X with the 15 round Shield mags shoots the 124’s extremely well.

Lucky Gunner did a lot of penetration tests with 9mm ammunition from a short barrel (I think they used a 3 1/2" barrel). Heavy for caliber bullets penetrate much better from a short barrel. You might want to go to their site & look at the results.

 

[jonnyc]

I've carried 124gr GD for years, but when I had to restock I got 124gr HSTs. My 43x is very accurate with the HSTs, so they are my current carry round. I would not hesitate to carry GDs if the question came up. I think my "ready" BHP and Sig 228 are loaded with GDs.

 

[sparkyv]

I prefer a 124gr in most any flavor so long as it functions reliably out of my CCW. The HST is at the top of my list.

 

[buck460XVR]

IMHO, terminal performance from either is quite sufficient for civilian self/home defense. I would try both and see which one my gun prefers as for accuracy and functioning.

 

[trigga]

Thanks guys, I have decided to go with the 124 gr HST. Didn't want to be stuck with a bunch of ammo I bought and have not shot or experienced.

 

[MikeInOr]

My personal preference is 124gn GoldDot hand loads. By loading them myself I can afford to shoot a full magazine through my carry gun every time I go to the range before switching to 115 FMJ's for cheap practice.

 

[C-grunt]

Both are very proven loads. You can't pick a wrong one here.

 

[Riomouse911]

Good choice in gun and load.

As for the metal magazines, be sure your new gun has the Shield magazine release. The stock Glock poly mag release gets chewed up by the metal magazines pretty easily.

Stay safe.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO both are good choices with a 124gr bullet. However, I would buy the original GDHP ammo, not the G2 version. That ammo has not been street tested so I would wait before I went there.

 

[DR505]

FYI - for the G43X the FBI only allows Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr +P as service ammo. The Speer G2 147 grain has been relegated to practice ammo for the G43X.

 

[golden]

My suggestion is to shoot some standard pressure ammo first. I know +P sounds trendy, but in a small pistol, the recoil may be an issue.

I carry 124 grain HST in my person guns, except my SIG 365. To deal with the strong recoil in this small gun, I use HORNADY 100 grain FTX Critical Defense.

Jim