9mm EDC ammo suggestions
- Thread starter Gonzobird
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Saltwater60
20×102mm Vulcan
I have critical defense in my 9mm. Federal hst in my pocket .380.
In my G19 I have carried Speer Gold Dot 124 gr for, I don't know, forever? Widely used by many police agencies (defensible in court), excellent energy, penetration, expansion and more importantly, results. Controllable recoil for faster follow up. Going a little heavier in the G43, Federal HST 150 gr Micro load. I don't want the extra recoil of +P in either gun
I have been using Federal Premium 147g Hydra Shok JHP for about 6 years now. The reason why is because of work, DOS mandated us to carry this due to their intense testing. The reason i still carry is is because of the testing and personally seeing what Hydra-shok does and it is by far the best jacketed hollowpoint i have seen and used in my career. Before hydra-shok i was using hornady critical duty, which didnt seem bad in theory, but one prob i had was during qualifications sometimes that poly tip would stick to the feed ramp of the barrel and cause a malfunction, which to me is no bueno.
So in my opinion and experience i would suggest Federal 9mm 147g Hydra Shok. I also EDC a G19
A majority of 3 letter agencies use it as well, DoS, DoD, DoE, some DoJ
So in my opinion and experience i would suggest Federal 9mm 147g Hydra Shok. I also EDC a G19
A majority of 3 letter agencies use it as well, DoS, DoD, DoE, some DoJ
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GTN
.308 Win
Federal HST 147gr +P for my G19,43 and Ruger PC9.
I saw it on a list about 4 years ago as the best.
It runs flawless in all my guns
I saw it on a list about 4 years ago as the best.
It runs flawless in all my guns
If you like some test data on some common rounds here you go.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm
Doc8404
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Old school. Remington Golden Saber 124gr +P
Federal Law Enforcement 9mm Luger Ammo 115 Grain +P+ otherwise known as 9BPLE $14.95 for 50! Getting 1350-1370fps 4.5" barrel
Federal Law Enforcement 9mm Luger Ammo 115 Grain +P+ JHP
Federal Law Enforcement 9mm Luger Ammo 115 Grain +P+ JHP
Speer gold dots
Federal HST
Federal HST
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
Beware of Lucky Gunner tests. They give you false numbers on how to expect a particular round to behave.
For example. They fire 5 rounds. 4 penetrate to 10 inches consistently which is no good. The 5th failed to expand and penetrated 20 inches. They'll round that out and give you a final number of 12 inches. You'll look at that and think it's a good performing round when in reality it underpenetrates when it expands as designed.
For example. They fire 5 rounds. 4 penetrate to 10 inches consistently which is no good. The 5th failed to expand and penetrated 20 inches. They'll round that out and give you a final number of 12 inches. You'll look at that and think it's a good performing round when in reality it underpenetrates when it expands as designed.
minderasr
6.5 Creedmoor
I'm carrying 124 gr Spear Gold Dot in my G19.
I also favor the Federal HSTs, particularly the 124gr +p variety.
How else would you present it? You cant throw out a result because you dont like the result. Their numbers and test are honest. If one catches your eye you can click on it and read the details. This Is were you can see if there was a situation you described. There is 100% disclosure in their numbers your gripe has no logic here.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
I would present it as an average of 10 inches in penetration when expanded and 20 inches when it failed to expand like other people do that test ammo. That way you know what you are getting when it expands and not fooled into thinking that the round penetrates 12 inches when it expands.
Also consider the SIG V Crowns, I see it everywhere and it's done well in every test I seen it in.
The bonded Golden Sabers, Gold Dots, Hornady Critical Duty/Defense, all good stuff.
That's manipulating the data to suit the needs and invalidates the test results. If 1 in 5 dont expand and over penetrate that is valuable information to have so eliminating from the test results doesnt help anyone. The other good thing about lucky gunner Is you dont even have to look at numbers if this is a concern of yours the give you a damn picture.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
No it's not. It's telling the truth. How is saying that 4 rounds penetrated to an average of 10 inches when expanded and 20 inches when failed to expand manipulating the results?
The way you always defend them I would think you work for them.
No I work with data on all the time and what your saying is "the right way" to do is the exact opposite. You dont get a mulligan in life or bullets. They are comparing 5 shot groups to compare some 4 to some 3 to how you see fit will skew the results and make an uneven comparison. No where in the real world do you get to throw out result you dont like. Can you call a play back in football?
Uzi
.308 Win
I'm more concerned about defeating metal barriers, whatever happens to the person isn't really important. On a serious note, I like Hornady critical defense because It's quite accurate and chambers well in some of my handguns that are picky with ammo. I also like the design and tech standpoint because it actually functions. Also, they look cool like little ballistic missiles or something. 
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
Ok. Man. You go by that then. I'll go by others that tell you how much they actually do when expanded.
Doc8404
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Same brand with my 45 and 38
Eddie Gunks
.338 Win Mag
Whatever i have lying around. 115 ball ammo.......sometimes 124.
Justincase
.308 Win
Ruger ARX polycase 65gr +P in the 43. Can't seem to find it anywhere anymore in any iteration though. Very light shooting, reliable and accurate. Maybe a bit gimmicky, but the gun is noticeably lighter to carry than with 140gr whatever.
Need to mention the Winchester Ranger T , or the old school Black Talons.
Or just go .45 ACP.
Funny. .45acp in a G30 is what I usually carry for EDC. Just got the G19 on Monday so figure I would ask opinions about 9mm.
I thought the Ranger Ts were the Black Talons, just rebranded. They are difficult to find, I know that much.Need to mention the Winchester Ranger T , or the old school Black Talons.
Or just go .45 ACP.
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Truth
Steal2B
.700 Nitro Express
The Polycase ARX and rebranded Ruger are hard to find. You would have better luck finding the 65g ARX bullet in the much better NovX round.
I have done countless hours of ballistic gel testing with bare gel, 4 layers of denim and regular street clothes.
I have used a Glock43 and Glock 19, In short one round did better than all the others in regards to reliable expansion and penetration.
Federal HST 124gr standard pressure 50 out of 50 rounds penetrated 16-18.5" and expanded .628" to .614". every time
I know gel testing is not a perfect test in regards to humans but it gives us a scientific method of repeatability and consistency
I have used a Glock43 and Glock 19, In short one round did better than all the others in regards to reliable expansion and penetration.
Federal HST 124gr standard pressure 50 out of 50 rounds penetrated 16-18.5" and expanded .628" to .614". every time
I know gel testing is not a perfect test in regards to humans but it gives us a scientific method of repeatability and consistency