What is the best self defense 9 mm ammo out there?

[Wolkenflieger]

You want high grain for more power behind the bullet and a hallow point so it won't exit the target. Other than that, there are lots of options. I have used Hornady for years, but recently switched to a higher grain jacketed hallow point (JHP) for more stopping power.

*hollow. Hallow means to make holy or sanctity. Bullets do make holes, so there's a pun there...

I use 124gr hollow points for my Home D load.

From Grok:

"For self-defense or NATO-spec ammo, 124-grain is often preferred for better momentum and barrier performance, even though it's slightly slower."

124gr is also less snappy than 115gr since it's lower velocity.

 

[Hostile_SS]

grab a box or 2 of each and see what your pistol likes. Not all pistols like the same ammo type/brand.

Test and see. then train with that ammo.

 

[jmoe15]

Almost everyone is going to say Federal HSTs. But the best 9mm defense ammo is Corbon DPX. Do research and don't copy everyone else.

9mm - Corbon DPX
40 S&W - Hornady critical defense
10 mm - Sig Sauer elite 180 grain
45 ACP - Speer Gold Dot 200 grain plus P

 

[DJD100]

Don't forget barrel length figures into the equation, and for shorter barrels the heavier for caliber can work better (2.5" -3"), while the lighter for caliber rounds can work better in longer barrels (3.5" - 5").

I'm not sure about PCC lengths, not sure if it matters much for the longer PCC barrels?

There are two things at play, M*V2, and the ability of the HP to open within flesh, and they work against one another in that the lighter for caliber round will hit harder and open faster which slows it down in flesh, so it'll not penetrate much as the slower heavier for caliber HP, due to it's mass helping it to penetrate farther once it's in flesh.

For me it's 147gr in my 9mm 3" barreled EDC's, and 115gr/124gr copper in my 9mm 4.5" night stand gun.

It's a trade off (M vs V with regards to HP penetration in flesh) and that's how I understand it anyways, though I'm in no way an ballistics expert, so please correct me if I have it wrong.

 

[drinktothat421]

Most place just stock critical duty or defense. Gold dot is known to be good as well. My local law enforcement has federal HST. I did have to primers pop on some barnes x tacs

 

[Shellbackitup]

I have some from a long time ago...also have Glasers and Hydra Shoks

Im trying to fill out my collection of Black Talon ammo

Any chance you have .308 Black Talon or other rifle rounds? Might also need .357 or .45, can't remember if I got those last year or not and what condition, would need to check

Shoot me a DM if you are interested in selling for a premium price

 

[coastline55]

Federal HST. You only need a box or two to get through the panic. Practice with other ammo, but occasionally send a few defensive rounds down range.

 

[sa14l]

The FBI uses Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P based on the lessons learned from gunfights involving vehicles and the lessons learned since the 1986 Miami shootout.

9MM Luger +P 135 gr FlexLock® Critical Duty® - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Designed to meet the needs of those who demand superior barrier penetration and prefer a full-size handgun for their personal protection. Critical Duty® is loaded with the tough Hornady® FlexLock® bullet that delivers barrier blind performance when s...

www.hornady.com

They found that bullet construction makes more of a difference than caliber when similar pistol calibers are compared, and that the load described above performs well while being somewhat barrier blind through common barriers such as auto glass, car doors, and plywood, as well as edge case shots where a hit is made on a durable part of the body (large bones, large individuals) or when the opponent is in any other position than directly facing you presenting an ideal shot (arms extended holding a weapon, prone, angled).

Humans being emotional creatures, it was extremely difficult to overcome cultural biases and adopt a "smaller, less powerful round".

The Lucky Gunner tests are a great resource for like-for-like comparisons, but gel does not tell the whole story when it comes to a defensive round.

In my experience, I like the Barnes Tac-XTP 115gr if the slight snap that the +P or heavy rounds impart is difficult for the shooter to overcome, or if the firearm has trouble feeding the pointy, soft-tipped Hornady bullets.

 

[Nick Memphis]

The FBI uses Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P based on the lessons learned from gunfights involving vehicles and the lessons learned since the 1986 Miami shootout.

9MM Luger +P 135 gr FlexLock® Critical Duty® - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Designed to meet the needs of those who demand superior barrier penetration and prefer a full-size handgun for their personal protection. Critical Duty® is loaded with the tough Hornady® FlexLock® bullet that delivers barrier blind performance when s...

www.hornady.com

They found that bullet construction makes more of a difference than caliber when similar pistol calibers are compared, and that the load described above performs well while being somewhat barrier blind through common barriers such as auto glass, car doors, and plywood, as well as edge case shots where a hit is made on a durable part of the body (large bones, large individuals) or when the opponent is in any other position than directly facing you presenting an ideal shot (arms extended holding a weapon, prone, angled).

Humans being emotional creatures, it was extremely difficult to overcome cultural biases and adopt a "smaller, less powerful round".

The Lucky Gunner tests are a great resource for like-for-like comparisons, but gel does not tell the whole story when it comes to a defensive round.

In my experience, I like the Barnes Tac-XTP 115gr if the slight snap that the +P or heavy rounds impart is difficult for the shooter to overcome, or if the firearm has trouble feeding the pointy, soft-tipped Hornady bullets.

I wouldn't necessarily choose the same ammo for my own personal use case as the ammo an organization with 14,000 employees chooses as their blended average use case which is likely politically compromised and has to be cost-effective (regardless of their claims otherwise). I don’t mind paying $1.50/Rd for carry ammo as I only shoot 50rds a year of it as a reliability check. For bulk range ammo I’m always looking for bargains.

 

[Nick Memphis]

The FBI uses Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P based on the lessons learned from gunfights involving vehicles and the lessons learned since the 1986 Miami shootout.

9MM Luger +P 135 gr FlexLock® Critical Duty® - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Designed to meet the needs of those who demand superior barrier penetration and prefer a full-size handgun for their personal protection. Critical Duty® is loaded with the tough Hornady® FlexLock® bullet that delivers barrier blind performance when s...

www.hornady.com

They found that bullet construction makes more of a difference than caliber when similar pistol calibers are compared, and that the load described above performs well while being somewhat barrier blind through common barriers such as auto glass, car doors, and plywood, as well as edge case shots where a hit is made on a durable part of the body (large bones, large individuals) or when the opponent is in any other position than directly facing you presenting an ideal shot (arms extended holding a weapon, prone, angled).

Humans being emotional creatures, it was extremely difficult to overcome cultural biases and adopt a "smaller, less powerful round".

The Lucky Gunner tests are a great resource for like-for-like comparisons, but gel does not tell the whole story when it comes to a defensive round.

In my experience, I like the Barnes Tac-XTP 115gr if the slight snap that the +P or heavy rounds impart is difficult for the shooter to overcome, or if the firearm has trouble feeding the pointy, soft-tipped Hornady bullets.

the FBI worry about corner case situations like body shots thru forearm bone and muscle mass of someone carry an AK by simulating the position of a person pointing an AK at them. Such is irrelevant to likely CCW scumbag interactions.

 

[Echidin]

I’ve been using Speer Gold Dots for as long as I’ve been carrying. I wouldn’t have any issues using Federal HSTs or Hornady Critical Defense, I just have a lot of GDs on hand.

 

[Nick Memphis]

Do research and don't copy everyone else.

Agreed. You gotta think about your personal use case. Best ammo choice kinda depends on where you are. At home if I couldn't grab a shotgun with #2 bird shot and had to grab a 9MM pistol I'd want ultra light weight & extreme velocity ammo like Liberty Civil Defense to avoid over-penetration collateral damage. In public, I'm carrying 357SIG Federal Tactical HST 125grain as a cop I know well said its worked well for him against human and canine targets which in my lifestyle is the most like use case for my EDC. Now he's required to carry 9MM he says he has yet to find an ammo with 357SIG HST power so, as I can carry 357SIG, I do so.

 

[sa14l]

The FBI should give you a call, I bet they'll save money on doing original research. Can you justify your assertions with evidence for those who are looking for advice in this thread? I believe people who are learning about firearms deserve to know when recommendations for lifesaving equipment are fact based.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Best is the wrong question. The appropriate question is what is a good round (read Paradox of Choice). I would say Federal Hydroshok and Spear Gold Dots. Been around a long time and have had incremental improvements over the decades.

 

[Wolkenflieger]

Best is the wrong question. The appropriate question is what is a good round (read Paradox of Choice). I would say Federal Hydroshok and Spear Gold Dots. Been around a long time and have had incremental improvements over the decades.

*Speer

 

[Gryff]

My preference is Federal HST.

 

[CybeRise]

I use Sig Sauer 365 V-Crown JHP 115GR

 

[john_marsten_1873]

The FBI uses Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P based on the lessons learned from gunfights involving vehicles and the lessons learned since the 1986 Miami shootout.

9MM Luger +P 135 gr FlexLock® Critical Duty® - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Designed to meet the needs of those who demand superior barrier penetration and prefer a full-size handgun for their personal protection. Critical Duty® is loaded with the tough Hornady® FlexLock® bullet that delivers barrier blind performance when s...

www.hornady.com

They found that bullet construction makes more of a difference than caliber when similar pistol calibers are compared, and that the load described above performs well while being somewhat barrier blind through common barriers such as auto glass, car doors, and plywood, as well as edge case shots where a hit is made on a durable part of the body (large bones, large individuals) or when the opponent is in any other position than directly facing you presenting an ideal shot (arms extended holding a weapon, prone, angled).

Humans being emotional creatures, it was extremely difficult to overcome cultural biases and adopt a "smaller, less powerful round".

The Lucky Gunner tests are a great resource for like-for-like comparisons, but gel does not tell the whole story when it comes to a defensive round.

In my experience, I like the Barnes Tac-XTP 115gr if the slight snap that the +P or heavy rounds impart is difficult for the shooter to overcome, or if the firearm has trouble feeding the pointy, soft-tipped Hornady bullets.

I went nuts over the “best carry ammo” and stocked up on .357 SIG.

Then after more nerding out I landed on:

1. Continue to be a serial conflict avoider
2. Train like my life depends on it (or perhaps an innocent bystander who falls victim to my lack of training)
3. Hornady Critical Duty 9mm 135 +P

The FBI are scientists. They literally have a laboratory and real life data and scenarios to backup their research.

Also, when I took a VCAT class(es) I realized that it’s a good idea to carry barrier blind ammo, even as a civilian.

If they’d just released this video last year it would have saved me a lot of time and money.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

I find out what local PD or Deputies carry and use that. One less thing I have to worry about if I’m ever forced to defend myself and end up in a courtroom.

If it’s tested and safe for LEO to carry, then it’s one less bs angle for a shady lawyer to reach for.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Actually I think it's the opposite, the lighter faster HP round will typically expand earlier and penetrate less as a result, vs the slower and heavier HP round.

Yeah, round ball 115 gr, HP 124-148 gr is standard