9mm guys... Point me to your favorite 9mm loads for defense

[H&K .45 AUTO]

Hey everyone... I'm not new to shooting, or carrying as I've had guns for 20 years and been a cop for 7. The thing is that I've always been into 10mm, .357 SIG, and .45 ACP.

I recently traded my way into a 9mm Sig SP2022 and I really like this pistol. I am however, completely clueless with regard to what the good defensive loads are in 9mm these days. Please point me in the general direction of your favorite loads in this caliber.

I'm not so much looking for a "which load is best" type of thing. I'm more interested in what the cool kids are shooting in 9mm these days...Hahaha!

[Clem Eastwood]

ive seen the RA9T load work and its very effective. it my carry load in my USPc. the only real reason i use that instead of some of the others is because the 147s generally reach there velocity window more consistently in short barrels then some of the lighter loads.

there are lots of good loads out there. i wouldnt hesitate to use any of the following

RA9T
RA9TA
RA9124TP
RA9B
RA9BA
Gold Dot 124 (in std vel, +p, or shortbarrel +p)
Gold Dot 147
HST 124 (or +p)
HST 147 (or +p)
Golden Sabre 124 +p
Golden Sabre 147

[JimBianchi]

The the GOld Dot bullets.

Double love in a Double Tap 124+p load.

HST 147g is also up there.

Can't beat either for 9mm.


I'd bet my life on it. (And I do)

[BrokenArrow]

DOJ (FBI, DEA, USMS, ATF, etc) buys 147 Ranger bonded.

DHS (ICE, CBP, etc) buys 124/124 +P Golden Saber/Gold Dot/HST

NYPD uses Speer 124 +P Gold Dot

LAPD/LASO uses Win 147 Ranger T

[TWS G26]

Federal HST 124 +P and 147gr
Speer Gold Dot 124 +P and 147gr
Winchester Ranger 127 +P+

Remington Golden Saber Bonded 124 +P is good as well.

FWIW, I carry a G19.

[J.P.]

Remington Golden Saber 147gr & 124gr+p (and bonded versions)
Hornady TAP fpd 147gr &124gr
Speer Gold Dot 147gr & Double Tap's +p version of the same.
Winchester Ranger T series 127gr+p+
Federal Tactical Bonded 135gr+p
Federal HST 147gr

[ponykilr]

ive seen the RA9T load work and its very effective. it my carry load in my USPc. the only real reason i use that instead of some of the others is because the 147s generally reach there velocity window more consistently in short barrels then some of the lighter loads.

there are lots of good loads out there. i wouldnt hesitate to use any of the following

RA9T
RA9TA
RA9124TP
RA9B
RA9BA
Gold Dot 124 (in std vel, +p, or shortbarrel +p)
Gold Dot 147
HST 124 (or +p)
HST 147 (or +p)
Golden Sabre 124 +p
Golden Sabre 147


Clem said it well. Any rangerT load will perform great for you. I think the 147's are the most consistant performers, but the 127+p+ (RA9TA)load is great too and is flatter shooting.

[H&K .45 AUTO]

Okay... So, am I to understand that the 147 grain and 124 grain loads seem to be the fan favorites? Odd... It seems like I remember folks advising AGAINST the 147's back in the day. Perhaps I'm mistaken, or my how times have changed.

Anyway, I've been using DoubleTap 125 grain GoldDot's exclusively in my .357 SIG's and some of their various offerings in my 10 mm's for several years. I have used some of the Winchester Rangers in both .45 ACP and .357 SIG, so I might start there.

From the looks of it, I can't go wrong with the Ranger T series or the Speer GoldDot offerings. I'll have to pick up some various loads and see what the SigPro likes. With ammo costs being where they are... This 9mm is a welcomed addition to my home.

[HWA GLOCKER]

Federal HST 147gr

[ponykilr]

Okay... So, am I to understand that the 147 grain and 124 grain loads seem to be the fan favorites? Odd... It seems like I remember folks advising AGAINST the 147's back in the day. Perhaps I'm mistaken, or my how times have changed.

Anyway, I've been using DoubleTap 125 grain GoldDot's exclusively in my .357 SIG's and some of their various offerings in my 10 mm's for several years. I have used some of the Winchester Rangers in both .45 ACP and .357 SIG, so I might start there.

From the looks of it, I can't go wrong with the Ranger T series or the Speer GoldDot offerings. I'll have to pick up some various loads and see what the SigPro likes. With ammo costs being where they are... This 9mm is a welcomed addition to my home.

The 147's were not great perfrmers back when JHPs were just getting into the mainstream. Technology has evolved the heavy for caliber loads into very consistant loads. They are not flashy, don't offer the high energy numbers or velocitys of the light 115s, but work every time in all the test media(including humans :-)

[Broylz]

i use either golddots or Hornady TAPs in 124+P varieties. i carry the TAPs now in 9 and 40. any good hollowpoint from a reputable manufacturer should do well, Rangers, Hi-Shocks, use the DT loads if you want to get closer to the larger calibers you are used to.

[J.P.]

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o306/JxMxFxPx/14018375780.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o306/JxMxFxPx/doubletapwetpack004.jpg

[Kentucky_Guy]

ive been a 9mm guy or hell-n-ever....

9mm 147 grain HST's, IMHO are the best out there for civilian s.d.

[JohnnyReb]

http://i34.tinypic.com/6rkgo5.jpg

[cole]

Hey everyone... I'm not new to shooting, or carrying as I've had guns for 20 years and been a cop for 7. The thing is that I've always been into 10mm, .357 SIG, and .45 ACP.

I recently traded my way into a 9mm Sig SP2022 and I really like this pistol. I am however, completely clueless with regard to what the good defensive loads are in 9mm these days. Please point me in the general direction of your favorite loads in this caliber.

I'm not so much looking for a "which load is best" type of thing. I'm more interested in what the cool kids are shooting in 9mm these days...Hahaha!

Poll: Your Preferred Caliber + Weight Combo for SD (http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=915053)

[JBP55]

HST,Ranger T, Gold Dot or Golden Saber in 147,127,124.

[tbhracing]

Me-

-Practice/Range- 9mm, 115 grain. I use both MagTech and PMC.

-SD/HD- 9mm, 124 grain, Remington Golden Saber JHP

[Wonder Dog]

I use the Winchester Ranger 127+P+---this round is used successfully by LEO and has an excellent street proven record.
:patriot:

[Ak.Hiker]

Looking at the expansion and penetration numbers for the DT loads with the Gold Dot bullets it would be interesting to see the numbers if they were to load the 125 grain bullet designed for the higher velocities of the Sig. If I was going to trust my life to a Gold Dot bullet running faster than the Speer factory loads I would go with the 147 grain loading. When I carried a 9mm for protection I liked the Speer 124 grain Gold Dot+P. Now days I would look at one of the 147's or stick with the Speer load.

[Wonder Dog]

Looking at the expansion and penetration numbers for the DT loads with the Gold Dot bullets it would be interesting to see the numbers if they were to load the 125 grain bullet designed for the higher velocities of the Sig. If I was going to trust my life to a Gold Dot bullet running faster than the Speer factory loads I would go with the 147 grain loading. When I carried a 9mm for protection I liked the Speer 124 grain Gold Dot+P. Now days I would look at one of the 147's or stick with the Speer load.

Double Tap Load:
9mm+P 147gr Speer Gold Dot JHP 50rds.




These loads are low flash and really move. All three loadings are +p rated and deliver quite a punch! The 9 is just fine!

Caliber : 9mm+P

Bullet : Speer Gold Dot JHP

Ballistics : 147gr @ 1135fps / 421ft. lbs. from a G17.
Glock 19 velocity - 1120fps. :wavey:

[Warp]

I like Gold Dots and usually carry the 124+P in my G26. I am tempted to put my 147gr HSTs in there. If it had a longer barrel I definately would...

[NG VI]

there are lots of good loads out there. i wouldnt hesitate to use any of the following

RA9T
RA9TA
RA9124TP
RA9B
RA9BA
Gold Dot 124 (in std vel, +p, or shortbarrel +p)
Gold Dot 147
HST 124 (or +p)
HST 147 (or +p)
Golden Sabre 124 +p
Golden Sabre 147


That's the ticket for me! Whole list is excellent though.

[PAGunner]

Federal HST 147gr

+1, OP, you've gotten a lot of good suggestions so far, you can't really go wrong with any, but IMO, everything I've seen suggests the federal HST 147gr. are awesome when it comes to penetration and expansion. They also come in the +P variety (from manufacturer, not double tap), if you want a little extra zing on it.

[Fiery Red XIII]

Federal EFMJ 124gr +P

http://www.streichers.com/ProductDetail.aspx?Catalog=Guns%20and%20Ammo&Category=AMMO_DHAND&Prod=FC-9EX1

23.00 for box of 50 rnds.

Red

[New York Hunter]

First let me say that I don't currently own a 9mm. My wife and I are in the process of trying to find her a 9mm that fits her well.

That being said, I've read a lot of good things about Federal's 147 gr. HST ammo. I hope whatever my wife ends up going with shoots them good. Me, I might just get a G19 to go along with my G22 (also have G31 barrel), G27 and SW1911. The 147 gr. HST's will be the first ammo we try.

[9 Micky Mouse]

From my personal experience on the 2 way range I have shot 1) Win Silver Tip115gr, 2) Geco Blitz Aktion Truma 87gr copper bullet ,3) Hydra Shock 124gr +P, 4) Gold Dot 124gr+P+, The rounds that worked the best were, 2 and 4

[ContractSoldier]

Winchester Ranger SXT 127 Gr. +P+

Winchester Ranger SXT 147 Gr.

Speer Gold Dot 124 Gr. +P

Also check out the Federal Tactical HST.

What ever you decide on, just make sure it's market for law enforcement only.

[Wonder Dog]

I found this information on stopping power-

Our 120 Man department in Central Indiana uses both .40 155 grain Silvertip and Federal 9mm +p+ in Glocks. 6 years ago I shot a man who was wearing heaving clothing in the torso. The impact was about 6 inches low of his left nipple an about 3 inches towards his navel.(low 10 ring on a B27) He was wearing a T shirt, a sweatshirt, and a heavy wool coat. He was .26 Brac, on crack cocaine, and had been smoking marijuana. He had been arrested 118 times before I shot him. I used pepper spray, hard empty hand, and a baton on him with no effect. He tried to disarm me and I shot him with the 9mm+p+ 115 grain load. He collapsed immediately and did not move. I have the recovered projectile in my gun safe. It weighs about 95 grains if I recall and it mushroomed severely. We have had other shootings with this load with similar effect. The last shooting was through glass, the backrest of the driver's seat, then into the lungs of the suspect that tried to shoot a fellow officer with .45 Ruger semi-auto. This round also stayed in the body and had an immediate effect on the suspect. Every officer I have spoken to about this load swears by it. I KNOW it works. I thank GOD, Federal, and my training that I am alive. I can carry other loads, calibers, and weapons due to department policy and my SWAT status. My G17 rides with me on a daily basis. I take comfort knowing that it is loaded with 115 grain, Federal, +p+ ammunition.