Best ammo for Glock 23/27?

khufford · 03-25-2010, 12:15

I have some 180gr Speer Gold Dots because my understanding is this is what most LEO's use. I've been using them for a while, did some range testing and they seem to work fine. I recently found a sweet deal on some 180gr Federal HST ammo, so I now have some of that too. I went to the range today and tried it out for functionality just to make sure it works OK, and I actually like the way the recoil feels better with my Glock 23, doesn't make much difference in my 27. I am just curious which would be better for both guns and why. I am leaning towards using the HST in my 23 and Gold Dot in my 27. I am also planning to get a 4th gen G22 at some point, and I am curious as to which would be better for it as well.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

jsdintexas · 03-25-2010, 12:25

I might look at Winchester silver tip - has high speed and impact, HP blossom is large. I say this because I am interested in defense ammo - at the range I shoot Win FMJ cause they are cheap.
But with that said, you will get a lot of opinions on what is what about ammo. And I do also like the speer gold dot for their performance profile.

khufford · 03-25-2010, 12:36

Yeah, I don't know about silvertips, I mean those were the hot thing back in the 80's but hasn't the technology gotten a lot better since then? I'm specifically wanting to know info about whether the Federal HST or Gold Dot would be better because that is what I already have. If there are better options out there, by all means let me know about it I guess, but aren't these two pretty much some of the best stuff you can get?

Eagle22 · 03-25-2010, 18:20

have G22 and G27

Use:
Federal 180g FMJs
Federal 180 HSTs
and
Speer TMJ 180g
Speer Gold Dot 180g

All shoot about the same, GREAT.

also have a few boxes of Federal 165g FMJs

Jackalo626 · 03-25-2010, 18:38

I use 180 gr Federal for target practice and fun and Gold dots for defense in my 27.

cmcinc · 03-25-2010, 18:40

Speer Gold Dot 180g for my 23 and 27.

IndyGunFreak · 03-25-2010, 19:24

Just get whatever is available, and whatever is accurate....

YOU are way more important than what brand is on the box.

IGF

LoadedTech · 03-25-2010, 19:37

I would use the 180's in the 22, and 165's in the short barrel 27. I like lighter bullets in the shorter barrel guns.

khufford · 03-25-2010, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoadedTech

I would use the 180's in the 22, and 165's in the short barrel 27. I like lighter bullets in the shorter barrel guns.

I used to have some 165's but I got rid of them because they weren't on the list of ammo the FBI tested that passed their penetration requirements. I tried some 155's but they were way too hot and it was too much recoil. The 180's feel about the same as the 165's I had, but I was worried about the penetration so I switched...

The 180gr (and the 155gr) Gold Dot and the 180gr HST were on the list and that is why I chose them.

I actually called Speer one day to see what they recommended and the guy on the phone told me he uses 165's in his 22 and that 180's would probably be better for the 23. I asked him about my 27 and he recommended their short barrel product, but I generally don't like buying ammo in 20 round boxes because it is pricey, I have the 50 round LE boxes. I've seen where plenty of people use normal Gold Dots in short barrel guns, so I figured it wouldn't really be an issue.

spyderhead · 03-25-2010, 19:56

I use CorBon DPX in my Glock 23.

den888 · 03-25-2010, 20:04

Federal Hi Shok or HST

wdo1575 · 03-25-2010, 23:47

Cool!

jmb79 · 03-26-2010, 02:53

Both the 180gr. Gold Dots and the 180gr. HST are on Dr. Roberts list of acceptable defensive handgun loads so either is good in my book.

Here is the list for .40 S&W:

Barnes all-copper bullets (140 & 155gr) loaded by: Cor-Bon (DPX40140)
Winchester Ranger 180gr JHP (RA40T)
Winchester Ranger 165gr JHP (RA40TA)
Winchester Partition Gold 165gr JHP (RA401P)
Winchester Bonded 180gr JHP (Q4355)
Speer Gold Dot 155gr JHP (53961)
Speer Gold Dot 180gr JHP (53962)
Federal Tactical 165gr JHP (LE40T3)
Federal Tactical 180gr JHP (LE40T1)
Federal HST 180gr JHP (P40HST1)
Remington Golden Saber 180 gr JHP (GS40SWB)

khufford · 03-26-2010, 06:23

Yeah, that's why I picked them :-P

glock2740 · 03-26-2010, 10:59

I like the 155gr Gold Dots in my G23 and G27 the best.

jeffreybehr · 03-26-2010, 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmb79

Both the 180gr. Gold Dots and the 180gr. HST are on Dr. Roberts list of acceptable defensive handgun loads so either is good in my book.

Who, pray tell, is Dr. Roberts?

MURRAY · 03-26-2010, 11:24

I go with Ranger T or HST or Gold Dot 180's or 165 HST or Rangers. They all get the job done.

GunFighter45ACP · 03-26-2010, 11:53

Both the 180gr Speer GDs & Fed HSTs are excellent choices for 40sw, so IMO, there really isn't a winner or a loser between the 2 for normal defensive or duty use.

To make sure you're using 'the best of the best', so to speak, it comes down to which brand feeds/functions best out of your pistols combined w/which brand is most accurate out of your pistols.

IndyGunFreak · 03-26-2010, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffreybehr

Who, pray tell, is Dr. Roberts?

A guy who basically did a bunch of ammo testing, put a list of what ammo he thought was best, and people use it as the bible of the best carry ammo. Despite his own statement that he didn't try all brands/weights of ammo, so just because something isn't on the list, doesn't mean it could be had he tested it.

The list is hardly all inclusive, and if you choose something not on the list, you'll be fine.

IGF

CanyonMan · 03-26-2010, 18:32

I use 180gr GD's and 180gr Winchester Bonded, both in my G23 and G27.

CM

Ak.Hiker · 03-27-2010, 00:18

Both the Gold Dot and Federal HST are very well thougt of loads. I like your plan to use the HST in the Glock 23 and the GD in the Glock 27. It sounds like the HST is a good match for your 23. Carry what shoots best for you in your guns. You can not go wrong with either of these high quality loads.

Eagle22 · 03-27-2010, 05:49

Just pick ONE FMJ and ONE HP. not two different wts for the different guns. IMO, it that means anything keep them both from the same manufacture and the same wt for both guns.

Winchester, Speer or Federal. and spend lots of time at the range. Practice makes perfect.

IndyGunFreak · 03-27-2010, 06:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle22

Just pick ONE FMJ and ONE HP. not two different wts for the different guns. IMO, it that means anything keep them both from the same manufacture and the same wt for both guns.

Winchester, Speer or Federal. and spend lots of time at the range. Practice makes perfect.

Agreed... I practice w/ aything I can get my hands on... For SD though... I'm a tad more picky.

DRT · 03-27-2010, 09:46

HST or Ranger T-series.

Eagle22 · 03-27-2010, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyGunFreak

Agreed... I practice w/ aything I can get my hands on... For SD though... I'm a tad more picky.

I agree. Pick the SD round first. Then get the FMJ of the same wt and manufacture for plinking.

Going with a great SD round is idea. But if your plinking with cheap ammo that shoots nothing like your chosen SD round, how good will you shoot your SD round when you need it?