What's your favorite defense round? (9mm)

[Rebel_Rider1969]

If you might face armored targets, TUI....
Im suprised they still are able to sell this.

 

[jettjon]

If you might face armored targets, TUI....
Im suprised they still are able to sell this.
View attachment 290825

The armor piercing rules are based on bullet composition (in ammo chambered for pistols), not actual penetration (though you probably knew that)

 

[Tige]

12 gauge 3” 00Buck

 

[LemonHead]

Seems a tad hard to conceal a 12 ga, to me anyways.

 

[Mcnpeter]

a fully loaded .45 ACP Hi-Point and just yeet it at your threat like a boomerang

 

[ChrisC]

Which ever feeds reliably and shoots POA=POI

 

[ABlaster]

My ammo/caliber of choice is the .40 caliber 155 grain Federal JHP’s made under contract for the Border Patrol.

Out of my 5” Beretta I was issued I was getting 1250fps and out of a Glock 22 I’m still getting 1160. For comparison, I get 1150 out of a 3” .357 Mag using 158 grain HydraShoks.

Most of the time though I’m carrying 9mm +P 124 grain Gold Dots in a 43x.

 

[ABlaster]

I just reread your OP amd saw there was a question.

Yes, even +P ammo will be slower in a shorter barrel. Most modern ammo takes short barrels into account and makes sure the time/pressure curve is steep enough to reach expansion threshold in shorter barrels. 9mm and .38 seem to be solid choices (some even say “short barrel“ on the box), but .380 seems to be lagging. Most commercial .380 HP’s I’ve seen tested do not expand reliably in mixed media (in plain gel they expand fine, but add in some simulated bones and clothes and problems occur).

IIRC Hornady .380 works well.

 

[Jonathan Goodwood]

9mm Federal 124 grain HST or
9mm Liberty Overwatch.

 

[BluesBrother]

Federal HST or Speer Gold Dot if you feel the need. However, as someone pointed out earlier FMJ in any caliber have sent a lot of bad and good guys to their maker. I think the military plans for worst case scenario when buying ammo. What do they buy? FMJ. Remember, you have to hit the target, though. FMJ, hollow point, whatever doesn't mean anything if you miss. A well placed FMJ will kill your opponent. There is no question or denying that.

 

[LemonHead]

Federal HST or Speer Gold Dot if you feel the need. However, as someone pointed out earlier FMJ in any caliber have sent a lot of bad and good guys to their maker. I think the military plans for worst case scenario when buying ammo. What do they buy? FMJ. Remember, you have to hit the target, though. FMJ, hollow point, whatever doesn't mean anything if you miss. A well placed FMJ will kill your opponent. There is no question or denying that.

True, but if that's the case why do Police agencies use JHP such as the HSTs and gold dots. Logistics maybe?

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

True, but if that's the case why do Police agencies use JHP such as the HSTs and gold dots. Logistics maybe?

Lawyers, and the EFB eye uses it so it must be cool and we need it.

 

[MAXman]

Federal HST or Speer Gold Dot if you feel the need. However, as someone pointed out earlier FMJ in any caliber have sent a lot of bad and good guys to their maker. I think the military plans for worst case scenario when buying ammo. What do they buy? FMJ. Remember, you have to hit the target, though. FMJ, hollow point, whatever doesn't mean anything if you miss. A well placed FMJ will kill your opponent. There is no question or denying that.

Probably has more to do with treaties that, while the USA didn’t sign, still adhere too in an attempt to keep the poor SOBS who get taken prisoner( by actual standing armies) from being executed or mistreated.

There’s some notable exemptions, which I have personally seen with thine own eyes, but for the most part the us military honors The Hague.

 

[5lima30ret]

When barriers come into play it is tough to beat .40 with a quality bonded 180 gr projectile. YMMV!

 

[BluesBrother]

True, but if that's the case why do Police agencies use JHP such as the HSTs and gold dots. Logistics maybe?

I wouldn't speculate. I'm not in the loop. However, I think the military buys and uses more ammo than the various agencies around the country, don't you?

 

[LemonHead]

I wouldn't speculate. I'm not in the loop. However, I think the military buys and uses more ammo than the various agencies around the country, don't you?

Yea that’s why I said maybe logistics causes them to buy cheaper fmj. But another member had a fair point about how the land was convention says militaries have to use fmj. But obviously not all listen.

 

[G-rat]

In my 9mm Glock carry gun, Hornady 135gr Critical Duty, standard pressure. It's mostly barrier bling, expands well, nickle cased and used by lots of departments and alphabet boy type door kickers. I let them do the testing, shoot quite a bit myself and its good to go. When I carry a wheel gun in 38spl/357mag, its Underwood 158gr Kieth load. Hardcast flat nose bullets moving at about 1,250fps.

 

[LemonHead]

In my 9mm Glock carry gun, Hornady 135gr Critical Duty, standard pressure. It's mostly barrier bling, expands well, nickle cased and used by lots of departments and alphabet boy type door kickers. I let them do the testing, shoot quite a bit myself and its good to go. When I carry a wheel gun in 38spl/357mag, its Underwood 158gr Kieth load. Hardcast flat nose bullets moving at about 1,250fps.

Now is your carry a full size? I’ve heard critical duty is meant for full size while critical defense is made for subcompacts. What’s your thoughts on that?

 

[rossi]

Kynoch .700 Nitro Express

 

[G-rat]

Now is your carry a full size? I’ve heard critical duty is meant for full size while critical defense is made for subcompacts. What’s your thoughts on that?

Its a glock 19. Thats compact to me. If I still had a G43 it would probably be Federal HST 124gr, standard pressure. Subcompact 9mm guns aren't for me anymore. A S&W stainless J frame with that Underwood 158gr Kieth load is my go to. Subcompact semiautos are more vulnerable to malfunction for me personally. Thats why the wheel gun is my solution for deep concealment.