[TheBBQDR]

Hornady Critical Duty 9mm 135 GR Flexlock in my Steyr M9-A1 and also in my Kel-Tek P11. I contacted my local police departments to determine which ammo they use to minimize any issues should an issue ever arise. This is on the advice of several conceal carry instructors I've spoken with and with the legal group I joined through the NRA to provide a lawyer should I ever have to use my CCW for self-defense - shoot what the locals shoot. I like the way they shoot with minimal flash and low recoil. I can get back on target quickly and in low light shooting situations/drills I've never been blinded to the point I cannot see my target after shooting a few shots. Heavier rounds in the Kel-Tek kick like all get out and re-establishing my target can be difficult, these are solid performers in my opinion.

 

[FiringDistance]

Federal HST for me. Our Dept did a lot of ballistic testing on ammunition and the Federal HST consistently performed the best. Expansion and penetration were very consistent.

 

[SELFDEFENSE]

Speer Gold Dot or Winchester Ranger T 147 gr. for me.

 

[sheriff]

Speer Gold Dot, 124gr +p is the round I carry

 

[Pixsurguy]

Load Steyr mags with assortment: 1st is always 90 gr. Lehigh (or Underwood) Extreme Defender; 2nd typically Fed HST 124 gr; 3rd normally CorBon DPX solid copper 115 gr. +p; mixed high performance ammo thereafter. Sometimes have some Buffalo Bore 124 gr. jhp +p+ or Underwood 124 gr. JHP +p mixed in. We have 17 round mags after all and why put all your eggs in one basket? When carrying my Walther PPS I typically do not use +p ammo, but do sometimes use Speer Gold Dot 124 gr. JHP +P

 

[Pixsurguy]

Hornady Critical Duty ammo is police ammo intended to be able to penetrate car windshields and the like. I carry for self defense. It is unlikely that I'd find that a person sitting in a closed stopped car to be such an immediate threat to my life that I'd be justified shooting through the windshield - or at least that's what the overzealous prosecutor or plaintiff's wrongful death lawyer would claim. I think that I'll be better off using ammo that has the word "defense" or similar in its name. Read Mas Ayoob.

 

[unit1069]

My S9-A1 is currently loaded with Federal 124-grain HST +P.

However, I have no qualms whatever in loading it with 124-grain Remington Golden Saber +P Bonded, Federal 9BPLE, 124-grain Federal Tactical Bonded, 135-grain Federal Tactical Bonded +P, 115-grain Speer Gold Dot, and several other premium JHP self-defense rounds.

I've shot all these and more through the pistol and all are reliable in the gun.

 

[Andromeda451]

Hi,

I carry Speer Gold Dot 124G HP LE. Love the feel, many rounds fired flawlessly. Also like the Sig V line of JHP ammunition.

 

[scott harrell]

I use the 124gr Speer Gold dots in my other carry weapons. I have not had a chance to see which ammo works best for my S9-A1

 

[mangobot]

I usually use a combination of Federal HST 124gr and Magtech 124 gr FMJ.

 

[SELFDEFENSE]

1. Winchester Ranger T 147 gr. bonded
2. Federal HST 147 gr.
3. Speer Gold Dot 147 gr. as available.
About mixing different loads in a magazine, I do not. Different recoil and external ballistics. Also you should have 5 or 6 rounds left in the original box, marked for that magazine, as a ballistic sample if you have to use the ammo in a defensive shooting.

 

[SurfGent]

My reloads. Because of the super tite groups

 

[SELFDEFENSE]

What bullet do you use?

 

[Packy]

147 gr flat point ball. I like the looks of Hornady Critical duty ammo. But my half power likes the 147 gr flat point ball and a flat point bullet does more damage than you would think. No I don't remember any studies but I do remember in small game and big game (whitetail) hunting when I switch to a wide flat point it does lots of damage. Be Well, Packy.

 

[SELFDEFENSE]

147 JHP. Federal HST, Win Ranger T, or Speer Gold Dot. The effectiveness of the best modern 9mm loads has closed the gap with bigger calibers, and retains the advantages of lesser recoil and greater number of rounds.

 

[K.O.D.]

Underwood Extreme Defender 90gr +P in my M9-A1 and Sig P365X SAS.