Best 9mm Carry Ammo Recommendations

[EDC_Minded]

I'm in the market for some 9mm carry ammo and I could use some advice. What hollow points have you found to be the most reliable in terms of performance and stopping power?

 

[27-2]

I don't carry 9mm but, theres a lot of good options with ammo, imo
I really like Underwood Xtreme Defenders (Lehigh bullet) or for a JHP, either HST or Gold Dots

 

[Gerald D.]

In readily available ammo the HST's are hard to beat, plenty of tests available on Youtube, just make sure the person doing the testing knows up from down.

 

[x_count]

I carry a Sig P365 and run the Speer Gold Dot short barrel 124 +P. Thankfully I haven't had to test it, but Gold Dots are hard to beat. As Gerald stated HSTs are well proven also.

 

[patrick_ford]

You can go wrong with either HST or Gold Dot +Ps pushing 124gr bullets. I’ve tended to favor Gold Dots.

 

[URIT]

My 9mm pistol is currently carrying Norma MHP (Monolithic Hollow Point) rated at 108 grain, 1312 fps, and 413 ft-lb. in my EDC. I'm still running Federal Premium Law Enforcement in safe back ups.

Here's a site with some good ballistic data... https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/

 

[RoMaC21]

Lots of good choices here but remember that it has to function well in your gun. I know it’s expensive, but buy a few different ones, weight, brand, projectile, etc. and try them out. They all may run really well but you may not like their performance personally.

 

[firedawg60]

HST or Gold Dots for me.

 

[LimaCharlie]

YouTube is slam full of 9mm SD ammo tests. Some of it well done, others not so much.
Expanding bullets in 9mm have come long way.
I usually carry the Speer Gold Dot 124 gr. +P 'Short Barrel' in my 'Summer Carry', which is a little Kahr PM9.
A good alternate is the Federal HST, and I buy 'pulled' HST bullets from American Reloading for use in 9mm and .38 Super handloads. They also perform really well.

 

[SammySmoothbore]

Gold Dots for me, largely because they fxn well, and because the LEOs mostly carry Gold Dots. Best practice is to ask your PD, Sheriff or HP what they carry, then make sure they fxn 100% of the time.

 

[Grampa]

For an objective analysis, go to LUCKYGUNNER.com and review his ballistic lab tests of ammo. He has tested many varieties of ammo in many calibers, and it is all there for you to see. That said, Underwood Extreme Defense and/or Extreme Penetrator ammo is good, though many swear by Federal HST and/or Speer Gold Dot as well.

 

[URIT]

I read the last comment from Grampa; then, wondered if I had recharged my EDC - S&W 3953 - with carry ammo. I discovered I hadn't replaced the range ammo I used after burning through the Norma MHP.

The weapon was charged and the mag full of Speer Lawman 147gr TMJ range ammo. Great 9mm range ammo at a nice price.

I reloaded with Federal Premium Law Enforcement HST 124gr. I'm comforted knowing there are enough LEOs using this ammo that a prosecutor would not make my ammo choice an issue if something dreadful happens.

P.S. Call your county Sheriff and ask what 9mm ammo he supplies his deputies for duty use and load your CCW with his recommendation. This may save you thousands of dollars for expert testimony if you have to use your weapon in a dreadful situation. Most self-defense shooting are close range and the farther out it goes the more a prosecutor may question your actions and bring you before a jury of folks not well informed.