Looking for opinions on defensive ammo.

N

NYMike

New member
Please discuss experience and thoughts between these choices. I tend to carry .40, .380, and 9mm.

I have been researching Winchester PDX1, Ranger T, SXT, and SXZ (a bass pro shops exclusive w/lubalox coating) Also Speer Gold Dot in 127+p I believe, Hornady Critical Defense non +p, and +p Remington golden saber.

The XD is the compact with a 4" barrel while the G27 has a 3" barrel, and the KelTec .380 is 2.745" so what weights are apropos for each for proper expansion and penetration.

Right now I have the XD mags loaded with the Gold Dots and Golden Sabers. The Glock has PDX1 and for colder temps the Critical Defense. My .380 has the MSG's staggered between golden saber JHP and Federal FMJS. any thoughts on the stagger method? Should I change my ammo? thank in advance for any and all suggestions.
 
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Some Gold Dot loads are specifically designed for short barrel weapons.

They show good performance in gel/barrier tests too.

At this time I use them and HST projectiles in all my defensive guns.

-Doc
 
I would stay away from the .380 as a self defense weapon. In the 9mm the Speer Gold Dot makes a short barrel round.I Carry the Winchester Ranger T series 127 grain +P+ in 9mm and Winchester T series 165 grain in my Glock .40SW.
 
hunter won said:
I would stay away from the .380 as a self defense weapon. ....
Click to expand...

A certifiably very lethal caliber. It may not be so good at shooting thru auto parts, but will do very nicely on human flesh.

A recent 380 wound pt I saw had the entry his iliac crest. The bullet travelled down thru the muscle, glanced from the femur and exited behind the knee!

He was only saved by it missing every major vessel in that leg.

I read of another who had a discharge from his holster. it went clean thru his thigh, seat and floor of his car!

If you put it in the right place, the target will go down.

-Doc
 
I like rem. golden sabbers myself i stay away from horn. crittical defence just from personal experince i bought a box of 38s five out of the entire box of 25 shot tried each one several times in twi difrent guns emailed hornaday
they said they would recall that whole lot number Kinda scared me like i said personal experince and MHO
 
I think any of them will do Mike, just practice trying to get them where they need to be.

To add, Speer makes loads for short barrel pistols.

Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection:

9mm Luger +P 124 GDHP-SB
38 Special +P 135 GDHP-SB
357 Magnum 135 GDHP-SB
40 S&W 180 GDHP-SB
44 Magnum 200 GDHP-SB
45 Auto 230 GDHP-SB
 
Factory, Federal, hand load for target practice only, Golden Saber and Winchester. I would not carry hand-loads for S.D. due to legalities.
 
I carry Winchester PDX1 based on the FBI's acceptance of this round passing their grueling tests. Critical defense passes it as well. I have done a lot of research and basically found out the major ammo manufacturers rely on the FBI's feedback to improve their ammo. So...it comes down to performance, reliability and consistent, repeatable performance. In my opinion, no one tests ammo and holds it to as high of standards as they do. If they trust it...so do I. NOT saying all other ammo is sub par; this is just my rational for what I carry. NRA American Rifleman just had an excellent article on what the ammo has to go through at their testing facility. Guns & ammo did as well.
 
NYMike said:
Please discuss experience and thoughts between these choices. I tend to carry .40, .380, and 9mm.

I have been researching Winchester PDX1, Ranger T, SXT, and SXZ (a bass pro shops exclusive w/lubalox coating) Also Speer Gold Dot in 127+p I believe, Hornady Critical Defense non +p, and +p Remington golden saber.

The XD is the compact with a 4" barrel while the G27 has a 3" barrel, and the KelTec .380 is 2.745" so what weights are apropos for each for proper expansion and penetration.

Right now I have the XD mags loaded with the Gold Dots and Golden Sabers. The Glock has PDX1 and for colder temps the Critical Defense. My .380 has the MSG's staggered between golden saber JHP and Federal FMJS. any thoughts on the stagger method? Should I change my ammo? thank in advance for any and all suggestions.
Click to expand...

I know multiple police departments that use Bonded hollow points. Cops have recommended Winchester PDX1 to me and after doing my research I say, if it's good enough for the FBI, it's good enough form me. However, I did overhear that come PDs are planning to switch to bonded polymer filled hollow points.
(I'm not a fan of the staggered concept.)
 
TulAmmo from Walmart

Target ammo from Walmart! It's cheap and gets the job done:hang2:

Try standing in front of it, hahahaha!!
 
Any modern "X" ammo is considered excellent even in 9mm. Best is Corbon DPX. With it's solid copper bullet it retains mass while expanding to create max wound channel.
 
Check state laws because I've heard some states you can only use hollow points for self defense. and some states won't let you use hollow points!!

I personally am in love with the Speer gold dot's for my .45's and the Winchester bonded for my G27. I've noticed on my .45's that the golden sabre and the Hornady zombie rounds (same as the critical defense i believe, just different colored polymer insert) seem to dent the casings easily. Not cool. zombie rounds are brass casing and the golden sabres are steel casings. Speer must use some powerful casings. hope i helped.
 
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