choosing 9mm self defense ammo
Just purchased the Ruger LC9 was looking for some input on the best personal protection ammo. Any recommendations would really be appreciated.
Congrats on your purchase.
Everyone has their favorite, but before you go any further I highly recommend that you read this web page as it is chock full of information.
Link Removed
Excerpt regarding 9mm ammo:
If you take all of these criteria into account, the lists should come as no surprise. Please note that all of the recommended pistol loads listed below have been personally tested and vetted by Dr. Roberts. THEY ARE NOT IN ORDER OF PERFORMANCE, SO ANY BULLET ON THE LIST IS CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE.
9mm
- Barnes XPB 115gr HP (35515) loaded by Cor-Bon (DPX09115)
- Winchester Partition Gold 124gr JHP (RA91P)
- Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
- Winchester Ranger-T 127gr JHP +P+ (RA9TA)
- Winchester Ranger-T 147gr JHP (RA9T)
- Winchester Bonded 147gr JHP (RA9B/Q4364)
- Speer Gold Dot 124gr JHP +P (53617)
- Speer Gold Dot 147gr JHP (53619)
- Remington Golden Saber 147gr JHP (GS9MMC)
- Federal Tactical 124gr JHP (LE9T1)
- Federal Tactical 135gr JHP +P (LE9T5)
- Federal HST 147gr JHP (P9HST2)
You might notice that the list does NOT include any lightweight bullets with the exception of the Barnes 115gr version. The reason - especially if you've read the beginning of this article - should be clear already, but Doctor Roberts sums it up nicely as well: "With the exception of the Barnes 115 gr XPB all copper projectile, in general, most 9 mm 115 gr loads have demonstrated greater inconsistency, insufficient penetration, poor intermediate barrier capability, and failure to expand in denim testing than other 9mm bullets. For those individuals wanting to use lighter weight, supersonic 9 mm’s, I think a better alternative than the vast majority of 115 gr loads is to use the slightly heavier 124 to 127 gr bullets or the Barnes 115 gr all copper bullet"
Based on the data on that web page (similar data posted elsewhere on the web) and also the information found on this page:
Ammunition For The Self-Defense Firearm
I carry Cor-Bon DPX 9mm 115gr JHP (which is +P) in all of my weapons (listed first). It has excellent speed vs. weight characteristics, as well proven expansion capabilities.
NOTE:
for ANY self-defense round, you should run several rounds through your weapon to make sure that your weapon will fire that bullet without fail. Yes, I know that self-defense rounds are expensive, but trust me: it is far better to put a few hundred dollars of SD rounds down range than to find out that your gun jams with the rounds of choice at a
crucial moment.
Additionally, you should inspect EVERY SELF-DEFENSE ROUND that you load into your self defense gun, and check them for flaws.
Best of luck finding something that works for you.