Recommend personal defense ammo?

[rafaborrero]

I am new to guns and have a Glock 19. I've been told that Gold Dot 124 grain +P ammo is among the best for personal defense...any others meet or beat that ammo?

 

[wolf_fire]

That's a good round for defense.

 

[Kennydale]

The people I took my handgun courses with use Glocks exclusivly and get their SD ammo from Freedom Munitions and rate them very highly.

 

[BUmmedic]

One of the best resources I've ever come across, and highly recommended by many others.

Link Removed

Personally, I've narrowed it down to either GD or HST. I haven't had any luck finding GD, but I've got +P HST in both 9mm (124gr) and 45ACP (230gr) for my guns. All eat them up without any FTF or FTE, and I have no hesitation carrying those loads at all.

 

[BC1]

I like a slower, heavier round for PP. Federal Hydra-shock 147 gr.

 

[farsidefan1]

Barnes TAC-XPD 115 grain +P Should also make your list. Any of the above mentioned will do the job IF you (us /we)do. The rounds will do their part. We just have to do ours.

 

[2nd Amen]

Just a quick FYI…

Directly from the Glock USA, FAQ website:

Glock suggests using ammunition that is manufactured and meets SAAMI or industry specifications. If you are not sure the ammunition brand or type you choose is safe for use, call the ammunition manufacturer and ask if the product meets SAAMI guidelines before using it in you firearm. Some +P ammunition meets these guidelines, +P+ normally does not. This ammunition may generate a higher pressure over the standard loadings, and may shorten the component life of your firearm.

 

[Happypuppy]

Personally no matter what caliber it's really hard to go wrong with the stuff the LEOs Carry. By far the most popular is Gold dots with them. So, they yes the recommendation you have is an excellent choice.


Go Seahawks!

 

[golddigger14s]

Hornady Critical Defense, or their Zombie max which is the same except different color. Sometimes I can find the Z-max a little cheaper.

 

[LazyLL]

Much statistics are out there on caliber, grains, etc. used in self defense. One thing I learned and did a personal experiment with was the flash bang seen while firing. I read an article abt a case where flash bang blinding the shooter (the good guy in this case) was one reason for dismissal of charges. I than talked with one of the guy where I buy ammo and he recommended a brand that has next to no flash...looks like a sparkler going off. To test I had my daughter follow me out in the dark of night to a SAFE shooting area on our property and she video taped me firing 3 different brands of self defense ammo, including this particular ammo. I was so excited at the difference! Incredible! Well worth considering when you are make your final decision. The ammo with minimal flash is PNW Arms 9mmTacOps 115 gr SCHP. My self defense ammo hands down.

 

[memphis_raines]

Me and the wife both use Remington Golden Sabers, hers in 147 grain 9mm, mine in 185 grain .45.

 

[mudshark100]

Gold Dot 124 + is all I carry in my G19. With water jugs, it consistently opens up like a star fish the diameter of a quarter. I'm sold.

 

[GlassWolf]

I use Speer Dold Dot 124 +P and the same in the "short barrel" version, as well as Federal Premium HST 147 gr. These are pretty much the best 9mm ammo I've found.

 

[jtg452]

What shoots the straightest with no malfunctions through your gun? THAT'S the one that you should use.

All the studies, tests, internet hype and personal opinions really don't matter.

All that matters is what gives the best results with the best reliability out of YOUR gun when fired from YOUR hand.

 

[rafaborrero]

The people I took my handgun courses with use Glocks exclusivly and get their SD ammo from Freedom Munitions and rate them very highly.

I was under the impression to never use reloaded ammo for self defense (assuming that you are referring to Freedom's reman ammo)

 

[RxDoc]

The GD 124gr+P 9mm is heralded as one of the best out there, used by many PDs. Another is the CorBon 110gr+P DPX in 9mm (per M.Ayoob and co.). I carry either, whichever is available when I need to purchase, and feel very comfortable with my Kahr CM9. All of those mentioned here are more than adequate. Just test fire in your pistol a selected few, as to accuracy, feed, mental comfort, and control-you should be set. Good luck and have fun.

 

[SR9]

I've always been told to use Hollow Points for self defense. Round Nose is ok for targets, but they are likely to go through a attacker and not stop them. Not as likely with hollow points. They do real damamge.

 

[2nd Amen]

… To test I had my daughter follow me out in the dark of night to a SAFE shooting area on our property and she video taped me firing 3 different brands of self defense ammo, including this particular ammo. I was so excited at the difference! Incredible! Well worth considering when you are make your final decision. The ammo with minimal flash is PNW Arms 9mmTacOps 115 gr SCHP. My self defense ammo hands down.

Hey LazyLL,
Any chance you could post that video? It would be interesting to see the differences.

 

[Warrior1256]

I'm partial to Hornady Critical Defense ammo for handguns. Since I live in a condo apartment I use Remington Duplex Home Defense for my shotguns. This is a combination of #2 and #4 shot.