Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 9 mm home defense ammo

I know, I know, I'm all over the map about handguns, ammo etc; but like I said, still learning.
I'll start with the 9mm: GOOD home defense ammo[factory].
Are the 147 JHP's good, or 124 JHP's? The pistol will more likely be Sig Pro 2022. Again, thanks everyone.

Tom

According to sources I trust, the CorBon 115 gr. +P DPX load is the very best load for defense that is available in 9mm. It is what I carry daily in my Glock 19. But the difference in effectiveness between DPX and other loads is one of degree, not magnitude. DPX is expensive but worth it (and you don't need to shoot it by the gross...I use cheap FMJ for practice). It does especially well in standard tests using FBI protocols regarding clothing, glass and barrier penetration.

Other good choices are Hornady Critical Defense, Speer Gold Dot, Federal HST and Winchester Ranger 127 gr. +P. The loads recommended mostly use 115 to 127 grain bullets, but there are good 147's too. Actually, most any HP from a reputable manufacturer will be pretty good stuff, and non-HP choices such as Powerball and EFMJ work well too.

I agree with wildhobby about the Cor Bon. Basically what you want is a 115 grain JHP of good construction running at about 1300 fps. It takes a good weapon to handle such a load as it is at least +P, sometimes even higher pressure dependent upon components used.

I think the short answer to your question is NO, the 147 grain is not a good round for home defense. I think you will find many 115 and 124 JHPs that may well better serve your purpose.

Course that is just an opinion too, an my opinion has little value!

CorBon 115 or 125gr +Ps are my Glock 19 carry(or HD) load of choice.
If I couldn't obtain those, I would give the 125?gr Gold Dot +P a hard look.
I have never been too impressed with the 147gr offerings, but that is just my opinion, no (thank God!) actual combat experience to back that up.

I think those 147s HPs would do just fine as long as they are reliable in your specific weapon. Yea there might be better balistic performers out there that can obtain higher velocities, and better expansion, but that doent mean everything else just sucks for defensive purposes. I sure wouldnt want to be on the receiving end of any 9mm round, cause I really doubt its gonna bounce off.

Ballistics research and bullet design have come a long way with the 9mm. Specific load recommendations:

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19887
http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm

And more generally:

http://www.firearmstactical.com/hwfe.htm

I use 147gr HST, myself.

Use whatever JHP shoots to point of aim. Some loads will shoot as much as 4" low in my S&W 3913 but shoot right on in my M&P9C at 10 yards.

Different loads for different guns, but I figure being able to place a shot where I want it is more important than 200 fps.

I use 9mm factory Win. SXT 147 grains JHP cartridges in my two 9mm pistols. (Beretta 92FS & S&W 669.) I know of a number of shootings by LASD Deputy Sheriffs using that same issue round, and when they shot accurately, the suspect(s) was stopped immediately.

I use factory .45 ACP Federal 230 grains Hydra-Shoks in my two Colt pistols, one my carry pistol, a Colt Lightweight Commander; the other a Colt 70 series Govt. Model. I know of several shootings by some LEOs wherein that cartridge performed very well, as long as the LEOs shot accurately.

Most modern H.P. bullets in those calibers do very well so long as the shooter shoots accurately.

Accuracy is the key.

(Anyone notice how many times I used the word "accurate" here?? )

L.W.

The idea behind the 9mm, 147 gr. stuff is to give you more wounding/killing power if you must shoot through something to get the BG. In general, none of the 9mm stuff works well if you need to shoot through glass or a car door to take down a BG.
Not much need for this kind of performance in a home/self defense situation.
I've not seen much that really proves that one make of 115-124 gr. 9mm ammo works much better than anything else. What I would avoid is the +P+ ammo as it offers almost nothing in exchange for potential problems.
We've come a long way in the development of reliable, and very deadly semi auto pistol ammo. That and their performance is pretty easy to judge. Just get yourself some plastic jugs of water and try it out. The few that might not expand much or may come apart will show up readily enough. E

Thanks guys, this is what I wanted to find out. Much appreciated.
Keep 'em coming. Still learning.

Tom

I prefer the Winchester Ranger 127 +P, as stated above, any reputable manufacturer makes has a good offering. Shoot whatever your gun likes.