[Kevin346]

Actually have a few questions regarding ammo for self defense purposes and hopefully you guys can finally answer them for me. For some reason I am attracted to the 9mm round. I just found that caliber is comfortable for me and easy for me to shoot and control. Right now I am using Federal Hydra-Shock 9mm 124 grain in my Taurus 24/7 and my Taurus 709 and Speer Gold Dot 124 grain +P in my Ruger P95 (I would shoot the +P ammo in my Taurus but I did not know until recently that Taurus pistols could shoot +P ammo). I was told that the Speer Gold Dot and the Hydra-Shock rounds were pretty much the best round available today for self defense. I was also told that shooting +P rounds were better than “regular” rounds for self defense purposes. Just wanted to get yalls opinions on these statements as well as your recommendations for a good self defense round in 9mm.

Also, how effective is a regular FMJ round for stopping someone? I am not asking for regular self defense situations, but in situations where the SHTF and I have run out of hollow point ammo and I am having to use my FMJ’s.

Thank you for any information.

Kevin
:fe:

 

[Myers]

The deal with FMJ's is that they can tend to overpenetrate. It's the whole reason why they are the only round used by the military (read no hollow points) because they don't cause nearly as much tissue damage/cavitation as a hollow point round would because they aren't designed to expand. This was one of the outcomes of the Geneva Convention. With all of that aside. Will a properly placed FMJ round stop someone? Yeah..if that's what your left with blast away.

As to the rest of your questions, I am not qualified to give an answer. I will say that I use hydroshocks in my guns because that's what was available to me immediately without going out and buying something. I plan to swap over to Hornady's Critical defense round soon though. I'll let somebody else give you the ballistics and effectiveness spiel.

 

[BeauBeaux]

IMO the +P is not needed. It's just extra wear on the weapon. A little more jump in the hand [not good for double taps].

What I carry depends on the season. Winter is FMJ's [NE MS] as the BG is probably wearing layers of clothes. The penetration is needed. Early spring to late fall it's HP's. On the Gulf Coast HP's year round would be my choice.

Any of the major brands will be fine for social work. Try them all to see which groups the best, which is 100% reliable [feeding], which you shoot the best. Some of the personal defense offerings claim low flash and less recoil. This is good if your weapon functions 100% with them.

The best round is one that puts a hole where you are aiming [shot placement]. Functions 100% in your weapon.

Don't know of any shootings where the BG asked if that was a +P+ Cor-Bon or just a plain Remington Golden Saber you shot me with.

 

[Scharfschütze]

If you can find a copy, read Evan P Marshall's book analyzing actual shootings. He gives statistics and a good empirical analysis. I was surprised that the 9x19 did so well, given the gun magazines' hype of stories "9mm vs .40 vs. .45" etc. But shot placement is everything. Spend some $$ and try the various defense rounds, see which one you can put where you aim, every time. Then buy a case of it!

 

[Beladran]

i have had poor results with golden saber rounds in hunting applications. ammo that i have been dying to try is expanding FMJ's

anyhow my go to ammo is still black talons or rangers

 

[SubGunFan]

The gun functions 100%.....................

Practice.... A LOT....................

No ammo will help much if the gun jams or you can't hit anything.........

.

 

[Scharfschütze]

What SubGunFan said!
Find what you can hit with, what functions 100%. Those are the main- only!- considerations for self-defense firearm and ammunition.

 

[rcowanjr]

Kevin,
In my search for 9mm CC ammo, I found the information put on the internet by this guy very helpful and also entertaining. http://www.youtube.com/user/tnoutdoors9. (Click on Playlists, then '9mm Ammo Tests') It helped me narrow down my list of potential candidates. Once you decide which ones you like, try 'em and see which ones your gun likes best.

 

[Kevin346]

Thanks everyone.

Kevin :fe: