Considerations for Carry Ammo (Pistol)

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The following loads can be considered acceptable for duty/self-defense use:
9 mm:
Barnes XPB 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Federal HST 124 gr +P JHP (P9HST3)
Remington Golden Saber bonded 124 gr +P JHP (GSB9MMD)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester 124 gr +P bonded JHP (RA9BA)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr +P PT
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)
.40 S&W:
Barnes XPB 140 & 155 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Speer Gold Dot 155 gr JHP
Federal Tactical 165 gr JHP (LE40T3)
Speer Gold Dot 165 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 165 gr JHP (RA40TA)
Federal HST 180 gr JHP (P40HST1)
Federal Tactical 180 gr JHP (LE40T1)
Remington Golden Saber 180 gr JHP (GS40SWB)
Speer Gold Dot 180 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 180 gr JHP (RA40T)
Winchester 180 gr bonded JHP (RA40B/Q4355/S40SWPDB1)
.45 ACP:
Barnes XPB 185 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Hornady Critical Duty 220 gr +P JHP
Federal HST 230 gr JHP (P45HST2)
Federal HST 230 gr +P JHP (P45HST1)
Federal Tactical 230 gr JHP (LE45T1)
Speer Gold Dot 230 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr JHP (RA45T)
Winchester Ranger-T 230 gr +P JHP (RA45TP)
Self-defense ammunition is a serious decision that needs to be made with accurate information, experience, and proven data as well as real effectiveness on live bad guys. In this video, we offer some suggestions and points to consider when it comes to your decision to load your gun with proven rounds.

[@Allen1773]

Reid Hendrichs for President!

[@jcmcgaha9204]

Hell yea he's got my vote!

[@seanm7539]

Hell yes

[@Mrgunsngear]

Agreed on the standard pressure loads for sure.

[@MrPandahammer]

+Adam Lopez Less wear on parts, less chance of a catastrophic failure.

[@dylanmackinnon2745]

+M plus + is said to run better in many guns. specifically shorter barrels. less likely for limp wrists FTE and what not. I've seen so many g27s that people limp wrist. you have to grip strongly on those guys.

[@orozjetv]

+DYLAN MacKinnon weak hand shooting, injury in the fight (taking rounds in the shooting/support hand is something to consider), shooting in a comprommmised position (compressed, cloating can get in the way of cycling of the slide). I use +P.

[@sarahwatson7692]

M Uh-no.

[@Billfish57]

@@dylanmackinnon2745 The Underwood Extreme Defender in 65 grain is the best for .380 - 9mm and .357sig. Try some, you'll love it.

[@joshs1820]

Love your presentation. Calm, rational, and not assuming that you know better than everyone else. Been watching for a while since you left JY and can say now that you just got a new subscriber. Keep up the good work.

[@jyo8914]

Very good, balanced information and presented nicely. Polite and nice. You are a well-spoken representative of the firearms community! Thank you.

[@rocdarjargm]

Reid, your channel has def came up front on my rotation. Your commentaries and advice is right on. Thanks. Hope to see ya at Valor Ridge soon.

[@davidli3582]

Definitely have confidence in my Federal HST 124gr after running through some old-ass janky ammo that still ran perfectly fine. Great tips on changing it out every six months.

[@Mycolddeadhand]

I love all your videos so far man, especially in regards to history and our founding fathers. Keep up the good work brother and thank you.

[@tony92629]

Thanks Reid - Always great information! I'm a CCW permit holder in Orange County California. With the recent changes in permit restrictions, its become much easier to get one. Thank you Sheriff Sandra Hutchens! I carry a Glock 19 and my primary and have a Smith & Wesson 9mm - Full size as a second gun on the permit. I have go to the range about one to two times a month and switch out ammo on a regular bases. I will be trying some 147 HP's from Freedom next Wednesday to see if how they shoot. Thanks for the tips!

[@dereksmith7841]

Thank you for all of the great information you share in your videos, Reid! I check your channel every day and hope to train with you soon at Valor Ridge!

[@1sbratton]

Another great video Reid, all very solid points. I would just add that many people might want to look into multiple loads that they can trust for carry ammo. I remember a few years back when the "panic" was going on any HP that hit the shelf was taken that quickly I'm talking about lines that extended to the parking lot of people waiting on ammo to be released. If you have tested 3 or 4 different types of ammo it makes it easier to find and you can store it properly. I know this gets expensive but if you do it over a long period of time it's very doable.

[@wayartio]

Great video sir! I just bought a Walther PPS M2 and am trying out my carry ammo. Started with 150 rounds of Winchester white box 9mm 147 JHP and they ran great and POA and POI jived very well. After watching KZbin ballistic video and listening to your recommendations I decided to put my trust in Federal HST. Brought 150 rounds of 124 Grain HST and had to move my rear sight way over to the right. I have now ordered 147 HST and think they will be what I carry. My son is LE and is getting me some Ranger T series to try out also. You made a lot of sense in this video and I thank you very much. My PPS is stock except for Truglo Tritium Pro sights and Talon Grips. Great little shooter by the way and runs like hell. Thanks! Best regards to PN!

[@ea8454]

Just want to say thanks for your vids. You're straight up and very knowledgable which has helped me with some decisions I've made on guns/ammo/gear/etc....

[@shawnj3525]

Great information! I especially appreciate the info about changing out your carry ammo at least once per year. I did not realize that this was an issue. The ammo I have in my main carry gun is a few years old.

[@Ispowzfmanalog15]

Inceptor ARX by polycase works great! Love that stuff... Second too that is Hornady Critical Duty. Thank you Reid for this video.

[@woj5105]

Many great points in this video. I carry the 147gr HST in a Glock 19. I really studied this round and am confident in its ability to stop. The heavier gr weight keeps poa/poi closer than say a 124 gr gold dot fired from inside a car through windshield (124 gr is about 5 inches higher impact when fired from inside through the windshield). Also very nice expansion/penetration with the 147 gr HST. Know yer carry ammo is good advice.

[@GhostHawkPrepper]

Great video Reid! A couple of things I haven't thought about. Thank you!

[@selfdestructionx3]

I am so glad i came across your channel. Your videos are awesome dude.

[@mnubs7975]

Totally agree with trying different brands and bullet weights. I did the same as you did and found that my G19 shoots 124gr better than 147gr. Both bullet weights are reliable, but I have tighter groups with 124gr. Great video!

[@jmvmike]

Thank you Reid. I always enjoy your videos. I need to head that way and take a class.

[@jheid47]

Thanks for the advice. Just tried this with a S&W Shield and Remington Golden Saber bonded 124 gr +P JHP (GSB9MMD). Had 3 failures going through 2 magazines. For what it's worth 115 gr ball of just about anything seems to work perfect.

[@agilland743]

my shield ran Hornady xtp 147 grain. standard pressure fine. also Remington bulk pack JHP 115 from Walmart. may try those, both are standard pressure loads.

[@daviderekson5017]

Just bought my first handgun, so the timing of this video is perfect.

[@TRIIGGAVELLI]

4 years later...but whatdya buy? Still have it? Lol

[@BigBUSN]

Great video. I agree With everything he said. I change out ammo every 6 months too. I carry federal HST 9mm 124g standard pressure in my glock 19. Or the HST 230g 45acp in my Sig 1911 scorpion carry

[@l84cabo]

Federal HST 124g...fantastic stuff. Haven't found a gun that it doesn't work in yet, although I'm sure one probably exists. Works great out of shorter barrels too.

[@sarahwatson7692]

l84Cabo How many documented shootings have there been with this ammo?

[@seribas]

@@sarahwatson7692 probably a lot considering law enforcement uses it

[@mordechaimordechai]

I live in a country where it is illegal to carry hp. It's a bummer but it makes caliber choice easier. It is 45 or 45.

[@robb9702]

I'd stick with .45 then. lol

[@reinvestorintally]

Choices, choices, choices...

[@BlueonGoldZ]

+mordechaimordechai .40 has more energy upon impact than .45. Not sure if you have access to .40, though.

[@robb9702]

BlueonGoldZ​ Actually. 45 newer ammo is much better than a .40. The channel wound, velocity, and accuracy is top when using newer defense ammo and +p. A .40 is nearly the same size as a 9mm round. Today more 9mm guns are the choice, because of the awesome ammo and lesser recoil from the .40 higher pressure rounds. Yes, the new .40 ammo is great as well, but a 9mm makes much more sense in availability, velocity, and accuracy. I believe the .40 will be faded out soon.

[@Jimlovescock]

I'd still carry a 9mm regardless.

[@joelbroussard9618]

thanks for the list. its always nice to be able to narrow it down. as always your videos are awesome. cant wait to see you on the range.

[@301joey1]

Good video, I appreciate the education...Reid I have x2 Ruger 9e, yes what many call budget guns but I got to say they fit my big hands and the sights line right up with my eye no matter the plane or axis I have the gun in. Ive never had a feeding or any cycling issues with any ammo but the 115 grain is on a pie plate but not impressive, the 124 grain shows some improvement but the Browning 147 grain is made for these guns, I can hold a baseball group at 5 yds, It amazed me how much this change improved my shooting. The Browning ball and HP both hold the same groups, I have cycled over 400 ball and maybe 50 HP but now Im going to make the investment and train with more HP...Planning on coming with my son for some training this fall in that fresh mountain air!

[@andyprairiedog4829]

Currently carry reliable Remington Golden Sabers but I think I'll try out and test some Federal HST ammo in the future. Thank you for the information, Reid.

[@TheBigjake04]

As always Henrichs, another great bit of advice.

[@wayartio]

Very good video! My PPK-S would have FTF with some Hornady CD and I carried it for a year before I went out and shot some boxes through it. Enonommics prevent me from buying 300 roiunds. I am thinking of switching to my Colt Detective Special because of this and other videos. At least ammo is around to buy again! Another thing we can thank King Spermburper for. This gentleman is a great guiding light to us KZbin shooters. Thank you.

[@tlee1982]

I bought 100 rounds of Blazers brass ball ammo 115 Gr. Went to the to range and my groups were all over the place on my target. At first I thought it was me. Later I decided to try out American Eagle 115 gr flat head ball ammo. I was happy that the my groups on my target was way improved than the last batch of ammo I had used. I think it's important also to try out different types of practice ball ammo for your pistol too. It's true, trial and error in terms using different types of brands and loads will vary on you as the practitioner.

[@Todd_S]

Another great educational video. Thanks, Reid!

[@Jeepdriver75]

Another great video, thank you so much for one of the best channels on KZbin!!!

[@tompawlowski2511]

Awesome video, Reid! Gives me food for thought!

[@100adorablepuppiesalltheti5]

Wish Reid had added "...those standard rounds are exactly what the doctor ordered. The DOCTOR OF DEATH, that is."

[@JohnW-yv6yp]

Agree with all the ammo recommendations. The only thing I disagree with, which is also, really, the only thing I’ve disagreed with you on. The 300 rounds of defense ammo before carrying. Absolutely shoot your defense ammo to make sure it works and is accurate, but if you shoot 50-100 rounds (2-5 boxes, as JHP usually comes in 20-25 round boxes) that should be a good enough test to start carrying it, shoot more when it’s time to swap it out..

[@matthewrosenthal4673]

Love your videos Reid. Thanks!

[@johnherring766]

I always enjoy your strategies. Thanks.

[@jackthereefer1]

Thank you for information. I am so glad I moved from NJ. You had to get a permit to buy a BB gun. I did not realize hollow points were illegal in NJ. It does not surprise me.

[@jerepotts2674]

Good stuff man... I've been wanting to try the federal 124

[@stevegareau7163]

love your channel sir lots of good info I'll never forget

[@johnkelly5188]

You are awesome Reid much RESPECT! !!!!!

[@smennor024]

reid i love the channel and hope to start my own school here in utah keep up the good work!

[@JamesPiccone]

Reed is very correct on keeping ammo to Long in your gun, basically that same round you keep in the chamber when you take it out and you put it back in and re chamber it and drop the slide. over time that bullet will get seated too far down in the casing therefore you will have too high of pressures. Mac did a video on this on military arms channel.

[@JamesPiccone]

Sigkim thanks bro

[@MrMikesMondoVideo]

In NJ, it is not unconditionally unlawful to possess HP ammo. You can’t have it in a carry gun, but most people in NJ will never qualify for a carry permit.

[@frknnutz]

Federal Guard Dog ammo will expand nicely and is not a hollow point. I believe these were developed to address the NJ ban. I bought a thousand of these bullets that I hand loaded with new components for my Glock. I have tested these rounds and found they will do the trick and ave the advantage of not plugging up with material that HP's experience. I bought them because I got a great deal on them. My carry ammo is Federal 9mm HST 124 gr with 6.4 gr of Alliant Power Pistol powder as I have about 2000 rounds I loaded up from bullet pulls from Rocky Mountain Reloading.

[@robb9702]

A good summary of ammo tips. I like Hornady 124 and 147 Win in my G19 GEN 4. My Ruger SR9 is closely the same, but notice. 115 Hornady flex work a little better. Different guns calibrated for the same, do have different results as well as the ammo shot. Another thing, i hear people say blocks eat everything, which they just about do, but some ammo in the GEN 4 with have bad ejections and failure to chamber short nose ammo with recoil and poor racking.

[@1221vito]

So many people complaining about the cost of 300 rounds and whether it's necessary .... First, it's Reid's recommendation..not law, so just make sure your ammo functions. Second, if you can't be bothered to save money for ammo and make time to shoot, then you aren't serious about carrying in the first place and the video probably isn't intended for you. Why argue with the guy and whine about the cost?

[@martinollis9931]

I like what u said about trying different weights. I carry Underwood 90grain leighigh 9mm in my g19

[@warriorgospel8168]

Winchester Train and Defend ammo is amazing. I train with the exact same ammo that I fight with minus the hollow point. the load is the same and so is the shape of the bullet. It's a brilliant concept that I'm surprised hasn't caught on.

[@warriorgospel8168]

It is the next best thing to training with defense ammo.

[@riflemanjim]

I always learn something watching these videos

[@astrogirl1usa]

Excellent video! Great tips Reid. : )

[@drsolari111]

Remington Golden Saber 124gr +P 9mm in Glock 19,26,43. Here in Texas, we now have a choice to open or conceal carry. The nice thing about RGS is that the design has been around for years and been tested extensively.

[@Clutch_Kick187]

+drsolari111 In those tests it's been proven to not expand and ice pick the target..and unless your using the bonded version, it fragments and loses its jacket.. Do some research here on youtube for yourself and you will see most guys testing bullets, put it on the bottom of the list.. FYI..

[@drsolari111]

+PistolWhip - I appreciate that. I chose that round about 10 years ago based on the information available. I also look at a bunch of other factors including price and availability, ft/lb of force and how it did in my 19. I then did a bulk purchase - and yes, it's all stored properly. You are right that there is probably better choices now but that's where I'm at. I can't complain how it shoots though.

[@markgray8835]

Another excellent video thanks ..... Also you don't have to buy the ammo you plan to run all at once or at the same time as the pistol . I buy a box or two see how it runs then try more if it works well

[@readyme]

Great info (as usual) Reid.

[@Billfish57]

Underwood Extreme Defense is my favorite by far for several reasons. It's a bullet made by Leigh Defense and those are great but Underwood uses that same bullet and loads it up to 100 fps faster and this round works better that faster it's going. the 9mm is going 1,800fps and the .357sig is going 2,100fps with more energy and less recoil than any other round that I have seen. It's also the most consistent at barrier blind shooting with very little difference in penetrating, unlike HP rounds that differ greatly when the hole fills up with wood or drywall or glass, the Extreme Defender rounds don't collapse so they always preform the same way.

[@sonnygunz9207]

Anything Federal HST or Speer Gold Dot. Lots of other good carry ammo out there but those two are a great place to start.

[@oneshoeless]

Well, I agree with most everything as well. I don't shoot 300 rounds of carry ammo to start. I do shoot 50 when the gun is dirty. I also cycle my carry ammo quarterly. So... Over the a year I have an additional 50 rounds a quarter. Good video and suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

[@Homesickfobbit]

I carry Fed 124gr HST, but it was sold out when I tried to replace them, so I bought 135gr Hornaday +P. Need to get some fed again in a few months. I like +p for a flatter trajectory for longer range shots.

[@iceandhotwax]

I reload all my SD ammo these days just slightly under 'standard velocity' rounds with 115 jhp tightened my groupings from @4 inches at 15 yds to 2-2.5 inches

[@rayrayjones9340]

Great video Reid even though I knew most of this info it was an excellent review.

[@user-rf7br8yb3l]

My understanding of ballistics is that +P ammunition may be beneficial to those who carry short barreled compact pistols in helping those shorter barrels reach the advertised velocities of the particular ammo. For example, shooting normal loads for a 5" 1911 versus using +p for a 3-4" 1911. But again, like stated in the video, those rounds are generally more "snappy" so testing/practice is a must.

[@fivex4756]

For 45ACP I now check measurements of ammo that I am carrying. I had a case that was to long fail and jam.

[@thetobaccoguy1751]

I had a interesting experience with the "Change out your ammo". I left a ziplock bag of .45 and 9MM in my vehicle for about 18 months. A year and a half of 110+F to -15F. Every single round (about 40) fired. However, I did notice at least 2 rounds were underpowered. Still enough to cycle. Also, this was cheap bulk pack HP ammo.

[@shaka2608]

Very informative video. Thank you for sharing.

[@jonathanpiccone6935]

Weird , two weeks ago the first round of my spare mag lost it bullet and all of its powder so just casing and primer. Had that well over a year. May the stars align

[@JamesPiccone]

4 inch and above barrels heavy for caliber is awesome on the HSTs, they open very reliably and deep penetration. back in the day you used to have to go with light for caliber to get reliable expansion. not so with the HSTs

[@mikefischer22]

Corbon PowRball/Urban Response and Hornady Critical Defense/Duty are gtg in NJ

[@ryanh6378]

One point to consider: 12" of penetration in ballistics gel does NOT equal 12" in the human body. In fact skin is estimated to account for the first 3" of penetration. Heck, the bbs used to calibrate the gel go 3.5" .

[@pinkiewerewolf]

My 442 BUG/get off me gun loves +P ammo! ;) Good advice Reid.

[@nicn2446]

I will just add one thing. If you want to run duty ammo through a short barreled pistol I would advise doing expansion test before carrying as most of these types of bullets will not function properly with the lower velocities generated by the shorter barrels.

[@neonpaintsplash]

Watch out for 'bullet setback' as well, I think that's the correct terminology, for when the bullet starts to settle deeper into the casing from loading and unloading a chambered round.

[@ArtisanTony]

Yes, some pistols have recommended manufactures and types of rounds. My Boberg is a good example. I am still hesitant to trust it for self defense. A lot of it is what ammo and gun you are confident with and for that I turn to the GLock 19 :)

[@ArtisanTony]

+Shane K guns and good times :)

[@williammartin9254]

+ArtisanTony glocks suck get a walther ppq

[@ArtisanTony]

+William Martin LOL, so you're a rookie? :) Most rookies learn about the reliability of Glock when they get a little more experience :)

[@room2376]

ArtisanTony glock is the only pistol I ever had a catastrophic failure. Still own a few but they are far from the “perfection” people like to credit them with

[@Brandonx-nb7rv]

Defiantly test your ammo. I bought my wife some pink ammo Hornady critical defense lite, and it jammed in her gun. Only fired 15 rounds and it malfuctioned 4 times. I'm bad about testing ammo in my guns because I carry soo many different ones. I switch it up all the time. I use Hornady critical defense 115 grain. I haven't fired many rounds but glocks and sigs shouldn't have a problem with a good ammo brand. I've shot maybe a box through my ruger lc9spro.

[@spartaneddie1834]

this video was extremely helpful thank you !!!

[@skwerlee]

I'm running Federal HST 147gr, standard pressure.

[@kuribo1]

All pretty good information.

[@rplash3162]

Thanks for another great video!

[@earltate56]

Good info. Thank you.Keep it coming.

[@usarmyfl1]

I would like to add that be sure to take into account your barrel length. Many tests are done on full length barrels. That same round "may" not expand as reliably out of a 3 inch barrel. From what I have seen, the Federal HST does perform well from a 3 inch.

[@peternorthrup6274]

My colt was designed to fire 230 grain ball. I never have had any feeding problems.

[@tolks9575]

also spend a little money and have your feed ramp polished it worked wonders for feed issues on my 9mm

[@nightfury6836]

Great advice Reid!! Thank you. :-)

[@abbywallace5154]

Another reason to change out your carry ammo on some sort of schedule, as you walk, run, drive around, consider that the powder is vibrating inside the cases to a certain extent. This is a minuscule amount but over the course of perhaps a year, the grain size inside the case can break down and become much smaller. It seems logical that this could increase the pressure of the round by changing the burn rate of the powder during ignition.

[@orozjetv]

I don't think this is relevant. I reload my ammo and sometime I remove lubricant after loading the ammo in a vibratory cleaner - tumber ! And I have no issues. What is relevant is if you unload and clear the pistol each day - the primer compound will get cracked and in time the primer will not work.

[@electricmayhem147]

Very helpful. Thanks for the video

[@AlphaKilo6]

Just changed out my 124 HST rounds yesterday. It always reminds me how I wish I could shoot it all the time. Shoots so well in my G19. Can't wait to get down and train with you when I can make it happen!

[@brownbag3856]

glock has a plastic

[@brownbag3856]

+BROWN BAG guide rod and plastic sights. lol. purchase only Sig sauer products

[@goodinsrt8]

+BROWN BAG There are plenty of videos and articles to educate yourself.

[@AlphaKilo6]

+BROWN BAG is that really your argument against Glock? You do know Glock sights are interchangeable, and no handguns that I know of come with XS big dots on them so what they come with doesn't matter to me. So Brown Bag on topic, when was the last time you changed out your carry ammo?

[@AlphaKilo6]

+Teflon Vaughn Of course, hell with that Sig he probably doesn't even have to practice or train...

[@o1mtbiker]

what ammo I carry depends on the gun, the smaller the barrel the the faster I want that bullet to travel, since it wont be going as fast out of a 3 inch compared to a 4 inch barrel. only thing I can suggest is to research here, watch all the tests first then decided what you want to try for your gun. I carry corbon in my sub compacts, winchester t series in the 19 and either powerball or federal in my 45's. but thats what works for me.

[@un_cog9677]

i'd change ammo every month or so give's you a chance to go to the range and keep fresh lead ready, and i'd gladly pay $60 for that insurance, not only myself that $60 can protect innocent people. Reid Henrichs = the smartest patriot on the web

[@Horvath0819]

awesome video and information

[@shrump87]

Great information, thank you!

[@henridenavarre7892]

Change carry ammo every 6 months. Super tip, noted.

[@E-ROCK0180]

great advice; your awesome dude

[@Ivan-vn1pd]

@ried Hendricks what I do do though is when I shoot USPA or IDPA I will run my first and last stage with my defensive ammo im testing to see how it works under pressure with a clean gun and then also with a dirty gun at the end of the day Having been shot in a dirty gun at the end of a match I think you can take down the amount of ammo you can run through to like 150 rounds. Also SG ammo is your friend

[@JamesPiccone]

basically what I was trying to say was early hollow point technology was not reliable with heavy for caliber and what I mean by that is the heavier the bullet was the harder or less of a chance it had to expand ,even though the trade-off was deeper penetration now that technology is there any weight and bullet you want pretty much expands reliably and the HSTs 147 grain penetrate just around 14 to 16 inches I believe, which is perfect.

[@pssita]

Looks like it's time to go to the range!!

[@livalittle100]

I love the defense ammo from Federal.

[@SteveVon7]

Hornady Critical Defense doesn't feed well in my G19 gen4, but Critical Duty does for some reason.

[@JST4CYL]

I carry a G21 Gen 4 loaded with P45HST2 in the winter and Ranger T's 230gr in the summer. In my 9mm'9mm's it varies from 9BPLE Federal which is 115 +p+

[@JST4CYL]

I haven't bought any for awhile but after listening to the theory of ammo FTF I may run this box and grab another.

[@tevmanuelable]

I just picked up 50 round boxes of 9mm federal hst 124gr +p today for $27....can't beat that price. I wanted standard pressure but +p was all they had.

[@BigChiefTomTom53]

I actually prefer +p for carry, but I think that duty ammunition should be regular pressure just because of the deeper penetration it gives, and cops need that...

[@frknnutz]

My carry ammo choice: My carry ammo is Federal 9mm HST 124 gr with 6.4 gr of Alliant Power Pistol powder and new brass as I have about 2000 rounds I loaded up from bullet pulls from Rocky Mountain Reloading. Regarding the use of reloads: I would NEVER use reloads that I did not personally load up even if I new the process quality of the person reloading them. For carry ammo, I weigh my powder for each round and work my loads up to optimal overall length and powder load for my weapon. I then test them for reliability, accuracy, flash, and recoil. I have a load for my Glock 26 for the short barrel and a load for my Glock 19. My reloads will and do outperform Federal factory HST ammo as they are tuned for my guns and this is why I would not recommend them for others. What works in mine, may not be optimal for others and is out of factory spec in order to accommodate my specific gun by loading the bullet to .010 short of the lands of the barrel. My home defense choices: For home defense, I have Lehigh Defense 5.56 55 gr Controlled Chaos bullets loaded with 26 gr of Hodgdon H335 for my AR-15FU stick. I have been using bacon grease as case lube well before 9/11 which has the added psychological effect on certain targets once the rumors spread. Regarding 5.56 bullets, I find that 55 gr ball ammo with a cannelure is perfectly fine and fragments at the cannelure to deliver massive tissue destruction. As a veteran combat leader, I was not impressed with the M855 green tips. We got much more fragmentation from standard M193 55 gr ball. Rules that I follow in general: -Velocity is king. -It takes a minimum of 15 seconds on average to bleed out from a shot that takes out a major artery or the heart. This is why expansion and fragmentation cause by velocity will improve the chances of a fatality. -In the 15 seconds it takes me to die, I can empty a magazine, reload, and do it again to take you with me -Shoot till the threat ceases to be a threat (they have expired) -A handgun for home defense is still just a secondary firearm that gives you time to get to your primary firearm -There are normally more than one threat encountered during a home invasion robbery and can be as many as 6: Practice reloading and using your home layout to funnel them if possible -Police response in my area is 11 minutes. I could wipe out an entire household, make a sandwich and grab a beer to go before the police get there -Early warning: The threat that is kicking in your door should not be a surprise. Have a remote chime that senses visitors walking up and to all means of ingress such as the back yard. Dogs are great and very alert -Front doors and gates to the back yard and side of home should be of stout build and take at least a minute to defeat. If I can walk through your back gate and am not having my throat torn out by your dog, then I will be through your sliding glass door in seconds -Gated communities are a false sense of security. They signal wealth to thugs -Thugs are looking for firearms to steal as well and because of this, they are well armed and willing to shoot you dead to get them www.whittierdailynews.com/2017/04/06/3-men-with-assault-rifle-sought-in-home-invasion-robberies-in-west-whittier-cerritos/ www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/family-assaulted-woman-shot-in-home-invasion-robbery/495013476 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aanPYXSPf7uCatk This is the price of not being prepared: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKndqWean7SXf68

[@tstot0404]

Another aspect to be considered is how it will look in court if you ever have to use your firearm in self defense. Some ammo companies advertise improved wound cavities, or name the ammo black ops, zombie killers, etc. A prosecutor can and will try to convince a jury that you bought this ammo with the express purpose of killing someone. It's ridiculous, but it's happened. I suggest finding out what ammo local law enforcement uses. If it's a viable option for self defense, it will be easier to defend in court.

[@jacobm1001]

Thanks reid !