What's the Best 9mm+P Duty Ammo? Windshield Test - Gold Dot vs HST vs Defender vs Critical Duty

Testing what the best 124 gr 9mm+P duty ammo is. And by my definition, duty ammo is ammo that has a bonded or core locked bullet that is designed from the ground up to defeat hard barriers and still perform well. Today we are testing the Speer Gold Dot, Federal HST, Winchester Defender (Ranger) and Hornady Critical Duty in a 10% Clear ballistics test with rib simulation and 4 layers of sweatshirt as well as repeating that test with a windshield in the way. Always appreciative of any channel help :) www.patreon.co...

[@GunSam]

New topic I keep hearing over and over again that I want to address. People say that an average person would never need to shoot through auto glass at an attacker. Two things here, one; I did say "Duty Ammo" in the title and this ammo IS ammo that is contracted to many police agencies - so that should have been common sense but apparently it is not. Secondly; an average citizen could have to shoot through glass legitimately. Anytime I have ever seen footage of road rage incidents, nearly 100% of them end with a lead driver slamming on their brakes and running back towards the driver behind them. As an armed citizen seeing a man running at them with a weapon, are you going to yell "time out", unbuckle and get out, aim and fire? Probably not, you're welcome. One might hear my example and say "well angle the glass the other way then!" - Well, this video was mostly the testing of duty ammo, and law enforcement usually shoots inward, PLUS....you know, that glass is heavy and it's not standing by magic - I had to use the angling inward against my gel block shelf to even keep the glass standing. Have some common sense before you troll me people. And the viewers that have always been respectful and nice in the comments, I appreciate that. You can say anything you want, just do it respectfully and I won't have a problem with it. Even if you have something legitimate to comment about, starting a comment with "you're so dumb, who would you even _ _ _ _etc" is a good way to get blocked. It's not the content of the comment, it's the attitude.

[@TheWalterKurtz]

Some people obviously didn't gain anything from the summer of 2020.

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

Especially on the interwebs, the lack of common decency and just respect to others seems to get progressively worse in each generation, sadly. Now with this latest generation being socially deprived of school friendships and or having to learn while they and their teachers are behind a mask, and a PC screen for a year or so has made it even worse. So much is not learned and passed down anymore in many cases. Imagine the little ones trying to learn to speak behind a mask with the teachers behind them too! It has had to screw them up. So many kids without fathers in the home to teach life experiences, respect and morals etc. Schools and daycare raising the kids 80% of the time, its terrible. Forget about being taught morality, empathy and respect for others in todays public school environment. They can barely get kids to be able to write and do basic math by graduation time in many cases. The stats show it. The bad math, bad english, and tests show it. The bad grammer IRL shows too. We have had decades of the teachers and academia dumbing down the tests, and this is where we are, and what they wanted, evidently.

[@kahndumz1852]

This is the saddest part of the gun community, people who just want to put everyone down because they are "dumb" instead of having constructive criticism that is openly welcomed in the community. As you stated above its not the content of the comment, but the attitude in which it was said. Why cant the gun groups just be happy we have this awesome right and that people who have never handled or owned a gun are buying them in record numbers and looking for wisdom and information from those who have experience, and this is the kind of comments they see. Shame on us. Keep the videos coming my dude, there are those of us who actually appreciate your videos and tests so we don't have to spend the time and money to try them ourselves.

[@tax905972]

glass would be on a angle

[@codycunningham8762]

Great video. Keyboard haters gonna hate.

[@timrobinson6573]

What's cool is that projectile technology is so good that all of these rounds did what they were designed to do.

[@ms.annthrope415]

They all performed to an objective standard as created by Dr. Martin Fackler for the FBI. Prior to the FBI Protocols, every ammo manufacturer designed their ammo to whatever they felt like doing without regard to any objective tests. The problem, is that like all science theories, it has to he validated by corroborating it to real life shootings. Every scientific theory must be validated or else it is trash. Whether it is a COVID vaccine, vulcanology in predictinf volcanoc eruptions, astrophysics on dark matter calculations, molecular biology, the theory must match the predictability of real life data. So far I have not seen any corroboration between the FBI Protocol to real life shootings. So it is untested and not a validated theory.

[@yc2560]

But they didn't, three of them underpenetrated.

[@PassivePortfolios]

We used 124 grain Gold Dot +P when we switched to the Beretta 92. The armory guys did some tests at a local junkyard and picked this round. That was many years ago so things can change. We were told in training that the angle of the bullet's contact with the windshield makes a difference and bullet deflection could happen as well as lack of penetration. Thanks for another great video.

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

@adriannenu2320 The FBI Test protocol specs 2 different angles that they have to shoot the auto glass at. (a compound angle) I am sure its exactly for that reason as you said.

[@ms.annthrope415]

Windshield angle works like angled armor plates. It takes more energy to penetrate a more acute angle windshield than a flat, perpendicular windshield.

[@avastyeescurvydogs]

Not a complaint but an observation - every bullet is different and a sample size of one doesn’t definitively show us more than what it shows us. A larger sample size would be more reliable, so don’t give up on Gold Dot after a one-round test. I appreciate the test and enjoyed the video!

[@scottblackwell1215]

4" barrel Sam! The 5" barrel has become something of a unicorn in the LE world. Think G19 or P320 Carry. Final note, Good job on including the glass. Not a lot of people doing it. Thanks!

[@rangetime6779]

Great video! Testing all of those high end rounds and adding the windshield glass has to be your best test to date. Honestly they all worked great. I would have thought the Hornady Critical Duty would have penetrated the most through the windshield. I do believe there is a difference between Winchester Defender and Ranger T series. Both are bonded but the Defender doesn't produce the sharp talons. Please do the same test with 40 S&W. I know that's a lot to ask. Thank you for all of your work!

[@DaveTalks985]

Great work- I love the windshield.

[@GunSam]

Thank you

[@davidlee8551]

Excellent real world tests. You have crystal clear goals, Well planned & executed videos & clear thinking. Pleas keep up the excellent work.

[@GunSam]

Thank you. I try to visualize what I want to do and then do it.

[@sheepdog1102]

Nice work, I would like to have seen this test done with the 4” I think that’s what most duty weapons are and most civilians that aren’t carrying the 4”are carrying 3” to 3.7. Thanks for putting this together it was very useful information!😊

[@GunSam]

Most ammo only gains like 50 FPS on average with this pistol, it's mainly the 115 gr +P and +P+ that gains over 100 FPS VS a 4".

[@KandaJE]

Hands down! Hornady ZombieMax! I know, it's Almost impossible to get these days... But at the time, It was rated as the most accurate 9mm Ammo available. Accuracy is always, as Aunt Martha used to say, A Very good thing!

[@arello3112]

I had to look it up that’s really cool. I can only imagine how hard to find they are. And I bet they are a premium! I just started to really get into shooting and carrying in the beginning of this year. Thank you for teaching me something new!

[@KandaJE]

@@arello3112 They are simply rebranded Hornady XTP - eXtreme Terminal Performance (In the late 90's early 2ks rated as the most accurate 9mm bullet) with a green ballistic plastic insert but in a "Wicked Cool" box. I think they missed the boat by NOT making the ballistic insert Glow in the dark Zombie Green...

[@Stalin4403]

Your reviews are God's work.For the same reason that when I'm in my boat I don't want to have to worry they my life jacket or fire extinguisher will function as advertised 😊

[@makwaclaw6124]

Great test! Would love this in .40 cal.

[@DinoNucci]

40 is the correct answer vs human sized questions

[@GunSam]

Some good duct tape, I think I could get a couple more tests out of this glass.

[@Tacteyecool]

​@@GunSamplz do 😊

[@seanmccarty1176]

I carry the 124 grain +p Federal HST. 8v3 done my own meat tests shooting pork shoulders with denim. I still had to put a jug of water behind it to catch the round, after it wen through the bone. I think all of these rounds are capable of doing what I've seen HST do. Still carrying HST, tho.

[@johnmikel5934]

Had a QC defect issue with 9 mm Winchester Defender BJHP +p 124 gr. One round of 20 had brass crushed back from possibly bullet insertion during mfg. Otherwise they worked well both in SAR9 and G3C. Great testing! Thx for the post!

[@eddiearchuleta615]

The Winchester uses a different bonding process they use a flux to weld it to the jacket look at the base of the Winchester round

[@GunSam]

Thanks for the info.

[@MrLeram12]

Thanks for the review.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Awesome test and video! My defensive mags are all topped off with either +p Gold Dots or +p HST’s. It’s mainly because old habits die hard. I don’t think it’s a high probability that I’ll have to shoot through glass like an officer may. Also, you’re a heck of a shot, man!

[@paulbrown7275]

I appreciate and like your production . Here in Australia we cannot use our firearms as self defence weapons , only USP , NRA , IPSC & General target shooting on a specified pistol range and only shoot at a range and definitely not for hunting . But from a scientific point of view about going through glass into a flesh like medium . It helps you understand when watching a movie if the bullet would go through the glass into the victim and end them .

[@jbp6759]

Wow that gold dot group at 25 yards shooting that fast...impressive!

[@Fudmottin]

That round that escaped the gel and then went forward to hit the windshield looked pretty cool. All things considered, I think all the ammunition did well for its intended purpose. As you said, a windshield is a pretty tough target to deal with. Speaking of which, did you buy a fresh piece of glass for this? That's some dedication! From what I could see, that was a serviceable piece of glass. Of course the camera doesn't always show everything. As an end note, the power level of 1250fps from a 124gr bullet is about what I get from a 2" barrel J-Frame when shooting typical 357 Magnum loads. They are at about my control limit and over my comfort threshold from my M&P340. That's not going to change my carry though. With summer temps now getting up near 90ºF and humid, carrying something like that Shield is just not going to work for me. No one seems to notice the J-Frame in a front pants pocket. Great video as always.

[@GunSam]

Thanks. I did find that bullet too, laying besides the first gel block. I realized this was somehow the bullet that left the block, but on the range I was dumbfounded. Saw it in the editing later lol. Looked identical to the HST I did catch, so I just ignored this rather than cut in and edit. The windshield...my late grandfather was friends with a local junkyard, the local junkyard loved him and they know my mother as well. I asked her to go there and see how much one would cost, he gave it to her for free. I gave my mom 50 bucks after though lol - finder's fee, I was like I probably would have paid at least that somewhere else. The glass was totally in tact too, said 82-92 Ford Ranger on the glass.

[@Fudmottin]

@@GunSam Wow. That is a good deal!

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Great test & results. Thank you.

[@nonsthewiser]

Please test 9mm ARM Gatekeeper ammo. I think it is a top performer that many don’t know about

[@SuperD00D]

Lol the HST was 98% the same energy as defender, and 95% same energy as the gold dot. Defender 97% energy of gold dot. All three seemed to perform the exact same as well, with the critical duty being 87% of the energy as the gold dot and penetrating the most but with less wound channel and expansion. The defender knocked the block up the most, than the critical duty, than the hst, than the gold dot. But Im talking about before the glass test, need to watch that next. And the HST wound channel looks a lil bigger than the gold dot, can’t tell Anymore after that.

[@SuperD00D]

I wish I could find the defender for as cheap as I get the HST but second best will do for like 0.38 cpr for .40 S&W HST. I need to buy some 9mm now. I have like 400 180 gr hsr and 400 165 gr hst. I also have 100 135 gr nosler and 155 gr xtp from Underwood and 100 civil defense in .40. In 9mm, I just have like 4 magazines loaded, one Beretta APX with critical duty 135 +p, one Sig P365 XMacro with hst 124 +p, one Rose P365XL comp with 124 gr Underwood nosler +p, and a spare XMacro magazine with Sig V crown 124 +p nato lol. I really want to bulk buy that winchester pdx1

[@pjoffrion]

I'm not mad at any of those choices.

[@missouriaviator8871]

Be cool to see some 45 results. Our local PD use G41’s and G30’s with Critical Duty.

[@GunSam]

I think I probably will at some point. There's a lot of input in comments about what people want to see. A lot of .40 S&W requests, several .45 ACP requests, a lot of 9mm 147 gr requests and some .357 Sig requests. My G41 would be a good pistol for that test then! I may however, do the test in Golden Saber Bonded as all those calibers exist in that brand and I am curious as to how they will do. I could do Critical Duty also as their 135 gr might show better results and the other calibers definitely exist within that brand and model ammo.

[@doghousedon1]

Interesting results. Was it a fluke? Can it be repeated? Best 2 out of 3? Thanks for the vid.

[@taasch2505]

Bro have you heard of 2nd Amendment Ammo company? My gun shop only had that ammo available for .38 special so I picked up a few boxed. I can't confirm but they look like XTP bullets. It's a 125 grain +p advertised at 306 ft lbs from the muzzle. If you see any can you consider doing a test on it? I'm damn curious and hope I didn't pick up an underperformer. But that's all we have here and I live in CA so I can't order ammo to my home. I'm largely at the mercy of the gun shops for ammo. It annoys me they always get xtps and no gold dots or pdx1s and barely ever hst.

[@FineEpicArt777]

One other thing... Screw gold dot! They're hard to find and tough to get because of their popularity. I'll stick with my HST's.

[@-CHeWy-]

Im not shocked about the penetration of the Defender. They fail to expand a lot of the time so i guessed this one right. I actually think Critical Duty is very over looked.

[@grizz474]

Excellent! shooting! These 9s are much more accurate and way more powerful as well as they're just a better looking bullet than a .38. 😁

[@GunSam]

Thanks!

[@WeLuv9x5]

Have you analyzed the Cor Bon 125gr +P?

[@bobbywesley800]

Awesome thanks

[@chrissanchez9935]

Maybe you get better results if you get 147-gr from all the JHP brands you tested.

[@GunSam]

They probably would. However, without a barrier the 147 gr generally does worse for threat stopping.

[@chrissanchez9935]

@@GunSam Thank You for Your Input. 👍

[@michaelschaffer9165]

That windshield test must be expensive. What are those costing you?

[@GunSam]

I got this windshield for free and have only used one windshield in my testing.

[@charlesphillips5906]

I wish you had never bought that 5 inch M&P! You go to a lot of trouble and expense to set up some really great tests, but since I carry a Glock 43 the data just doesn’t help me😢

[@techfixr2012]

Those velocity claims are not +p, as 124 at 1200 are original ballistics .

[@GunSam]

The 'original' velocity I have seen over the years for standard pressure is 1,200 FPS from a 4" barrel with a 115 gr bullet. A 124 gr is always less velocity, such as 1,150 FPS is the standard for a standard pressure 124 gr and 1,200 is the standard for a 124+P.

[@shadowwolf9503]

​@@GunSamThat's my understanding too. Great video Sam- like always ! I appreciate the time and work you put into doing these videos.

[@johnberry9495]

I wonder how ball ammo would do.

[@GunSam]

Depends on the caliber and bullet design. I would imaging that Winchester USA white box 9mm would suck, probably penetrate less than these but .45 ACP ball and .40 S&W flat nose would probably penetrate really well.

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

Another great video! The best “9mm” from a semi-auto is…… .357 Sig!!!!! (The KING!)

[@lens7859]

What are the chances or situations that a civilian would be shooting through car glass in a self defense shooting?

[@GunSam]

I can't state the chances. Hopefully low. I've seen a lot of road rage incidents, guy pops out of a car and runs at the car behind them. If this person running had a gun, I'd be shooting through my own windshield at them.

[@lens7859]

@@GunSam this is true, unless you can get the heck out of there. And once again, thanks for the work. It has to take so much time to put out a video like like , unless you have a few helpers

[@GunSam]

@@lens7859 I get some small financial support and I asked a family member for the windshield, but the entire setup, film and edit is 100% me. I do it all lol

[@lens7859]

@@GunSam well you it well, thank you!

[@sammyprestwood3182]

None of the wound channels looked impressive But you weren't giving the ammo much space or distance to expand

[@chrisgabbert658]

👍😊🎯

[@thatoneguy454c]

Critical duty is critically doodie. People sleep on Winchester, but it is good stuff and they don't lie about their velocity.

[@larryderagowski8273]

Not a revolver

[@kendawg5151]

Man great content!!! Keep it coming..🫡

[@hypervigilance1465]

please do 40

[@GunSam]

I have gotten a few comments about glass angle so I thought I would address it. First off, this is a windshield from a 1980's Ford Ranger, so the angle isn't much different than what it would be in the actual vehicle. Secondly, I am not going for deflection with weird flattening of the bullets as I would miss the gel block entirely, rather like what I had said about using a 5" pistol - I want to give the bullets the best chance to do well. This isn't a test necessarily about the best load/ammunition, rather it's a bullet/projectile test so I wanted to push the bullets at a very similar velocity of +/- 1,200 FPS to see what bullet design is superior.

[@CJ_On_Target1999]

I thought the test was awesome. Why are people always bitchin? Ugh.

[@jpb1231000]

GREAT JOB!!! I LOVE this vid.... If you have a Tokarev 7.62X25 or CZ 52 I'd love to see a similar test w/ S&B FMJ's, Privi FMJ's and Privi HP's.... Love having my CZ 52 around and would LOVE to see you test it.... I'lll donate the Ammo....

[@PatriotPaulUSA]

All the FBI testing I read said that HP ammo is always best when shot between 1100-1300 fps. IFIRC. Slower than 1100 and it doesn't perform as well, faster than 1300 same thing. I do have a copy of it, I downloaded it, I need to read it again sometime. 😊

[@dontbetreadin4777]

​@@PatriotPaulUSA I wouldn't trust anything they say or 'Document',

[@The_Hi_Life]

Great test! Man, HSTs impress, no matter what. Wow.

[@arrad77]

I’d still run the HST. I like the simple design. It performs very good in most applications.

[@Nutty.357]

The way you hit at 25 yards with ease is proof enough how taking those 75 yard shots is so beneficial! If you can consistently hit at 75, anything less will become easy! Happy Friday!

[@nathanlambshead4778]

Agreed. I use to love shooting at clay targets set up on a sand backstop at 100 yards with my 6 inch 686 Smith. It taught me trigger control and especially follow through like no other exersize can. At first I had a hard time hitting the sand bank. lol. After awhile, hitting the clay 2 out of every 6 shots, with the other 4 knocking sand all over them. Other shooters at the range did not believe what I was doing till they saw it. Then they tried it. One of them went out and bought a 6 inch revolver. lol

[@randyduncan795]

Fantastic vid! Those GDs were clocking very similar to some of the neutered 357 Sig we've seen. But honest 357 ammo and a 5" bbl is amazing. Don't know what your plans are for the rest of the glass but I'd like to see this same test with a 3" gun. And maybe either 357? How would the lighter but powerful 327 do? Great work!

[@joeyphillips1181]

Im a HST & Gold dot kinda guy.. regardless of caliber you can trust your life to those bullets

[@frankhinkle5772]

Shooting through windshield glass is, I believe, more applicable to LE requirements than to armed civilian's needs. The LE protocol was established by the FBI... which recently selected the Hornady 9 mm +P Luger 135-grain Critical Duty for their own agents. I do not recall seeing much in the way of 135-grain JHPs around. Very good testing, I'm impressed how you got it done when windshields are a very tough and challenging barrier to penetrate and not deflect the bullets. Very well done. I'm currently shopping for new 9mm carry ammo and this is, as always, very helpful.

[@deamcn6548]

Yeah the only other 135 grain 9mm load I'm aware of is the Federal Hydrashock deep. Those are very impressive from what I've seen as well.

[@SuperD00D]

I have 124 +p hst’s and 135 +p criticsl dutys. I also have 68 gr +p .380 extreme defenders

[@SuspiciousGanymede]

I didn't think Winchester would do as well as it did, they're always the underdog after the silvertip fiasco. Critical duty is always a compromise so the results i expected. I carry +p gold dots and sometimes HST, didn't expect that!

[@crafty714]

I've been retired for almost 2 years now, but we used Hornady Critical Duty line of ammunition. We had 3 ois shootings with 9mm 135gr +P. I still carry the 135+P. And the 3 I remember were DRT. Respond accordingly and accurately, y'all!!!

[@johnwesley6224]

I would love to see the same test in 40 S&W.

[@jameysmith2043]

Agreed

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

Totally agree!

[@ezmn9663]

Would love to have seen the Extreme defender +p in 68/90 to see how they did. Great test BTW, fun to watch!

[@jeremywilson8334]

I just ordered Underwood 90 grain +p. After this video I'm wondering if I should have went heavier for auto glass :/

[@sombra6153]

The 124 Gold Dot and HST have been around a while. The Gold Dot 147 grain G2 and the Criticwl duty 135 grain +P are newer and engineered for better penetration through barriers such as auto glass and sheet metal. Trying to hit a target inside of a vehicle is not easy because the barrier mediums are not all that consistent. Angle of the wind shield may or may not have been a variable.

[@SuperD00D]

The hst and defender did the best on the glass

[@Lateralus1007]

Hope u try some hornady American gunner 124 gr +P XTP bullet , A nice budget round Wonder If the toughness of the xtp bullet would help its cause

[@lanesworld4000]

More penetration is always better, IMO. Whatever ammo you choose to use. I like the 135/147 for full-size guns 👍 👌

[@necummins8696]

Sorry to bust your bubble but goes critical duty 135 grain Federal HST 147 grain then gold dot 135 grain. Gold dot fell out of first place when call of duty 135 came on an hit the market due to its penetration capabilities. I prefer Federal HST 147 grain

[@chuckhaggard1584]

Ref the comments on Remington, since they went bankrupt and were bought out they are being run by the same people running Federal and Speer, so QC is up there again. Your observations ref Remington before that are accurate. Winchester over the past few years has had very hit and miss QC, which continues to be a problem.

[@Mrandher83]

Really cool. Very strange that the GD performed that way. Keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of agencies that use HST use the 147 gr standard pressure. Another similar test through auto glass with the 147 HST (current iteration, 2 skives and visible red or blue primer sealant), 147 GD and retry the 124+p GD would be very interesting. Same with the HST and GD 10mm offerings. The Underwood Barnes rounds too,. Very interesting stuff.

[@GLOCKCOPG23]

The best 9mm duty ammo has “40 S&W” on the case head. Lol. Just playing guys. Don’t go crazy. Ya’ll be safe out there.

[@GunSam]

.40 S&W is significantly better. One of the best cartridges out there.

[@GLOCKCOPG23]

@@GunSam Yes it is “significantly better” across the board! I just didn’t want to piss a full bladder in the 9mm guy’s pool. Lol

[@eddiearchuleta615]

I’m wondering how the 68 grain plus p underwood extreme defenders would fair

[@RJ-rf8fu]

Versus the 90gr ones would be good too, see if there's more or less deflection, etc.

[@lanedexter6303]

Fascinating test, Sam. Interesting how the windshield affected the Critical Duty. You touched on the subject of deflection by angled glass; that could be an interesting video. Angle the windshield as in a modern car, set a large target as far behind it as a driver would be in a car, see how far from point of aim those bullets land. I’m curious as to whether the heavy slow bullet of a .45 would outperform the 9mm or do worse. Would a .45-70 be best of all? 😉 I’m not likely to shoot a driver who is trying to kill me, but it would be interesting research. So would, otherwise identical, .357 125 gr. JSP vs JHP.

[@RedProg]

Traveled out to North Carolina to look at some property. Sitting in Hotel tonight watching your vids. Beautiful weather today close to 80 degees. Best regards

[@GunSam]

Michigan happened to be like 35 degrees and raining all day. It's 'fun' when January gives me highs of 27 degrees lol. I still film

[@BanditApache-nd6lu]

If the grains are equal, then they are all the same!

[@allenbolen9705]

You can’t hardly find the Winchester defender around here. I can order some from one of my favorite places. I’ve seen the Ranger T and one fail the heavy clothing test. I haven’t seen many test on the defenders.Sure would have liked to see the underwood +p extreme defenders hit the glass. I’ve watched them out perform most everything in other test. Great test!

[@lens7859]

Great test! Lot of work involved, thanks! Glad that I have HST and Gold Dots in my carry guns. Can’t go wrong with any of them.

[@GunSam]

Thanks. The work wasn't too much more than normal, believe it or not the most difficult was ammo acquisition. Decided to go local on ammo, drove a hundred miles in various towns to get all 124+P lol

[@lens7859]

@@GunSam well I appreciate you, and hope KZbin does also, I sure get hit with a ton of ads.

[@blueduster74]

I'm a HST user, going back to the original Hydra-shok in the early 90s. Two real real world uses turned out my way so I keep using them.

[@artfulalias3984]

Really going above and beyond with the barrier testing. Barriers like auto glass also make a big difference when comparing sectional densities and larger calibers. Big heavy bullets deflect less, and are less dependent on perfect hollow point expansion for adequate terminal performance. More so if the glass is at a greater angle. This kind of testing could really separate the best performers and show caliber differences under difficult conditions.

[@GunSam]

Now that I have established that a couple of designs here are better than others, I may have to do a caliber war within that design. Like all HST or all Defender in 9mm VS .45 ACP VS .40 S&W VS .357 Sig or something of that nature.

[@nothim7321]

Do all the calibers....

[@artfulalias3984]

@@GunSam You probably know. The 357mag load developed for the FBI in the late twenties was a hot 158 grain. It was designed to be effective against the heavily constructed luxury cars gangsters favored. The load developed for the FBI in the late 1980's that started the modern handgun bullet construction race was the 10mm.

[@jameysmith2043]

​@@GunSam That would be awesome!

[@northernninety7]

Gold Dot 124 +p was my favorite till the price got jacked up. Now I carry XTP 124 +p.

[@marincapital2586]

I'd like for you to try the same thing with a 45

[@DanTheWolfman]

Hey Sam, just saw a great test with .380 Fiocchi Defense Dynamics...you should do those short and long barrel...and I remember they did great in your 9mm test for cheap ammo...maybe you could test .40 and .45 too seems like a good, perhaps propriety bullet design. Also, you can buy 500 rd mixed .40 most JHPs FOR CHEAP would be awesome if you just tested a bunch of different ones you can figure out through your Real World MDF testing please

[@justinfarley6009]

You are THE ammo reviewer. I unaware of anyone else so comprehensive in their review of 9mm, 40, .38 and .357. This is off topic, but I have been sort of binging your videos because I am considering a new model 66 to replace an old one I regret selling many many years ago. Then your videos got me to thinking about the 686. Do you have any views as they relate to 6 shot versus 7 shot?

[@GunSam]

The 66 and 686 comparisons are interesting. The 66 seems to balance better in the hand with the 686 seeming muzzle heavy, but when actually firing, the 686 has better balance. I personally wanted a 6 shot because mentally I am used to 6 shot as being the 'correct' capacity, six shooter etc. I would say the 7th round would be personal preference. With such a heavy and larger frame, a 686 with a 7 shot cylinder makes perfect sense. Nothing wrong with either.

[@techfixr2012]

My edc is a S&W m10-14 loaded with 158 lswhp from Buffalo Bore, +p of course. 158 at 1100 fps will get the job done.

[@latigomorgan]

Interesting results! I wonder how the 124 Federal Punch would do? Some folks think it's basically the same as the HST, but I find it penetrates deeper than the HST.

[@paulscountry456]

Glass is brutal on bullets mostly deforms and stumps hollowpoints or rips the jacket off.Those are great rounds you have no weaklings and good speed.Those are all wicked 9 rounds.Duty is hard alloy lead so expansion is not much, cop bullet.

[@GunSam]

Seemed like the Gold Dot and HST hitting the glass, just mangled the bullets giving a coincidental "expansion" as where the Critical Duty seemed to legitimately expand with the glass.

[@hks956]

I'd still pick 124 hst because its cheap af and will do the job. I paid 139 for 250 rounds of it today. Can't beat that.

[@0x80O0oOverfl0w]

7:07 that's pretty impressive shot placement!

[@thomaspalmer7900]

My EDC pistol is the Glock G48 with a 4” barrel with Federal HST 124 grain +P JHP. I feel very confident in its expansion for my PD ammo!!! Great video!! I’m a subscriber!!!

[@CJ_On_Target1999]

You got a whole ass windshield for the test? Wow that's dedication to your viewers, thank you.

[@macriggland6526]

GSRA got a windshield for this?!?! Impressive!

[@GunSam]

Not that difficult to acquire.

[@410Governor]

Respectfully, one shot each thru a windshield is not definitive testing in terms of penetration, IMO. 4” barrel might have shown different results. (Who knows?) Thanks for conducting the tests. Nice 75 yard shooting! I’m preferential to Speer and Federal (shoot Federal “red box” 124 grain FMJ at the range) and have made the switch from 124 grain 9mm+P Gold Dot Short Barrel to HST, based on yours and other testing. 11 inches after windshield and denim/gel is acceptable to me.

[@willo7734]

Really cool test. I haven’t seen anybody else do a gel test like this through glass so props for the creativity. It was surprising to me that the gold dot seemed to be the least performing ammo both with and without the glass. Winchester defender impressed the hell out of me. I hadn’t ever considered it but it seemed to do the most damage, maybe even slightly more than the HST. Cool stuff!

[@Yetified_Mayhem]

Definitely pleasantly surprised by the Defender. And don't own any

[@NukeCult666]

This would be interesting to see in a 38 158 gr hollow points vs 158 gr semi jacketed soft points. I've often thought semi jacketed soft points were over looked in a bad way can't help to think they would excel at barriers. I don't even think premium ammo would be a have too be. mag tec and pmc pretty available lately. - just a thought

[@DinoNucci]

RoaR

[@jimhovater8755]

My dedicated 'vehicle' handgun is loaded with Hornady 124gr +P XTPs.

[@KerrariKors]

I LOVE THIS GUY.. straight to the point, and informative🎉

[@CampDavid54]

Nice change of pace with the windshield. Personally, I like that real world scenario test. Any spare car doors laying around your house ? Thanks for sharing and regards from Washifornia !

[@GunSam]

No doors...

[@MANDING0]

I have all of these and was trying to decide which one to use for home home defense setup. Looks like I really can't go wrong with any of them but I'm picking gold dot because it has the most energy.

[@SuperD00D]

Hst is obviously number 2 lol glad you at least made the right choice though it took you too long. It did way better than everything but the Winchester

[@CheeseBurgerXJ]

What do you think of the ranger 147 gr plus p, is it basically the same as the 124?

[@PeterRoos]

Very cool, thanks. I live in the city so I can't do these kind of tests, much appreciated. My carry ammo is Hornady Critical Duty 135 grain (regular and plus, whatever is available).

[@FrankMuchnok]

Don't feel bad that your initial thoughts were a little off. Articles frequently start with "Scientists were surprised to learn...". The whole point of testing is to see if your instincts were right.

[@mghegotagun]

Would it be a safe assumption to make that 147 grain hst standard pressure would go deeper?

[@TheRealSwampOperator2]

Why would you not move the glass dude. Why would you put all this effort into this test , and then blast all the bullets thru the same section of glass

[@SuperD00D]

HST was technically the most accurate. Only missed one at 75

[@Tacteyecool]

Ready to see the same test with 40 caliber

[@wcoonradt264]

That's the beauty of +P.... it knocks their clothes off... lol