Good home protection round for 9 mm?????

[Dan-o]

So, I'm not much of a pistol guy, don't know too much about all of the ammo currently available out ther e.

But, I do have a 9mm pistol, and I haven't updated home defensive rounds for probably 20 years.

I know that lots of technological advancement in ammo has occurred in that time.....   I just have some old hollow points.

So, I'm looking for advice on what type of home defense ammo to look for.    Brand and type recommendations.....

Thanks,

Dan

[follow maggie]

I use Federal jacketed hollow points in my carry piece.

[longwalker]

Home defense, 00 buck in 12 gauge. Though I don't think it will fit in your 9mm. There's really no good argument for a pistol to be your primary home defense weapon. 9mm is a nice carry option however, most have a pretty high capacity

[jasnt]

I like the hornady xtp's my self.  Also their critical defense.

[Atroxus]

There's really no good argument for a pistol to be your primary home defense weapon.

I disagree, and have two good arguments for my carry weapon being my home defense weapon. First, I have a house where the available space and angles where I would be most likely to confront intruder(s) make maneuvering a shotgun safely/effectively difficult. Second, my handgun which is stored in a small fast access lock box is also more readily accessible in an emergency than my shotgun that is in a gun safe that is hidden in a closet.

To the OP, I use Speer gold dot. They pass FBI testing requirements and they feed reliably in my handgun. From what I have read, pretty much any modern JHP that is designed for personal/home defense can be effective. Not all firearms operate reliably with all ammo though, so whatever you choose I recommend buying a few extra boxes to take to the range and fire through your handgun to make sure it feeds/ejects reliably. Would suck to find out when there are people breaking into your home, that your chosen ammo causes your handgun to malfunction. 

[jasnt]

 
Great advice!

[dog]

I use the Federal HST. Here is a link to good round up of defense ammo stuff... http://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm#9mm

[follow maggie]

Atroxus brings up a good pint. Shoot a couple boxes through your gun to be sure it likes the rounds. It would suck having to defend yourself with a single shot pistol.

[pianoman9701]

Before I sold them all on Dec. 3, 2014, my carry was a Ruger 9mm with 7+1. My home defense gun was a Springfield XD .45 ACP with 13+1. I used hollow points in both and practiced with those and with ball ammo equally. If I had an AR, that would be the home defense gun. I do have a friend who's building an awesome one which will hopefully be finished within a month and a half or so. Of course, guns are dangerous and I no longer own any because of that. Now, my home defense weapon is prayer and a sign that reads, "Please don't hurt us. The police will be here within 7-10 minutes."

[ghosthunter]

I give zero thought to home defense ammo. My 9mm is 16+1 Mags. Than there is the 380 LCP near by and the .410 just past that.

Long walker .... try walking around your house everyday with your longgun. I wear my 9mm from the time I get up to the time I go to bed. And than it is with in reach. Cant do that with a long gun. The best home defense gun is the one you have on you when you need it.
The rest is range time.
Ammo is down the list aways. 

[Dan-o]

Thanks all.

I appreciate the great advice and the links.

I will DEFINITELY cycle a few boxes through (of whatever I land on).

I shoot a fair amount of ball ammo just to make holes, but it dawned on me that I hadn't replaced the defensive ammo in forever.

[pianoman9701]

Big mistake not regularly rotating/firing the ammo in your carry and home defense guns. Temperature and humidity changes, especially on your hip or in your car, can cause it to hang or jam. If you do leave the same ammo in them without firing it, make sure you're very proficient at throwing your firearm at a moving target.

[magnanimous_j]

I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I think any difference between premium JHPs probably boils down to marketing. That being said, my 9 loves Hornady TAP.

[jay.sharkbait]

Big mistake not regularly rotating/firing the ammo in your carry and home defense guns. Temperature and humidity changes, especially on your hip or in your car, can cause it to hang or jam. If you do leave the same ammo in them without firing it, make sure you're very proficient at throwing your firearm at a moving target.

That's why revolvers make a lot of sense to me.

That said I have done absolutely hideous things to Glocks and they always work.

[pianoman9701]

Big mistake not regularly rotating/firing the ammo in your carry and home defense guns. Temperature and humidity changes, especially on your hip or in your car, can cause it to hang or jam. If you do leave the same ammo in them without firing it, make sure you're very proficient at throwing your firearm at a moving target.

That's why revolvers make a lot of sense to me.

That said I have done absolutely hideous things to Glocks and they always work.

It's not the gun but the ammo you need to worry about. If it doesn't fire or you get slower burn because of moisture/humidity, your cute little Austrian gun isn't any better than a zip gun. Not rotating ammo is a common mistake of those who carry and it could prove deadly.

[The scout]

I just no I personally would not want to get shot with any 9mm bullet. really don't think you can go wrong with any mentioned.

[Woodchuck]

I really like two rounds.....center mass. 

[Bofire]

Before I retired the standard where I worked was new duty/carry ammo every 1/1 and turn in unfired last year ammo. That does not include practice or qualifying ammo. everyone got 100 handgun carry ammo and 25 shotgun. M-16 ammo was special issue as was swat ammo/large rifle.
Carl

[Goldy79]

Federal Hydrashok... best ammo I've ever used for my 9mm. Pricey but worth it.

[Dan-o]

Big mistake not regularly rotating/firing the ammo in your carry and home defense guns. Temperature and humidity changes, especially on your hip or in your car, can cause it to hang or jam. If you do leave the same ammo in them without firing it, make sure you're very proficient at throwing your firearm at a moving target.

Agreed.

I bought like a million rounds of 9 mm ball ammo a long time ago, and I shoot the pistol fairly regularly.   I even shoot my hollow points out fairly regularly..... just because.

[JimmyHoffa]

147 gr Hornady XTP

[HighlandLofts]

I use Hornady Critical Defense in all of my carry guns just because it's always available where I shop at. I like the Gold Dot better, but it's not available all of the time.

After having your self defense ammo in your magazines, I'd recommend useing it up after three or four months and replace it with new stuff.


Practice, Practice & Practice.

I use a S&W 642 revolver for conceal carry, It has the enclosed hammer so stuff doesn't get in to the mechanisms and jam it up. I use to carry a Khar PM9, but sold it due to how dirty it would get internally. These revolvers are fail proof. I'll carry a semi if I'm going to town, but for every day task that I do I prefer the revolver.

[RIVERRAT]

I have been part of several "gel shoots" evaluating the performance of various hollow point ammunition, and based on that and seeing the real world performance, I choose Speer Gold Dot as my first choice.  I also was impressed with Critical Duty and Critical Defense.  Just my 

[Mongo Hunter]

For outside the home in my full size guns I really like the Ranger T series 124g +p+. however that can be tough to come by and is a hot little sucker. for HD or a smaller gun I'm leaning towards the Federal HST midweight round (I think its 127) standard pressure. It has done great in recent testing and its a standard pressure round and its much easier to find, Cabelas even carries it. I do argue against using pistols for HD, however not every environment is suited for shotguns or rifles under current law restrictions.

[lamrith]

147g HP, I like the Ranger T but they can be hard to find, Federal HST is my next choice and what I have currently.  They both come in 50rnd boxes and when I find either I buy a few boxes so I can cycle my carry rounds out.

I run NON +p, some gun Mfg do not warranty for +p use.  9mm is moving fast enough you do not need the extra pressure/speed, that just causes more over penetration.

[jjaba]

Hornady Critical Defense have this in all my pistols...

[mountainman]

Liberty Defence 50 grain in the house, 147 Golden Saber everywhere else.

[turkeyfeather]

Both our 9mm's and the .380 are all loaded with Hornady Critical Duty.

[ghosthunter]

Anything you can be on target with.

[Tyler_C]

Federal HST.  Awesome expansion.

[Ridgeratt]

Black Talons (If you can find them) or Gold Dot's.

[NW-GSP]

Honestly the biggest thing to think about is over penetration. Bullet going through your intended target and hitting someone that you do not want to or going through walls and hitting someone you don't want to hit.

I am a big fan of 9mm. Just think about how many walls a projectile will pass through? Maybe it will even exit your home?. If you hit someone other then your intended target you will be facing charges.

[RadSav]

Honestly the biggest thing to think about is over penetration. Bullet going through your intended target and hitting someone that you do not want to or going through walls and hitting someone you don't want to hit.

I agree.  Ammo choice should depend on how many people are in the house.  When we have company the Gold Dots come out and the Glaser rounds go in the bedside gun.  Usually a shotgun with #8 or 9 close by as well.

[NW-GSP]

Honestly the biggest thing to think about is over penetration. Bullet going through your intended target and hitting someone that you do not want to or going through walls and hitting someone you don't want to hit.

I agree.  Ammo choice should depend on how many people are in the house.  When we have company the Gold Dots come out and the Glaser rounds go in the bedside gun.  Usually a shotgun with #8 or 9 close by as well.

I like your choice on the shotgun. A couple rounds of birdshot at close range makes for allot of damage.

[mountainman]

Honestly the biggest thing to think about is over penetration. Bullet going through your intended target and hitting someone that you do not want to or going through walls and hitting someone you don't want to hit.

I agree.  Ammo choice should depend on how many people are in the house.  When we have company the Gold Dots come out and the Glaser rounds go in the bedside gun.  Usually a shotgun with #8 or 9 close by as well.

that's why i keep my primary loaded as per my respond above

[Mongo Hunter]

Honestly the biggest thing to think about is over penetration. Bullet going through your intended target and hitting someone that you do not want to or going through walls and hitting someone you don't want to hit.

I am a big fan of 9mm. Just think about how many walls a projectile will pass through? Maybe it will even exit your home?. If you hit someone other then your intended target you will be facing charges.

9mm, 40, and .45 will all go through your house, regardless if its a hollow point or not. sheet rock sucks at stopping bullets. only real exception I have found is frangible type ammo, however its expensive and not always reliable in semi's. that's why shotguns and 223/5.56 has become so favorable, buckshot and 55g bullets will actually go through less wall but are substantially more powerful.

[mountainman]

Honestly the biggest thing to think about is over penetration. Bullet going through your intended target and hitting someone that you do not want to or going through walls and hitting someone you don't want to hit.

I am a big fan of 9mm. Just think about how many walls a projectile will pass through? Maybe it will even exit your home?. If you hit someone other then your intended target you will be facing charges.

9mm, 40, and .45 will all go through your house, regardless if its a hollow point or not. sheet rock sucks at stopping bullets. only real exception I have found is frangible type ammo, however its expensive and not always reliable in semi's. that's why shotguns and 223/5.56 has become so favorable, buckshot and 55g bullets will actually go through less wall but are substantially more powerful.

really??

[ghosthunter]

Well I replied any 9mm you could hit with because the OP asked for 9mm.
but since everyone brought up other choices.

 My Bed time hand gun is a Judge loaded with self defense 410 loads.

Iknow ,I know do not whine, its not becomeing of grown men.

My bedroom is the end of a 20 ft hallway with no rooms off it. If they can advance through 5 rounds of 410 PDX than nothing short of a gernade witll stop them.

[BULLBLASTER]

My pistol is loaded with fmj. Seems like a lot of guys overthink something that there is a very slim chance of ever needing. I usually always have 230 fmj in my .45...

[mossy8352]

You could go here and watch his evaluation of many 9mm rounds as well as many other calibers.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv2qBjXtz7pjF4WnkMzA3dw
He is mostly unbiased and I personally found his site very informative. You will see actual video of the performance of the bullet in a sim block!

[Mongo Hunter]

Honestly the biggest thing to think about is over penetration. Bullet going through your intended target and hitting someone that you do not want to or going through walls and hitting someone you don't want to hit.

I am a big fan of 9mm. Just think about how many walls a projectile will pass through? Maybe it will even exit your home?. If you hit someone other then your intended target you will be facing charges.

9mm, 40, and .45 will all go through your house, regardless if its a hollow point or not. sheet rock sucks at stopping bullets. only real exception I have found is frangible type ammo, however its expensive and not always reliable in semi's. that's why shotguns and 223/5.56 has become so favorable, buckshot and 55g bullets will actually go through less wall but are substantially more powerful.

really??

These are kinda old but they give you an Idea

http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-3-the-shotgun-meets-the-box-o-truth/
http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-1-the-original-box-o-truth/

He shot through 12 pieces of sheet rock basically 6 walls. now of course this is worst case scenario of a miss not hitting board or an appliance. but now think in the most probable scenario in your house of a shooting and how many walls are behind your target. I can tell you mine, shooting from my bedroom door down the hall, there are 2 walls (bathroom) than a garage door, than outside. not even close to 6 walls. just something to keep in mind and soothing you may want to look at.

[mountainman]

That is why the have the various rounds as listed in other comments.

[tonymiller7]

I alternate Glazer Safety Slugs and handloaded 147gr. XTPs

[Alchase]

I use PDX1s in my .40. I have also used Gold dots.

[wildweeds]

Guy at work always puts his .38 on the nightstand,hasn't shot it or changed the ammo in years.He came to work one morning and had an uh oh in the middle of the night,the gun went off all by itself and shot a hole through the wall,through the shower on both ends and right out the side of the house!I told him THATS WHY you leave a revolver resting on an empty hole.My best guess as to what went on was the hammer was proud on the cartridge and pressure and time took hold and caused a BOOM on a primer that perhaps was manufactured  thin!

Big mistake not regularly rotating/firing the ammo in your carry and home defense guns. Temperature and humidity changes, especially on your hip or in your car, can cause it to hang or jam. If you do leave the same ammo in them without firing it, make sure you're very proficient at throwing your firearm at a moving target.

That's why revolvers make a lot of sense to me.

That said I have done absolutely hideous things to Glocks and they always work.

[CP]

... I told him THATS WHY you leave a revolver resting on an empty hole.

No need to do this with a modern revolver.  The transfer bar safety has been standard on revolvers for about 50 years.