Need Some 9mm Ammo Help

[MGMAN45]

I use 124 or 147 gr hydra shok in my sig p226 and beretta 92fs and also my glock17.In my UZI smg I use IMI 124 gr Nato.

[Johnny]

I have two 9mm pistols (Beretta M9 and Ruger P89). They're both loaded up with cheap-ass FMJ ammo. I'm far from a ballistics expert, but FMJ is a potent round; perhaps not as good as an expensive hollow-point, but potent just the same.

Years back, I heard that FMJ is less prone to jamming and has better penetration. I liked those qualities and stuck with them. Besides: that's all I ever carried in the US Army.

Again... I'm a virtual "babe in the woods" when it comes to my knowledge of ballistics. FMJ is my choice. I figure shot placement is king.

[GimpyPaw]

My house we stock the 115 gr Hornady Critical Defense, and then keep a few ammo cans of 115 gr ball for range time. I selected 115 gr because my wife shoots it well, and she has wrist problems, so need to keep the recoil down. One of her pistols is a Sig 365, so heavier rounds would have been an issue for her.

I wanted all of our 9mm guns to use the same ammo, so that I don't have to bother with which gun gets which ammo. Every gun is zero'd for the same round. We tried a few different types of ammo, and the Hornaday Crit Def seemed to function well in all 6 of the guns we tried.

Hers = Berretta 92FS, Sig 365
Mine = G17, CZ Scorpion (suppressed)
Son's = G17, S&W Shield

[500grains]

Originally Posted by Sanders

I'm not entirely convinced on what people call +P loads.

+P refers to the pressure to which the ammo is loaded. If the box does not say +P, then it is regular pressure ammo.

[500grains]

Originally Posted by Karl/PA

Finally, what is the purpose of the 142 gr. load? Is it the poor man's plus P?
.

No, it is simply a heavier bullet at a lower velocity. If you are using a suppressoor, then you will have to use a subsonic load to keep the noise down. I am not sure what 142 gr ammo you are looking at, but it might be a subsonic load for suppressor use.

Generally subsonic ammo will not provide reliable expansion. If you want expansion, then 115 gr. ammo would be a better bet.

[Sanders]

Originally Posted by 500grains

+P refers to the pressure to which the ammo is loaded. If the box does not say +P, then it is regular pressure ammo.

There doesn't seem to be any consistency as to what +P actually is, even with same manufacturers. This is based on tests different folks have done recording velocity and penetration using same bullet weights and profiles.

One manufacturer's standard loading will have more velocity than another's +P loading with the same bullet weight and profile.

It's not something I've been interested enough in to look up if there's a SAAMI spec for what +P is supposed to be vs. standard ammo.

[500grains]

Do you want your bullets to expand from a handgun?

If so, better go with 115 g JHP (or lighter) from a premium manufacturer. The velocity loss with heavier bullets reduces the chance of expansion. I see no advantage of a 124 gr or 147 gr hollow point over 115 gr. In fact, I would consider them to be a disadvantage due to expansion issues.

There are some 135 gr police loads designed to defeat windshields and car doors. Those loads also risk overpenetration, which can get you in trouble even in a legitimate self defense situation.

It is hard to buy +P or +P+ ammo. The manufacturers often only offer it to police and military.

So for self defense I would get 115 gr. (or lighter) JHP from a premium manufacturer.

By the way, I have tested 147 JHP on a deer carcass and they did not expand.

[Sanders]