best 9mm weight for self defense

[sigma]

what is the best weight to use for self defense in 9mm. I currently use 124 grain hydra shoks, but was considering Hornady's new 115 grain Critical Defense round. Anyone hear anything on the new Hornady?

[billamj]

I don't worry about weight so much as how my handgun performs with the various rounds. The bottom line is putting the round on target regardless of the weight, if you have this new round that is supposed to be a "one shot stopper"(non-existant IMHO) but your handgun prints 10" groups at 10 meters than that round is useless to you. I suggest that you buy a couple of boxes of different self defense/hollow point type ammo and see what performs best for you and stick with that.

[GRIZ]

I feel comfortable carrying anything 115 gr up. Lighter bullets will not penetrate as well althhough they do expand well due to the higher velocities. Your first concern is reliabilty. This is pretty much a gimme now as any quality handgun will feed just about anything you feed it. I then look for what shoots more accurately in that particular gun. I found WW Silvertips or CCI 124 JHP best in my Glock and any quality 147 gr best in my Taurus or S&W.

Shot placement is more important than what bullet you use. There is no magic bullet in spite of what others may say.

[tdyoung58]

I use the Hornaday 147g +p XTP/JHP's

I like them, and they are about half as much as the 'cool' ones with the black case

[ByAnyMeans]

I personally use 147r HST from Federal but would be fine with a 124+p ot 147gr from any major manufacturer marked for personal defense. I think the law enforcement line is even better. As already stated how your weapon shoots the above mentioned ammo is more important than if their Golddots, Golden Saber, Talon series or others.

[habuch]

does anyone know if the barrel lenght and bullet weight has any effect, example does a light weight bullet work better in a short barrel that a heavy bullet ? i am going to buy a 9mm soon and i am trying to pick between a compact with a short barrel or something more intermiediate. i know the longer the barrel will produce more FPS but if i use a lighter bullet weight will the small 3" barrel produce acceptable energy.

[Captain Tuttle]

I *believe* that 124 gr is the heaviest super-sonic 9mm round. But, don't jump all over me if I used the wrong term since I am no ballistic nerd.

The 124+p round has respectable energy which to me makes for an all around good combo of speed (penetration) and energy (impact).

I use Speer Lawman Gold Dot 124+p for carry, primarily sub-compact 9mm (G26, PF9).

[Shawn.L]

The 124 is fine, but toss out the hyrashocks, they suck.

grab Federal HST , Corbon DPX , Ranger SXT or Speer Gold Dot.

What length is your barrel?

[bogleman]

all sorts of terminal ballistic information for your reading pleasure

explore some of the links, some very good information.

[Taz]

The one you shoot the best it does not mater if you miss