First Ive reloaded for competion for 20 years shooting USPSA (we used to call it IPSC im OLD) IDPA, some three gun stuff, and Skeet/Trap so im not a stranger to it but Ive never had a need to do it for "Self Defense/the world just went to shit" before.  So paying attention to muzzle flash and clean burning was never really important nor was running the upper end of the load spectrum SOOOO.

I quit shooting competition 17 yrs ago, for the most part that also ended most my reloading for handguns, but all my stuff is still sitting in the garage. So Im thinking Im going to uncover the 650s and go to work.

I want Factory type velocities for 9x19 ,40 S&W, and 45 ACP anyone using a powder that handles all of that and meters well is clean and has a low muzzle flash?
Ive run a butt load of TiteGroup, AA#2 and AA#5. I wanna say that AA#5 was NASTY but it may have been AA#7 or something else I remember buying 8lbs of something that was HORRIBLE and it seems like it was in the AA family. it sucks getting old.

in searching Ive seen a little on WSF and CFE Pistol but Im not finding a lot on defensive powders.

PLEASE dont tell me about legalities - if it comes to the point I have to use reloads - I DONT CARE  - and
Ive reloaded enough that I am perfectly comfortable using mine for life and death situations.

check out Natoreloading.com.

They evaluated a ton of powders for 9mm
Maybe it can help.

I've handloaded my defense ammo for 20 years.  The best I've found for high velocities and low flash is VV N340.  I don't care about metering as much because I don't make huge batches of defense loads and the loads I came up were all under 2" at 25 yards from the bench.

CFE Pistol or Unique

BE-86 gets my vote. It won't have much of a problem getting the velocity you're looking for and normally it's pretty easy to find.

I have loaded a lot of SD ammo over the last few years, but VihtaVuori N350 is my favorite powder for that purpose in 9mm.   I drive a 147gr HST at 1050fps with near zero flash and minimal recoil.

I do, however, now carry a 65gr Lehigh XD driven to 1860fps average from my P10C using a huge charge (9.9gr) of Silhouette.   I like its Level III penetrating abilities in these modern times.

years ago, I shot an IDPA match that had a dark house stage

it was a 2x4 framed room with black plastic sheeting for walls.

when the buzzer sounded, you entered thru a door and engaged targets as they became visible.

I was shooting CDP division, 45ACP, 3.9gr CLAYS 230gr.

when I finished, the R.O. asked me about the load I was shooting and said it had the least amount of flash he'd seen all day.

I still use blue dot max loads, if you don't hit em the flash will blind them

AA #7 & #9 are flash suppressed, according to AA. I primarily use #7 for most higher velocity semi-auto handgun ammo.

After much, much internet searching, this was the conclusion I came to for 124gr 9mm Gold Dots. Off the top of my head the load is 6.2gr Silhouette, CCI primer, and loaded to 1.120". Gave me 1200fps out of a G19. It is a +P load, and at the top end of the book stuff I could find. Decent accuracy and low SD and ES's.

I got really low SD's and ES's from True Blue and Silhouette w/ 124 gr. bullets in 9mm.  Both gave good velocities with Silhouette pushing them a little faster with the ladders I worked up.

I've only shot both during bright daylight so I can't comment on flash.  

I like both so if one has less flash then the other, I'm sure it would serve the OP well.

This is what I chose.  Good loads for 9mm, .38, .45 supposed to have good flash control.  

There is flash but not like power pistol.

It also gets very good velocities.  I shot some 124 grain bullets loaded with Ramshot Silhouette in a low light class and the instructor was impressed by the low flash.

100% this...

Pet load for my g19 is 124gr gold dot with 6.0gr silhouette at 1.120".  Gets me close enough to M882 so I can use that for practice.

I will 4th the vote for BE86.

I top mine with 124gr 9mm Gold Dots using speer nickel brass.

Not even pushing the load data, I had no issues exceeding the velocity of GD factory loads ina G17.

Burns pretty clean and not a lot of flash.

Velocity is smack dab in the middle of regular 1150fps and +P 1220fps

Thanks everyone, this gives me a place to start.

Titegroop would be my choice for what you are loading. I know some dont like titegroop because you can double charge a case very easily. I love the stuff best powder I have found and you can load tons of calibers  with it.

Power is a bit hard to come by, so you might be stuck with what you have on hand.  Notwithstanding that constraint.

For 9mm I would use Silhouette or AA#7

My .45 loads are a 230 Grain Gold Dot and H. Universal.  
Newer powders like CFE Pistol might be better. I also see Silhouette loads in Ramshot/Western's data but don't think I have ever loaded any.

Another supporter for Silhouette as well. Designed with flash suppressant and burns clean, meters awesome, tons of load data to include +directly from the Western.

I've used VV 3N37 for years with 9mm, 380, and now 45 ACP and 40 SW.  Respectable velocities and low flash.

I dont load 9mm, but I do load 40 and 45 acp. I have been using a lot of Silhouette for 40 with 165 gr V Crowns, and 180 gr jhp and really like the combo. I have also used Silhouette with 200 gr GD  in 45 acp and it works very well, though my favorite combo is 230 gr GD with AA#5.

Very helpful thread, I ordered a pound of silhouette to load up some 124gr defensive loads.