What 9mm defensive ammo out of 3" barrel? - Page 1

Site Notices

TNVC Partners With Envision Technology - MARS Rangefinder Family, MARS-Lc!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What 9mm defensive ammo out of 3" barrel?

Posted: 7/27/2017 2:34:12 PM EDT

So the wife and myself just purchased a couple of Sig P938s and I am wondering what is the best defensive ammo for the 3" barrel? Currently they are loaded with 124 grain Gold Dots.

Posted: 7/27/2017 2:45:14 PM EDT

[#1]

I have done countless hours of ballistic gel testing using 3" 9mm and the Federal HST 124 gr Standard pressure round far exceeded all other's I tested.
50 out of 50 penetrated between 16-18 1/2" and all expanded through all sorts of media to average of .624
Gold dots performed horribly out of a short barrel and failed to expand 20 out of 25

Posted: 7/27/2017 2:52:38 PM EDT

[#2]

You happen to have any documentation? Would love to see it. I find it very interesting.

Posted: 7/27/2017 9:40:19 PM EDT

[#3]

I have no test data for confirmation but I arbitrarily chose 124gr HST based upon internet recommendations.

Posted: 7/27/2017 10:37:43 PM EDT

[#4]

I have a CZ 2075 RAMI BD, so I had the same issue. After watching the shootingthebull410 short barreled 9mm ammo quest videos, I carry standard velocity 124 gr HST's.

Posted: 7/28/2017 12:51:23 AM EDT

[#5]

147gr HST in my Shield

Posted: 7/28/2017 10:27:53 AM EDT

[#6]

I have 124gr +P Short Barrel Gold dots (they are a thing) in my Shield, though I also know that 124gr and 147gr +P HSTs will work well too.

Posted: 7/28/2017 12:01:49 PM EDT

[#7]

I thought Federal released a 150gr HST load designed for short barrels.

Posted: 7/28/2017 12:12:56 PM EDT

[#8]

147 HST performs excellently out of shorter barrel pistols, 124 HST would be excellent too. The Gold Dot is great if you're shooting full size pistols, I would suggest the +P variant for shorter barrels to make sure it expands though.

Posted: 7/28/2017 5:45:10 PM EDT

[#9]

Thank all

Posted: 7/28/2017 6:44:11 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
I thought Federal released a 150gr HST load designed for short barrels.

View Quote

They did, but I have never found them in 50 round LE boxes that are less than $0.40 a round. Plus, I can standardize on one 9mm defensive round (124 gr HST) for both my 9's.

Posted: 7/29/2017 10:20:44 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

They did, but I have never found them in 50 round LE boxes that are less than $0.40 a round. Plus, I can standardize on one 9mm defensive round (124 gr HST) for both my 9's.

View Quote

I standardized on 147 standard pressure HST.

Posted: 7/30/2017 5:03:31 AM EDT

[#12]

I recently switched to 124 hst. All the gel test i saw showed it expanding out of 3" guns.

Posted: 7/31/2017 11:39:59 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

I standardized on 147 standard pressure HST.

View Quote

Same.

Posted: 8/4/2017 10:04:10 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have done countless hours of ballistic gel testing using 3" 9mm and the Federal HST 124 gr Standard pressure round far exceeded all other's I tested.
50 out of 50 penetrated between 16-18 1/2" and all expanded through all sorts of media to average of .624
Gold dots performed horribly out of a short barrel and failed to expand 20 out of 25

View Quote

Remington makes some ammo supposedly for "compact handguns" called Ultimate Defense. Have you tested that and if so, how did it do?

https://www.remington.com/ammunition/handgun/ultimate-defense-handgun-loads

Posted: 8/6/2017 8:25:11 PM EDT

[#15]

Hst out of any 9mm barrel

Posted: 8/7/2017 1:05:21 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
Same.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:

I standardized on 147 standard pressure HST.

Same.

Same same.

Works great/well in everything I have.

Posted: 8/12/2017 1:05:36 AM EDT

[#17]

A little late to the party, but Corbon DPX also does very well at the lower velocities.

And yes form what I've seen of tests HST expands better out of a short barrel than Gold Dot and most anything else.

Posted: 8/20/2017 1:27:57 PM EDT

[#18]

Again, using range testing with about 10 different "defensive" loads I settled on Hornady Critical Defense 135 Gr for the highest velocity vs accuracy. (SIG 938)

My Ruger LC 9 did better using a different brand/load but I don't recall. (long gone after acquiring the SIG)

Gold Dots were never even tested as I have yet to see one deliver the accuracy of metal jacket

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What 9mm defensive ammo out of 3" barrel?

Handguns » Carry Issues

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us