A search didnt show up too much, so I thought I would ask here. Which SD round will feed the best in my 9mm P239? My ccw instructor recommended Federal Hydrashok. I've read various posts that some feed better than others on the P239. I probably dont have it quite broke in yet (only about 150 rnds of AE FMJ so far, will probably put more rnds through her this weekend). Any other SD round recommendations?

The Federal Hydrashok is a out-dated HP. The best SD ammo in my opinion is the Winchester Ranger HPs (can be found in the Classifieds Section on this forum). Another good choice is the CCI Gold Dot HPs, which can be found just about anywhere. Your Sig should love either, but its always best to buy a single box and run it thru your weapon first.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

Here is that link:
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/350601935/m/702106357

Lots of folks have a preference for the bullet design, weight, and powder loading. All the manufacturers will tell you theirs is best. I sure as hell don't know, but what I do know is that watever's in the mag absolutely, positively has to feed properly in a stressful SD situation.

My preference is the Federal EFMJ 124gr. +P.

Whatever you chose, though, you've got to run as much of it through your own gun as necessary to make yourself comfortable that it feeds reliably.

If I carried a pistol chambered for 9mm, it would be loaded with 124 grain +P Gold Dots.
Out of a P239 I would expect them to run about 1200 feet per second. When I tested the load out of a P229 and compared it to the Winchester Ranger SXT 127 grain +P+, its velocity was less than 25 fps slower.

I would prefer to use the Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P, but wouldn't be upset if all I could get were any other 9mm Gold Dot, or any other decent HP. I even have some mags loaded with the "Personal Defense" WWB 115 and 147gr HP's. As long as I know a round is reliable in the gun in question, I'm happy enough.

In a P239 I would go with GoldDot Short barrel ammunition, if it feed reliably. http://le.atk.com/general/speerproducts/handgun/golddotshortbarrel.aspx
But part of the reason that I do not like the load has to do with cost and availability. Speer only offer .38 Special in the 50 round boxes, all other loads are only available in 20 round boxes and they offer no matching range loads (Lawman).

Thought I'd throw out there that I was previously using 147gr winchester ranger bonded rounds. I have now gone to 147gr Federal Tactical HST rounds which is the updated version of the hydrashock. I also purchased some 147gr speer gold dots. ATK owns both speer and federal, both are great rounds! I like the design of the federals the best out of all 3 and that's why it's currently my SD round. It also seem to come out ontop and even GAIN weight in many Tests! Don't have a 239 but I'd shoot for federal or speer for sure!

I carry SPEER Gold Dot 124+P in my P239.

I use 147 gr HST federal in my 239,228 and BHP feeds 100% in all and extreamly accurate.

My P239 has fed everything I have put into it just fine. It is currently loaded with Winchester 115 +P+ which groups just fine in it.

This type of question comes up all the time. Too many shooters get caught up in what is the latest & greatest bullet/ammo design. The HydShk is an older design but still works well. Choose your SD/HD ammo by the following:
#1 100% reliable
#2 reasonably accurate (for me, that's 2" @ 15yds min.)
#3 terminal performance
Jut about any of the brand name JHP are going to give good performance. One may penetrate 1" deeper or expand 0.1" larger, doesn't really matter if you can't meet #1 & #2 & then you must deliver the bullet to the right place.
Any of the current 124grJHP+P loads is where I would start: WWSXT, Fed.HST, Rem.GS & SpeerGD are all good.

The question for me choosing an HD/SD round is also accuracy and reliability of the round.
The other consideration is the penetration factor.
This caused me to consider two different rounds. One for HD and the other for what will be my carry.
In my HD round, I don't want the bullet to go through walls to easily. There are other members of my family on the other side of some of them (this is also why I choose the 9mm caliber).
Bottom line, any quality HP will do the job if it is placed on target. I am sure that a person hit with a Winchester round or two would never say thank goodness I wasn't hit with a Speer.

quote:

Originally posted by detroit192:
In a P239 I would go with GoldDot Short barrel ammunition, if it feed reliably. http://le.atk.com/general/speerproducts/handgun/golddotshortbarrel.aspx
But part of the reason that I do not like the load has to do with cost and availability. Speer only offer .38 Special in the 50 round boxes, all other loads are only available in 20 round boxes and they offer no matching range loads (Lawman).

When I e-mailed Speer they told me that 124gr Lawman approximates the ballistics of both +p and non+p 124gr Gold Dot (apparently being loaded down the middle between the two makes it close enough to both).

Wait a second...it's slower than both, not in between. Ok, time for another e-mail.

Mine always liked the standard federal 115 grain 9bp load, accurate and potent. Can't ask for more. Not to mention it was and is cheaper than most "exotic" hollowpoints.

Another vote for the 124gr+P short barrel Gold Dots.

Should you go with them, be sure to buy the right one. The 9mm Gold Dots are confusing, as there's 124gr, 124gr +P, and 124gr +P SB.

Edited to add: TDS has two 9mm Gold Dots in 50rd boxes.

http://www.tds-us.com/catalog.php/tds/dt52872/Speer_Gold_Dot_LEO

They just joined SF and offer a discount using code "SIG."

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/603106699/m/7851049931

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sigmund,

I use Federal 147 gr HST. The new bullet gets good reviews from leo friends. Very accurate ou of my 239,228 and HP's.

I just got some 100gr PowR'Ball in 9mm for mine but have not shot it yet. Has anyone tried this stuff in their 9mm P239?