I will be testing 9mm carry loads for a new carry gun and wanted to get some input.

The gun has a 3.8” barrel, so I don’t think I’ll be needing +P for expansion reasons and would prefer standard pressure loadings.

The gun is only 20oz, so I’m wanting a softer shooting load, which may mean a heavier bullet.

I’m up for trying several loads to see what functions we’ll stand accurate in my specific gun.

What would you recommend I try?

The Remington standard pressure jhp's are always highly recommended.

Federal HST in 124 or 147 standard pressure.

If you want the least recoil, multiply the bullet weight in grains by the muzzle velocity in feet per second. The lowest figure among the loads checked will produce the least felt recoil. Note that it’s important to use actual MV figures for the barrel length you’re using, most likely reported in Internet posts, rather than factory MV claims that are very often inflated.

In general, heavier bullets tend to produce more momentum and therefore felt recoil, but not always.

Added: for example, I measured the velocities of two loads from a SIG P229 (3.9 inch barrel) years ago. The Federal Hydra-Shok 135 grain load had a MV of 1018 fps; the Federal Classic Hi-Shok 115 grain load had a MV of 1117 fps. The “Power Factor” of the 135 grain load was 137, whereas the 115 gn. load was 128; not much difference, but some.

Federal HST 124gr is the easy button. There's other good stuff out there, too, but I have yet to personally find a 9mm handgun that doesn't perform well with this load.

Been carrying Gold Dot for years.

Another vote for Federal HST.

They're readily available and reasonably priced, on top of the performance they offer. I still have a lot of Speer Gold Dot, mostly 357Sig, but I use HST's now in both my 9mm's.

Federal 147gr out-performs Speer Gold Dot in clothing penetration tests. I'm hoping they start producing the 147gr +P again.

1. HST
2. Gold dot
3. See #1 & #2

The non +P Gold Dots are my carry rounds for small, light weight 9mms.

This was asked about 10 years ago, and I tabulated the responses.

Speer Gold Dot came in first place.
Federal HST came in second place.

There have been advances in the intervening years, but as you can see here, most of the responses are one or the other. Follow Sigfreund's advice regarding relative recoil. I have found that lighter bullets make for lower recoil, but heavier bullets are more likely to be subsonic, which are better for suppressed use.

I'm going to agree with several folks here and say that Federal HST and Speed Gold Dots are pretty much the "gold" standard for defensive ammo.

I will add a few more to the mix though, Fiocchi XTPs, Hornady XTP's and Hornady Critical Defense/Duty. All are great rounds.

My 2 primary carry guns are a Sig P365 for pocket carry and that one is fed Hornady 115gr XTPs. I I felt I shot the best groups with them over 8 or so other rounds I tried. The other is a P365XL for IWB carry and that is fed Federal 124gr HST +Ps.

HST and GD are top tier but I also have the Win. Ranger-T in my supply of HD 9mm and .45

I like the 135 grain Critical Duty from Hornady I do carry the +P.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Been carrying Gold Dot for years.

Same. Great quality.

Federal HST 124 grain standard pressure. Price per 50 round box was up around 40 dollars a while back but now you can find it for about 26 dollars a box plus shipping (use ammoseek to find the best combination of product price and shipping) and if you buy 500 or 1000 at a time, shipping is free.

I like Gold Dots, too and the 124 grain +P is now and forever the load in my house gun, but for an all-around, out in the world choice, I go with the HST 124 grain, usually standard pressure (this is what I keep loaded in my carry G19) but sometimes +P, depending upon the pistol.

The Gold Dot bullet is electrochemically bonded but this process requires a lead core with lower antimony. The HST projectile mechanically locks the jacket to the core, allowing for higher antimony, which seems to make for a bullet that might retain greater integrity through auto glass or other intermediate barriers.

Either one is a great choice. The standard pressure 124 grain Gold Dot seems to be a bit harder to find than the +P version, at least it has been over the past few years.

124gr +p Gold Dots for me. Wouldn't turn my nose up at HST however.

I might get blasted for my choice but I like the Speer MHP 108 grain load. Sadly it is no longer in production. Some say it didn't have enough penetration or opened to soon. I bought a bunch of it a couple years ago and it shoots like a laser beam with little recoil.

I also carry the Gold Dots or even the Winchester Silvertip.

bereli dot com usually has the Federal on sale in boxes of 50.

Hard to beat Gold Dots or HST and they're available at reasonable prices.
I have 124+P in my 365XL and it shoots and functions fine.
Beyond that, I try not to over-analyze.

While I’ve never been one to get too wrapped up in “the magic bullet” and feel that any half decent defensive hollow point is fine, my personal preference these days are 124 grain HST or Gold Dots. Either standard pressure or +P. I think they are a fairly solid, well proven round that have the added benefit of being used by a bajillion law enforcement organizations and that could be a good thing from a legal standpoint.

All that said I really would only shy away from stuff like RIP or some other silly named round like “death becomes you” or some such. Anything else is likely fine (critical duty/defense, Golden Saber, SXT/Ranger etc. etc. )

I’ve never used any of the “screwdriver” type rounds, like Leihigh Defense, but they intrigue me.