I have a couple of 9mm short barrels (G43, 43X, 26) and currently carry 147gr HST. I am looking at purchasing the P365, but wonder what ammo to carry in it.

I have a bunch of the 147 HST because it was my old duty ammo for over a decade...but was wondering if this was the best choice...

147 HST standard pressure or Gold Dot 124+P.

I get better groups with the 147 HST.

Ammo Quest/ShootingTheBull did a lengthy test series on SD ammo shot out of a 3" barrel Sig P938. His recommendations were:

Winchester Defend 147gr
Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P
Federal HST 124gr
HST 124gr +P
HST 147gr
HST 147gr +P
HST 150gr micro

124 grain HST once I have enough on hand to shoot some to establish reliability.

Until then factory Hornady 115 XTP. I have fired many hand loaded rounds using the 115 XTP that match factory velocity and cartridge OAL without any functional issues.

Hornady Critical Defense

Underwood/Lehigh Defense 115g Extreme Penetrators.

If you already have HST 147 grain, you really don't need to look any further. However, in addition to the HST 147, I like the Speer Gold Dot 124 grain +P, which has been my home defense load of choice for many years, and which would serve you well in any barrel length, although given the small size of the P365, you would likely be better off with standard velocity ammunition. The HST 147 is probably ideal but I wouldn't hesitate to use the HST 124 grain standard velocity.

I carry Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P in my Shield all others 9's get 147gr HST's.

quote:

Underwood/Lehigh Defense 115g Extreme Penetrators

This.

I feed my 365 the Federal Classic 9BP 115 grain JHP and it works just fine.

My 365 shoots fine with Speer Gold Dot G2s. However, I'd stick to 147 HST or Gold Dot. G2 is expensive and hard to get.

In my 365 or 938 I almost exclusively shoot HST 124gr. I find I shoot the non +p better than the +p particularly on follow up shots. In my larger CCWs I mostly carry Gold dot 124gr +p or HST 124gr +p. I also have HST 147gr in my inventory but rarely reach for them.

Speer loads a "short barrel" 9mm but I haven't been able get any yet to try



I've been keeping my Hellcat with Cor-Bon 115gr +P PDX (the Barnes copper bullet), but of course now I don't seem to have the pics anymore from that load, just the 115 and 125 conventional JHP's.






This thread reminded me that I bought some 147s to test and try, for a potential "winter load", but I forgot all about it, busy with too many other things.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cas, November 05, 2023 03:15 PM

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Hornady Critical Defense

Same here, but more for the bullet shape. The sharper taper feeds better in my P11.
Hydrashok tended to not feed as reliably.

But, I rarely CCW that one anymore. It is my goto for pocket carry & I haven't had the need in a while.

Wife's LC9 has the same Hornady in it, since I had it on hand.

124gr +p Gold Dots in all my 9's.

Personally I’m a fan of Winchester Ranger 147, standard pressure.

quote:

Originally posted by tigereye313:
124gr +p Gold Dots in all my 9's.

Same here. I prefer the short barrel GDs, that only come in a 20rd box, 23611. These:

https://palmettostatearmory.co...rel-20rds-23611.html

I carry my duty ammo in my off duty P365x. Hornady Critical Duty 135 grain +p.

Best expansion because of the short barrel? I don’t know. But, I know it is reliable and it is dialed in w/ my handguns.

quote:

Originally posted by 357fuzz:
Hornady Critical Duty 135 grain +p.

Great ammunition. The FBI's current load of choice. I've stashed away a few hundred rounds of it, along with the Critical Duty 124 grain +P. My "traveling pistol" is a Glock17 gen5 with a Surefire X-300 WML in a Wilderness Safepacker. My ammo choice for it is the Critical Duty 135 grain +P, specifically for its enhanced barrier penetration. My G17 house gun, a very early production third generation pistol, is loaded with Speer Gold Dot 124 grain +P. I've used this combination for many years and I don't think I'll ever change it, but out on the road, I wanted a load with better barrier penetration.

quote:

Best expansion because of the short barrel? I don’t know.

Hornady states that they do not recommend Critical Duty in sub-4 inch barrels. I think their concern is overpenetration because of minimal expansion.

Critical Defense. (see the link)

https://www.hornady.com/suppor...-defense-differences
and
https://static.hornady.media/s...critical-defense.pdf

-- Chuck