Best grain 9mm round for Glock pistols?
For self defense I use the 68grain Leighi Defense from Underwood ammo, this stuff is so great that Bill Wilson of Wilson combat bought the company .
The great thing with this ammo is 115 grain ball ammo for practice has same point of impact
I go the opposite direction and carry 147gr RA9T in my time off. Consistently meets FBI penetration standards from a variety of barrel lengths with above average penetration and expansion, subsonic in a pistol, says “Ranger” right on the box.
What’s the objective here?
Ive shot a bunch of 115, 124, and 147. I haven’t really seen a difference as far as accuracy goes between grain weight.
For years my department carried the Speer Gold Dot 124 +P and it was a proven performer. We recently switched the Winchesters new Ranger One 147 grain and it has worked well so far.
Which defensive cartridge do you prefer?
Weight is just weight, gets too much consideration, and is only one of many variables in play.
See also: “what weight is most accurate”, “what weight is most reliable”, “my gun doesn’t work with <weight>”, trajectory matching of weights
My agency has used GD 124+p for the better part of 20+ years. It works extremely well in everything from micro 9’s to full size service weapons. As the guy that use to do all the shooting reviews for the city I can tell you that it works.
No penetration issues due the lighter weight?
I like the 68 gr Underwood, too.
But after that I like a 147 gr bullet pushed hard to maximize expansion and penetration. (Underwood makes a 147 gr Gold Dot +p+)
This is good to know. Agencies in my area are transitioning back to 9mm from .40 S&W and I considered making this recommendation.
My carry pistols are comped or ported.
The efficiency of both are maximized by amount of gas Volume (which isn’t necessarily hand in hand with chamber pressure).
I carry 124 HST+P or Gold Dot+P. Accuracy with either is nearly identical, shot to shot is quickest in my hands with these.
I get issued defensive ammo. I havent been issued anything ive been dissatisfied with, so I just carry what Im issued. In my career it’s been 180 grn HST .40, 230 grn +P HST .45, 124 grn +P Gold Dot 9mm, and 147 grn Ranger One 9mm.
All have shown to be performers in gunfights and would carry any of them without question. We were a bit apprehensive of the Ranger One at first as I believe we are the first major department to use it. But it’s proving itself.
124g gold dot and 124g nato is what I use
This. I use gold dot 147gr, but ill use anything off docgkr’s list.
Not sure why the question is Glock specific. 124 Gr +P GDHP is the 9mm defensive ammo I settled on for my G19, G17, and other 9mm pistols.
Andy
Federal HST 147gr +P. The standard pressure version is also doable since it appears they don’t make the +P one anymore.
I have to laugh…25 years ago I wouldn’t touch a 147gr 9mm load. Hell, I was a .40 (at a minimum) fan back then. Modern bullet design has it’s merits.
My wife gets limp-wrist failures on lighter weights with the Glock 19.3 that is our nightstand gun, so I use 147gr Gold Dots (and the corresponding 147gr Speer Lawman for training). I use the same in my carry gun so I don’t have to stock multiple types of ammo. Not a great reason, but there it is.
Nah, thats a pretty good reason. FWIW, Gen 4-5 9mm Glocks have a noticeably smaller grip circumference than Gen 3 ones.
Currently I’m using Federal HST +P 124gr. I just got some Lehigh Defense 90gr Extreme Defense ammo. Going to hit the range and see how it cycles through my MR920. May end up switching to it.
No penetration issues at all.
No penetration issues at all.