Home Defense Ammunition

[JS41989]

Looking for a new home-defense load. I've kept Federal HydraShock (124 Grain) loaded in my home defense magazines for a while. I know there is far more modern and popular ammunition on the market so I've started firing through my HydraShocks and doing my research.

I've read great things about Federal HST and I found some in stock that I wanted to try out. I see it comes in 124 Grain and 147 Grain. Does anyone here have any experience with the two and have a recommendation for which grain would best meet my needs? Looking for pros and cons.

Also, if this isn't the best choice for ammunition I am open to suggestions.

Note: Will be loaded in a Glock 19 that's primarily on nightstand duty.

[aca72]

Speer Gold Dot +P 124-grain

http://www.backwoodshome.com/choose-your-ammo-police-style/

[Germ1]

Looking for a new home-defense load. I've kept Federal HydraShock (124 Grain) loaded in my home defense magazines for a while. I know there is far more modern and popular ammunition on the market so I've started firing through my HydraShocks and doing my research.

I've read great things about Federal HST and I found some in stock that I wanted to try out. I see it comes in 124 Grain and 147 Grain. Does anyone here have any experience with the two and have a recommendation for which grain would best meet my needs? Looking for pros and cons.

Also, if this isn't the best choice for ammunition I am open to suggestions.

Note: Will be loaded in a Glock 19 that's primarily on nightstand duty.

I have both 124 +P and 147+p Federal HST. I load 147gr in the winter months due to thicker clothing. At least that's what I tell myself. In reality I only have 147gr because that's all I could find in stock. Also would rather have standard pressure as +p penetrates less. Can't go wrong with Federal HST either way, or Winchester Ranger-T.

If you found some in stock buy it now, because it won't be in stock for long. I also have it loaded in a Glock 19, I've shot both 147 and 124 HST out of it. Don't notice a difference, some people claim 147gr has different trajectory and recoil. But I didn't notice, I shot 3 rounds of 147gr HST at a squirrel at 25-30yds and they all landed right ontop of him.

[Cokebottle]

I generally carry the 147gr HST.
I have tested and will carry any of the following in my 9mm:
Speer GD JHP+P 124gr
Winchester Ranger +P 124gr
Federal HST +P 124gr

I like the 147. IMHO, it carries a bit more energy out of a short barrel.
From a 4-5" barrel, the 124 will have a slight edge.

[MosinVirus]

I use Corbon DPX

[billped]

Whatever you get make sure you run it through your gun periodically. One mag per few months is fine.

Ammo that jams the gun won't be terribly useful, regardless of how spectacular we all think it is.

[Germ1]

Speer Gold Dot +P 124-grain
http://www.backwoodshome.com/choose-...-police-style/

Gold dots suck. http://www.defensivecarry.com/documents/officer.pdf

Federal HST and Winchester Ranger-T are the bullets that have the FBI and other agencies switching back to 9mm.

[Germ1]

Whatever you get make sure you run it through your gun periodically. One mag per few months is fine.

Ammo that jams the gun won't be terribly useful, regardless of how spectacular we all think it is.

Ammo doesn't jam in Glocks. At least not gen 3's.

[timbo399]

Gold dots suck. http://www.defensivecarry.com/documents/officer.pdf

Federal HST and Winchester Ranger-T are the bullets that have the FBI and other agencies switching back to 9mm.

Gold Dots suck based on that report on .40 cal that wasn't even negative on the handgun ammo? I sleep well at night w my HD ammo dedicated to Speer Gold Dots in .45 and 9mm 147 gr and 124gr+p depending on the 9mm gun I'm using.

I agree Federal HST and Ranger T's are great but Speer Gold Dot certainly proven themselves as a modern effective defensive round.

[billped]

Glocks feed well, but perfection is a fallacy. Anyone who believes it is destined for disappointment.

Here's one in a post currently one below this one. Yes, it's a Gen4 and yes, it's probably mag related, not the gun itself.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=17791882#post17791882

[JS41989]

I opted to pick up a box of HST 124, HST 147 +P, and Speer Gold Dot 124 +P. I will go through 5 mags of each before making any large investments.

[Win231]

The best HD ammo is any JHP that functions in your particular gun. Test at least 100 rounds before relying on it. If there are no malfunctions, it's good to go.

[technique]

Some of the best info available can be found HERE, from DocGKR.
There is a list with various defensive loads by caliber, that performed well.

Personally, I shoot the 147gr and 124gr +P loads from Speer GoldDot.

[Cokebottle]

Bingo.
It doesn't go in my carry gun unless I have fired 200+ rounds without a single issue.

So far, the Shield and Glocks have been 100% on anything I've fed them.

I'm hoping the little Kahr 380 breaks in well, I'm still having issues with ball rounds right now, but I'm around the 200rd mark which is where everyone says it starts to break in, but I know it is going to be picky on SD ammo and I'll likely be stuck with Hornady.

[bluesmoke9]

Here's my take; Arguing about HD ammo is very much like arguing about Ford vs Chevy. Almost all of it is preference, or what you "think" is the best. In my opinion, most of the major HD ammunition is pretty close to the same. Or, let me say it this way, not different enough to matter much in the real world. Your situational awareness, skill with your gun and shot placement are overwhelmingly the determining factors in a gunfight. Yet I see many more posts about changing ammo from this to that based on "they might be wearing a heavy coat" than I do about practicing failure drills.