CA departments that still use 9mm?

[SFShep]

Hey all, was hoping some of the LEO's out there could tell me if any of you still carry 9mm in your duty weapons. If so, which brands and loads?

I just got myself an M&P shield 9mm and I always prefer to load my handguns with proven rounds used by CA law enforcement.

I considered the LAPD's 147gr. Winchester Ranger-T, but that one is marketed "Law Enforcement Only."

Are there any others used by CA agencies that are likewise for sale to the general public?

[Anti-Hero]

Yes, we are issued gen 4 glock 17s. I was never a fan of 9mm, but I've warmed up to it. We have Winchester and hornady duty ammo.

Edit: Forgot to add, you can buy Winchester ranger-t. Not exclusively for LE.

[mixicus]

There's a good amount of variety out there not only for issued/authorized primary handguns but also for back-up and off-duty weapons. The most common ammo tends to be:

Winchester SXT 124, 127 and 147
Speer Gold Dot 124 and 147
Federal HST 124 and 147

Some brands have a greater piece of the market in certain geographical areas due to participation of a larger agency or activity of the distributor.

[P5Ret]

Buying ammo for personally owned defensive weapon, my choice would not be based solely upon what a local PD uses. You have to remember that department issued ammo is purchased based upon a bid process, and may or may not be the best available. I can only speak for my experience, and the decision on what to buy was not made by the "gun guys" as much as the "bottom line budget guys". We were given amount X and did the best we could within that money. We usually just ended up buying off the state contract price, best out there? Who's to say for sure, but it was within the budget.

Sure look at what is being used, but also do your own research, what's right for a full size duty weapon may not be what's right for a concealed carry piece.

[oddjob]

P5Ret is correct. It wouldn't surprise me if you looked at the ammo of three officers from the same agency you will find three different brands and weights of the 9mm round. The key words are "low bid."

Now back to your question.....I have always liked the heavier rounds for the 9mm. I carry W-W Ranger 147's in my Sig 938. I spoke to a forensics friend who has investigated shootings (sworn and non-sworn) for 30 years. I asked him which round and he told me ".45 acp." Then he told me 147's in a 9mm. He told me he wouldn't carry lighter bullets in a 9mm based on the results he has seen & investigated.

[micro911]

I was initially issued a Smith & Wesson model 67 38 SPL revolver. I was then issued a Beretta 92FS, and finally, last year, a S&W M&P 9mm.

No matter what other people use, I prefer 9mm and I use issued Winchester Ranger RA9T ammo. It does a good job. Stopping power is over rated as far as I can understand. If you place the shot within a "kill zone," the bullet will do the job.

[SFShep]

Thanks for all the good tips! A local friend recommended what the San Francisco Sheriffs carry for their Glock 17's, the Federal Premium 147gr. Hydra Shok. Checked out the performance reviews, looks impressive. I think I'll give those a try.

[geoint]

P5Ret is correct. It wouldn't surprise me if you looked at the ammo of three officers from the same agency you will find three different brands and weights of the 9mm round. The key words are "low bid."

Now back to your question.....I have always liked the heavier rounds for the 9mm. I carry W-W Ranger 147's in my Sig 938. I spoke to a forensics friend who has investigated shootings (sworn and non-sworn) for 30 years. I asked him which round and he told me ".45 acp." Then he told me 147's in a 9mm. He told me he wouldn't carry lighter bullets in a 9mm based on the results he has seen & investigated.

I managed to get 3000 rounds of Federal HST 147gr from SGammo around the beginning of the year for about $.50/rd. I highly recommend anyone interested in good 9mm try that stuff out.

[SFShep]

Yes, we are issued gen 4 glock 17s. I was never a fan of 9mm, but I've warmed up to it. We have Winchester and hornady duty ammo.

Edit: Forgot to add, you can buy Winchester ranger-t. Not exclusively for LE.

Yeah unfortunately I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have to make frequent trips into SF. Winchester Ranger-T ammo (or any other ammo that gives identical ballistic performance to the original Winchester Black Talon ammo) is illegal there by city ordinance. Don't want to have to change ammo for every trip.

[18sam2011]

I carry 9mm as my duty weapon and am issued Federal HST 147Gr.

[FLIGHT762]

Thanks for all the good tips! A local friend recommended what the San Francisco Sheriffs carry for their Glock 17's, the Federal Premium 147gr. Hydra Shok. Checked out the performance reviews, looks impressive. I think I'll give those a try.

SFSO is issued Federal 147 HST, not hydra Shok.

[Cali-Shooter]

I considered the LAPD's 147gr. Winchester Ranger-T, but that one is marketed "Law Enforcement Only."

Like Anti-Hero said, it doesn't matter if the ammunition is marketed as "LEO only," you can still purchase it if available. That doesn't make it illegal or wrong to buy it, there is no PC or law except certain city ordinances for possession of HP ammo, depending on where you are.

[ptmn]

I used to serve on the full time DOE Swat team. We used only one 9mm round for both our pistols and MP5's. It was the Federal 115gr JHP model 9BP. It is extremely accurate, but I can't tell you first hand what terminal effects it has, since no terrorists tried to steal a nuclear weapon the whole time I spent on the team.

There is some independent research on the Federal 115gr 9BP round. It had one of the highest one shot stop ratios, even though it is a non +P round. Then again, who knows if that independent study was completely objective.

My current dept used the Winchester 147gr RA9T. Not the most accurate round, but it functions in all our weapons, to include our suppressed MP5's that we rarely use now that we have short barrel M4's.

I'm sure that Federal 9BP is a lot more affordable than the RA9T's, so if I had to purchase ammo out of my own pocket, that's what I would go with. That's just my opinion, and you already know what they say about opinions, so you make up,your own mind when it comes to what ammo you're going to carry.

Good luck with your ammo search. And whichever round you choose, remember that shot placement is superior over expansion and velocity. Find a round that functions 100% of your guns and is accurate in your guns.

[John M]

Sacramento Sheriff. Glock 17, Fed HST 147 gr +p.

[TrailerparkTrash]

LAPD, LASD, San Bernardino sheriff.....all use 9mm. Those three additionally allow their troops to carry .40's and .45acp. (LASD is 9mm or .45acp only). The 9 is very much "alive" and well and those three above departments use the Winchester "ranger" (aka: "improved" Black Talons) type (ie RA9T-9mm) etc.... Their respective "Rangers" are in 40 and 45 too.