Best 9mm Duty Round

[cue]

First off, please no comments of 9mm not being adequate. I've done my own reading and research and have come to the conclusion that "I" would be best suited for a 9mm. Ive shot many different guns and calibers. I currently carry a Smith and Wesson M&P .45 and I am switching to a HKP30L 9mm.

So, what is your opinion of the best 9mm ammo for duty use?

Thank you.

[CPR15967]

My dept uses speer gold dot 124 gr hollow point +P

http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?loadNo=23611

Good ammo, no malfunctions to date with a glock 19 and a glock 26

[M1garand]

well, depend on who you ask, but some agencies and Mass Ayoob prefers 115 gr +p. My duty round is 124 grain Federal JHP +p+.

147 grain gives you the greater accuracy, but from what I understand, it doesn't have any more added benefit from lower grain bullet weight.

I tend to like Federal, Hornady and Black Hills.

[cue]

I have spent the last 2 hours reviewing the ballistics of different ammo. Is the velocity and energy at a given distance what is important? For instance Corbon SD09115-20 has the highest of both numbers. Velocity of 1258 fps and energy of 404 ft/lbs at 20 yards.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

What does your department authorize you to use?

[cue]

That is a good question. I do not see my choice as a problem as long as it is a fairly well known brand.

[cue]

What is the difference between 115gr. 124 gr. and 147 gr. I know it is a difference in bullet weight, but what benefits are there from one weight to another.

[CPR15967]

Stopping power. Kinetic Energy

[CPR15967]

Being an avid hunter, I've learned that speed kills. A big slow bullet is not going to do nearly as much damage as a lighter bullet traveling at a high rate of speed. However, you need a bullet that packs enough punch to penetrate and inflict said damage. There has to be a compromise between weight and speed.

http://www.learnaboutguns.com/2008/09/14/bullet-weight-vs-velocity-striking-the-right-balance-is-important/

not such a professional website but explains my point in greater detail.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

What is the difference between 115gr. 124 gr. and 147 gr. I know it is a difference in bullet weight, but what benefits are there from one weight to another.

If Sarge swung baseball bats at your grape - one bat weighed 1lb, one weighed 1.5lbs and one weighed 2lbs but they were all swung at the same speed of 10 mph, which one would you hate to get hit with most?

[Sgt. Slaughter]

That is a good question. I do not see my choice as a problem as long as it is a fairly well known brand.

That's what your department's policy says in writing?

[cue]

No, I am sure that is not what it says in writing. We are a small dept. of 6 deputies and they are not very strict.

[HeadDoc]

You're going to use a puny 9mm? What are ya, a girl?

I couldn't resist. Actually, I consider a good modern high-velocity hollow point in 9mm to be a reasonable self-defense round. I've seen some impressively nasty wounds inflicted by those.

When I carry a 9mm, I load it with 124 grain Speer Gold Dot, but realistically most of the defense rounds from any of the major manufacturers would probably fit your need. I would suggest that you get a selection of them and find out which one your pistol likes in terms of accuracy, recoil, etc.

[ummone]

Stolen from AR-15.com

Referencing the 9mm, it looks like the lighter faster bullet does a little more damage but I'll let you be the judge.

[M1garand]

What is the difference between 115gr. 124 gr. and 147 gr. I know it is a difference in bullet weight, but what benefits are there from one weight to another.

From what I've read, 115 gr +P had excellent performance when it comes to proper expansion of JHP. 147 Gr.JHP had the greatest accuracy out of all, but didn't properly expand compared to 115 and 124 gr. You can do a search and look for an article by Mass Ayoob (he refers to FBI data and few other major police departments).