2aHawaii

Tools and Uses => Firearms and Accessories => Topic started by: esk808 on July 07, 2022, 03:07:52 PM

Title: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: esk808 on July 07, 2022, 03:07:52 PM
Subcompacts all have barrels of about 3" or so.

What's your ammo choice for short barrels?  +P?  +P+?

Which LGS has them?


I only have 115 & 124gr FMJ for practice, and none of the "good stuff".................... ::)
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: Flapp_Jackson on July 07, 2022, 04:09:04 PM
I took the bait and bought some Speer Gold Dot for short barrel pistols.  The specs seemed to point to higher performance in velocity.

Then I found reviews with comparisons.  While they tend to work as advertised against bare skin and light-clothing-covered skin (T-shit), heavier clothing resulted in worse penetration and expansion results than standard 9mm ammo.

I bought mine from Young Guns several years ago.  At that time, they were to only place within a reasonable distance of my home that carried any SB ammo.

Three most important performance criteria (aside from "goes bang") are:

- Penetration
- Expansion
- Retained bullet weight

Some use a filler in the hollow point cavity to avoid it catching or expanding as it encounters heavy clothing.  I've noticed mixed results in independent reviews/tests.

So, for me, I'll stick with regular ammo that shows a high degree of penetration through clothing and skin.  Never know what kind of "threat" you'll encounter.

I feel these ammunition types are compensating for not having been fired from a more effective barrel length.  If it were that impressive, wouldn't everyone be using it regardless of the barrel type they carry?  I mean, improvements for smaller pistols should translate into improvements for other pistols.

That's mostly opinion.  As I've never shot anyone, nor have I done any scientific tests or comparisons, I'm only basing this on what I've been able to find online.

#YMMV

 :thumbsup: :shaka:
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: esk808 on July 07, 2022, 04:58:03 PM


Thanks Flapp_Jackson

I am tempted towards those 9mm with "drill bit" looking hollow points, but I doubt any LGS in HNL carries them...............
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: Direjackalope on July 07, 2022, 05:49:06 PM
Here’s a YouTube channel that did a ton of ballistic testing. For 9mm Hornady Critical Duty and Underwood both performed quite well if I recall correctly . https://m.youtube.com/user/tnoutdoors9
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 07, 2022, 05:59:18 PM
I have some of these:
Critical duty, gold dot, Sig jhp, hydra shok, and some jhp from Bushido arms. Idk if its defensive ammo or not but it's a jhp not sure what projectile he uses. I'm also reloading some jhp from Everglades ammo that I want to test in some gel, but bc ots reloaded,  its practice ammo

https://youtu.be/dt4l1BQdM2Q
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 07, 2022, 06:27:48 PM
The critical duty and sig ammo I got at ogc
Federal hydra shok and speer gold dot I got at YG's or could have been HGS, I forget
SEC usually has some
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 07, 2022, 06:42:52 PM
https://youtu.be/9ok6DiW81DQ
https://youtu.be/YsKaRS46rRQ
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: changemyoil66 on July 07, 2022, 06:57:48 PM
Another factor is some guns dont allow +p or greater ammo. Our M&P 9C states this. So we use critical Defense (red plastic insert)

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 07, 2022, 08:38:18 PM
 https://youtu.be/5BtdPRTbo1A
https://youtu.be/sA3V8m5Eo4E
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: QUIETShooter on July 08, 2022, 07:34:54 AM


So, for me, I'll stick with regular ammo that shows a high degree of penetration through clothing and skin.  Never know what kind of "threat" you'll encounter.



I was thinking of loading my mags with alternate rounds of FMJ and SD ammo.  Was wondering what you guys think of this idea.

So far I have acquired Hornady Critical Duty, Sig V Crown, and some cheap PMC JHP rounds.
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: macsak on July 08, 2022, 07:52:19 AM
all jhp
no question...

I was thinking of loading my mags with alternate rounds of FMJ and SD ammo.  Was wondering what you guys think of this idea.

So far I have acquired Hornady Critical Duty, Sig V Crown, and some cheap PMC JHP rounds.
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 08, 2022, 07:52:49 AM
from looking at videos lately about 9mm carry ammo, it looks like 147 grain projectiles have great penetration but not so great expansion
all the defensive ammo I have is 124 grain jhp
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 08, 2022, 08:03:09 AM
or I could be wrong about the 147's.  maybe depends on the projectile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziQ2SQr9K4c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjMCPYDU5n4
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: oldfart on July 08, 2022, 08:13:49 AM
I would use whatever HPD issues.
It's one less legal matter to think about when you get sued.
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: esk808 on July 08, 2022, 11:15:01 AM
I would use whatever HPD issues.
It's one less legal matter to think about when you get sued.

I think it's been said in other blogs that HPD uses Speer Gold Dot 124gr HP.

Can anyone verify if this is true today?
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: oldfart on July 08, 2022, 11:20:16 AM
I think it's been said in other blogs that HPD uses Speer Gold Dot 124gr HP.

Can anyone verify if this is true today?
=============
yep
true
unless they changed it recently
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: changemyoil66 on July 08, 2022, 11:20:58 AM
I think it's been said in other blogs that HPD uses Speer Gold Dot 124gr HP.

Can anyone verify if this is true today?

yes, for their G17s.
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 10, 2022, 06:44:53 AM
I picked up a box of these

https://youtu.be/KMitUZ41eBM
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: QUIETShooter on July 10, 2022, 08:33:02 AM
Seems like these "budget" type hollow points do pretty well, arguably just as good as the more well known, popular, and expensive types.

I think I saw a video of PMC Bronze HP doing very well and these are priced very cheap. :shaka:
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: aaronc5362 on July 10, 2022, 08:34:26 AM
Tnoutdoors did a somewhat recent video.

The 147g federal HST perform pretty well. I forgot the exact barrel length but 99% sure it was less than 4 inches.

The gdhp 147g never expanded consistently while the hst did.

For anything less than 4 inches I have 124g gdhp. Cause I been stocking it for many many years before hst existed.

G19 barrel or longer I have 147g gdhp and hydrashoks.
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 11, 2022, 07:53:28 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8gm7ZTkDxc
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 13, 2022, 03:34:28 PM
HST, Punch, G2 gold dot gen2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpnrVFcQsfA
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: changemyoil66 on July 15, 2022, 08:58:37 AM
Thanks for posting this. I ordered a Shield Plus and needed to know what works well in this gun. Mrgunsandgear has a vid of the shield using GD, HST, etc...So that helped too.
 Basically, the GD P and +P work well in the 3.1 inch barrel. Critical Defense and Critical Duty both work well. So does the HST P and +P.
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 15, 2022, 11:43:34 AM
Thanks for posting this. I ordered a Shield Plus and needed to know what works well in this gun. Mrgunsandgear has a vid of the shield using GD, HST, etc...So that helped too.
 Basically, the GD P and +P work well in the 3.1 inch barrel. Critical Defense and Critical Duty both work well. So does the HST P and +P.

I've been finding the gold dot , critical duty and defense locally.  haven't seen any HST around though
seems like the gold dot is really consistent with expansion and penetration
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: changemyoil66 on July 15, 2022, 12:16:24 PM
I've been finding the gold dot , critical duty and defense locally.  haven't seen any HST around though
seems like the gold dot is really consistent with expansion and penetration

SEC had HST. I got both my 9mm and 45acp from them.  9 was like precovid, 45 was like last month or so.  Also HST is on HPD's approved list of 9mm ammo besides Gold Dot.

For their AR's, HST is on the approved list, Gold Dot isn't.  I got my gold dot AR ammo from Vegas.
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 15, 2022, 12:46:02 PM
SEC had HST. I got both my 9mm and 45acp from them.  9 was like precovid, 45 was like last month or so.  Also HST is on HPD's approved list of 9mm ammo besides Gold Dot.

For their AR's, HST is on the approved list, Gold Dot isn't.  I got my gold dot AR ammo from Vegas.

man, I was just there yesterday.  LOL
I got gold dot 9mm and 45acp.  maybe I'll go back and get some HST
plus I was all out of money anyways.  also picked up some powder and 357 ammo
getting ready for ccw is getting expensive  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: QUIETShooter on July 15, 2022, 01:40:02 PM
Are the LGS's still limiting the SD ammo to one box?
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: changemyoil66 on July 15, 2022, 01:43:56 PM
man, I was just there yesterday.  LOL
I got gold dot 9mm and 45acp.  maybe I'll go back and get some HST
plus I was all out of money anyways.  also picked up some powder and 357 ammo
getting ready for ccw is getting expensive  :thumbsup:

When I got my 45 HST, it's cause they were out of GD. Lol.
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 15, 2022, 02:22:27 PM
Are the LGS's still limiting the SD ammo to one box?

when i went yesterday to SEC, they said no limit. 
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: QUIETShooter on July 15, 2022, 06:59:06 PM
when i went yesterday to SEC, they said no limit.

Awesome!  Thank you, Sir. :shaka:  I like buy some Gold Dot and HST.
Title: Re: Best subcompact 9mm AMMO? Your choices? Where to buy in HNL?
Post by: stangzilla on July 17, 2022, 05:25:27 PM
When I got my 45 HST, it's cause they were out of GD. Lol.

When they said they had GD, I didn't inquire about anything else  :thumbsup: