Best SD Ammo for Pocket Sized 9mm Pistols

[JarHeadTim]

Hi,

If anyone has a link to the subject I'd appreciate it.

Looking for opinions on Standard Pressure PD ammo for a pocket 9mm like the Ruger LC9...

1. Curious, What is the recoil difference like between a 115 Gr & a 147Gr?

2. What's the story on the Hornady Critical Defense? I was leaning towards the Speer GD, I just wish they made the Short Barrel 9 in standard pressure...

3. Also comment on full power ammo (ammo designed for 4" & 5" guns) being used in the shorter barrels (in this case 3"). What does the reduced velocity do the the bullet performance in media? Do the bullets perform properly, or do they under under expand? I know Speer's short barrel ammo uses a differnet bullet made to work at slower speeds... I've done the chronograph velocity falloff testing (IE - full power loads shot out of say a S&W 340PD so I know what the loss is, but don't have the means to do the media testing...)


Doc, if you see this I'd really appreciate your input...

Thanx and S/F

[DocGKR]

I'd pick one of the loads below for carry and spend the rest of my time and funds on practice:

Barnes XPB 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Federal HST 124 gr +P JHP (P9HST3)
Remington Golden Saber 124 gr +P JHP bonded (GSB9MMD)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr JHP
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Ranger Bonded 124 gr +P JHP (RA9BA)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)

[JarHeadTim]

Thank you Doc... Best,

[Dknight16]

No Cor-Bon recommended? I'd like to hear your position on their ammo.

[vicious_cb]

No Cor-Bon recommended? I'd like to hear your position on their ammo.

Barnes XPB 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)? Corbon loads the same bullet.

[DocGKR]

I generally prefer ammo vendors with large USG contracts as they typically have better QC processes in place.

[Kowalski]

For what it's worth, it seemed to me that the 147 gr Ranger T and the 115 gr Barnes had the softest perceived recoil out of a Kahr PM9, of the loads on DocGKR's list...

[BullittBoy]

Doc what do you think about the standard pressure HST 124 grain?
How is it compared to the +P?
I ask because on Federal's website they claim only 50 fps more in a
4" barrel, in a 3" like what I will be carrying I doubt it will be noticeable and the extra recoil is not worth it to me.

[DocGKR]

We have not tested it, but I suspect it will work just fine.

[Swatdude1]

I have a PM9 and have been extremely satisfied with the HST 147 gr +P (P9HST4). I really wouldn't want to carry a lower velocity round with a 3 inch barrel even though the recoil is more.