9mm Carry Ammo: Federal HST vs. Speer Gold-Dot vs. Underwood Gold-Dot

[Badger89]

I've been searching for a replacement 9mm carry load and my research thus far has brought me to these three contenders: Federal HST, Speer Gold-Dot, and Underwood Ammo Gold-Dot loads. Before coming across the Underwood ammo, I had narrowed my search to either the Speer Gold-Dot 124 grain +P or the Federal HST 147 grain, and was content to purchase a decent quantity of whichever showed up in stock first. However, the numbers on the Underwood ammo look very promising, and now I'm very seriously considering the Underwood 147 grain +P+ Gold-Dot loads. Unfortunately they seem to penetrate slightly less than either the Speer 124 grain +P Gold-Dots or the Federal 147 grain HSTs, but the expansion is phenomenal for a 9mm round. The Underwood 124 grain +P+ Gold-Dots seem to perform very well also, matching the penetration of the Speer and Federal loads with greater expansion than both, but with slightly less expansion than the Underwood 147 grain +P+ Gold-Dots.

I would like to discuss the merits and potential drawbacks of the loads listed below. Let's try to keep this civil and not turn into Speer worship fest... Yes, I understand they are the benchmark, the standby, the proven load by which all others seem to be measured. With that in mind I think the other loadings stack up very nicely in comparison, so let's keep this discussion objective and fact based please. Also, I am aware of the potential safety issues with +P+ ammunition. I only carry Glocks with factory barrels so that is not an issue.


Of the loads listed below, which would (or do) you carry, and why?


Federal HST 9mm Luger 124 grain

Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1150 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 364 ft/lbs


Federal HST 9mm Luger 124 grain +P

Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1200 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 396 ft/lbs


Speer 9mm Luger 124 grain

Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1150 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 364 ft/lbs


Speer 9mm Luger 124 grain +P

Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1220 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 410 ft/lbs

Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 13.25"
Expansion: 0.614" average, 0.650" maximum
Retained Weight: 123.9 grains


Underwood 9mm Luger 124 grain +P

Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1225 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 413 ft/lbs


Underwood 9mm Luger 124 grain +P+

Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1300 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 465 ft/lbs

Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 13.25"
Expansion: 0.703" average, 0.726" maximum
Retained Weight: 123.6 grains


Federal HST 9mm Luger 147 grain

Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1000 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 326 ft/lbs

Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 13.25"
Expansion: 0.664" average, 0.667" maximum
Retained Weight: 147.9 grains


Federal HST 9mm Luger 147 grain +P

Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1050 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 360 ft/lbs

Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 11.25"
Expansion: 0.700" average, 0.713" maximum
Retained Weight: 148.4 grains


Speer 9mm Luger 147 grain

Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 985 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 317 ft/lbs

Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 14.25"
Expansion: 0.582" average, 0.587" maximum
Retained Weight: 146.0 grains


Underwood 9mm Luger 147 grain +P

Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1125 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 414 ft/lbs


Underwood 9mm Luger 147 grain +P+

Advertised Muzzle Velocity: 1175 fps
Advertised Muzzle Energy: 451 ft/lbs

Video Link: 4 Layer Denim Test (by tnoutdoors9)
Penetration: 12.75"
Expansion: 0.791" average, 0.814" maximum
Retained Weight: 145.4 grains

[vicious_cb]

Why choose some small ammo company with potentially dangerous pressures over 2 proven companies with LE contracts? I have carried both 147gr HST and 124gr +P and would not hesitate to carry either though I prefer the 147gr HST over the Gold Dot by a very small margin.

[PLCedeno]

Why choose some small ammo company with potentially dangerous pressures over 2 proven companies with LE contracts? I have carried both 147gr HST and 124gr +P and would not hesitate to carry either though I prefer the 147gr HST over the Gold Dot by a very small margin.

This. I will add that having fired both from Glock 26, 19 and 17 the HST is more manageable for me. There performance seems to be on par based on all of the data seen on M4C.

[bzdog]

Both HST and Gold Dot are on Dr. Roberts recommended list, so ether is fine. Personally I'd stick with the OEM brands and skip the boutique stuff. There is no real benefit at potential downsides.

I would (and have) be totally comfortable carrying either one although if I have my choice lean a bit towards 147gr HST.

-john

[ggammell]

If I remember correctly, the underwood in his tests seemed to recoil A LOT. Let's not forget shootability when selecting ammo.

[WickedWillis]

I carry Hornady critical duty 124 Gr. 9mm in all of my handguns.

[ggammell]

I carry Hornady critical duty 124 Gr. 9mm in all of my handguns.

Not one of his selections.

[diving dave]

My PD issues the 147 HST load, and we have had very good luck with it. One officer involved shooting had one round penetrate a car door, partially through the seat and into the bad guy, fatally.

[WickedWillis]

Not one of his selections.

I apologize I did not read the "ONLY off this list statement." The Speer 124gr +P is what I buy if there is no critical duty to purchase. I like it quite a bit, but for some reason it's more than Hornady here locally.

[ggammell]

My PD issues the 147 HST load, and we have had very good luck with it. One officer involved shooting had one round penetrate a car door, partially through the seat and into the bad guy, fatally.

Gel tests are great for what they are but these accounts are worth thier weight in gold. My 9mm choice is the 147 HST. Good luck finding any at the moment though. Various 147 grain loading a have been popping up with more and more frequency so pounce once you find it.