I do armed federal security contracting for the department of commerce. Your segment on the Federal HST is spot on. We carry and train with them regularly and reliability is 100%
Can't go wrong with either of those, but I would add the Hornady Critical Duty in barrels 4" + and critical defense in shorter barrels. Getting those 50rd LEO boxes of Critical Duty in +p 135gr is a good option.
If you are going to carry for self defense in 9MM you need to go with the 147 grain rounds. You recommend Gold Dot and Critical Defense in 115 grain rounds. Based on testing using cloth covered and other barriers by the FBI you want to go with the 147 grain versions. You got the Federal HST right, but missed on the Gold Dot (as a cop and now retired use both in the 147 version as my carry round.) The heavier weight more than makes up for the +P or +P+ velocities, does not stress your pistol as much, and allows for a lot more practice to insure you can actually hit your target with your carry ammo without undue wear and tear on the shooter and weapon. The lighter faster rounds can deflect off bones and such easier than the slower, but heavier rounds. This is the reason back in heavily wooded Pennsylvania a 30-30 was a better deer rifle than a .243 or other lighter and faster rounds. Tree limbs act like bones in deflecting rounds. The alternative to the Critical Defense is the Critical Duty round by the same folks in a 135 grain or heavier if available. This is approved by the FBI and works against plasterboard, windshields, heavy clothing, and other possible barriers between you and the target and like HST gives you good expansion on arrival in the attacker you face. The FBI may have been corrupted over the years, but they are still good at killing people, just ask Randy Weaver about his wife and her assault baby at Ruby Ridge. Never heard of the other 2 rounds and have not seen any test results or real world data. Color me an old foggie, but am not investing any of my money in light rounds I never heard of when my life might be in the balance. Sometimes bigger is better, like 230 grain .45 vs 185 grain .45. Used to carry Glock .45, but arthritis has now made me go to the 9MM as I can still do serious time on the range maintaining skills and still have functional meat hooks the next day. Check out Wilson Combat site, people way smarter and knowledgeable than me have had to submit to father time and downsize caliber due to physical changes that come with age. The only gun control needed is a steady sight picture and a smooth squeeze on the trigger. Train smart and shoot safe!
Ron I would like to add, that for short barrel deep concealed gun, 115 is better because the barrel is not long enough for a 147 to get up to speed thus very poor expansion. 4 inch and above right the 124, 147 gr are best bets. Think about a cannon ball trying to go,out of a short barrel vs a long barrel. Agreed, my go to gun is always a 45 acp but like you it’s a little hard on my hands. I still like the 40 SW. with my Glock 23 it was the most accurate gun right out of the box. :)
@@raympndlandareastapkp7616 get this information? Hmm I guess I have learned it by studying different videos and articles over the past 35 yrs. A 147 gr get you sued? I’m not sure what your talking about there. Please be little more specific if you can.
@@ronmarvicsin7709 is it considered lethal to carry 147gr? Because I heard a lot of case where the victims got sued by the family of the suspect and they will try anything to get you to look bad so they could win the case
IMHO, All of this U-Tube best ammo for self defense is all a lot of BS. The best ammo for this purpose is exactly what your local or state LEO's are using. Why do i say this ?, get drug into court and sorry as** prosecutor is going to try and prove overkill, wanting to kill, This is one really good reason to never use your reloads. Intent to kill can never be proven when using local or state endorsed ammo.
@@JC-zl4mq In the Trayvon Martin case the prosecutor used that tactic, Zimmerman used police ammo thus 'proving he was a vigilante out looking for trouble'. There's the case of Harrold Fish who shot someone in Oregon with a 10mm loaded with hollow points in self defense. The prosecution proclaimed that he used 'man killer bullets' and that 10mm was overkill because it was too powerful for law enforcement and federal agencies to use. He was convicted and spent years in prison. The verdict was eventually overturned, regardless it's generally accepted that the caliber and ammunition choice was a major factor in the jury's decision to find him guilty.
I stick with company's that only make ammo with one exception Winchester. If you go with federal, Hornady, speer, Winchester and you try different weights you will find one that shoots accurately and reliably. Then you will have the proper set up. Forget all the hype.
@@MB-jg4tr depends on the Caliber in my experience. Some way, some how the .380 does not have that issue...i have no idea why. I carry 40, 9, and .38 now but I gave my dad a bersa 380. He's a senior and a .380 8+1 seems to be his jive I think. Also bought him a Taurus 856 snubby and the Executive model. He switches between the 3. He likes the Critical Defense and Gold dots for his .38s.
No to the Remington and Magtech Federal HST 124 grain +P are probably all around the best when considering availability, price and performance. The 147 grain is good but more velocity with the 124 is the way to go imo Critical Defense isn’t bad but isn’t great. Terminal performance just isn’t there with the energy. Speer Gold Dot is an excellent choice. I would go with the +P+ in this load Potential better options are out there for barriers. Bonded soft points are great. Buffalo Bore and Underwood make excellent and extremely powerful rounds. The old classic Federal pble 115 +P+ is always a great choice and when available, is by far the best prices of all of them. The Remington and Magtech are nothing compared to this round.
Just for yous guys know. With the grading system the FBI came out with. Out of a 4-inch Barrel the 135 grain plus P critical duty is King. Out of a possible 500 its scored 435. And all other bullets fell well short just so you know the next closest bullet was 45 ACP 220 grain plus P critical duty and it's scored 240
Unfortunately they won't preform well with sub-compact barrel length. And most people don't carry full size pistols. HST 124g+p or Underwood Xtreme Defenders are my go to carry.
True. Hornady critical duty and defense is the best SD ammo out there aside from 2nd place being federal HST. Most people should know the difference tho, which is critical duty is for full size pistols like glock 17 etc. and the critical defense is specifically designed for small CCW pistols like p365 or glock 43. So make sure you get the right one. I’m sure if you mixed them up in a self defense situation, it probably wouldn’t matter and would still save your life but if you want the best and are extremely picky like myself then I’d go with those. And again, HST are a great choice too. Most police and FBI use horn dash critical duty or HST. And if those use them over anything else then there’s probably good reason why.
Did he mention that hollow points are being used in military? Correct me if I’m wrong but aren’t hollow points against the Geneva convention? Not allowed to be used?
MY favourite caliber for the last 29 years has been .40 S&W. I own the G23 4th Gen and the G22 5th Gen. But having said that I like my 9mm's as well. I also love my .45's in both ACP and GAP.
I prefer 124gr.+ P Gold Dot.Though it's old,It has a good street record. When I was on the job as a LE firearms instructor and ballistic tech I carried the round in my G19 duty gun as well in my G26 in a vest holster.. Now retired I carry in my G43 as does my wife in her G26...HST in 124gr. would be my second choice because it acts like a Gold Dot.. But in the end,shot placement counts.
I make my own bullets for my shield pluss from scratch with all the extras like yo granny’s biscuits. Then I go grizzly bear and great white shark hunting with it. In the same mf day!!! Jesus is the only way to the father!!!!!!!! THE ONLY WAY!!!!!!!
Have a new box of this Hornady but still have Federal 124 HST right now in that magazine/gun that is ready to go. Havent ever owned Speer but know their reputation is top notch.
WRONG......listen guys, stay clear of any Remington rounds. Anyone that has used these on game animals while hunting will see that Remington rounds fail to expand. We also have seen multiple fails on gel test with hand gun rounds. STAY WITH HORNAD......Best rounds on market !
Ja noszę Speer Gold Dot 124gr na codzień w H11, CZP10S, Beretta APX .. :) na razie jestem zadowolony, nie zacina się, mam nadzieje że na krótkich lufach grzybkuje... pozdro!
.... Nothing compares to barrier-blind projectiles that unlike all JHP rounds.... do [not] rely on expansion or deformation to create superior secondary and primary cavitation. Lehigh Defense Xtreme Defenders are in a class of their own. And they're untouchable in supersonic 357 Sig @ 2,200-2,280 fps at around 720-740 ft-lbs of muzzle energy out of a 4 25" barrel. ~
@@TerminalM193 ... Have you ever shot through a car door with a bonded HP into gelatin? How did that turn out? Bonded hollow points are designed to deform, while mitigating fragmentation- not to be barrier blind. In contrast however, XD's penetrate a myriad of barriers (including car doors and 3A body armor) and their channeling flutes STILL centrifugally impel the surrounding tissue outward. All of this is done without relying on deformation. There's really no comparison.
@@TERMINAL-BALLISTICS I actually have at a class with paramount tactical. The Speer gold dot did a phenomenal job when going through both car door and windshield glass. The other students used Hornady, hst and Barnes and those didn't do so well.
@@TerminalM193 Regardless of the make or model, an HP round relies exclusively on expansion to create a notable permanent wound cavity. The Xtreme Defenders do not [and they're of significantly higher impact velocity, thus eliciting greater trauma within the projectile wake region upon secondary cavitation].
Not a huge fan of 9mm , bought my first two in 22.... G48( replaced everything Glock, save for the slide, lower, and mags) and a g34( left it stock save for a serpico flat faced carry trigger.... Both these arms shoot extremely well using 124 gr, federal punch ammo. Only rounds I would trust my life to in 9mm! Would rather use 45auto with 185gr. Xtp s loaded at around 900 to 950 fps...that's my 45 auto carry rounds. The 124 gr punch in 9mm are devastating on cantaloupes and such, large wound channels and pieces blown out.
I am always curious and skeptical when someone offers me a "pro tip". What qualifications do you bring to the table to call your comments "PRO" tips? When I cant verify a persons experience or expertise I have many questions. Post some reason we should accept your "pro" tips as pro.
I would take Sig V-Crown or Underwood over Remington and Hornady just because of both cost and performance but that's just my opinion. HST is the best choice and we'll worth the price which should be your #1 go to.
I looked at Sig V Crown when it first came out. Bought a box of 45acp. Checked it out on RU-vid and then, it didn’t expand very well in tests. Now that was awhile ago maybe improved now!
Wondering if Hornady resumed the nickel-plated cases. It was to reduce production time in 2022 but I'm seeing Hornady ammo on shelves. Might be replacing my old favorite, HST. Doesn't run well in my new Hellcat.
I had about 30 failure to fires with armscor fmjs in a box not long ago. no light primer strikes either. I'll avoid that brand even for range ammo. Just not reliable. 30 out of a box of 50 is yucky.
As far as the jury is concerned, your ammo should be the same as the duty ammo used by your local police or sheriff. Anything else is a mark against you. Simple as that.
It really doesn't matter the ammo you use as long as it's legal in your state, and it's not some obscure "RIP MEGA DEATH HIGH DAMAGE" advertised type of ammo. Why do I say it doesn't matter? Well because regardless of what you pick, the prosecutor is going to use it against you. Same round as police? He's just a wannabe cop that fantasized about killing. Something police don't use? He's just a wannabe murderer picking to round that can kill the quickest. Pick hollow point? He just wants to kill as quick as possible with exploding hollow points. Pick full metal jacket? He wants to shred holes through the body so the victim bleeds out. Use a flint lock pistol? He's just a wannabe revolutionary that wants to kill people. No matter what you do, they're going to shit on you in a self defense case.
@@vanguard6937 Also depends on what state you live in, in my state the court system and law enforcement encourage people to arm themselves. But even then you can run the risk of some prosectuors who think people shouldn't defend themselves and just let the crime happen. That's why you get USCCA membership or any other company for CCW insurance; they'll supply you with a lawyer if SHTF
This topic is very polemic, and we've been hearing different analysis, some based on penetration, some based in big bores, some based on recoil and precision.... The reality is that nobody wants to be shot back, and when needed you must resolve that with a minimum number of shots.