Recommendation on 9mm short barrel(3.5") self defense ammo

[outnumbered]

I recently entered the arena of 9mm, and am looking for recommendations for self defense ammo for a 3.5" barrel(S&W M&P 9c). With so many flavors on the market, bullet weight and construction, my google-fu has left my head spinning. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[t-squared]

Here's a fairly recent thread with a bunch of good links that might help your decision....https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/ammunition-reloading/403943-federal-hst-9mm.html

 

[EricG]

There was a study done on this particular topic. By the numbers,there really isnt a significant drop when going from a 4" barrel to a 3.5" barrel with several different brands, bullet weights and bullet design(fmj & HP).

I have it written down in my notes but Im not home right now.

Federal HST's
PDX1's
Speer GD's
In 124-147 gr, +P if you like but I carry standard pressure 147 gr PDX1's in my M&P compact.

 

[pudly]

Here's a fairly recent thread with a bunch of good links that might help your decision....https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/ammunition-reloading/403943-federal-hst-9mm.html

That thread is very good, but it really boils down to the following two links:

Youtube: Ammo Quest 9mm- excellent series showing the results of testing various 9mm from a 3" barrel

Lucky Gunner 9mm Ballistic Testing- be sure to click around in the graph for additional details

I'm also an HST guy, though there are other good brands out there.

 

[dsol]

Personally I love the 125 grain +P CorBon, flat out nasty stuff. Would hate to be on the other end of anything spitting those out.

 

[MCgrease08]

Here is a video with ballistics testing of new ammo designed for smaller guns vs. some of the tried and true rounds.

[video=youtube_share;zYTd1lNx_TQ]http://youtu.be/zYTd1lNx_TQ[/video]

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Per DocGKR (Google him if you don't know who he is) current duty loads work about the same from barrels 3.5 to 5" long.

As of 6/1/16 his list for 9mm is:

9 mm:
Barnes XPB 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Federal HST 124 gr +P JHP (P9HST3)
Remington Golden Saber bonded 124 gr +P JHP (GSB9MMD)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester 124 gr +P bonded JHP (RA9BA)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr +P PT
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Speer G2 147 gr PT
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)

 

[derrickgoins]

I use Federal HST 147gr standard pressure in my M&P compact. I used to use Speer 124gr standard pressure. Both loads have functioned well for me.

 

[cosermann]

In addition to the list shared by BBI [1], I've been really pleased with the recent short barreled tests I've seen of the 124gr Federal HST (standrd pressure). [2]

[1] - https://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/

[2] - https://youtu.be/-lGqdMdbir0c

 

[hunt4fun]

Another vote for Speer Gold Dots in 124 grain. At the time I started using them, the NYC police department was using them.