[sioux565]

Hey folks. I've been carrying my G27 the past few months loaded with Hornady Critical Duty 180 gr ammo. I shot a box of it before I began carrying and all was well.

Lately, I've been thinking of switching to either 155 or 165 gr carry ammo. Can anyone convince me why this would be a good reason? If so, any recommendations as to what would be a good round to pick up?

[cowboy1964]

Gold Dots, Ranger-Ts, or HSTs. About half the price of Hornady.

I don't have a 27 but I think 155 or 165gr in that would be a handful to manage.

[dkf]

I would pick up a box of 155gr, 165gr and 180gr HST and go shoot them. Pick which one you like better. I would rather have the better penetration of the 165gr or 180gr loads vs the 155gr. There is not much velocity difference between 155gr and 165gr anyway. Most LE agencies who carry .40 seem to prefer the 165gr or 180gr offerings in .40 and IMO there is a reason for that.

[olympicmotors]

I carry Gold Dot 165 grain in my 27. Gold Dots are more street proven than Hornady according to Mas in the self defense ask the expert forum. I think he prefers Ranger Ts . The lighter grains in 40 are usually supersonic, where the 180 is subsonic.

[unit1069]

Originally Posted by sioux565

Hey folks. I've been carrying my G27 the past few months loaded with Hornady Critical Duty 180 gr ammo. I shot a box of it before I began carrying and all was well.

Lately, I've been thinking of switching to either 155 or 165 gr carry ammo. Can anyone convince me why this would be a good reason? If so, any recommendations as to what would be a good round to pick up?

It's a good thing to try out various premium JHP self-defense ammos. I have at least a dozen in my inventory that I've kept even after deciding on a few primary carry rounds.

Nobody but you can decide which is the best CCW round for your particular pistol and your shooting criteria so go for it, is what I say. As long as you stick with a quality round you won't go wrong and the good news is that because you've taken the time to test gun/ammo reliability if the time ever comes to defend yourself --- God forbid --- you'll be ready.

[Merkavaboy]

Hornady's FTX has no street creds. Dump it for something that has real street creds like Gold Dots, Golden Sabers, HST, etc.

[sioux565]

Thanks for all of the replies! I will most likely end up switching to Gold Dots. A local Farm and Fleet has some Winchester PDX1, so I might pick up a box of that too.

[firefighter4215]

Originally Posted by cowboy1964

I don't have a 27 but I think 155 or 165gr in that would be a handful to manage.

I ended up choosing 180 grain HSTs over 165 grain HSTs for that very reason. I shoot the 180's a little better due to less recoil.

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

[Kentguy]

Sioux565,

"Generally speaking" those lighter rounds are a bit more snappy and it's not like your 10mm needs any more of that! You have to be able to handle the round you wish to shoot. Now I know this is not a news flash to you but consider how easy is it with the 180g rounds to re-acquire your target shot and shot compared with a lighter round?

"I ended up choosing 180 grain HSTs over 165 grain HSTs for that very reason. I shoot the 180's a little better due to less recoil..." firefighter4215



This and cowboy1964's comments are right to the point. No offense to any other comments made here but it is your gun - in your hand - being shot with your experience not someone else's. Sometimes lighter is not always better.

Good luck and be safe.

[sioux565]

Originally Posted by Kentguy

Sioux565,

"Generally speaking" those lighter rounds are a bit more snappy and it's not like your 10mm needs any more of that! You have to be able to handle the round you wish to shoot. Now I know this is not a news flash to you but consider how easy is it with the 180g rounds to re-acquire your target shot and shot compared with a lighter round?

"I ended up choosing 180 grain HSTs over 165 grain HSTs for that very reason. I shoot the 180's a little better due to less recoil..." firefighter4215



This and cowboy1964's comments are right to the point. No offense to any other comments made here but it is your gun - in your hand - being shot with your experience not someone else's. Sometimes lighter is not always better.

Good luck and be safe.

I wish mine was 10mm! More like 40 S&W.

I've actually only shot 180 gr ammo through my G27. The range ammo I use is Blazer 180 gr. Next time I go to the range I'll have to get some 165 gr FMJ rounds to see what I think.

Anyone have experience with the Winchester PDX1 ammunition?

[packinaglock]

Originally Posted by sioux565

I wish mine was 10mm! More like 40 S&W.

I've actually only shot 180 gr ammo through my G27. The range ammo I use is Blazer 180 gr. Next time I go to the range I'll have to get some 165 gr FMJ rounds to see what I think.

Anyone have experience with the Winchester PDX1 ammunition?

Actually both are 10mm.

[Southswede]

I swear by the WW 180 grain Ranger SXT. I saved my life.

[robhic]

I like the Remington Golden Saber in 9mm 125gr BJHP +P and so do others. It is a good, proven round and they are quite inexpensive. Like $13 50 at SGAmmo.com.

I see no reason the same ammo in .40 flavor wouldn't do you proud, also.

[SCmasterblaster]

Originally Posted by dkf

I would pick up a box of 155gr, 165gr and 180gr HST and go shoot them. Pick which one you like better. I would rather have the better penetration of the 165gr or 180gr loads vs the 155gr. There is not much velocity difference between 155gr and 165gr anyway. Most LE agencies who carry .40 seem to prefer the 165gr or 180gr offerings in .40 and IMO there is a reason for that.

Good advice here. I would add that you may experience less muzzle rise with the 155gr load.

[unit1069]

Originally Posted by robhic

I like the Remington Golden Saber in 9mm 125gr BJHP +P and so do others.

I've always considered the Golden Saber 124-grain +P as having the best overall shooting characteristics of the 9mm ammos I've shot. But due to core/jacket separation questions I decided to go with a few other top quality JHP ammos for carry rounds.

I did pick up a couple of boxes of the 124-grain Golden Saber +P Bonded but I haven't yet had the opportunity to test them in my good 9mm pistol. I expect good things and if I'm correct I may be buying a goodly supply of the GS Bonded someday.

[NEOH212]

Originally Posted by cowboy1964

Gold Dots, Ranger-Ts, or HSTs. About half the price of Hornady.

I don't have a 27 but I think 155 or 165gr in that would be a handful to manage.

The lighter weight ammo isn't that bad in the G27. When I still carried my G27, I carried the 165 GD and I had no trouble what so ever with it. If a gal with little hands can handle it, a grown man can as well. (I think....)

I agree 100% on your ammo recommendations above. All good choices and I personally prefer the mid weight bullets at full power in .40 S&W. I.E.- a 165 grain bullet at 1,150+ fps from a 4" barrel, or a 155 grain bullet at 1,200+ fps from a 4" barrel. No powder puff ammo for me.

[NEOH212]

Originally Posted by firefighter4215

I ended up choosing 180 grain HSTs over 165 grain HSTs for that very reason. I shoot the 180's a little better due to less recoil.

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

The 180 grain HST is one of the few exceptions for me as far as .40 defensive ammo goes. It's a solid performer and has exceeded my expectations in all my testing.

Good stuff but I still prefer the lighter weight bullets for a shorter barrel.

In a full size gun, the 180 HST is a force to be reckoned with for sure.

[jph02]

I agree with the advice to try out the ammo you're considering to see what best suits you. I also agree with the recommendation to stay with a name brand. As for me, I carry Winchester Ranger T 165gr in my G22. I also use 165gr FMJ as my range ammo so there's little difference in my practice and SD/HD rounds, as far as how the gun handles goes.

[1canvas]

in my 27 I carry 180 HSTs and GD. although the 165s aren't bad the 180grn is a lIttle lighter recoil with top end performance. in my 23 I carry 165s.

[NEOH212]

Originally Posted by 1canvas

in my 27 I carry 180 HSTs and GD. although the 165s aren't bad the 180grn is a lIttle lighter recoil with top end performance. in my 23 I carry 165s.

I haven't had a chance to test the 180 HST from the G27 yet but from what I've seen it do from the 4" tube, I'd be willing to bet it will do pretty darn well from the shorter barrel too.

I'm going to have to test some out the next time I mix up some test media and see what it does. It may be the only 180 grain load on the market that I can honestly end up saying that I would be willing to use in any gun regardless of barrel length.

Now I just have to buy another box!

The test will tell.

[4949shooter]

The 165 grain Gold Dot in .40 (the ful power version) is HOT. This load chipped a piece of slide rail off my G27.

The 165 grain GD would be my choice of carry in a Glock 22 or 23, or a Sig. To carry in the G27 I would suggest a heavier recoil spring, perhaps a 19 or 20 pounder as compared to the stock 16 lb. spring.

[chasbo00]

Speer uses a 180 grain bullet for its .40 S&W short barrel load - probably a reason for the heavy for the caliber bullet selection.

http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics...x?loadNo=23974

This info might be worth a read for you too:

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_De..._FAQ/index.htm

[SCmasterblaster]

Originally Posted by chasbo00

Speer uses a 180 grain bullet for its .40 S&W short barrel load - probably a reason for the heavy for the caliber bullet selection.

http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics...x?loadNo=23974

This info might be worth a read for you too:

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_De..._FAQ/index.htm

Very nice links!

[sioux565]

Thanks for all of the information and recommendations so far! I am confident in the Hornady CD 175 gr rounds that I am carrying right now, but I will still test some of the others listed above.

[collim1]

Nothing wrong with your carry load at all. I prefer the 180g in .40