Glock Talk banner

9mm Gold Dot 115 Grain, any good?

26K views 58 replies 38 participants last post by  fortyofforty 
#1 ·
From a 4" barrel is this round powerfull enough for self defense? is there a +P and or a +P+? are those more appropriate from this barrel length?

Just went from 45 ACP to 9mm so my power expectations are high but reasonable.

The standard pressure and the light weight make me question its effectiveness.
 
#27 · (Edited)
Patently inaccurate.

The Federal 9BPLE is one of the most celebrated defensive rounds in law enforcement. Illinois State Police used it for decades with great success (insert Borat picture here -->), and the Border Patrol used it for years as well. The CorBon 115gr +P at 1350fps was another fantastic round that has been used for years without issue for SD.

I still don't get the point of a 147gr 9mm. THAT round was developed for use in SMGs and silenced weapons. It's never performed like the 124+P loadings either. Not that I'm looking to get clipped with one, but rounds typically perform the best in the weight and loading they were originally designed around. For a 9mm that's 115gr-124gr at what today would be considered +P velocities, and why .45s work best with 230gr loads.
I am not talking +P or +P+ loads. I thought we were talking standard pressure loadings. In that case, all of the research and data I have read over the years has led me to believe that the 115gr JHP 9mm round (NOT +P) is not typically a great performer.

Modern +P loads (and improved bullet technology) have changed a lot of things and the 9mm of today is much better than the 9mm of years ago.
 
#28 ·
Try looking at the Lucky Gunner website. They did a 5 round average with many different rounds and posted the results. Looking at many modern composite frame guns most do not recommend using +P and void warranties using +P+. As far as effectiveness for stopping power, there are many different arguments for and against higher powered rounds. I carry the Speer Gold dots in my CCW simply because I worry less about over penetration. God forbid you shoot someone and an innocent bystander behind that person gets a bullet because of a through and through. Other than that they expand better than any other non +P round in a 115gr. Lucky gunner measured a full 0.55" expansion and they held up together better than others. Let's also remember that the 115gr bullets are a higher velocity than the heavier projectiles which can have differing effects on the wound cavity expansion itself. I watched many YouTube videos showing a larger wound expansion of a 9mm JHP than even a .45 cal. bullet. that means more soft tissue damage.
I have always been told shot placement and number of rounds fired are usually the deciding factor.
But you decide.
 
#31 ·
Well, doesn't that just complicate everything? I really like Speer Gold Dots, and carry them almost exclusively--in various calibers--but hadn't considered that lightweight bullet. Penetrated deeper, in his tests, than the 124 +P. So much for added velocity leading to deeper penetration.
 
#41 ·
Penetration in ballistics gel is one thing. Your heavier bullets will perform better when striking bone. Heavier bullets are more likely to shatter or punch through the bone rather than deflect off.

In the video, the reason the round got so much penetration is because the petals folded back pretty much flat, so there wasn't much frontal area to slow the bullet.
 
#42 ·
Penetration in ballistics gel is one thing. Your heavier bullets will perform better when striking bone. Heavier bullets are more likely to shatter or punch through the bone rather than deflect off.

In the video, the reason the round got so much penetration is because the petals folded back pretty much flat, so there wasn't much frontal area to slow the bullet.
What I've often seen (especially from high velocity rounds like .357 SIG and .357 Magnum) is that the bullet turns sideways and slips through the media like a Frisbee, with a relatively narrow frontal area. You can see it in photographs of recovered bullets that show one side's petals folded against the "stump" with petals on the opposite side sticking out. Again, bullet design is vitally important to terminal performance.
 
#36 ·
I prefer Federal HST in 124gr and +P 124gr, if I can find them. If they are not available when I want to place an order, I generally go with Speer Gold Dots in 124gr or +P 124gr. From my G43 (shorter than 4") there is about 40fps difference in regular and +P velocities in the above.

SGAmmo.com is the best source I have found for any of the above.
 
#39 ·
Why did you drop .45?

If power was really important you could have gone to .40 S&W
or .357 SIG without having to resort to +P, +P+, +P++.......

All the Best,
D. White
 
#44 ·
Newbie here but have recently been fully committed to finding the "perfect" (at least for me, as obviously everyone has their own likes and needs) round for my G43. Over the past 6 weeks, I've shot Remington Golden Saber 124g BJHP (non-bonded and come in the limited edition white box with "Law Enforcement" on the box), Remington Golden Saber 124g +P, Barnes Tac XPD 115g +P (awesome looking all silver ammo), Hornady Critical Defense 115g FTX (brown and red box) and Hornady Critical Duty 135 +P FlexLock/Bonded (silver and red box). Judging simply from range target hits, both Remington Golden Sabers (124g AND 124g +P) fired perfectly and would've easily stopped any reasonable threat after 1 well placed shot. Got essentially the same results with the Barnes TAC XPD 115g +P AS WELL AS the Hornady Critical DEFENSE rounds with 115g FTX. However, the heavier Hornady Critical Duty round left me with a misfire (the ONLY misfire I've had in either of my 2 43's) and the final 7th round (I have a Pearce +1 ext on all mags) was left in the magazine after the 43 suddenly locked itself after the 6th shot. I loaded another magazine with the same rounds and although all fired, the cycling just didn't feel right and I can only conclude it was due to the heavier weighted ammo as I have never fired anything above 124g in the 43. With all this in mind, I've stayed with the Remington 124 +P Golden Sabers as my SDA along with the Hornady Critical DEFENSE rounds. I'd also have no concerns using the Barnes as my SDA, and based my final decisions on both the above stated range outcomes and the rating scores for each per AmmoUSeek. Ratings for the Rem GS 124g +p is 4.9 out of 5, Hornady Critical DEFENSE 4.7 out of 5 and Barnes at 4.3 out of 5. The Critical DUTY is rated at 4.7, however due to the heavier weight and questionable feeding in the short barrel of the G43 I eliminated all grains above 124 for my SDA. I apologize about the long post, however I wanted to be very precise and ensure I communicated all the factors involved in my own SDA selection. I will be testing both Speer and Federal in the upcoming weeks due to both having such high ratings and both being highly suggested (along with Winchester's PDX1 Defender 124g +P). FYI, I practice ONLY with Remington 115g FMJ green box or Winchester 115g FMJ white box ammo. Hope this might help with this VERY hot topic and all of us trying to find THE ONE SDA round for our 9's!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
 
#46 ·
I apologize about the long post, however I wanted to be very precise and ensure I communicated all the factors involved in my own SDA selection.
Good post, but breaking it into paragraphs would make it easier to read.

Looking forward to your next updates, and maybe some Gold Dot tests too.
 
#49 ·
Is this round powerful enough for self defense? The answer is yes. There are plenty of people in cemeteries who were killed with a 22 caliber firearm. Remember, it's all about location, location, location.
 
#54 ·
I think you're right on track with sticking to the Remington GS +P. It has always been a consistent round in all my 9mm pistols, although I currently prefer HST.

If I didn't have the Federal I won't lose any sleep relying on the Golden Saber.
Thanks so much for the feedback Unit! This is going to sound pretty ignorant, but what are the HST's being mentioned so much? I'm in Memphis, TN and don't recall seeing these or any of the lgs mentioning these rounds for SD??


TeagueTigers11
Team Glock-Memphis

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
#55 ·
I think you're right on track with sticking to the Remington GS +P. It has always been a consistent round in all my 9mm pistols, although I currently prefer HST.

If I didn't have the Federal I won't lose any sleep relying on the Golden Saber.
We do have some of the Federal ammo around town, however HST I'm simply not familiar with.


TeagueTigers11
Team Glock-Memphis

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
#56 ·
I think you're right on track with sticking to the Remington GS +P. It has always been a consistent round in all my 9mm pistols, although I currently prefer HST.

If I didn't have the Federal I won't lose any sleep relying on the Golden Saber.
HST? Hydroshocks maybe?


TeagueTigers11
Team Glock-Memphis

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
#58 ·
The HST from Federal was until recently one of those "LE Only" loads. They tend to perform very well in all weights and calibers offered. Video tests of them abound on YouTube. Readily available on Gunbroker and various ammo suppliers. Generally rated as one of the best loads on the market. I carry them in 147 9mm standard pressure. Just a word as to the standard/+p/+p+ discussion. With some exceptions standard pressure loads penetrate well but with less expansion. +p generally increases expansion sometimes to the detriment of penetration and +p+ even more so. This not always the case so best advice I can recommend is to investigate gather information and make an informed decision and stick with it and beware of the "experts". They're fairly easy to spot. Just remember three main things: 100% reliability, penetration and expansion in ratio you're willing to accept. Oops forgot one. Acceptable accuracy from your pistol and you can control it.
 
#59 ·
One other consideration. You might want to find out what ammunition is being used by some departments around you. Should you ever have to fire your weapon in self-defense, it would help explain your choice to an aggressive attorney. It's easier to justify in court, should you have an overpenetration or other mishap.

Not something to lose any sleep over, just one more factor in the mix. One more vote for Speer Gold Dots, in standard pressure 147 grain or 124 grain +P.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top