[papershoot]

I try to stick with one of the loads from this list for personal defense, or something close to it.

9mm

• Barnes XPB 115gr HP (35515) such as loaded by Cor-Bon (DPX09115)
• Winchester Partition Gold 124gr JHP (RA91P)
• Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
• Winchester Ranger Bonded 124 gr +P JHP (RA9BA)
• Winchester Ranger-T 127gr JHP +P+ (RA9TA)
• Winchester Ranger-T 147gr JHP (RA9T)
• Winchester Bonded 147gr JHP (RA9B/Q4364)
• Speer Gold Dor 124gr JHP
• Speer Gold Dot 124gr JHP +P (53617)
• Speer Gold Dot 147gr JHP (53619)
• Remington Golden Saber 124 gr +P JHP bonded (GSB9MMD)
• Remington Golden Saber 147gr JHP (GS9MMC)
• Federal Tactical 124gr JHP (LE9T1)
• Federal Tactical 135gr JHP +P (LE9T5)
• Federal HST 147gr JHP (P9HST2)
• Federal HST 124gr JHP +P (P9HST3)

You might notice that the list does NOT include any lightweight bullets with the exception of the Barnes 115gr version. The reason - especially if you've read the beginning of this article - should be clear already, but Doctor Roberts sums it up nicely as well: "With the exception of the Barnes 115 gr XPB all copper projectile, in general, most 9 mm 115 gr loads have demonstrated greater inconsistency, insufficient penetration, poor intermediate barrier capability, and failure to expand in denim testing than other 9mm bullets. For those individuals wanting to use lighter weight, supersonic 9 mm’s, I think a better alternative than the vast majority of 115 gr loads is to use the slightly heavier 124 to 127 gr bullets or the Barnes 115 gr all copper bullet"
Note that the FBI has decided to switch back to 9mm for its service duty ammunition. For a justification by the FBI, please read the following document.

Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo

 

[borisglockunov]

I don't think you can go wrong with the Doc Roberts acceptable 9mm list. The only quibble I might have is his exclusion of 115 gr Speer Gold Dot. I have not seen a test where it was materially different from the 124 standard pressure Gold Dot or even the 124+p which most users rave about. I use the 115 in my 43X and confidently so.

 

[Valmet]

I’ve been ccw’ing them in my Glock 43…available, affordable, effective and I shoot them well.

 

[johns961]

I do not think the 9mm Silvertip is a bad round. I just think there are better choices.
These days I have standardize on 124 grain standard pressure HST's or Gold Dots based on price and availability.
But, if all I had was 9mm Silvertips I would use them, again without hesitation. And worry about more important things like lunch.

John

 

[ThatMontanaGuy]

I haven’t seen a box of those in a long time. I didn’t think they were still made.

They are. We carry them in my store.

 

[johns961]

There are many people that sell them/ They can be found on Ammo Seek. But, they generally cost more then Gold Dots or HST's for some reason.
SG Ammo has the 9mm Silvertips for $25.95 for a box of 50. That's a good price.

John.

 

[ThatMontanaGuy]

There are many people that sell them/ They can be found on Ammo Seek. But, they generally cost more then Gold Dots or HST's for some reason.

And that’s why I’m not interested in them. I’m a real Scrooge, always trying to save a buck. That’s why I carry Federal Punch.

 

[johns961]

And that’s why I’m not interested in them. I’m a real Scrooge, always trying to save a buck. That’s why I carry Federal Punch.

Well. If I had to choose between Punch and Silver Tips, I would choose Punch everytime. But, Punch to the best of my knowledge is only sold in 20 round boxes. So I would buy HST's anyway.

John

 

[ThatMontanaGuy]

But, Punch to the best of my knowledge is only sold in 20 round boxes. So I would buy HST's anyway.

My question would be, who cares? A box of twenty is plenty enough to fill a magazine, for the majority of guns that people actually carry it could probably fill a couple magazines. Besides, it’s so much more affordable that you could buy two regular sized boxes of Punch and still spend less than a big box of the HST.🤦🏼‍♂️

 

[Alex Smith]

115 Silvertip the 9mm bullet that gave rise to 10mm and 40.

The newer version is upgraded. I saw a video of the 80s version compared to a newly manufactured box and it was night and day.

Wouldn’t be my first choice, but if that’s all I had, I would feel just fine.

 

[rayzer007]

They wouldn't be my first choice - but if that's all I can get (which recently was the case) - I'll make them work.

 

[40/45]

The only Silvertips I have and would carry are the 145gr .357’s.

 

[TheWessidePoleBlassum]

I haven’t seen a box of those in a long time. I didn’t think they were still made.

Yep still made and quite Pricey at around $23 a box

 

[P220_.45]

These are the only Silver tips that I have. I'm sure that they would work well.

 

[fastbolt]

These are the only Silver tips that I have. I'm sure that they would work well. View attachment 1230150

As long as they stabilize and shoot to POA in your .44SPL.

It's been too many years to remember when it was learned Winchester made a revision to that bullet to help address some reported complaints of accuracy in shorter barrels (like the early CA 3" Bulldogs). I can't remember if it was when the STHP had the smoothed nose cavity edge, or the notched one (like in your pick).

I never had any issues using the .45ACP STHP in those days, except for the way the soft aluminum jackets would collapse when feeding in some pistols.

 

[P220_.45]

As long as they stabilize and shoot to POA in your .44SPL.

It's been too many years to remember when it was learned Winchester made a revision to that bullet to help address some reported complaints of accuracy in shorter barrels (like the early CA 3" Bulldogs). I can't remember if it was when the STHP had the smoothed nose cavity edge, or the notched one (like in your pick).

I never had any issues using the .45ACP STHP in those days, except for the way the soft aluminum jackets would collapse when feeding in some pistols.

I used to carry them in a custom 629 that was cut to 5", and had action work by John French, who used to head the S&W performance center.

 

[fastbolt]

I used to carry them in a custom 629 that was cut to 5", and had action work by John French, who used to head the S&W performance center.

Nice. If you have a S&W that was worked on by John or Vito, it's going to become an enviable collector piece. That experiential knowledge and level of skill walked out the front door some time ago.

 

[johns961]

The only Silvertips I have and would carry are the 145gr .357’s.

I have a couple boxes of those in my stash. Good stuff !

 

[fastbolt]

I have a couple boxes of those in my stash. Good stuff !

The only STHP I have remaining in my stash are a box of (old) .45ACP, .45Colt, .44MAG, .40 S&W, .357MAG, .380ACP and some .38SPL. Hmmm, guess that's a little more when I put it like that. The only ones I've carried in recent years have been the .357MAG, .40 & .38SPL.

 

[bad shot 2]

Back in the 70s and early 80s it was considered one of the best. But technology has gotten much better and like one of the other posters said. it’s outdated. if you’re looking for something in 115 grain the Speer gold 115 Seems to be a good performer in ballistic gel. check out Tnoutdoors on youtube. The lighter loads seem to work good in short barrels because of the velocity loss.