Barrel length doesn't really affect accuracy. Short sight radius probably plays a more important role. I can't think of a single manufacturer or firearm that can't handle standard pressure loads.

 

Sorry, I probably didn’t make my self clear on the question. I’m looking for a good defensive cartridge that performs well on a short barrel for carry. I was thinking Hornady critical defense. I fully understand the issues with small guns and accuracy. If I could hide it, I’d carry my duty weapon, but I’m not a big enough guy to hid it in summer. Hell, I carry my 1911 in winter.

 

I would recommend Critical duty over critical defense. its supposedly Plus+P but recoils is milder than most Plus+P ammo even in a lightweight Keltec PF9. The fact that it uses a 135 grain bullet might have something to do with the reduction in felt recoil since in Some calibers heavier bullets seem to recoil less tha lighter faster bullets. This is true of 147 grain 9mm vs 124 or 115 gran and in 40S&W 180 grain vs 135 or 165 grain.

However this is not true in a lightweight 44 special Charter Arms bulldog where 180 grain and 200 grain recoil LESS than 240 grain and also with 45 ACP when the 185 grainers seem to recoil less than the 230 grain bullets.

Here's three different Gel tests with Critical duty out of short barrels, one that is Plus+P, and the other with non-Plus+P and one with Plus P out of a 4 inch barrel. all these videos have ads but there's a "skip Ads" option in the lower right hand corner.

 

I use Underwood with monolithic projects.

9mm Luger 90gr. Xtreme Defender Solid Monolithic Self Defense Ammo

Underwood Ammo offers the most comprehensive and innovative Lehigh Defense™ Supersonic Lead Free Handgun Ammo for personal defense & hunting. Shop now 9mm Luger Copper ammo with Solid Monolithic.

underwoodammo.com

 

Have you seen it tested? I have an it didn't perform very well. Imo, its an overpriced gimmick.

 

I like 147grain hst for all my 9mm needs.

 

That would be a poor choice, especially after the design change.

 

They make 9mm SD rounds that are designed for short barrels.

Here's one and it's hard to beat this name.

 

They make 9mm SD rounds that are designed for short barrels.

Here's one and it's hard to beat this name.
View attachment 1220532

This is what I carry in anything shorter than my G19.

 

It’s not the barrel and ammo, it’s that the smaller guns get, the harder it is to easily shoot well without substantial practice. Quality small guns, whether pocket pistols or subcompacts, can be shot accurately, but it takes more practice usually.

 

Agreed. My S&W 36, 2" was a real pain to shoot with the short coupled fixed sights. When I put a Crimson Trace laser on it, it became a tack driver and I use it for target shooting ! ... 😁

 

Thanks. That’s the kind of thing I was looking for. I’m looking for something that functions and can expand at the lower velocities.

They make 9mm SD rounds that are designed for short barrels.

Here's one and it's hard to beat this name.
View attachment 1220532

 

I would use that Gold Dot or HST 124 +P. In fact those are the two loads I use for carry in my 3” 365X.

 

Your barrel is 3.1" thereabouts? If so, it's similar to a P365 for which there are several ballistics test videos.

The short answer is that I chose Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P for the P365. My hillbilly expansion tests on both standard and +P pushed me (very slightly) that direction and there wasn't any big difference in recoil that I could notice. However, I'd also be perfectly ok with the standard pressure Gold dots. The same goes for HSTs, standard or +P.

As my daughter always says to me, "Dad, it's not that deep" (it's not such a big deal). So, you really don't need to be buying any specialized ammo, and you can confirm your choice by shooting into some water jugs and see how it expands.

Below are some videos of a guy who likes to do some hillbilly tests with short barrel pistols.

 

As my daughter always says to me, "Dad, it's not that deep"

 

I carry standard pressure 124 Gr HSTs in my micro 9s.
They seem to be highly regarded universally and almost all the gel tests show performance within FBI standards.

 

+1 on short barrel Gold Dots.

 

another +1 on Gold Dots, Sig also has a V Crown 365 for short barrels.

 

old test but interesting

Sent from my iPhone using Glock Talk mobile app

 

I am a 124gr+p guy for my G26. JHP can be finicky so getting as much vel as possible seems prudent. If I get a 365, it will likely carry the same ammo, if it runs with my choice, currently HST.

 

I carry standard pressure Federal HST and it performs well. Speer Gol Dot is another brand you should consider, as mentioned above.

 

 

i have the old standard non +p 147hst and use in my gen 3 g17. If it passes reliabilty testing in my g43 i plan on using it for my carry load View attachment 1220698


Sent from my iPhone using Glock Talk mobile app

That's what I carry in my P365. Don't think you can go wrong with 124 or 147 grainers in either HST or Gold Dots. All those rounds have proven records on the street at this point.

 

I carry the G26 with 147 grain Gold Dot.

Shop products in Gold Dot today | Speer Ammunition

Speer Ammo

www.speer.com

 

This was a lengthy topic over at pistol-forum too. Consensus seems to be "stick with your regular choice" and the usual refrain of "the one that shoots well in YOUR gun" (not the youtube guy's gun necessarily). Same products were discussed; Hornady CD (and CD); HSTs of every weight; Gold Dots; and others.

The 'easy' way is to try some of what you already have and if it groups well, great. Only go hunting for your personal ammo quest if that doesn't pan out, IMO.

 

Federal HST Micro is what I got. Seems pretty good.

 

I have a 43X w/ 15 round mags and a Shadow Systems CR920 as my carry guns. Critical Duty and 124 HST's are what I carry. Full confidence in both of these. Other rounds like Gold Dot and Ranger are also pretty damn good.

 

at least you found a way to make 9mm even more impotent!

 

So I picked up a Kimber Micro 9 for EDC when I need something easier to hide. Shoots fine, no problems, no malfunctions but it’s not the most accurate thing past 7-10 yards and I don’t expect it to be. What’s everyone’s thought on standard pressure ammo in these little guns.

😇

 

I use pre change HST 147 +P in my smallest 9mm, a Kahr PM9. Happy with that.

Given the +P 147 gr HST is no longer made, when I run out of those I will switch to Rem Golden Saber 124 +P or Win 147 Ranger T for that gun.

 

I carry the same ammo in my Sig P365 that I carry in my longer barrel 9mms, Speer standard pressure 124 grain Gold Dots. I realize that a lot of people fixate on expansion in gelatin, but I focus more on adequate penetration in a barrier scenario, and this ammo works fine through the barriers I have shot them through. Don’t settle for ammo that won’t get through the same barriers you might face on the job, because you can’t predict your gunfight. Most YouTube tests focus on the easy stuff.

 

Yea, ok, I get it. I have a P228 and a Kimber 1911. I have never had issues with either. I know some don’t like Kimber. I looked at both the Sig 928 and the Kimber 9. I liked the Kimbers larger beaver tail, I have a wide palm with short fingers. So far I have put 115FMJ and 124 HP. +Ps through it without a problem.
So as far as carry ammo, I’m thinking Federal Performance 124 HST. Looks like a solid round in a short gun. I do want to stay away from +P in this one. At work we are issued Winchester Ranger, 124 +P for a 9, and 180 if you carry a 40. I’m still carrying my Gen 3 22. I qualified with my new G45 last time around, the best Glock ever, but due to budget cuts I still have last years ammo so I’m still carrying the 22. As soon as I get issued 9mm I will be carrying the 45.

😇