I have run approximately 150-200 rounds each of 124 gold dot, 124 and 147 hst, and 135 critical duty (all standard pressure) through my 43X. All ran fine with zero malfunctions. I settled on the critical duty for now. It seemed to shoot the softest and was accurate as well. I think any of the above are solid choices but I would recommend testing each in your pistol if you’re able to. Also, I only used OEM Glock mags so I don’t know if your results would differ with the Shield mags.

 

Thanks JarHead80,

I'm going to test both pistols with S&B 147gr FMJ to start and go from there. I may try the HST 124gr +p next and if the recoil is OK, try some 147gr +p.

 

Federal HST 124 grn +P is the bee's knees.

 

Thanks 3fan,

I've always liked HST, just tend to add a + or two to the mix.

Does "3" stand for Dale Sr? If so, he was my favorite also. I changed over to him after Davey Alison died. As a Texaco employee I was always so proud of his ability to disparage the skill level and family tree of drivers he was unhappy with in "G" rated language, whereas Dale just wrecked them.

 

Critical defense or Duty for my 43x, according to availabilty. Only Glock mags for me.

 

Thanks KurtH,

I've never tried the Critical Defense or Duty, but I have heard good things about them.

 

Never had an issue with 147gr FMJ-FP’s or JHP’s out of a 48.

 

Thanks K1500,

I'm a big fan of 147gr myself, there's nothing wrong with carrying a big load. That's why I love my '66 C30 so much.

 

I carried Hornady XTP 124 grain in my 48 and never had any function issues.

 

Thanks Dave,

I carry Hornady XTP 180 grain 10mm in my double stack 1911 on the days my 71 year old body feels able

 

124+p Gold Dots in mine, same for every other 9mm I carry. Your HST is a great choice and will serve well. Excellent ammo.

 

Thanks warbow150,

Your Gold Dots are excellent also. I carry 180 grain Gold Dots in my G22.5/G23.5 and use 180 grain Lawman FMJ for practice.

 

I’ve put lots of Federal 9BPLE (115-gr+P+) thru my G43 and never had any issues so I wouldn’t be overly worried as far as pressures go.

 

Thanks Valmet,

I'll keep that in mind, in a gun as light as the 43X/48 my 71 year old hands may not be up to the task of +P+...

 

When it comes to off the shelf carry ammo, the ones that expand the best especially in 9mm are Federal HST, Gold Dots, and Winchester Ranger.
I carry 147 grain plus P HSTs in my 9mm, and Winchester Ranger in my 40.

I have had zero feeding issues with any of the three mentioned above.

 

Frequently carry either a 43 or 48. Use the same ammo as I do in my 19. First choice Hornady Critical Duty 135gr, second choice Speer GD 124+P, third choice Federal HST 124+P.

 

Thanks AF-Odin,

I've never tried Hornady Critical Duty, I'm going to spend some time and look it over.

 

I have a 43x dedicated to S15s and a 48 with the OEM catch. The 48 uses both OEM mags and two PSA micro dagger mags. No issues with HST 147gr or Gold Dot 124gr with either pistol.

I don’t really see the need for +P loads for me. The tests I’ve seen from HST 147gr shows them expanding nicely with good penetration. I’m concerned that the +P might be more difficult to control on follow up shots. So that’s what I’m going with now.

Getting back to the S15s gens 1, 2 & 3… I’ve shot all kinds of ammo;Freedom reman’s, Magtech, S&B 115 & 124, Blazer, (fmj’s), HST, Gold Dot (JHP) and zero issues at all after installing the SA standard mag catch. My 43x eats everything.

 

Thanks vindibona1,

If, in testing the Shield mags prove to be problematic, I'll try the PSA mags. If I can't load 15 rounds dependably, I would rather carry my TAC Ultra 10mm Commander size 1911 or my double stack TAC Ultra 9mm Commander size 1911.

 

HST 147s, and Federal AE9FP for the range.

 

Thanks Vigilant,

Add another vote for HST 147gr.

 

I load all my 9mm pistols with 147gr HST.

Chronographed velocity from my G43 and G48 is 960 fps, which is superb given that federal specifies 1000 fps for this load.

The bonded jacket of Speer Gold Dot bullets is incredibly tough, but can inhibit expansion, even with 124gr +P, when heavy clothing is encountered.

 

I've done a little research on both options, and I'm not comfortable betting my life on either one for the time being.

 

I have 124 gr. Critical Defense in mine at the moment, standard pressure.
It's a Glock, I feed it whatever quality JHP I can find on sale. OEM mags for me, I can't get in to running the aftermarket ones.

 

if you are going to use shield arms mags test your ammo my 43x and 48 with oem mags will eat anything i had 5 shield mags neither gun would feed 124 + hst or + p gold dots just very would feed 147 hst only thing it feed 100 % with them was fmj gave them to a friend of mind

 

Have you figured out why? Did you contact Shield Arms to try to work through the issues?

 

I am currently running my 43X with Gold Dot 115 gr. The testing I have seen with it indicates expansion and penetration at least as good as the 124 gr. And it shoots very similar to the 115 gr Blazer Brass I practice with.

 

My G48 is filled with Federal P9HST1.

 

I've always used HST 147 but the department that I'm with uses Speer Gold Dot +P124 so I carry that same ammo in my edc now. But there is nothing wrong with HST at all!

 

I carry Critical Duty or HST 124's with SA magazines in my 43X. HST's are solid performers that you can't go wrong with as long as your gun shoots em reliably. Make sure to vet the magazines as there are plenty of us that have had excellent results and just as many that have had serious reliability issues with them. Test, test, and test again before putting them into SD role. Good luck!

 

The federal HST in 9mm are all great choices. The 124gr +P is a top performing round. Same for their standard pressure 124gr and 147gr ones too. Understand is also great ammo they use the speer gold dot bullet which I'm sure you know is also a great round.

I'll be ordering some HST's in 357 Sig here shortly myself. With today's ammo it comes down too what you and your gun shoot best. Let us know how the testing goes. I carried the +P 124gr ammo in my Kahr PM9 when I had it and never felt like it wouldn't do just fine. Nice two Glocks you have there too.😎👍👍

 

Hornady critical defense in my 43x have shot around 300-400 rds of it between a 43 i had and my current 43x, not one problem

 

Hold my beer. I've shot 147 HST plus p which they don't make any more and 127 plus p plus ranger no problem through a old 43

 

What ever loads you all choose, make sure A the guns broken in. 500 rounds of normal practice ammo. With no mishaps. B 200 rounds trouble free of 1 load of hollowpoint. Thats per Maas Ayoob. He stated that years ago. He is in the know.

 

I have been carrying HST 124gr +P in my EDC G43. When it was very difficult to get the ammo, I carried Underwood 124gr JHP +P, which worked 100% reliably in my G43s and shot very tight groups. I do not carry my G48 or "G43X" (i.e., combination of the G48 lower and the G43 upper); but if I ever do, they are the two JHP ammo that I would carry in those guns, as well.

I have recently bought some Underwood 147gr JHP +P ammo to try out in my new Ruger PC Carbine. I think I will also try it out in my Slimline Glocks...

 

There are many good 9mm rounds but I am good with 124+P in HST or Gold Dot.