Best 9mm Carry Ammo 

Ever since the dawn of the pistol, we’ve always sought to optimize the projectiles we shoot at those who are threatening us. Throughout history, we’ve seen the simple round ball shot evolve into all sorts of shapes, and eventually into the sleek, high ballistic coefficient, and complex expanding bullet designs meant for the greatest terminal effect out of the shortest barrels. With such a long history of developing ammunition, humanity has a long laundry list of even just 9mm cartridges that many people would consider carrying for self-defense. How do you sort through all of that? Today I’m going to give you what I and a lot of the TFB staff agree are the best available 9mm carry ammo.

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Factors to Consider When Choosing 9mm Carry Ammo

Picking the right carry ammo is an important decision, but it doesn’t have to be a hard one. We can use a simple set of criteria to filter out ammo that isn’t great for concealed carry. While some of this filtering can be done by just doing our own research (for example, steel-cased FMJ 9mm wouldn’t be a good fit), a lot of the filtering will still have to be done at the range with the actual gun you’re planning to shoot with the ammo. So what should we look for?

Your carry ammo must consistently feed, fire, and eject without malfunctions, as any failure during a critical moment could be not just catastrophic but deadly. Testing the ammunition in your carry firearm is probably the most important step you can take to ensure you’re picking a 9mm carry ammo that is right for you. Terminal ballistics - how the bullet behaves upon impact - is vital for self-defense and should also be a major deciding factor. You want ammunition that penetrates deep enough and expands reliably to create a larger wound channel and effectively transfer energy to stop an attacker.

Recoil management and muzzle flash are also factors that you should consider as part of the whole package. Lighter recoil allows for quicker, more accurate follow-up shots, especially in high-stress situations, and can be a boon to those who have to carry pistols with longer or stiffer triggers. Conversely, lighter recoiling cartridges might not work at all in some guns, and unreliably at best in others. Long story short, there is a balance to be had, and the answer isn’t always going to be the same ammo for every gun, that’s why we have a top 5.

Top 9mm Carry Ammo Options

Here are our top 5 9mm carry ammo options. For the data below we used a combination of manufacturer website descriptions, and pricing, along with ballistic data from both Lucky Gunner Labs and Ammunition To Go. We’ll combine that with my personal experiences for each ammo to give you guys a well-rounded bird’s eye view of what each type offers.

Federal HST 9mm is a favorite among law enforcement and civilians alike. It’s known for its consistent expansion and deep penetration and is often the first choice for myself and the rest of the TFB staff in our 9mm carry guns.

Terminal Performance: Federal HST typically penetrates between 12 to 18 inches in ballistic gel, with expansion diameters around 0.60 inches or more depending on clothing/barriers.

Pros:

• Reliable Expansion
• Deep Penetration
• Consistent Performance

Cons:

• Higher recoil impulse and greater muzzle flip compared to other options
• High price per round
• Major availability issues during periods of ammo shortage/panic buying

Hornady Critical Duty 9mm is designed specifically for law enforcement, offering superior barrier penetration without sacrificing terminal performance. It's a preferred choice for those requiring consistent performance through various obstacles. This ammo is a close second favorite of the TFB staff.

Terminal Performance: Hornady Critical Duty penetrates through barriers like auto glass and still expands reliably up to about 0.47 inches, with penetration depths averaging around 15 inches.

Pros:

• Excellent barrier penetration
• Reliable expansion

Cons:

• Heavier recoil
• The flex tip design doesn’t feed well in all guns.

Overall, Critical Duty from Hornady strikes a good balance of performance, capability, and affordability. In the past, I’ve run into a few issues with this type of ammo not feeding well out of specific pistols. This is a rare problem and I’m almost certain it’s entirely due to the flex tip insert which aids in both barrier penetration and expansion consistency.

Avg Price Per Round: ~$1.32 (estimated)

Product Link: https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/9mm-p-luger-124-gr-flexlock-critical-duty#!/

Speer Gold Dot is renowned for its bonded core, which helps the bullet retain its weight and perform consistently through most household barriers including some heavier materials. It's a go-to option for those seeking reliable performance and has a long track record of being a more or less worry-free choice for concealed carriers, law enforcement agencies, and even the military.

Terminal Performance: Typically penetrates 12 to 14 inches with expansion up to 0.55 inches.

Pros:

• Legendary reputation amongst LE and civilians alike
• Consistent performance
• Excellent weight retention
• Low flash

Cons:

• Pricey

The SIG 365 V-Crown is optimized for compact and subcompact pistols, offering controlled expansion and deep penetration. It's specifically designed for concealed carry users who prioritize performance in smaller firearms like the SIG P365, Glock 48/43X, Springfield Hellcat, and Taurus GX4.

Terminal Performance: It generally penetrates around 13 to 16 inches with a somewhat consistent expansion up to about .53 inches.

Pros:

• Ballistically matched with SIG 365 FMJ training ammo
• Designed for compact pistols with shorter barrels
• Reliable expansion in ideal circumstances
• Low recoil

Cons:

• Higher muzzle flash compared to others
• Variable expansion diameter dependent on clothing

Federal’s Train + Protect line is crafted to offer consistent performance at an affordable price, making it an excellent option for both training and self-defense. It's a practical choice for those on a budget.

Terminal Performance: Penetration and expansion are reliable, with penetration depths of around 13 inches. Expansion has been reported to vary between 0.40 inches and up to 0.62 inches depending on the handgun and clothing present.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Consistent performance
• Good availability

Cons:

• Slightly less expansion than premium options
• Variable expansion based on barrel length

Federal Train + Protect strikes a middle ground for people who really want to carry the exact same ammo that they shoot with regularly. This isn’t a bad idea, but it will cost you a bit of extra cash compared to your regular 9mm range ammo. Federal Train + Protect does consistently penetrate and expand, but those metrics are heavily affected by the barrel length of your gun. Pistols will generally see up to about a half-inch of expansion with appropriate penetration, while 9mm PCCs will give you some very wide expansion with most rounds barely making it past 12” in depth. Either way, Train + Protect will properly transfer the energy and do it on a better budget than most carry ammos will.

How to Choose the Right 9mm Carry Ammo

Over the years I’ve gone through several different thought processes when it comes to what type and how much carry ammo I buy, and how often I replace it. I used to buy the heaviest and fastest 9mm JHP I could find and tried to force it to work in both my carry guns. After learning about point of impact shift with different grain weights, and seeing a couple of carry guns choke on specific ammo, I had to adapt. These days, I like to consider first the gun I am going to carry, and then pick the ammo that best suits it.

Lagely it comes down to what type of threats I might face. With potential human threats, I’m almost always going to choose Federal’s HST 9mm 124grain. This particular load has a consistent point of impact out of my most common carry gun when compared to my training ammunition, it’s reasonably priced and only has to be replaced about every 6 months or so. While the recoil impulse is slightly different (it’s loaded hotter), I don’t find it so different that I need to shoot it every time I go to the range. All these factors mean that I know my carry ammo very well, and should be competent shooting it.

Another consideration is hunting. Typically when we’re out in the wild hunting, we’re facing completely different threats. Predator threats like bears, wolves, or an angry elk or deer can ruin your day, but using your regular hollowpoint ammo isn’t typically the best choice for these types of situations. You’ll be far better off with some nice hard-cast 9mm ammunition to increase the load's penetration depth and ensure shots have the potential to be lethal to something as powerful as a charging bear.

9mm Carry Ammo Tips and Best Practices

Like I said earlier, familiarity with your carry ammo is key to effective self-defense. Regularly practicing with the ammo you carry ensures you know how it performs in your firearm, improving your confidence with where your point of impact will be with that ammo and that particular gun at that particular distance. Not all ammo performs the same in every firearm. It’s essential to test your chosen carry ammo in your specific gun to ensure it feeds and fires reliably. Pay attention to how the ammo cycles, how accurate it is, how dirty it makes your gun and optic, and how it feels to shoot. Try lots of different types of ammo and see what works best for you after you’ve researched its terminal effectiveness to the best of your ability.

While it’s tempting to go for the most expensive ammo to achieve the best possible performance, you should really balance your decision with how much you can afford to practice with. It’s sort of the same mindset as buying an expensive gun and not being able to afford to train, or buying an affordable gun and being able to afford lots of ammo. Regular practice with your chosen carry ammo is more important than you think, so pick an option that you can shoot often enough to stay proficient with.

Staying Informed on Ammo Recalls and Updates

We’ve all seen it here at TFB and so I think it’s worth mentioning in a section all of its own. The sad truth in this industry is that manufacturers occasionally need to issue recalls or updates on their ammunition. It’s often hard to know whether or not your ammo has been recalled because most people buy ammo through third-party distributors like Palmetto State Armory, GunMagWarehouse, or Primary Arms. However, if you’re a frequent reader of TFB you can just stay tuned to the blog. We like to stay abreast of these exact types of issues to keep you guys informed.

Conclusion

Choosing the right 9mm carry ammo is a critical decision for anyone serious about self-defense. Federal HST, Hornady Critical Duty, and Speer Gold Dot are all excellent choices, each offering unique strengths depending on your needs. For those on a budget, Federal Train + Protect provides a reliable option without breaking the bank. Ultimately, the best ammo for you will depend on your specific firearm, personal defense needs, and how much you can afford to practice with it. Stay informed, practice regularly, and always prioritize reliability and performance in your carry ammo. You can’t eliminate every single risk factor, but by choosing a quality carry ammo, you can bet on it working should the need arise.