Now that my Glock 17 is on the way, I'm looking into ammunition. Like most people, I want some range ammo and some self defense ammunition. I see in other threads here on Glock Forums where people recommend the Walmart White Box Winchester ammunition for range ammo. When I go to the Winchester site, there are many different cartridge and bullet types of 9mm ammunition:

1. 9mm Luger
2. 9mm Luger +P
3. 9mm Luger Winclean

I know that the +P means that it is a more powerful powder load. Winclean seems to be a Total Metal Jacket - or maybe it's a full brass bullet. I can't tell from the picture. My guess is the Winclean ammo is very clean, and also very expensive.

So, it seems to me that the Winchester 9mm Luger ammunition would be my best choice for range ammo. The 9mm Luger ammunition comes in 7 different bullet types:

1. Super Clean NT
2. Silvertip Hollow Point
3. Bonded PDX1
4. Full Metal Jacket
5. Full Metal jacket - Flat Nose
6. JHP
7. Flat Enclosed Base

So, it seems that the Full Metal Jacket would be my best choice for range ammo. My guess is that the Flat Enclosed Base would be cleaner, but also much more expensive.

There are three types of 9mm Luger full metal jacket cartridges:



Two of them seem identical in the comparison. My guess is that the 115 grain bullet would be cheaper than the 124 grain bullet. My guess is that the best option would be to get the bullet that most closely matched the weight of the self defense bullet that I decide on.

How does all that sound? Should I look at something else instead.

There seem to be many more choices for a self defense cartridge. Does anyone have a recommendation for a self defense 9mm round?

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=631075
Thats winchester white box.

http://www.epinions.com/review/9mm_L...t_459555769988

This too, the value pack of 100 rounds is a good deal, usually only $27 plus change and tax a box.

Getting a practice ammo with a bullet weight close to you SD ammo weight is a good thing, unless you end up getting +P SD ammo. I would look at SD ammo first, the most common 9mm SD weight I have seen is 124gr.

Oh wow, did you open a potential can of worms. Everyone is going to tell you a different SD round to get and think it is best. Because that is what they use. I really don't get into brand names too much. MOST quality hollow points will be close to the same in performance. I would advise you to stay away from the double tap with montana gold projectiles. Here is a link to a test with it. It didn't mushroom very well at all and SERIOUSLY over penetrated the targets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsGnDtgVHc0

If I had to narrow it down to one bullet I would recommend this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcwaMwB13Gg

Also, you are correct practice with something close in weight to what you will be carrying if not the exact same weight.

Originally Posted by Boomer

Getting a practice ammo with a bullet weight close to you SD ammo weight is a good thing, unless you end up getting +P SD ammo. I would look at SD ammo first, the most common 9mm SD weight I have seen is 124gr.

The powder charge isn't going to affect POI until you start getting well beyond ranges that would be justifiable for self defense. At close range it will only affect penetration. For a good SD round it should go through at least 13 inches in ballistic gelatin.

You should practice with ammo that is at the least close to the weight of your sd ammo. Self defense ammo is pretty much a personal preference. I use 147 gr hydros. Its little slower but I prefer something with good kenetic energy. But use whatever you prefer. Just make sure it is from a reputable manufacturer.

Originally Posted by Boomer

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=631075
Thats winchester white box.

Good link, thanks... Do you buy ammunition mail order?

I just noticed that the site in the link is backordered until December...

Originally Posted by Boomer

http://www.epinions.com/review/9mm_L...t_459555769988

This too, the value pack of 100 rounds is a good deal, usually only $27 plus change and tax a box.

Very good information, plus he also reviews other ammunitiom...

Originally Posted by Boomer

Getting a practice ammo with a bullet weight close to you SD ammo weight is a good thing, unless you end up getting +P SD ammo. I would look at SD ammo first, the most common 9mm SD weight I have seen is 124gr.

The choices seem to be overwhelming...

Originally Posted by sfguard

Oh wow, did you open a potential can of worms. Everyone is going to tell you a different SD round to get and think it is best. Because that is what they use. I really don't get into brand names too much. MOST quality hollow points will be close to the same in performance. I would advise you to stay away from the double tap with montana gold projectiles. Here is a link to a test with it. It didn't mushroom very well at all and SERIOUSLY over penetrated the targets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsGnDtgVHc0

If I had to narrow it down to one bullet I would recommend this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcwaMwB13Gg

Also, you are correct practice with something close in weight to what you will be carrying if not the exact same weight.

Speer Gold Dot 9mm 124 gr +P

What would you call a reputable manufacturer?

Lots of people seem to recommend Federal... Are they higher quality than Winchester?

Originally Posted by dprice77

You should practice with ammo that is at the least close to the weight of your sd ammo. Self defense ammo is pretty much a personal preference. I use 147 gr hydros. Its little slower but I prefer something with good kenetic energy. But use whatever you prefer. Just make sure it is from a reputable manufacturer.

Federal P9HS2 9mm 147gr Hydra-Shok JHP Personal Defense

Is that what you meant? Would a normal gun shop have these? Most of the online mail order businesses seem to be out of 9mm ammo.

There seems to be a Hydra and a Hydro.