i was wondering what the best rounds to carry in a 9mm and 40 s&w
my biggest fear is over penetration hurting some innocent bystander, i dont need that on my conscience along with the life of the person it was intended for. of course, i have no desire whatsoever to have to use my weapon, but i will if i have to and dont want my poor decision in ammo to affect someone elses life
thanks for your help
ps, im currently carrying 165gr hydrashock in my .40, and 124 gr goldensaber in the 9mm
thnx again

Both of the rounds you mention seem to get good reports. I carry a 38 special and my best friend carries a 40 S&W. We both use Speer Gold dots in them. Don't know what else to tell you. I hope to reach the end of my time here without ever having to test one out.

Your main concern is misplaced, IMO. While overpenetration is something that needs to be considered, of far more importance are reliability, and accuracy. Above all, your gun/ammo combination MUST be 100% reliable. After that, it must be accurate, and controllable enough for you to use that accuracy. Overpenetration at best comes in a distant third. It's the shots that miss that can cause the real problems, not the ones that hit and overpenetrate.

Your main concern is misplaced, IMO. While overpenetration is something that needs to be considered, of far more importance are reliability, and accuracy. Above all, your gun/ammo combination MUST be 100% reliable. After that, it must be accurate, and controllable enough for you to use that accuracy. Overpenetration at best comes in a distant third. It's the shots that miss that can cause the real problems, not the ones that hit and overpenetrate.

pisgah, is spot on IMHO. Overpenetration should not be much of a concern, since 80% of shots fired are misses anyway..

Years ago when I first started policing, a lot of the older guys said the same thing about over penetration with the 357 mag. "If you shoot somebody with that thing boy, you will be on the radio calling for an ambulance at Elm and 3rd, Elm and 4th and Elm at 5th." You should not be worried about over penetration. You want a round that will hit with authority and transfer as much energy as possible within you ability to control it. I have carried a 38 special, 357 mag, 41 mag and 45 acp and didn't feel at a loss with any of them. I now carry a 2 inch 38 special or a compact 9mm.

I carry 180gr Gold Dots in me 40S&W, for what its worth.

Cor-Bon works for me. If in doubt, find out what the local law enforcement is using and try that.

Just make sure it works in your gun.

The best bullet on the market right now is the Federal HST loads. Thats what I carry in my .45 ACP, .40 S&W, and 9mm.

Cor-Bon, Federal Hydra-Shok, Remington Golden Sabre, and Speer Gold Dots are all extremely popular. The only rounds I would avoid are standard JHP loads that are made with less than ideal bullet construction. I carried Winchester SXTs for a long time, but availability became an issue and I went to the HST and haven't looked back.

Your choices are as good as any. Everone here nailed it. Over penatration is secondary to many other issues. There are a few documented cases of injuries or deaths caused by over penatration by those justified in the use of lethal force, but very few.:)

You've only listed automatics so I don't know if that's in concrete. Of the choices you give, I'd pick the .40 hands down. Handguns are by nature, defensive weapons. With that said, for routine protection, one of my favorites is a Bulldog in .44 Special. Lots of stopping power and not much penetration.

From what I have seen from shooting into ballistics gel using NIJ standards, I use only Gold Dot in my defensive handguns. I didn't like the sabre's at all. Most importantly is if your guns like the ammo, then make your choice from what your gun likes.

Kudu40

2nd the HST recommendation
I get them from my local police supply shop

jerichmy biggest fear is over penetration hurting some innocent bystander, i dont need that on my conscience along with the life of the person it was intended for

IMHO, your biggest fear SHOULD be stopping the creep that is intent on killing YOU. Worry about the other stuff later.

I'd second the suggestion (MikeG) to find out what your local cops carry and use that. First, it's probably at least adequate or better. Second, there will be no suggestion about you selecting something deliberately vicious (as might happen if you carry something like Black Talons - as completely unjustified as that reputation is, it DOES exist).

Anyone use Double Tap +P ammo? I got some 147gr for my 9mm. It's a CZ P-01, and will shoot anything reliably.

Just remember that whatever ammunition you carry may have to be justified in a court of law! If you use any of the ammunition mentioned in this post, especially +P ammo, be prepared for the attorney representing the survivor (or the survivor's family) or potentially the DA suggesting to the jury that you are some crazy vigilante who was out looking for trouble when the shooting took place and that your choice of ammunition proves that you were out to maim and kill. Just be certain you point out that you used this ammunition to reduce the chances of over penetration and to reduce the number of rounds you would need to fire to stop an aggressor, in the interests of public safety and the life of the aggressor. It helps if you can state that you immediately called 911 for an ambulance to treat the aggressor(s) now that the threat was removed.

Just remember that whatever ammunition you carry may have to be justified in a court of law! If you use any of the ammunition mentioned in this post, especially +P ammo, be prepared for the attorney representing the survivor (or the survivor's family) or potentially the DA suggesting to the jury that you are some crazy vigilante who was out looking for trouble when the shooting took place and that your choice of ammunition proves that you were out to maim and kill. Just be certain you point out that you used this ammunition to reduce the chances of over penetration and to reduce the number of rounds you would need to fire to stop an aggressor, in the interests of public safety and the life of the aggressor. It helps if you can state that you immediately called 911 for an ambulance to treat the aggressor(s) now that the threat was removed.

It also help if you live in a state with the Castle Doctrine, like Missouri. I pray I never have to test that in court.

H*ll I carry Black Telons in my .40, Shame on the dummy he should have known better. Don't pick on a old man he'll just shot you... Paul..

H*ll I carry Black Telons in my .40, Shame on the dummy he should have known better. Don't pick on a old man he'll just shot you... Paul..

I love the old man defense. It worked for that fellow in Houston that shot the idiots breaking into his neighbor's house. Priceless.

Where I live I have 3 differant types of things I can encounter......

1) Mountain Lions
2) Black Bear
3) Human

I carry what will work on all 3.

This 'justify in a court of law' thing is not present in the real world.
I was directly involved in many investigations involving 'shootings' and NEVER did the question about ammunition ever come up. SO I did some research and I never found any case where it did. If you you all know of any cases where ammunition type, brand, or caliber was a issue please let me know!
Thanks:)

I agree, Jim. That thought process is a TV influence.