Best 9mm Ammo - Top Pick For Self Defense & Target Shooting.

An overview of the best 9mm ammo products for self defense & target shooting.

Image	Product	Price
	Speer Gold Dot LE Duty 9mm Luger Ammo	View Current Price
	SIG SAUER Elite V-Crown 9mm Luger 124 Grain JHP	View Current Price
	Personal Defense HST 9mm Luger 124 Grain	View Current Price
	Winchester USA 9mm Luger 147 Grain Full Metal Jacket	View Current Price
	Hornady American Gunner 9mm Luger +P Ammo 124 Grain XTP JHP	View Current Price
	Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics, 9mm, JHP, 124 Grain, 50 Rounds	View Current Price
	PMC BRONZE 9MM 115 GRAIN JHP	View Current Price
	NORMA 9MM AMMO 108 GRAIN MHP 20RDS	View Current Price
	Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense 9mm Luger +P 50 grain	View Current Price
	Hornady Critical Defense Lite 9mm Luger 100gr	View Current Price
	Magtech Sport 9mm Luger Ammo 115 Grain Full Metal Jacket	View Current Price
	Winchester Supreme Defender PDX1 9mm Luger +P	View Current Price
	CCI Blazer Aluminum 9mm Luger 115-Grain	View Current Price
	Hornady Critical Defense 9mm 115 Grain	View Current Price
	Remington Golden Saber Bonded 9mm Luger 147 Grain	View Current Price

Before going in depth of the topic you can check our other articles where I cover the 9mm Ballistics & Terminal Performance Guide, difference between 9mm vs. 10mm, 9mm vs 45 ACP.

These topics will also be helpful to choosing the best 9mm ammo for self defense & targeting shooting.

Why Choose 9mm Ammo For Self Defense?

Before moving to the best 9mm products, it's very important to know why choose 9mm ammo for self defense?

There are several reasons why many people choose 9mm caliber for self-defense:

• Stopping Power: While the 9mm round is not the largest caliber available, it has proven to be effective in stopping threats. Modern advancements in ammunition design, such as hollow point bullets, have improved the terminal ballistics of 9mm rounds, leading to better expansion and increased stopping power upon impact. This makes it capable of incapacitating an attacker and preventing further harm.
• Magazine Capacity: Compared to handguns with bigger calibers, 9mm pistols often have larger magazines. This indicates that you can fire off more rounds before having to reload. Having extra ammunition might be essential in a self-defense situation since it gives you a better chance to neutralize a danger or combat several attackers.
• Recoil Management: The 9mm round generates manageable recoil, making it easier to control and shoot accurately, even for individuals with less experience or smaller stature. This is important in self-defense situations where quick follow-up shots may be necessary. The controllability of the 9mm allows for faster target reacquisition and increased accuracy, increasing the chances of effectively stopping a threat.
• Ammunition Availability: Ammunition for 9mm guns is easily accessible in most sports goods and gun shops. Because of its popularity and extensive use, it is simpler to locate, ensuring that you always have a readily available and reasonably priced supply of ammunition for self-defense.
• Law Enforcement and Military Adoption: The 9mm round is commonly used by law enforcement agencies and military forces worldwide. This adoption is based on extensive testing, research, and consideration of factors such as effectiveness, controllability, and logistics. Law enforcement agencies often opt for 9mm due to its proven performance in real-world encounters, further reinforcing its reliability for self-defense scenarios.

These are some common reasons that make 9mm ammo a good choice for self defense.

Factors To Consider When Selecting 9mm Ammo

Several critical factors deserve careful consideration when selecting 9mm ammunition for self-defense and target shooting.

Understanding these factors will help you decide and choose the ammunition that best suits your needs. Here are the key factors to consider:

• Applications: Application & uses are among the most important things to consider before buying 9mm ammo. If you’re buying 9mm ammo for self-defense, you want quality bullets designed for optimal penetration and effective terminal performance. If you wish to have ammo to practice with, a more affordable target or plinking ammo will be your best choice.
• Reliability and consistency: Reliability & consistency are other factors to consider while choosing ammunition. You need rounds that will function flawlessly in your firearm, ensuring consistent feeding, firing, and ejection, and buying ammunition from reputable manufacturers known for their quality control processes and consistent performance. Reading reviews and seeking recommendations from experienced shooters can provide valuable insights into the reliability of different brands and products.
• Affordability and availability: Availability & affordability are other factors to consider when buying 9mm ammo. Because of its demand, 9mm ammo is widely available & affordable to buy. The best 9mm ammo for self-defense usually costs $0.34 to $1.75 per round. Reloading can be a great way to save money but you must have proper knowledge about it.
• Recoil management: Recoil plays a significant role in your shooting experience and overall accuracy. Some individuals may be more comfortable with heavier recoil, while others prefer ammunition with reduced recoil for better control and follow-up shot accuracy. Considering your shooting proficiency and personal preferences, it is essential to find ammunition that strikes a balance between manageable recoil and the desired level of stopping power.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can choose the 9mm ammunition that best meets your self-defense and target shooting requirements. It is recommended to conduct research, seek expert opinions, and even try different options to determine the ammunition that performs optimally with your firearm and suits your shooting style.

Speer Gold Dot LE Duty 9mm Luger Ammo 115 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point

This 9mm Ammo designed by the fine folks at Speer has a structurally-plated, pressure-formed core with Uni-Cor bonding with a Gold Dot hollow point design. It's the small calibers that can make a big difference in the outcome of your day.

This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable nickel-plated brass cases.

Specifications

• MPN : 53614
• UPC : 076683536143
• Manufacturer : SPEER AMMO
• Caliber : 9mm Ammo
• Bullet Type : Jacketed Hollow Point
• Muzzle Velocity : 1200 fps
• Muzzle Energy : 335 ft. lbs
• Primer : Boxer

Sig Sauer Elite Performance Ammunition 9mm Luger 124 Grain V-Crown Jacketed Hollow Point.

Pick up some Sig Sauer Elite V-Crown 9 mm Luger 124 grain Jacketed Hollow Point Brass Cased Centerfire Pistol Ammunition to prepare properly for any home-defense scenario. This 9 mm Luger Ammunition SIG SAUER features a low-flash propellant that helps you maintain your vision during stressful procedures.

Every round of Sig Sauer Elite V-Crown 9 mm 124 gr Jacketed Hollow Point Brass Cased Centerfire Pistol Ammo is built to stop threats in their tracks by delivering optimal penetration and maximum expansion. Stay armed and prepared for self-defense with Sig Sauer Elite V-Crown 9 mm 124-grain JHP Brass-Cased Centerfire Pistol Ammunition.

Specifications

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger
• Grain Weight : 124 Grains
• Muzzle Velocity : 1165 Feet Per Second
• Muzzle Energy : 374 Foot Pounds
• Bullet Style : Jacketed Hollow Point
• Bullet Brand And Model : Sig V-Crown
• Lead Free : No
• Primer : Boxer

Federal Premium Personal Defense 9mm Luger 124 Grain HST Handgun Ammo

Federal Premium® Personal Defense® 9mm Luger 124 Grain HST Handgun Ammo is one of the best options to save your life when lives hang in the balance. These Federal Premium handgun loads offer consistent expansion, optimum penetration, and superior terminal performance.

This ammunition is high-quality features that make this ammunition the perfect choice for self-defense ammunition.

Bullet jackets and cores hold together and retain nearly 100% weight while penetrating even the toughest materials.

Specifications

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger
• Grain Weight : 124 Grains
• Muzzle Velocity : 1150 fps
• Muzzle Energy : 365 Foot Pounds
• Bullet Style : Jacketed Hollow Point
• Bullet Brand And Model : Federal
• Lead Free : No
• Primer : Boxer
• Case Type : Nickel Plated

Winchester USA 9mm Luger 147 Grain Full Metal Jacket

Winchester® USA 9mm 147 Grain Pistol Ammunition is a practical choice for serious shooters who demand highly reliable ammunition that offers excellent accuracy at an affordable wholesale price.

Winchester Range packs come in standard bullet weights to minimize the need for sight adjustment with pistols aimed with self-defense rounds.

The Winchester USA 9mm 147 Grain Handgun Ammo provides shooters with full-power, reliable-feeding handgun ammo at a value price—reloadable brass cases.

Specifications

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger
• Number of Rounds : 50
• Bullet Type : Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Bullet Weight : 147 grain
• Cartridge Case Material : Brass
• Muzzle Velocity : 990 ft/s
• Muzzle Energy : 320 ft-lbs
• Application : Personal Defense
• Package Type : Box

Hornady American Gunner 9mm Luger +P Ammo 124 Grain XTP Jacketed Hollow Point

Hornady crafted this 9 mm Luger Ammunition with eXtreme Terminal Performance bullets that offer exceptional ballistic performance.

This Hornady American Gunner 9mm +P 124gr XTP Centerfire pistol ammunition is made from high-quality materials for reliable accuracy in the field, and the 1,175 fps muzzle velocity provides plenty of firepower for home shooting or defense.

Designed for hunting, self-defense, and law enforcement applications, the XTP bullet is exceptionally accurate and is the choice of many top competitive shooters worldwide.

Specifications

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger
• Number of Rounds : 50
• Bullet Type : Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Bullet Weight : 124 grain
• Cartridge Case Material : Brass
• Muzzle Velocity : 1200 ft/s
• Muzzle Energy : 396 Foot Pounds
• Application : Personal Defense
• Package Type : Box

Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics, 9mm, JHP, 124 Grain, 50 Rounds

This Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics ammunition offers great quality and consistency for the high-volume shooter and hunter. Loaded with grain weights similar to the Exacta line, this ammunition is perfect for training and practice with similar results at an affordable price.

These bullets allow you to shoot, plink or hunt as much as possible. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer-primed, reloadable brass cases.

Specifications

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger
• Number of Rounds : 50
• Bullet Type : Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Bullet Weight : 124 grain
• Cartridge Case Material : Brass
• Muzzle Velocity : 1,100 FPS
• Muzzle Energy : 333 ft.-lbs.
• Application : Personal Defense
• Package Type : Box

PMC BRONZE 9MM 115 GRAIN JHP

This PMC Bronze 9 mm 115-grain jacketed hollow points are excellent for home defense, self-defense, or duty roles. PMC Bronze products are reliable performers as they are inspected carefully and feature precision-made components for the best possible accuracy and results on target.

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger
• Number of Rounds : 50
• Bullet Type : Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Bullet Weight : 115 grain
• Cartridge Case Material : Brass
• Muzzle Velocity : 1160 fps
• Muzzle Energy : 344 ft.-lbs.
• Application : Self Defense
• Package Type : Box

NORMA 9MM AMMO 108 GRAIN MHP 20RDS

These Norma 9mm Luger MHP Ammunition is a great choice for reliable stopping power. These bullets are known as one of the most expanding 9mm bullets in the world. Designed for reliable feeding out of pistols and pistol caliber carbines.

This robust bullet is known for great expansion and will get excellent penetration as well. It is programmed to perform regardless of barrel length/velocity. The MHP out-expands all other 9mm projectiles and features a non-lead monolithic material.

Specifications

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger
• Number of Rounds : 20
• Bullet Type : Monolithic Hollow Point (MHP)
• Bullet Weight : 108 grain
• Cartridge Case Material : Brass
• Muzzle Velocity : 1312 ft/s
• Muzzle Energy : 413 ft-lbs
• Application : Personal Defense
• Package Type : Box

LIBERTY 9MM+P 50GR HP CIVIL DEFENSE AMMUNITION 20RDS - LA-CD-9-014

This Liberty Ammunition 9mm Luger 50 Grain Hollow Point is highly effective in your handgun without over-penetrating them. This 9 mm Luger Ammunition made by Liberty Ammunition reduces felt recoil by 32-38% compared to other self-defense rounds in this category.

These Liberty Ammunition 9mm Luger 50 gr Hollow Point Rounds bring more stopping power to the field than other options to ensure you can quickly incapacitate dangerous targets with significantly fewer shots.

Specifications

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger +P
• Bullet Type : Hollow Point (HP)
• Bullet Weight : 50 grain
• Cartridge Case Material : Brass
• Muzzle Velocity : 2000 ft/s
• Muzzle Energy : 462 ft-lbs
• Application : Personal Protection
• Package Type : Box

Hornady Critical Defense Lite 9mm Luger 100gr FTX Handgun Ammo - 25 Rounds

This Critical Defense Lite ammunition offers an effective reduced-recoil option for any shooter looking to minimize recoil from their compact, lightweight personal protection firearm. Excellent choice for compact and lightweight pistols.

The most effective, consistent and reliable concealed carry ammunition available today The patented FTX bullet expands reliably and resists clogging when shooting through thick clothing and uses Flex Tip technology that eliminates clogging and inconsistency.

Specifications

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger
• Bullet Type : Flex Tip Extreme
• Grains : 100
• Cartridge Case : Nickel Plated
• Muzzle Velocity : 1125 FPS
• Muzzle Energy : 281 FT LBS
• Pack Quantity : 25
• Product Line : Critical Defense Lite
• Use : Defense

Magtech Sport 9mm Luger Ammo 115 Grain Full Metal Jacket

Magtech, a Brazilian company with ties to other manufacturers worldwide, manufactures this ammunition. This ammo will produce mild recoil in full-size 9mm pistols and moderate but manageable recoil in compact and subcompact guns.

Each round is loaded with a 115-grain FMJ bullet, housed in a Boxer primed brass casing, and is ideal for range training and pistol competitions.

Specifications

• Caliber : 9mm Luger Ammo
• Bullet Type : Full Metal Jacket
• Muzzle Velocity : 1135 fps
• Muzzle Energy : 330 ft. lbs
• Primer : Boxer
• Casing : Brass Casing
• Ammo Rating : Target & Practice 9mm Ammo

Winchester Supreme Defender PDX1 9mm Luger +P 124gr BJHP Handgun Ammo - 20 Rounds.

This Winchester Elite PDX1 Defender ammunition features threat-stopping technology. Its notched jacket hollow point personal

defense expandable (PDX) rounds use a proprietary bonding. PDX1 Defender ammunition provides maximum stopping power for the ultimate in personal defense.

Specifications

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger
• Bullet Type : Bonded Jacketed Hollow Point
• Grains : 124
• Cartridge Case : Brass
• Muzzle Velocity : 1200 FPS
• Muzzle Energy : 396 FT LBS
• Pack Quantity : 20
• Product Line : Supreme Defender

CCI Blazer Aluminum 9mm Luger 115-Grain Centerfire Ammunition - 50 Rounds.

These rounds also feature CCI Berdan primers, are non-corrosive, and can reach up to 1145 FPS. Offer reliable, accurate performance for training at the range.

These bullets feature aluminum cases to keep price to a minimum and offer reliable, accurate performance for range training. The CCI Blazer (9mm) ammunition offers exceptional reliability at an attractive price.

Specifications

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger
• Bullet Type : Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
• Grains : 115
• Cartridge Case : Aluminum
• Muzzle Velocity : 1145 FPS
• Muzzle Energy : 335 FT LBS
• Primer Type : Berdan

Hornady Critical Defense 9mm 115 Grain Handgun Ammo

Hornady® Critical Defense® 9mm 115 Grain Handgun Ammo combines quality propellants and design with the patented controlled expansion FTX bullet for effective, consistent, and reliable self-defense.

The FTX's Flex Tip® design delivers superior controlled expansion, flat trajectories, and large, deep wound cavities over various velocities. Critical Defense rounds are also expertly cannelured and crimped to avoid bullet setbacks and feature a high-visibility, shiny silver nickel plating to prevent corrosion. Feeds reliably in all pistols.

Specifications

• Cartridge : 9mm Luger
• Grain Weight : 115 Grains
• Quantity : 25 Round
• Muzzle Velocity : 1135 Feet Per Second
• Muzzle Energy : 329 Foot Pounds
• Bullet Style : Polymer Tip
• Bullet Brand And Model : Hornady FTX

Remington Golden Saber Bonded 9mm Luger 147 Grain Handgun Ammo

Golden Saber Bonded ammunition features a lead core hot-bonded to brass jacket. An excellent choice for defense ammo applications. It reduced bullet nose diameter for precise bore alignment and match-grade accuracy. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in reloadable nickel-plated brass cases.

Specifications

• Caliber : 9mm Luger Ammo
• Bullet Type : Bonded Jacketed Hollow Point
• Muzzle Velocity : 1125 fps
• Muzzle Energy : 348 ft. lbs
• Primer : Boxer
• Casing : Nickel Plated

Conclusion

We hope this guide has provided valuable insights and guidance in selecting the best 9mm ammunition for self-defense and target shooting needs.

Remember to prioritize safety, practice regularly, and stay informed about the latest developments in ammunition technology to make well-informed choices for your shooting & self defense.