Top 5 9mm Defensive Carry Ammo

9mm is the most popular defensive carry caliber due to stopping power, capacity, and cost. When choosing the 9mm ammo you want when protecting yourself or your family you want to consider ammo that has a proven self-defense track record. To find the top choices in 9mm defensive carry loads, we looked to our Customers. These defensive carry loads are popular with our Customers and have the perfect blend of reliability, performance, and are priced for any budget.

1

Hornady American Gunner Ammunition 9mm Luger +P 124 Grain XTP Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 25

The American Gunner line of ammunition is a collection of tried-and-true, versatile loads that are popular with shooters for their target shooting, hunting or self-defense needs. Made with premium components, American Gunner ammunition combines generations of ballistics know-how with modern components and technology. Preliminary offerings feature legendary XTP (eXtreme Terminal Performance) bullets that have been favorites for decades. Designed for hunting, self-defense and law enforcement applications, the XTP bullet is exceptionally accurate, and is the choice of many top competitive shooters around the world.

Features

  • XTP (eXtreme Terminal Performance) bullets are exceptionally accurate and deliver excellent versatility and superior ballistic performance
  • Propellants are matched to each load to ensure optimal pressure, velocity, volume and consistency from lot to lot
  • High quality primers and Hornady cases combine to deliver consistent shooting in the field.

What Customers Are Saying

Excellent Defensive Round

I have used this ammo for a number of years and have never had a single problem with feeding, firing, or ejecting from my 4 semi autos. At 396 ft/lbs of energy this round packs enough of a punch to be effective in virtually any situation. Hornady makes very reliable ammo and the American Gunner lienup represents a very good value for a quality round. I love that many of their offerings come in 25 round boxes. I regularly fire off some of my older defensive ammo as I am replenishing them with new. I was cleaning out my garage and found an ammo can with some ammo that was 25 years old and had been subjected to the high desert summer heat. I took a couple of boxes out to the range and had no issues whatsoever. Quite impressive, and its hard to go wrong with Hornady.
- Coyote, 3/14/2019

About Hornady

“Ten bullets through one hole” is the philosophy that brought Hornady® Manufacturing from a two-man operation in 1949, to a world-leading innovator of bullet, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design and manufacture today. Change is their constant and daily challenge. They outperform their competitors by ensuring the products they make are the ones their customers need right now, and accurately predict what they’ll want in the future. They recognize trends, and respect when to leave well enough alone. Their workforce includes an ample number of hunters and competitive shooters, as well as veterans and former law enforcement officers. At Hornady® Manufacturing, ammunition is more than their livelihood. It’s a major part of their daily life.

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2

Winchester USA Ammunition 9mm Luger 147 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point

Winchester USA ammunition was developed to provide excellent performance at an affordable price for the high volume shooter. Featuring high quality Winchester components, this ammunition delivers outstanding reliability. This ammunition is loaded with a jacketed hollow point bullet which features a rearward weight design to ensure pinpoint accuracy and sure functioning time and time again. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in reloadable brass cases.

What Customers Are Saying

Out of all the loads I've ...

Out of all the loads I've tested in my Glock 19 and My Steyr M9, this has proved to be the most consistently accurate. I have never had a jam using this ammunition in either of these pistols. This is also a good defense round if you want a slow, heavy and subsonic projectile. A very nice product.
- Wiley, 2/25/2010

About Winchester

Winchester is The American Legend, a brand built on integrity, hard work, and a deep focus on its loyal Customers. Considered one of the world’s leading ammunition and firearms manufacturers, Winchester has built its reputation on delivering innovative products, providing top-shelf Customer service, and demonstrating industry leadership. Along with ammunition and firearms, Winchester offers many gun parts and accessories as well as tools, apparel, safes and storage, air guns, and more. We offer a huge selection of Winchester products, including the Model 70 Rifle, Super-X Ammunition, SX4 Shotgun, and AA Target Ammo. From our research and development efforts to our manufacturing processes, we understand the value of product quality and performance. With a reputation steeped in tradition, we have earned the moniker ‘The American Legend’ by delivering on our commitment to excellence in everything we do.

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3

Fiocchi Defense Dynamics Ammunition 9mm Luger 124 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 50

Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics ammunition offers great quality and consistency for the high-volume shooter and hunter. Loaded with similar grain weights as the Exacta line, this ammunition is perfect for training and practicing with similar results at a much cheaper price. This allows you to shoot, plink, or hunt as much as possible. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer-primed, reloadable brass cases.

Where are Fiocchi products made?
While most of Fiocchi ammunition is loaded at their plant in Ozark, Missouri, Fiocchi is also importing ammunition and reloading components from their plant in Italy because of the high demand the industry has been experiencing. All products are loaded to either C.I.P. or SAAMI specifications.

What Customers Are Saying

Yes

I have purchased a lot of fiocchi ammunition over the years. These 9mm 124g who were on sale so I bought 500rds. I wanted to run at least 100 rds thru my carry weapons and a bedside pistol to insure reliability before I put them in service. SIG 938, Glock 19, and Beretta storm sub compact, at least three boxes each. 50 foot, 5 inch groups, (off hand) are no problem. Zero malfunctions. I have confidence to carry this round. I have read that some consider Fiocchi a "dirty round". I do not agree.
- Robert, 10/25/2019

About Fiocchi

Fiocchi was founded in 1876 in Lecco, Italy and has been producing high-quality ammunition ever since. In 1983 a site in Ozark, Missouri was chosen, right in the heart of America, and a facility was built on a former dairy farm. Since then, Fiocchi has continued to grow and expand, currently employing nearly 200 hardworking Americans to produce some of the highest quality shotshell and centerfire ammunition available. MidwayUSA offers a wide variety of Fiocchi Ammunition: Hyperformance Hunt, Hyperformance Match, Hyperformance Defense, KnockDown, Field Dynamics, Range Dynamics, Defense Dynamics, Cowboy Action, Heritage, Golden Waterfowl, Golden Pheasant, Golden Goose, Flyway, Speed Steel, Exacta, International Clays, Shooting Dynamics, Jerry Miculek 3-Gun, and more. As Fiocchi grows, they are committed to remaining true to the Italian and American heritages and continue to focus on quality, craftsmanship, innovation, and unequaled Customer service.

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4

IMI Ammunition 9mm Luger 115 Grain Di-Cut Jacketed Hollow Point

IMI is a defense systems house specializing in the development, integration, manufacturing and life cycle support of modern land, air and naval combat systems and HLS solutions. IMI's world class combat-proven systems are developed by vertically integrated expert teams, working in close cooperation with the customers, the most prominent being the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). IMI's products have been qualified with the IDF, US Military (Air Force, Army and Navy) and NATO nations.

 

This ammunition is a great choice for the shooter looking for a great affordable round for target shooting, training and practice. The Di-Cut bullet ogive was especially designed for consistent feeding and operation, preventing misfeeding in a wide range of 9mm pistols. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer-primed, reloadable brass cases.

 

Quantity Packs:

  • Box of 50 = As pictured
  • Box of 500 = 10 boxes of 50
  • Case of 1000 = 20 boxes of 50

Features

  • Operational use by various Israeli security forces as well as police and law enforcement units around the world
  • Developed by IMI as a personal security round and to meet the needs of modern police forces
  • Excellent stopping power
  • Complies with SAAMI and C.I.P. specifications



What Customers Are Saying

I would buy this again and I will buy this again.

I use this Ammo mostly as training Ammo but would not hesitate to use it for self defense in a pinch. I have never had one misfire or jam with it. It just works and does what it's supposed to!
- Ares338, 6/17/2018

About IMI Ammunition

In 1945, a secret factory was built below a small farm community outside Tel-Aviv. Israel was under British occupation at the time, and Jews were prohibited from having arms and ammunition. The workers in the factory made more than 2.5 million copper bullets by hand, ensuring the success of Israeli independence in 1949. The underground factory became Israeli Military Industries, and later on: IMI Systems. To this day, the primary focus is still the safety and security of Israel and it’s allies. While not a NATO member, all IMI ammunition meets all NATO ammunition requirements and provides ammunition to a number of NATO countries. MidwayUSA offers a variety of IMI ammunition, from 5.56x45mm M193, M855, and Razor Core match for AR-15s, to 7.62x51mm M80 and M118LR. Also available is Di-Cut 9mm hollow point pistol ammo. Throughout its history, IMI has always known human lives and freedom are always on the line, so its commitment to quality is evident in its motto: “Shooting with the best!”

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5

Federal Premium Personal Defense Ammunition 9mm Luger 124 Grain HST Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 20

Federal Premium Personal Defense HST Ammunition has been specially designed to deliver consistent, tremendous expansion, optimum penetration and superior terminal performance. The specially designed hollow point will not plug while passing through a variety of barriers and the jacket and core hold together providing nearly 100% weight retention! This ammunition was engineered to meet or exceed  ammunition testing protocols; these protocols put bullets through 10% ordinance gelatin, steel, wallboard, plywood, laminated automobile safety glass and gelatin covered in heavy clothing and measure how well the bullets penetrate, expand and hold together.

Extensive testing has shown that the on average the 9mm Luger load will deliver 13.63" of penetration, 0.63" of expansion, 90% weight retention through all FBI barriers when shot through a Glock 17 at 10 feet.

One of the great things about this ammunition are high quality features that make this ammunition perfect choice for self-defense ammunition. Each round of ammunition is loaded into a Federal Premium nickel plated brass case with waterproofing on the case mouth and primer. Every load has a consistent powder charge and reliable primer for consistent ignition. Every HST bullet features a tapered jacket profile for reliable feeding, a cannelure that locks the copper jacket to the lead core, patented co-aligned internal and external skiving and a deep tapered hollow point that will not clog.

What Customers Are Saying

HST 124gr over 80caliber expansion in BG

The 20rd box of HST uses the same bullet as the Federal Tactical HST 50 rd boxes. Same thing with Winchester PDX1 Bonded and Win Ranger Bonded in 50rd box. I use the standard pressure 124gr 9mm load in my HK P30 because of the mild recoil. Also according to Federal/ATK own gel testing the standard pressure 124gr expands more than the 147gr HST in Bare Gel and also penetrates more than the 124gr+P HST in Bare Gel. Over 80 caliber .Thanks midawayusa for offering quality loads for self defense .
- RICHARD, 8/29/2014

About Federal Premium

Federal Cartridge Company, as we know it today, started in 1922 when Charles Horn purchased Federal Cartridge and Machine out of receivership. Federal’s first products were shotshells, followed by rimfire in 1924. In 1976, Federal Premium was launched, combining boutique bullets with premium propellants and nickel-plated brass to create the “best of the best” in centerfire ammunition. Over a century later, MidwayUSA offers a complete spectrum of Federal ammunition, ranging from shotshell offerings like: Top-Gun, High Over All, Game Loads, Gold Medal Grand, and Prairie Storm; and centerfire rifle ammunition such as Fusion, Power-Shok, Gold Medal Match, Meat Eater; to centerfire pistol ammunition: HST, Punch, and American Eagle. Federal continues to manufacture rimfire ammo in the form of AutoMatch, Champion, and Game-shok. Federal supports handloaders with standard: small pistol, small rifle, large pistol, large rifle, 209 shotshell primers, and the Gold Medal-series match primers.

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