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.

Defense Ammo Bullet Styles

Jacketed Hollow Point – Jacketed Hollow Point bullets offer controlled expansion and devastating results. The combination of penetration, expansion, accuracy, and stopping power make it the most popular option for defense rounds.

Polymer Tipped – Polymer-tipped bullets offer controlled expansion, deep wound cavities, and unparalleled accuracy. These bullets prevent clogging and reliably expand through any sort of barrier.

Flat Nose – Flat nose bullets are built for deep, straight-line penetration. Their design allows them to crush through bone and other barriers. They are a common choice for woodland defense applications.

Fluted – Fluted Bullets provide maximum penetration, accuracy, and wound channels without the added recoil. They are generally lightweight, ranging from 65 to 115 grains, and do not fragment or expand. Get your hands on Fluted 9mm Ammo from brands like Underwood and NovX!

Grain Weights

Grain weights will vary depending on bullet style, personal preference, and intended use. Generally speaking, lighter bullets have less recoil and provide easier follow-up shots. Heavier bullets generally have more recoil but provide more penetration and stopping power.

 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 and performance, and they are priced for any budget.

1

Hornady Critical Defense Ammunition 9mm Luger 115 Grain FTX Box of 25

Hornady Critical Defense Ammunition 9mm Luger was purpose built for concealed carry guns and designed to deliver reliable and controlled expansion regardless of target every time.. Critical Defense Ammunition is loaded with Hornady's bullet which has a soft polymer insert that delivers superior controlled expansion and large, deep wound cavities over a wide range of velocities. Each round is loaded with premium low flash propellants that deliver proven performance, even in very short-barreled handguns that will not disrupt your vision. This ammunition was designed by Hornady to expand every single time. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.

Features

  • Unaffected by thick and heavy clothing, including denim and leather
  • Bullet delivers superior controlled expansion and large, deep wound cavities over a wide range of velocities
  • Clean burning and efficient propellants reduce recoil in lightweight handguns, and perform consistently at all temperatures
  • Minimal muzzle flash protect night vision
  • Feeds reliably in pistols
  • Bullets are custom designed for individual loads
  • Effective, consistent, reliable self-defense ammunition


Notice From Hornady: Temporary suspension of nickel plated cartridge cases for Critical Defense Handgun Ammunition 5/25/21

Unfortunately, everyone is faced with production bottlenecks and supply chains are stressed. In particular, the freight system is delayed longer than normal. Our current turnaround time on nickel plating cartridge cases is 4+ weeks. This delay has created a significant bottleneck in the production of ammunition.

Due to these issues, we will suspend nickel plating on all Critical Defense handgun ammunition to help reduce production time. We will resume nickel plating when things return to normal.

 

What Customers Are Saying

I initially purchased 100 ...

I initially purchased 100 rounds of this ammo and fired 75 rounds through my Springfield EMP 9mm on the first outing. I experienced 2 malfunctions occurring in the last 9 rounds, (last magazine) of the 75 rounds that I fired. One malfunction was due to a bur at the tip of the bullet near the red insert, which caused a failure to feed. I removed and inspected the round, then re-chambered it and it fed and fired normally. The second malfunction was a dud primer causing a failure to fire. I removed the round and inspected it. It had a good primer strike but failed to fire. I recently purchased another box to see if it would function 100%, or experience similar problems. I noticed that the primers in this new box had been changed from the nickel primers that were in the first 100 rounds that I bought to brass/gold primers in this new box. All 25 rounds from this new box functioned and fired perfectly through my Springfield EMP. I called Hornady and asked them about the primer change and I was told that limited...
- Brian, 2/25/2010

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

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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3

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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4

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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5

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

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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