The Best 9MM Self Defense Ammo for Concealed Carry

It's widely accepted that the best overall self-defense pistol round is the 9mm. Concealed carry aficionados in particular tend to prefer 9mm handguns due to their compact size and low recoil. The only problem with the 9mm is that there are so many round options to choose from. If you want the best 9mm ammo for self-defense, you can't go wrong with any of these loads.

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Winchester PDX Defender 124gr +P

Easily one of the best self-defense rounds on the market regardless of caliber, the Winchester PDX Defender 124gr +P is an impressive customer. It's so effective that the FBI chose it as its handgun ammo of choice. Thanks to its bonded bullet, this particular Winchester round produces fairly deep wound channels. Its muzzle velocity of 1,200 feet per second ensures great penetration on soft targets.

Federal 124gr HST

Long the go-to 9mm choice for many law enforcement agencies, the Federal 124gr HST is an excellent ammo option for the average citizen. It boasts excellent penetration in spite of its non-bonded bullet and above-average expansion to boot. Capable of delivering 364 food-pounds of energy, this 9mm round certainly packs a nice little wallop. Its nickel-plated case ensures glitch-free feeding and ejection when they matter the most.

Magtech Guardian Gold 115gr +P

If you like quicker ammo for your 9mm handguns, the Magtech Guardian Gold 115gr +P doesn't disappoint. Boasting a muzzle velocity of 1,246 feet per second, it's definitely one of the faster ammo options available to the general public. Thanks to 397 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, it's also a powerful round that expands impressively on contact. Lastly, it's a remarkably accurate cartridge with low recoil.

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Speer Gold Dot 124gr

Another favorite of LEOs around the nation, the Speer Gold Dot 124gr is an affordable round with highly attractive ballistics. Muzzle velocity clocks in at 1,150 feet per second while muzzle energy is a healthy 327 foot-pounds. The best thing about the bonded Speer Gold Dot bullet is its resistance to core-jacket separation. If you prefer a longer barrel on your concealed carry sidearm, this round is always a sound bet.

Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P

One of the most innovative rounds around, the Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P is a cartridge that delivers. Thanks to Hornady's advanced FlexLock technology, this bullet expands rapidly on contact with negligible core-jacket separation. With a muzzle velocity of 1,110 feet per second, it's fast enough for decent penetration. A more than adequate 369 foot-pounds of muzzle energy give it some serious power in the clutch.

Making the Most of Topnotch 9mm Ammo

The best ammo in the world won't do you much good if you can't reliably deploy it in a hurry. You can find plenty of high-quality holsters of all kinds at Concealment Express that will help you to make the most of your preferred ammo and sidearm. A holster that's specifically designed for your favorite pistol is a must when fractions of a second count.

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