Choosing The BEST Ammo For Your New Gun! (2020 Panic Buying)

Published on April 9, 2020
Duration: 16:20

This video provides guidance for new gun owners on selecting self-defense ammunition, primarily focusing on 9mm pistols. It emphasizes understanding bullet weight, expansion, and penetration, recommending Federal Premium HST and Speer Gold Dot as reliable choices. The instructor also discusses how gun size affects optimal bullet weight and advises against certain specialized rounds due to performance or marketing gimmicks.

Quick Summary

For new gun owners choosing 9mm self-defense ammunition, Federal Premium HST 124-grain is a top recommendation for its reliability and consistent performance. Lighter bullets generally expand more and penetrate less, while heavier bullets penetrate more. Subcompact pistols often perform better with heavier bullets due to lower velocities from shorter barrels.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to New Gun Owners & Ammo Selection
  2. 00:13Ammo Testing History & Focus on Pistols
  3. 00:41Focus on 9mm Luger & General Handgun Calibers
  4. 01:12Short Answer: Federal Premium HST Recommendation
  5. 01:31Why Not to Use Ball Ammunition for Self-Defense
  6. 02:35Understanding Bullet Weight (Grains)
  7. 03:14Bullet Weight vs. Expansion & Penetration
  8. 03:28Common 9mm Bullet Weights (115, 124, 147 Grain)
  9. 04:21Speer Gold Dot Ammunition Recommendation
  10. 04:50Bullet Weight & Gun Size Considerations
  11. 05:18Heavier Bullets for Subcompact Pistols
  12. 06:14Hornady Critical Duty Ammunition
  13. 06:42Critical Duty Flex Tip Design
  14. 07:54Understanding Plus P (+P) Ammunition
  15. 08:55General Performance of Modern Self-Defense Ammo
  16. 09:25Ammunition to Avoid: G2 Research RIP
  17. 10:19Ammunition to Avoid: Sig Sauer V-Crown
  18. 10:50Ammunition to Avoid: Hornady Critical Defense
  19. 12:08Ammunition to Avoid: Underwood Extreme Penetrator
  20. 13:18Cost-Effective Option: Remington UMC
  21. 13:50Impressive Round: Fort Scott Munitions TUI
  22. 14:42Other Specialized Rounds (Norma Monolithic)
  23. 15:04Summary of Ammo Selection Factors
  24. 15:39Importance of Practice Over Ammo Choice
  25. 15:56Channel Subscription & Content Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best all-around 9mm self-defense ammunition?

For most 9mm pistols, Federal Premium HST 124-grain ammunition is highly recommended for self-defense due to its reliability and consistent performance. Speer Gold Dot is another excellent and reliable choice that performs very well in various tests.

How does bullet weight affect handgun ammunition performance?

Generally, lighter bullets (e.g., 115-grain) tend to travel faster, expand more, and penetrate less. Heavier bullets (e.g., 147-grain) typically penetrate deeper and may expand less. This balance is crucial for self-defense effectiveness.

Should I use Plus P (+P) ammunition for self-defense?

While Plus P ammunition offers more power, it often increases recoil and can sometimes lead to less penetration in hollow-point self-defense rounds. Many instructors, including this one, prefer to avoid Plus P for these reasons, opting for standard pressure rounds.

What type of ammunition should I avoid for self-defense?

It's generally advised to avoid ball ammunition (Full Metal Jacket) for self-defense due to over-penetration risks. Specialized or gimmick rounds like G2 Research RIP or Hornady Critical Defense are also often discouraged due to inconsistent performance or questionable effectiveness.

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