I’ve been using Hornady Critical Defense in my 9mm Kahr CM9. Used to use Speer gold dot SB short barrel.
Also carry a Glock 27 .40 sometimes but that little Kahr is just so darn comfortable to wear in a IWB clip on.
What do you guys like for defensive ammo in those calibers?

Same as you. Hornady critical defense and speer gold dot.

Handloads in it now, think they are xtp's.

In my 9mm, Hornady American Gunner xtp's. In my .38, handloads with xtp's. On the rare occasion that I carry my .357, handloads with XTP's.

Federal HST in every caliber

Same here

The same ball ammo that I practice with. I like the comfort level it gives after thousands of rounds down range with it. Few people are willing to put that much money down range with the premium self defense ammo. Myself included. Yes I’m aware of over penetration being an issue. I prefer trusting my shot placement.

While a 9mm might expand a 45 will not contract.

Previous statement holds little relevance but it makes me giggle.

Blk. Talons in my 9mm.

Do they still call these Black Talons, or is there a new name that is different? something I vaguely recall but can't remember.

Thanks Everyone for the answers so far!

They no longer make black talons but many people still have them. I have 4 or 5 boxes for 45. Never shot them. The manufacturer voluntarily pulled them before the lawsuits got started.

As I recall the Ranger T series is the same thing without the coating. Bullet design across the board had changed alot since then anyway. There are better bullets available nowadays but the black talon mystique still sticks around

I like this idea

Right now HST's in my 9mm
Same in .357

Same here also. I tested them in both my Ruger 9mm handgun and my 16in AR9. Can't be beat. Watch Bone Frog Gun Club. They often have them on sale. I have both the 124 gr. and 147gr. sub sonic. From my test I carry the 147's.

Friend gave me 20+ boxes 20 or so years ago. What were the lawsuits about?

I would have to research now but they were very sharp when they expanded. Drs working on gunshots victims either were getting cut or were afraid of getting cut and the dangers of bloodborne pathogens. I may be off base because that was years ago. Bet google knows.

In 9mm, I carry 124 grain +P HST. .45 I carry 230 grain HST.

Look on Lucky Gunner.com

they have ballistic gel test on most manufacturers ammo.

you can get into many arguments about expansion vs over penetration

summer carry loads vs. winter carry loads

guess thats why there are hundreds of choices

Speer Gold Dots

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

Thanks for the replies!

I have spoken to several police departments who use the Hornady Critical Defense Ammo. After multiple shootings they do not like that bullet, all in 9mm. The gold dot was what they used previously with great results. I plan to switch back the gold very soon. I think the concept of the CD ammo very good, but evidently not very effective.

Thanks for that info Chad - good to know!

And

I use a handload in 40 with 180xtps that matches the 180xtp 10mm load listed on lucky gunner. But my 40 load does 1150 out of a 4" gun and hornady's load apparently does 1158 out of a 4.6" glock. Not a knock on glocks, but they seem to be consistently slower than other guns when i have chronoed them, so the hornady 10mm might be a little faster in some other gun of equal barrel length. My load is a book load, nothing dreamed up. Glad that lucky gunner did that 10mm test though, gives a good idea of what my load will do. The 40 loads used are always pretty anemic

Gold dot are all that go in all my defense handguns