Does anyone have any recommendations on carry ammo? I got the S&W M&P Shield 9MM and am trying to figure out what ammo would be good to carry. I've heard that regular hollow point can get clogged up by denim and almost turn into a FMJ. I've also heard that filled hollow point can sometimes not expand if it doesn't hit right and can also turn into a FMJ. I don't really know what to make of all of this and just need to know what would be a good reliable round for my Shield. I'd appreciate any and all help. Thank you.

Oh, and I have no idea if what I've heard about hollow point and filled hollow point is true at all.

My agency uses Speer Gold Dot regardless of the caliber. After many shootings and much testing, we have found it to be the most versatile and reliable duty ammo available.

In everything I've ever read, as far as opinion or studies, Federal HST has been the best the majority of the time, or at least one of the top 2-3. That's what I use in 124 grain.

Speer Gold Dot

Google lucky gunner ammo test, should get you started

For utmost versatility, you should load a hp, then a sp, then a fmj, then a fragmenting, then a round ball, then a rat shot, and then a blank for good measure.

Honestly idk if it matters much, as long as you shoot something expanding. All my carry bullets are hornady XTP’s, cause they’re fairly accurate and feed well and don’t cost a whole lot.

My department has switched to Hornady Critical Duty. We had Speed Gold Dot and Winchester Ranger and neither performed near as well as the Critical Duty.

Atlanta Ga PD switched to Critical Duty a few years before us. They noted that qualification scores went up, total amount of shot fired by an officer per incident to stop a threat went down

Black Talon.

I only carry one of two now (after researching ballistics and firing them):
1- Liberty Defense lead free hollow points. Wicked ballistics and less recoil.
2- DoubleTap lead free, especially the 9MM lead free 77gr hollowpoints.

Gold Dot and Hornady Critical Defense

all will kill effectively

just make sure your Shield will feed them ALL THE TIME!!!

why I chose a 6 shot lightweight revolver. Not near as sexy but it works all the time and will be loaded with HST's with an extra speed loader near buy.

Speer gd

I have seen factory ammo jump crimp and completely lock up a revolver. So no, not even revolvers work all the time...

So deadly they had to be pulled from shelves.

true, strange things can happen

I don't know, a good friend who use to work for the FWPD gave me a bunch and said they were a good defense round.

I tested a bunch of no name, Walmart/Academy hollow points vs HST, Gold Dot and Hornady Critical Defense. A large percentage of the cheap ammo did not open up. The 124 grain +p HST, 124 grain +p Gold Dot and 115 grain Hornady Critical Defense all opened up perfectly every time. I used ballistic gel and water jugs.

Another vote for gold dot, but I have not tried critical defense. However I had carried corbon power ball for a long time, so long I decided to shoot it up, and used pigs to do it. It hammered them better than I thought it would. Not sure if they even still make it.
Black talons where actually discontinued due to the steel inserts inside the lead. People were getting shot and Dr's were cutting through there gloves while trying to save them.

+1 on the Speer Gold Dot, Gun Tests seems to agree too.

I would agree with the others that any quality manufacture defense round would be a good choice. I always suggest running a mag or two to ensure it functions, but that usually isnt an issue in most 9mm

Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P, 147 gr ...Federal 124gr HST & 147gr HST in 9mm. 45acp HST or Speer GD.

Federal HST 147g