Compact/sub compact 9mm - what load?

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18DAI

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Those of you who are carrying small single stack 9mms with sub 4 inch barrels, what load have you selected?

I have been carrying a S&W CS9 with a 3 inch barrel quite a bit. Originally, I was using 147 grain Winchester RA9b in it. Same load I used in my 3913 and 3914.

I did a bit of research and have started using Federal 124 grain standard velocity HST. The little CS9 shoots it to point of aim.

While I am a card carrying member of the shot placement school, I do think that you need to be more selective with ammunition when it comes to 9mm. So what are you gents and ladies using in your tiny nines? Regards 18DAI
 
I use the HSTs in 124gr. as well. I tried the 147gr but thought the muzzle flip made it slower to get back on target with my Shield M.2.
I am however exploring this issue for a Shield in .40. I'm thinking at the moment that a lighter bullet weight like a 155gr JHP might be the best load for it.
 
I carry 124 grain Speer gold Dots of the +p variety or the Federal HST 124 grain +p. Never had a problem with either of them.
 
I have 124 +p hst for my bigger guns and 147 gr gold dot for the Glock 43. I haven't shot anybody to see if these are the most effective yet...but the +p seems kinda stout out of the 43 for me.
 
All my 9mms for defense, regardless of barrel length, are stoked with 147gr HST. That makes it pretty easy when it comes time to order defense ammo.
 
Carry 2 G43s EVERY day outside the gates. Loaded with ANY ball ammo. 115-124-147. NOTHING matters but placement and penetration. Handguns are pitiful. Clint Smithism...Handguns put holes in people..rifles put holes through people...shotguns put shit on the wall....
 
Thank you all for the responses! :) Much apreciated!
I normally carry a 45. Either a compact or commander size. And my preferred round for miscreants is Winchester Ranger RA45T.

But in semi retirement, other than when I am working at the LGS, I have no real need to carry a large, heavy pistol. I dont do striker fired plastic, mouse guns or 5 shot anything. 9mm is as low as I wil go in caliber selection.
So this little CS9 Chiefs Special is a real gem, for me. Light weight as a small 5 shot revolver, thin and about the size of a 380 mouse gun, yet all metal construction and hammer fired. Perfection, for me.
I think I will go back to stoking it with my preferred 9mm load, the 147 grain RA9B.
That round has a proven track record and my little CS9 likes it.

Thanks again for the input! Regards 18DAI
 
147 grain HST in a Walther PPS M2.
One observation from a lot of reading and comparison of 9mm ammo tests is that while +p loads generate more expansion and in some brands more consistent expansion they rarely penetrate any further than standard pressure loads.
 
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