9mm Ammo Types Compared: Which 9mm Bullet Wins?

Author: Claire Divas

In a world where personal protection is paramount, choosing the right 9mm ammo can mean the difference between life and death. The 9mm Luger, beloved for its balance of power, recoil, and capacity, dominates concealed carry and home defense. But not all 9mm bullets are created equal. From full metal jacket (FMJ) for plinking to jacketed hollow points (JHP) that mushroom on impact, the variety is vast. Hollow points reign supreme for self-defense, expanding to create devastating wound channels while minimizing over-penetration.

This showdown pits seven elite JHP loads against each other—all proven performers trusted by law enforcement and civilians alike. We'll dissect their features, ballistics, and real-world prowess. Whether you're seeking the best 9mm ammo hollow point for everyday carry or reliable 9mm range ammo for training, prepare for hard-hitting insights. By the end, one champion will emerge.

Federal HST 124gr

Kicking off with a legend, Federal's HST 124gr stands as the gold standard in modern defensive ammo. This non-+P load uses a skived JHP design that delivers massive expansion without relying on overpressure.

Key perks:

  • Consistent mushrooming to 0.60–0.70 inches in gel tests.
  • Penetration hits the FBI sweet spot of 12–18 inches, even through heavy clothing.
  • Barrier-blind performance shrugs off denim or auto glass.

Pros: Smooth recoil for fast follow-ups; flawless feeding in compact pistols; law enforcement favorite for reliability.

Cons: Slightly pricier; rare over-penetration in bare gel.

Civilians and cops swear by HST for its "one-shot stop" potential in real encounters.

Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P

Speer's bonded Gold Dot 124gr +P is a duty-grade beast, bonding the jacket to the core for unbreakable weight retention. This +P version cranks velocity for deeper penetration.

Highlights:

  • Expands reliably to 0.55–0.65 inches post-barrier.
  • Punches 14–17 inches deep, ideal for angled shots.
  • Uni-core process prevents jacket separation on bone.

Pros: NYPD-proven in thousands of incidents; excels through windshield glass; high mass retention (95%+).

Cons: Snappier recoil; louder report in snubbies.

If barriers like car doors loom in your threat model, Gold Dot dominates.

Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P

Hornady's Critical Duty 135gr +P FlexLock is engineered for FBI protocols, featuring a polymer tip that prevents clogging while locking the jacket for controlled expansion.

Standouts:

  • Barrier penetration king—15+ inches after plywood or steel.
  • Expansion holds at 0.50–0.60 inches through obstacles.
  • Heavier bullet maintains momentum at distance.

Pros: "Barrier blind" reliability; low flash for night vision; adopted by some federal agencies.

Cons: Stouter recoil; shifts point of impact in some guns.

Perfect for duty holsters where threats hide behind cover.

Winchester PDX1 147gr

Winchester's PDX1 Defender 147gr bonded JHP brings subsonic heft for deep, straight-line penetration. This standard-pressure load shines in suppressed or home-defense setups.

Features:

  • Heavy bullet dumps energy with 15–18 inch penetration.
  • Bonded design retains weight through drywall or flesh.
  • Notched jacket for predictable petals.

Pros: Reduced over-penetration risk in apartments; low recoil for accuracy; FBI-tested excellence.

Cons: Slower velocity hampers expansion in very short barrels.

A momentum monster for over-penetration-wary homeowners.

SIG V-Crown 124gr

SIG Sauer's Elite V-Crown 124gr JHP stacks hollow points for dramatic expansion, backed by a toothed cannelure for feed reliability.

Notables:

  • Blooms to 0.60+ inches in soft tissue.
  • 13–16 inches penetration balances depth and width.
  • Low-flash powder suits low-light carries.

Pros: Affordable premium; flawless in SIGs and beyond; great for concealed carry.

Cons: Non-bonded—less ideal for hard barriers.

Versatile and budget-friendly without skimping on performance.

Remington Golden Saber 124gr +P

Remington's brass-jacketed Golden Saber 124gr +P delivers clean, petal-like expansion with a driving band for accuracy.

Strengths:

  • Expansion to 0.65 inches; 14–17 inch penetration.
  • Brass jacket reduces fouling; bonded variants available.
  • Predictable wound channels.

Pros: Excellent accuracy; proven in LE shootings; value pricing.

Cons: Sharper +P kick; occasional jacket separation.

A classic reborn for modern threats.

Hornady Critical Defense 115gr

Hornady's lighter Critical Defense 115gr FTX uses a polymer tip for low-velocity expansion in pocket pistols.

Edge:

  • Reliable mushrooming from 2–3 inch barrels.
  • 12–15 inches penetration; minimal recoil.
  • Nickel cases for smooth extraction.

Pros: Snubby-friendly; fast follow-ups; great for subcompacts.

Cons: Struggles through heavy barriers; lighter wound channels.

The go-to for mouse guns that need bite.

Ballistics Comparison

Gel tests reveal truths no spec sheet can. Here's how they stack in bare and clothed gelatin (averages from independent labs):

  • Expansion: HST leads (0.65"); Critical Defense trails in barriers (0.45").
  • Penetration: PDX1 deepest (17"); Critical Defense shallowest (13").
  • Velocity (4" barrel): +P loads hit 1150–1250 fps; standards 1000–1100 fps.
  • Barrier Performance: Critical Duty and Gold Dot excel post-glass (15"+); V-Crown lags.

All meet FBI minima, but HST and Gold Dot balance best across scenarios.

For 9mm hunting ammo or extreme duty, heavier +P wins; lighter for recoil-sensitive shooters.

Price & Availability

Premium JHP runs $0.80–$1.50 per round (20–50 boxes). HST and Gold Dot hover $1–$1.20; SIG V-Crown dips under $1. Critical Defense often cheapest at $0.90.

Stock fluctuates, but online giants like Lucky Gunner or AmmoSeek keep them flowing. Bulk buys drop to $0.60–$0.80. Train with FMJ equivalents to save.

Final Winner

After gel gouging, real-world reports, and recoil reckoning, Federal HST 124gr claims the crown. Its flawless expansion, ideal penetration, and versatility across pistols make it unbeatable for most users—from concealed carry to home defense. Law enforcement trusts it; gel proves it; shooters love it.

Runners-up: Speer Gold Dot for barriers, Hornady Critical Defense for pockets. Test in your gun, but HST is the undisputed king of 9mm bullets. Load up—and stay safe.