hand loads for defensive/concealed carry?

[43.6N]

What are y’all’s thoughts on hand loads for defensive/concealed carry?

Here’s what I’m dealing with:
2 separate 20 round groups with my 9mm ccw: same loading and OAL. Just shot on two different days for consistency.
Both 20 rounds @ 25 yds. 1” white target pasters for reference.


My thoughts:
-I haven’t found any off the shelf defensive loads that are this consistent.
-I can practice and reload with these exact same bullets within reason.
-I’ve used about 300 so far without any feeding issues. They seem to agree with my magazines/chamber/feed ramp.

Any reason you wouldn’t feel confident carrying these on the daily?
Very interested in hearing what you all think.

 

[Matt5266]

Im all about reloading for practice but for self defense I don't. Not saying they wouldnt work but i just dont bother. I carry 124 Speer Gold Dots in all my 9mm guns. If you wanna try some ill hook you up.

 

[Jpsmith1]

My concern would be an attorney and how he plays that to a jury.

 

[Treeman_MG]

This topic comes up a lot in the ccw/defensive gun world. "They'll use it against you in court!"

Well. . . .maybe. I have never been able to find a case where a person used handloads for self defense and then had that used against them in court. While it is certainly possible that an over zealous prosecutor could try to use that, I think it's very unlikely that one would be convicted solely because they carried handloads. Probably depends a bit on the political climate of your locale.

I mostly carry factory for ccw, but my woods guns all get handloads, so I do carry handloads in my ccw from time to time. I don't lose any sleep over it when I do. I think it's far more important that they are reliable, consistent and accurate.

 

[Dave Thomas]

I would use them. I carry handloads in my carry gun. Can't comment on any legal issues because I have no experience.

 

[Formidilosus]

What are y’all’s thoughts on hand loads for defensive/concealed carry?

Here’s what I’m dealing with:
2 separate 20 round groups with my 9mm ccw: same loading and OAL. Just shot on two different days for consistency.
Both 20 rounds @ 25 yds. 1” white target pasters for reference.
View attachment 1095620View attachment 1095621

My thoughts:
-I haven’t found any off the shelf defensive loads that are this consistent.
-I can practice and reload with these exact same bullets within reason.
-I’ve used about 300 so far without any feeding issues. They seem to agree with my magazines/chamber/feed ramp.

Any reason you wouldn’t feel confident carrying these on the daily?
Very interested in hearing what you all think.

Well, the XTP’s themselves are generally poor performers to start. So no- I wouldn’t carry those.

As for handloads… ehh. All the nonsense about lawyers, etc is just that- nonsense. The real issue is absolute reliability and consistency. What legit duty ammo have you tried that doesn’t group well?

 

[43.6N]

Well, the XTP’s themselves are generally poor performers to start. So no- I wouldn’t carry those.

As for handloads… ehh. All the nonsense about lawyers, etc is just that- nonsense. The real issue is absolute reliability and consistency. What legit duty ammo have you tried that doesn’t group well?

Thanks for weighing in. Interested to see what you think of these vs the handloads posted above:
-124gr +p HST


-135gr Critical Duty:



I haven’t tried any gold dots, but could get them as components.

 

[43.6N]

Im all about reloading for practice but for self defense I don't. Not saying they wouldnt work but i just dont bother. I carry 124 Speer Gold Dots in all my 9mm guns. If you wanna try some ill hook you up.

Thanks man, haven’t tried any gold dots. Are you using standard gold dots or the new ones with a polymer cap in the hp?

 

[Formidilosus]

Thanks for weighing in. Interested to see what you think of these vs the handloads posted above:
-124gr +p HST
View attachment 1095727

-135gr Critical Duty:
View attachment 1095728


I haven’t tried any gold dots, but could get them as components.

What gun?

 

[Matt5266]

Thanks man, haven’t tried any gold dots. Are you using standard gold dots or the new ones with a polymer cap in the hp?

Standard loads. I can get you a few to shoot before you order or make some if ya want to try them out

 

[43.6N]

What gun?

5” Dan Wesson Specialist. 9mm. With a dot.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I roll my eyes whenever the "maybe some lawyer might say this" line gets brought up. And it will always get brought up, even though I have yet to see where that actually happened.


While its been quite some time since I have had an issue with any pistol reloads. I still have a bit more faith in the factory stuff. Even those larger groups you posted, would solve whatever issues you were trying to solve..

 

[43.6N]

Standard loads. I can get you a few to shoot before you order or make some if ya want to try them out

Very generous of you. Thank you. I’d love to take you up on that!