Opinion
2024 SHOT Show, Third Day
More on ammunition:
Today, I visited all manufacturers of serious ammunition. This is my recommendation in 9mm for personal defense:
- Supervel: 9mm +p 115gr SCHP
- Cor-Bon: 9mm +p 115gr DPX
- Defiant: 9mm +p 115gr TCX
- Underwood: 9mm +p 115gr Tac-XP
- Gorilla: 9mm 90gr LXD (Lehigh Extreme Defense)
- Black Hills: 9mm +p 100gr Honeybadger (Lehigh FTM bullet), also their 115 gr +p Tac-XP (all-copper HP bullet)
- Doubletap: 9mm +p 115gr DTLE (all-copper HP)
- Sim-X: 9mm 45gr Defensecore (My recommendation of this particular round is tentative, as I have not yet tested it personally)
Live Inventory Price Checker
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ProMag ALL 9mm P-Series 9mm 20-Round Blue Steel Magazine | GunMag Warehouse | $ 31.99 $ 20.99 |
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Dead Air 9mm P-Series Front Cap 9mm for Ghost DA415 | EuroOptic.com | $ 40.00 |
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Federal Premium Personal Defense HST 124 gr 9mm+P Ammunition - 50RD Box | Rainier Arms | $ 62.99 |
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Federal Premium Law Enforcement 9mm +P 124gr HST JHP 50rds - P9HST350RD | Palmetto State Armory | $ 49.99 $ 34.99 |
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Other observations:
Daniel Defense’s new H9 pistol, which I commented on on Day One, is essentially a resurrection of the long-departed “Hudson Pistol.” That’s what the “H” stands for. Several years ago, I saw and shot the original Hudson Pistol at the SHOT Show. It was an all-metal G17. Perfectly functional but heavy, it never gained any traction. The company went out of business shortly thereafter. Daniel Defense now brings us this improved version. Daniel Defense’s reputation for high quality will surely give this pistol a good (re)start!
At the Colt booth, I handled their 38Spl Cobra six-shot snubby. Very smooth but costs $1K.
Their resurrected Python (357Mg) series is also very smooth and pleasing to handle. It runs $1.5K/copy. I’d love to own one, but that eventuality is unlikely.
DSA’s American-made SA58 (FAL) is highly recommended. Wonderful rifle when you need a serious 308. You want the SA58 CTC/P (for “Compact Tactical Carbine/Para”). It features a folding/extendable M4 stock. Excellent for low-profile travel. It runs $2.2K/copy.
I visited the Cabot Arms booth, because I love their exquisite 1911s, which are literally works of art. When you’re interested, the one you want is the 9mm “Rebellion.” Commander-sized. Aluminum frame. Like the Colt Python, I’d dearly love to have this pistol, but at $5K that’s unlikely, and for the same reason! The waiting list is currently eighteen months.
Among more affordable pistols, I admire the Glock-like CZ P10C. Solid 16-shooter (9mm) at $400.00/copy.
A new FL company called Live Free Armory (of which I was unaware until today) is making the Falcon G19X Pistol, a nearly exact copy of the G17. Solid eighteen-shooter at $350.00. Their M4, also solid, called the “Battlelite,” is $600.00. I love their prices.
Hi-Viz’s “Fast Dot” pistol sighting system is something I’m going to be testing right away. It’s hard to describe, but it involves two, overlapping self-luminous dots. The front is red. The rear is green. Alignment is quick and natural! A set runs $175.00.
I regularly carry a Fenix PD3GR flashlight. I use it all the time, and at 1300 lumens (max output) it will quickly blind someone approaching you at night. I’ve done it more than once! At the Fenix booth, I discovered my PD3GR model is already outdated. The new PD3GR V2 ($100.00) is the same size but max output is now 1700 lumens, and the new PD3GR Pro (same size at $120.00) has a max output of 2800 lumens. Web Page is at fenixlighting.com
John
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor, John Farnam will urge you, based on your beliefs, to make up your mind about what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to ensure that its students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
Typical response from a Nazi loving troll
Dude, you should just move on with your miserable POS life.
This photograph projects a frightening illustration for liberals. Ammo that “explodes inside people”. Ammo that caters to “gun nuts”. Ammo that’s not “who they are” Can you imagine the insecurity in these liberals? Peace loving wimps that just want to “celebrate” diversity. Instead of leaving this world shot one day.
You stated that you hadn’t tested the last one. Did you do gel tests with all the others and name them in the order of which had the best penetration or expansion? All these new classifications. I am old school and know what HP, FP and ball is and I am a Hornaday and Seirra reloader.
Did you test it against any old school projectiles? If so, are these that much better?
Thanks.
Pass along interesting experience with defensive 9mm. Two deer seasons ago, friend wounded LARGE buck in bean field edge. From up in my blind atop an overlooking ridge, heard shot, saw buck run to wood line/creek, buddy head out to track. Buddy should have held tight let it hunker down, bleed out, but he’s major excitable feller, largest buck he’d even seen….255lbs on hoof. I joined, we tracked about 1-1/2mi down creek draw, found down but very much alive in creek. Thought I’ll just put it out of its misery, shoot with my EDC 9mm with defensive ammo…maybe Federal as… Read more »
Musicman44mag, I’m with you Brother. I work for a major ammo maker and shoot gelatin for a living. I do wound ballistic workshops for LE and have shot a lot of gelatin to the FBI protocol and have shot a few of these bullets mentioned.Some do penetrate to protocol only because they are non-expanding and have very little frontal area. I still am a believer in heavy bullets. All the new “Gucci” lightweight bullets are revisiting old trends that proved ineffective years ago. Mass ( and frontal area) dictates penetration especially when even light weight barriers are involved, like clothing.… Read more »
Any bullet the meets the FBI protocols in 10 percent ballistic get. Well do you a good job Against human attackers. For larger 4 legged attackers I prefer more penetration.
More people have been killed with Ball/FMJ ammo. Than all the self defense ammo, presently being carried. The ability and accuracy of the shooter plays a far greater role in surviving, a shooting situation. Than the ammo being used.
I think the advent of new 9mm ammunition that does everything but give the shooter a back rub, and at bargain prices yet, is great. Likewise the appearance of ever more, and ever more affordable, 9mm handguns with magazines that practically drag on the floor, and that middle class shooters can’t afford to fill with only one week’s paycheck. What gets completely lost in these 9mm love fests is the fact that there are some of us, bound and gagged in communist states of the union, who are restricted to 10 round “high-capacity” magazines – a throwback to the last… Read more »