re: What's your Carry Ammo, Brand and Model?

Hornady Critical Duty.

1. Federal LE Tactical HST 180gr. HP
2. PDX1 Bonded 180gr. HP

Federal HST Ballistic Test

Winchester Ranger SXT 9mm 146 grn

ST1,
I carry the following for self defense.
1911's (Commander and Officer) in 45 ACP, 185 gr Remington Golden Saber.
Kahr CW45 in 45 ACP, 185 gr Speer Gold Dot.
Kel-Tec PF9 in 9mm, 124 gr Speer Gold Dot+P.

I tried a box of Critical Defense in my 45's, but it wasn't very accurate......

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Kel-Tec PF9 in 9mm, 124 gr Speer Gold Dot+P.

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Sure it won't blow up?

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as I don't want to carry 115gr bullets anymore.

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I hear you. None of my defense loads are light-for-caliber. Well, maybe some 200gr 45 ACP if my 1911 was my defense gun (it's mostly a toy).

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In addition, Critical DUTY® loads are “full power loads” designed to function full-size handgun slides.

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Definitely some good information here. But still, I would take a 135gr +P Critical Duty over a 115gr standard pressure Critical Defense for something like my Ruger SR9c, which is more like a full-sized handgun than a subcompact. It has never failed to digest anything. Then again, I would surely test the ammo through it before trusting it.

My defense loads:

Carry:

Kahr CM9 - Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P, Winchester PDX1 124gr +P, Hornady XTP 124gr +P, Federal Hydrashok 135gr (all are mixed around in the mags)

Ruger SR9c - (same as the Kahr)

Home defense:

Remington 870 - 3" Magnum 00 Buck
Beretta 96 - Federal Hydrashok 180gr, Speer Gold Dot 180gr

My 45 has 230 grain pdx1 everyday all day.

9mm you must be more picky if you want to have the upmost performance. I carry 124 grain +p pdx1 normally. In the winter I carry the hornady critical defense for penetrating the extra clothing. There is also a certain time when I carry that over penetration becomes a real issue. I won't go into details about the scenario but I carry the federal 147 grain non +p fst.

I wouldn't carry hand loads. Lawyers will eat you alive if you ever have to use them.

Once I get an SP101 and CCL ill be carrying federal 125gr SJHP

.40 S&W - Cor-Bon 135gr

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I wouldn't carry hand loads. Lawyers will eat you alive if you ever have to use them.

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Need to more on this one. Where's the 25 year old law student dude when you need him?

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it explicitly says Hydra Shocks are subpar.

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This is what I have heard as well, but I dont have any real basis to prove it. My main reason for changing is because it's an older design and I believe ammo has evolved quite a bit in the last 10+ years.