best personal protection ammo

[RefuseToBeAVictim]

For the M&P9c the Hornady Critical Defense would work. It's made to work best out of a short barrel and felt recoil is reduced. Gold Dots in 124 grain for anything longer than a 3" will get the job done nicely.

 

[VN Vet]

If my target ammo fires in my firearm and will hit the Punk at 800 ft/s and 390 ft-lbs (or better) at 20 feet should be good enough for me. Oh, I want at least five rounds to get the Punk down on the ground (and dead)
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[3steps]

I found the TNOUTDOORS9 videos very helpful in choosing my self defense ammo.
He has performed lots of ballistic gelatin tests.
Recently he put together a summery of his tests and choose his top five 9mm rounds.

MY 9MM EDC AMMO - YouTube

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

A) there is no "best" ammo.

When in doubt, see if you can determine what your local PD issues and emulate them. (As said above). Also as said - be sure it'll run in your gun.

B). there may not be a best, but you can sure get into crappy ammo very quickly. Stay away from gimmicky crap. (Exception being the zombie stuff from Hornaday. The name is the only gimmick - same tech as their other stuff)

Gimmicky crap will also include "frangible" stuff as SD ammo. It simply doesn't offer enough penetration to make it effective.

 

[Hohn]

I'd run either the HST, GDHP, or Rangers. In that order. Heavier is usually better, so I'd pick 147gr or 124.

 

[cubstuff]

I have Hornaday Personal Defense in my 9 mm, but that is just what I say when I was in the mood for buying. I am sure the others work well also.