[GlockDR]

After researching different ammo brands and type, I finally decided that I feel comfortable carrying Federal 9mm HST 124gr +P for self defense use.

The issue is that after I bought it online and loaded all my magazines, I just started to wonder if could have legal issues using this "Law Enforcement Ammunition" for self defense without being a LEO.

Is there such thing as ammunition for LE use ONLY?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hodawg]

After researching different ammo brands and type, I finally decided that I feel comfortable carrying Federal 9mm HST 124gr +P for self defense use.

The issue is that after I bought it online and loaded all my magazines, I just started to wonder if could have legal issues using this "Law Enforcement Ammunition" for self defense without being a LEO.

Is there such thing as ammunition for LE use ONLY?

Thanks in advance.

You're fine, GlockDR. No such thing as Law Enforcement Only ammunition that can be bought by non LEO's. Even if there were, it may go against company policy only, not against the law.

Beers y'all,
Ken

 

[D-Unit121]

I believe i saw this in another thread about ammo prices. I will try to find it, but if I remember correctly the outcome of the thread was that LE ammo is the same as civilian ammo. If you look at ammo prices online you could get 25 rounds of civilian for the same price for 50 rounds of LE. That is the same exact ammo of course. I carry LE ammo in my pistol every day.

now i could be wrong but im hoping my memory isnt that bad allready.

 

[SGB]

What Hodawg said

 

[gunsmith]

I have a browning 9mm .... leo ammo is $30 ..... regular American Eagle is $13 ..... any gunsmith will tell you that in most auto pistols a ball ammo has less jams than hollow point

In a self defense scenerio the last thing you need is a jam.

 

[racer88]

Another "ditto." It's the only SD ammo I carry. Why pay a buck a round (or more) for the "civilian" versions? I've got a good stash of "law enforcement" ammo. HST, Ranger, Gold Dot.

 

[Hodawg]

I have a browning 9mm .... leo ammo is $30 ..... regular American Eagle is $13 ..... any gunsmith will tell you that in most auto pistols a ball ammo has less jams than hollow point

In a self defense scenerio the last thing you need is a jam.

Well there you go. No further need for discussion. Almost all Law Enforcement Agencies use JHP's, but obviously the gunsmith's must know something the rest of us do not. I'm ditching all of my JHP's and buying nothing but ball ammo from now on. Thanks for the info, gunsmith.

 

[Paladin]

I have a browning 9mm .... leo ammo is $30 ..... regular American Eagle is $13 ..... any gunsmith will tell you that in most auto pistols a ball ammo has less jams than hollow point

In a self defense scenerio the last thing you need is a jam.

I hope you aren't serious about carry ball ammo for self defense.

 

[Hodawg]

I hope you aren't serious about carry ball ammo for self defense.

That's what "any gunsmith" will tell you, Paladin. Why would you not trust your life to "any gunsmith"?

Beers Hoss,
Ken

 

[PaulJ]

Some guns tend to jam with HP ammo, but then again, those may not be the guns you want to use for concealed carry. Some of the older German made police surplus Sigs had that issue in part because they were made for military and european police use which at the time didn't use HP (they do now).

Personally I use Federal HST and never had an issue with it. I find that it is priced reasonable ($25-30/box of 50)

 

[oldowl]

Assuming that you have put enough rounds reliably through your weapon of the chosen ammo, go for it.

more than a few instructors in Ohio recommend loading with the same ammo as used by local LE. If asked in front of a jury why you loaded man-killing bullets whose only purpose is to kill, just answer "I just use what the Sheriff uses. Good enough for them, good enough for me."

Course, neither they, nor I, are attorneys.

 

[CrackerFromFL]

I have a browning 9mm .... leo ammo is $30 ..... regular American Eagle is $13 ..... any gunsmith will tell you that in most auto pistols a ball ammo has less jams than hollow point

In a self defense scenerio the last thing you need is a jam.

First of all, a browning 9mm for SD? I just don't see it, but if it floats your boat, go for it. These accusations you're making about ammo is about as wild as the accusations you make about LEOs. I can't believe anything you say. I've NEVER heard a gunsmith saying something like that. You make it an issue about price though too, which is beyond me. You should be fine with one box of hollow points for each gun the rest of your life, unless you do some type of testing, which obviously goes without say. For rifles with hollow point ammo, it's different, but if you see what I'm getting at, that 30$ should last your whole life if you load up a couple mags with it & even take one to shoot at the range.

Well there you go. No further need for discussion. Almost all Law Enforcement Agencies use JHP's, but obviously the gunsmith's must know something the rest of us do not. I'm ditching all of my JHP's and buying nothing but ball ammo from now on. Thanks for the info, gunsmith.

That must be why I'm always hearing about JHP's jamming in SD news articles.

That's what "any gunsmith" will tell you, Paladin. Why would you not trust your life to "any gunsmith"?

Beers Hoss,
Ken

I've never heard such outrageous claims. I'm astounded by what goes on.

Older generation of guns, including older 1911s didn't do too well with JHP ammunition due to the fact that those guns were designed to be used with ball ammo as that was the only type of readily available ammo at that time.
Modern day guns works very well with both. A friend of mine has a Browning 9mm pistol, which works extemely well with JHP, but issues with Ball ammo, so I can say opposite based on that one specific gun.


Gunsmith, a reputable firearms instructor called you out. My friend is a NYS LE Certified Peace Officer, Glock & Bushmaster armorer, countless NRA certifications & NYS LE certified with a few different types of guns, Snipers, Shotguns, Rifles.... you get the picture. He's on a level like Brownie. He said he challenges you to some range time when he comes down here to South FL just to prove you wrong on all accounts and about every post you've made that I showed him.

 

[Soverign]

In FL the only "illegal" ammo in a handgun is steel core.
Shotguns have a few restricted loads.

 

[gunsmith]

Well there you go. No further need for discussion. Almost all Law Enforcement Agencies use JHP's, but obviously the gunsmith's must know something the rest of us do not. I'm ditching all of my JHP's and buying nothing but ball ammo from now on. Thanks for the info, gunsmith.

It's pure common sense that ball ammo feeds better than JHP

 

[Rvrctyrngr]

First of all, a browning 9mm for SD? I just don't see it, but if it floats your boat, go for it. These accusations you're making about ammo is about as wild as the accusations you make about LEOs. I can't believe anything you say. I've NEVER heard a gunsmith saying something like that. You make it an issue about price though too, which is beyond me. You should be fine with one box of hollow points for each gun the rest of your life, unless you do some type of testing, which obviously goes without say. For rifles with hollow point ammo, it's different, but if you see what I'm getting at, that 30$ should last your whole life if you load up a couple mags with it & even take one to shoot at the range.

Huh? What particular issue do you have with Browning 9mms? I have three HiPowers that are part of my regular carry rotation. Excellent weapons. Probably my favorite pistol of all time.

 

[gunsmith]

I hope you aren't serious about carry ball ammo for self defense.

My concern is jamming. But if you are a leo, or work in a high crime area at a liquor store, I imagine you want high cal JHP.

 

[gunsmith]

First of all, a browning 9mm for SD? I just don't see it, but if it floats your boat, go for it. These accusations you're making about ammo is about as wild as the accusations you make about LEOs. I can't believe anything you say. I've NEVER heard a gunsmith saying something like that. You make it an issue about price though too, which is beyond me. You should be fine with one box of hollow points for each gun the rest of your life, unless you do some type of testing, which obviously goes without say. For rifles with hollow point ammo, it's different, but if you see what I'm getting at, that 30$ should last your whole life if you load up a couple mags with it & even take one to shoot at the range.



That must be why I'm always hearing about JHP's jamming in SD news articles.



I've never heard such outrageous claims. I'm astounded by what goes on.

Older generation of guns, including older 1911s didn't do too well with JHP ammunition due to the fact that those guns were designed to be used with ball ammo as that was the only type of readily available ammo at that time.
Modern day guns works very well with both. A friend of mine has a Browning 9mm pistol, which works extemely well with JHP, but issues with Ball ammo, so I can say opposite based on that one specific gun.


Gunsmith, a reputable firearms instructor called you out. My friend is a NYS LE Certified Peace Officer, Glock & Bushmaster armorer, countless NRA certifications & NYS LE certified with a few different types of guns, Snipers, Shotguns, Rifles.... you get the picture. He's on a level like Brownie. He said he challenges you to some range time when he comes down here to South FL just to prove you wrong on all accounts and about every post you've made that I showed him.

I have a Mauser Broomhandle, a Sig 226, a Kimber Ultra, S & W 642, Browning HP, Star, Seecamp, etc.

Each gun likes a certain ammo... the mauser likes Finochhi .... most military guns like a hotter ammo.

Now, as far as self defense. My S & W 642 has had 25 rounds in 5 yrs. The Sig 226 is fairly constant. Where as the browning and kimber had teething problems, the kimber has crap magazines that ride over the slide stop. The browning had a recoil follower and the slide stop kept popping up. And there is the constant ammo ..... most custom browning builders recommend 115 gr ball ammo.

Yes certain guns run fine with JHP, but my preference is ball ammo. I have talked with numerous custom builders, the Sig service dept, and others, and certain guns preform better, or more reliable, on certain ammo.

Kimber's new solo

Kimber recommends 9mm LUGER (9×19) factory-fresh premium defense ammunition. You should find good results with the below mentioned ammo.

CCI®:
Blazer®, 9mm LUGER, 124gr FMJ (3578)
Blazer”l, 9mm LUGER, 147gr FMJ (3582)*

Federal®:
American Eagle®, 9mm LUGER, 115gr., FMJ (AE9DP)
American Eagle®, 9mm LUGER, 124gr., FMJ (AE9AP)
American Eagle®, 9mm LUGER, 147gr., FMJ FP (AE9FP)*
HYDRA-SHOK®, 9mm LUGER, 124gr., JHP (P9HS2)
HYDRA-SHOK®, 9mm LUGER, 147gr., JHP (P9HS1)

Fiocchi®:
Shooting Oynamics®, 124gr., FMJ (9APB)*
HornadY®:
Custom™, 9mm LUGER, 115gr., JHPI XTP (90252)*
Custom™, 9mm LUGER, 124gr., JHP/XTP (90242)*
Custom™, 9mm LUGER, 147gr., JHP/XTP (90282)*
TApTM, 9mm LUGER, 124gr., JHP (90248)*
TApTM, 9mm”LUGER, 147gr., JHP (90288)

Remington®:
Golden SaberTM, 9mm LUGER, 124gr., HPJ (29420)*
Golden SaberTM, 9mm LUGER, 147gr., HPJ (29422)*

Sellier & Bellot®:
9mm LUGER, 115 gr., FMJ (SB31042)*
9mm LUGER, 124 gr. , FMJ (SB31049)

Speer®:
Lawman®, 9mm LUGER, 115 gr., FMJ (53615)
Lawman®, 9mm LUGER, 124 gr., FMJ (53616)
GoldOot®, 9mm LUGER, 115 gr., JHP (23614)*
GoldOot®, 9mm LUGER, 124 gr., JHP (23618)*
GoldOot®, 9mm LUGER, 147 gr., JHP (23619)*




Self Defense Guns For Civilians

That's an endless debate. If you are a long haul truck driver, than that's one gun. If you are a old fart in West Palm that wears cargo shorts, that's another gun. A browning 9mm is fine for the car, or under the counter at a liquor store.



As far as your expert 'Calling me out'

I need to take the retirement home bus, and must be back in by 5:00.

 

[gunsmith]

Huh? What particular issue do you have with Browning 9mms? I have three HiPowers that are part of my regular carry rotation. Excellent weapons. Probably my favorite pistol of all time.

The browning hp and the 1911s are the most copied guns in history. Set up right, the right ammo, springs, magazines, oiled, and they are ultra dependable. I think the 1911 is the most used gun on the competition circuit.

You shoot 50 rounds X 2 X 12 months and thats around $300 in ammo a yr .... if you are shooting $30 a box speer gold dots, that $800 .... I shoot the $12 a box American Eagle.

I would put a Browning HP against any of these polymer jam-a-matics

 

[GotSBC?]

The browning hp and the 1911s are the most copied guns in history. Set up right, the right ammo, springs, magazines, oiled, and they are ultra dependable. I think the 1911 is the most used gun on the competition circuit.

You shoot 50 rounds X 2 X 12 months and thats around $300 in ammo a yr .... if you are shooting $30 a box speer gold dots, that $800 .... I shoot the $12 a box American Eagle.

I would put a Browning HP against any of these polymer jam-a-matics

Really? Polymer jam a matic.....

Wtf is wrong with you? Were you dropped as a child?

 

[SGB]

Really? Polymer jam a matic.....

Wtf is wrong with you? Were you dropped as a child?

"..that's funny i don't care who you are"