Favorite Ammunition for CM9 !

[michaeljbird]

To try and stay positive I was hoping to get a consensus of the forums favorite ammunition for range as well as their favorite for self defense when carrying your CM9 ! Thanks so much. Im new to the forum and have learned a lot so far.

[stumprat]

Hornady TAP FDP 124 grain has been reliable. And extremely accurate for me.

[OldLincoln]

Hi Michael, welcome to the forum. You will get a lot of consensus on ammunition here, at least 47 different consensi. :) Ammo is mostly all good and it's more important that it feeds and shoots reliably in your gun then if it's talons, gold dot, hydra-shok or HST. Of course my Federal +P 147gb 9mm carry ammo is the absolute best! The heavy penetrates better that light and HST expands more consistently even through clothing than most others. Well, that's what we call a straw dog as many will say there's is the best. But I said it first.

As for range ammo, just stay away from Russian and stell case and you should be okay. Cheap is good and a lot of folks buy Walmart white box or other on-line inexpensive ammo. Others like me reload target ammo but never defense stuff.

[Michael W.]

To try and stay positive I was hoping to get a consensus of the forums favorite ammunition for range as well as their favorite for self defense when carrying your CM9 ! Thanks so much. Im new to the forum and have learned a lot so far.

Michael,

Lots of opinions out there in Kahr-land, but having said that
there's a list of loads that always seems to be favorable
providing they feed in your gun, in no particular ranking:

Speer Gold Dot 124gr
Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P
Speer Gold Dot 147gr
Federal HST 124gr
Federal HST 124gr +p
Federal HST 147 (my personal carry load in my PM9)
Federal HST 147gr +P
Federal 115gr +P+ (9BPLE)
Remington Golden Saber 124gr +P
Winchester Ranger-T 124gr +P
Winchester Ranger-T 147gr
Winchester Ranger-T 127gr +P+
Winchester PDX-1 Bonded 124gr +P
Winchester PDX-1 Bonded 147gr
Corbon 115gr +P
Corbon 115gr +P DPX
Hornady Critical Defense 115gr (in my wife's CM9)

I really don't think you can go wrong with any of
these rounds provided you do your part on delivering
it COM (preferably multiple times:)

For the range, the best values are to buy online
in bulk (500 or 1000 rds) at a time, and the best
prices always seem to be Sellior and Bellot 115gr FMJ.
I like this load a lot. Full power, accurate and high quality.
115gr Fiocchi is the same way but it's no longer the bargain
it used to be. I've also recently been finding the Swiss made RWS 115gr
FMJ at decent prices here and there. This is also excellent range fodder.

Don't shoot reloads, I don't care where they're from.
Simply not worth the risk.
Don't shoot the cheap Russian stuff in your Kahr's.
(But if you own Glocks or H&K's, Wolf, Brown Bear, et al is fine)

If you buy local, Walmart has Winchester White Box (WWB)
and also Federal Champion, both fine for the range.

Hope this helps.

Michael-

[TheTman]

Welcome to the Forum Micheal, hope your proves to be a great one just as most of the CM9's are. I don't have a CM9, but my CW40 likes all manner of FMJ ammo, WWB, Federal, American Eagle, it's not fussy. Seems like the CM9's have run about anything put thru them too for. Seems like maybe someone was having trouble with the Federal FMJ, I think it's one of the longer cartridges. I forget who it was. For SD rounds, Speer Gold Dot, Federal HST, and Hydra Shok and Hi Shok, Remington Golden Sabre and even their UMC hollow points, Hornady XTP, Cor-Bon DPX, all goood loads. And there are a lot others. See what you can find locally for a decent price that works well in your gun. I use Hydra-Shoks in my 9mm's (an LC9 and a Diamondback DB9) because that's what I could find locally at a decent price that feeds well. Some of the ammo is taylored for short barrels too, so you can check those out if you want. If you have a Gander Mtn close they stock a lot of different brands, but the price is kind of high. I like to find something I like then order several boxes from one of the online suppliers for SD ammo. If you don't buy several boxes at once, the shipping eats up any savings.
Walmart has that Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1 now for their premium ammo here abouts, I use it in the .45's, but haven't tried it in 9 or .40 yet. They have some other 9mm, UMC hollow points, and I think Winchester white box hollowpoints, they had that in several calibers lately.
147 or 115-124 grains is up to you, do like light and fast or slow and heavy. I think the 9mm is better suited for light and fast. The 147 does penetrate barriers better due to it's heavier mass. +P definately adds a little oomph to it. As Old Lincoln says: Most of all it has to be reliable in your gun. Shot placement is a lot more important that what you're shooting, So buy a couple boxes of some brands you would carry and shoot one up to test and if it tests good load up on that brand. Be real picky though, if it hangs up after your pistol was broken in, or doesnt shoot to point of aim, i'd definately try a different brand cartridge. Depends how tired you are and if you're holding the gun correctly and things too. Good luck with it, if you're like most the CM9 owners I think you're going to be real happy with it.

[Allen]

Hi Michael, welcome to the forum. You will get a lot of consensus on ammunition here, at least 47 different consensi. :) Ammo is mostly all good and it's more important that it feeds and shoots reliably in your gun then if it's talons, gold dot, hydra-shok or HST. Of course my Federal +P 147gb 9mm carry ammo is the absolute best! The heavy penetrates better that light and HST expands more consistently even through clothing than most others. Well, that's what we call a straw dog as many will say there's is the best. But I said it first.

As for range ammo, just stay away from Russian and stell case and you should be okay. Cheap is good and a lot of folks buy Walmart white box or other on-line inexpensive ammo. Others like me reload target ammo but never defense stuff.

Your last sentence surprises me, I'd think personally hand loaded ammo would be the best to have for self defense. When we used to big game hunt in Colorado we trusted our hand loaded rifle ammo much more than any factory loaded. Maybe pistol ammo is a whole different ball game.

[michaeljbird]

Thanks so much for the response's !!! Keep em coming ! Going to a big gun show this weekend and hoping to score some ammo at a good price ! I love hearing what you guys prefer. For practice and for carry !

[Michael W.]

Thanks so much for the response's !!! Keep em coming ! Going to a big gun show this weekend and hoping to score some ammo at a good price ! I love hearing what you guys prefer. For practice and for carry !

Michael,

Here in Florida our gun shows are often the worst places to try to buy
ammo. Lots of gouging going on for the popular brands like Gold Dot, et al.
You'll likely find much better prices online. About the only reason to go to gun
shows anymore for me is to fondle guns I don't have. I rarely find any good
deals on anything.

Places I like to check regularly:

www.sgammo.com
www.ammunitiontogo.com
www.cheaperthandirt.com
www.mahsupplies.net
www.aimsurplus.com
www.kylesgunshop.com

M-

[JFootin]

Another thing to look for in carry rounds is the 50 round boxes, often labeled for PD use. You can get the same SD rounds a lot cheaper than in the 20 round boxes designed for personal use. I have some 50 round boxes of Speer Gold Dots and Federal HSTs that I paid well under $30 a box for.

[Bill K]

Welcome to KahrTalk!

I'd have no qualms carrying any of the rounds that Michael W listed. A 124 +P anything seems to be a popular choice for nines that can handle +P - your CM9 can. I've been carrying Black Hills (factory fresh not their reloads) 124 +Ps for years in my Glock and have Black Hills 115 EXP (extra pressure) in my PM9. As I'm typing I'm thinking, for the winter, about a hotter round than the 115 EXPs for winter carry in my PM9. These 147s that guys are talking about sound interesting and deserving of further investigation. You could just go Spear GD 124 +P and be done with it.

[hoghunter]

For me it is simple. I have always just stuck with Speer. If it ain't broke don't fix it is my approach to ammo. Can find good deals for a case of the Lawman stuff online.

Range: Speer Lawman 115gr TMJ
SD: Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P

[MO_Soldier]

Another thing to look for in carry rounds is the 50 round boxes, often labeled for PD use. You can get the same SD rounds a lot cheaper than in the 20 round boxes designed for personal use. I have some 50 round boxes of Speer Gold Dots and Federal HSTs that I paid well under $30 a box for.

Can you recall where you got your 50 round boxes from? I'm a LEO(military), so I am able to get access to LEO websites, etc but have yet to come across those.

Personally, I shoot Federal American Eagle FMJ on the range. I carry Hornady Critical Defense 115gr as my PD round.

[Indigo]

Can you recall where you got your 50 round boxes from? I'm a LEO(military), so I am able to get access to LEO websites, etc but have yet to come across those.

Personally, I shoot Federal American Eagle FMJ on the range. I carry Hornady Critical Defense 115gr as my PD round.


If you never looked cheaper than dirt sells 50 round boxes of bonded golden saber for under 27/box no LEO required if that would be up your alley

[JFootin]

Can you recall where you got your 50 round boxes from? I'm a LEO(military), so I am able to get access to LEO websites, etc but have yet to come across those.

Personally, I shoot Federal American Eagle FMJ on the range. I carry Hornady Critical Defense 115gr as my PD round.

Here are some:
http://www.sgammo.com/product/winchester/50rd-winchester-ranger-9mm-t-series-p-ra9124tp

http://www.policehq.com/Products/FC-9HST

And Kyle's Gun Shop has a nice selection:
http://www.kylesgunshop.com/store.php/ct50216/ammo__9mm_defense__duty

[JimBianchi]

Michael,

Lots of opinions out there in Kahr-land, but having said that
there's a list of loads that always seems to be favorable
providing they feed in your gun, in no particular ranking:

Speer Gold Dot 124gr
Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P
Speer Gold Dot 147gr
Federal HST 124gr
Federal HST 124gr +p
Federal HST 147 (my personal carry load in my PM9)
Federal HST 147gr +P
Federal 115gr +P+ (9BPLE)
Remington Golden Saber 124gr +P
Winchester Ranger-T 124gr +P
Winchester Ranger-T 147gr
Winchester Ranger-T 127gr +P+
Winchester PDX-1 Bonded 124gr +P
Winchester PDX-1 Bonded 147gr
Corbon 115gr +P
Corbon 115gr +P DPX
Hornady Critical Defense 115gr (in my wife's CM9)

I really don't think you can go wrong with any of
these rounds provided you do your part on delivering
it COM (preferably multiple times:)

For the range, the best values are to buy online
in bulk (500 or 1000 rds) at a time, and the best
prices always seem to be Sellior and Bellot 115gr FMJ.
I like this load a lot. Full power, accurate and high quality.
115gr Fiocchi is the same way but it's no longer the bargain
it used to be. I've also recently been finding the Swiss made RWS 115gr
FMJ at decent prices here and there. This is also excellent range fodder.

Don't shoot reloads, I don't care where they're from.
Simply not worth the risk.
Don't shoot the cheap Russian stuff in your Kahr's.
(But if you own Glocks or H&K's, Wolf, Brown Bear, et al is fine)

If you buy local, Walmart has Winchester White Box (WWB)
and also Federal Champion, both fine for the range.

Hope this helps.

Michael-

Mine too in my MK9.

[wm36]

For range ammo, I haven't found my CM9 to be picky. I have a store on the far side of town that sells S&B for $10/box. That's what I stock up on when I can. A close-by store just sent out an ad for Rem UMC for the same price. I have tried both in my CM9 and they have worked fine for me.

For 50rd boxes of Fed HST, I have purchased from ammunitiontogo.com. They have both the HST and gold dots for less than $30/box.

[cgff]

All good info and all fine recommendations. one round not mentioned and a little older for SD is the Winchester JHP silverTip either 115gr or 147 They where available in the +p form also, but I think that was for LEO's only
My CM9 seems fine with all FMJ so far fed it. I have not tried the above silvertips but shall in the next few days I still have a quite a few boxes tucked away

[TheTman]

Allen, reloaded ammunition is not a good thing to carry for self defense. If they decide to prosecute you for a SD shooting for whatever reason they dream up, they can use the fact that you handloaded your own ammuntion to make it "deadlier" than commercial offerings and help to portray you on some vigilante out to wreak destruction on criminals. At least that's what I've read in some legal advice articles.
I'd stick with commercial offerings, that I've tested and run well in my gun. You stand a much less chance of getting a squib load or other problem round that way too.

[MO_Soldier]

Here are some:
http://www.sgammo.com/product/winchester/50rd-winchester-ranger-9mm-t-series-p-ra9124tp

http://www.policehq.com/Products/FC-9HST

And Kyle's Gun Shop has a nice selection:
http://www.kylesgunshop.com/store.php/ct50216/ammo__9mm_defense__duty

Thanks a bunch! I'll be checking these out. I need to reorder my Hornady CD ammo.

[mr surveyor]

Allen, reloaded ammunition is not a good thing to carry for self defense. If they decide to prosecute you for a SD shooting for whatever reason they dream up, they can use the fact that you handloaded your own ammuntion to make it "deadlier" than commercial offerings and help to portray you on some vigilante out to wreak destruction on criminals. At least that's what I've read in some legal advice articles.
I'd stick with commercial offerings, that I've tested and run well in my gun. You stand a much less chance of getting a squib load or other problem round that way too.



no offense, but I still think that is a hyped up urban myth started by a "professional gun writer/trainer" (name with held) that originated from a very limited sample of cases

just my personal opinion

[joe d]

Mine shoots everything...I use Speer GD's for SD though...

[TheTman]

I did some research on the handload Mr. Surveyor, and it would seem you are correct that M.A. has theorized it could be used against you, but no one seems to be able to recall a case where it was an issue. Although one article mentioned that in a civil case it's much more likely to be used against you. With all the excellent offerings in self defense ammo available, why take a chance on handloads?

[mr surveyor]

You did good on the "research";)

As for handloads for SD, there are many, many skilled reloaders/handloaders all over this country that can build excellent ammunition that is every bit as good as any factory ammunition. The experts among them can tweak loads that get the ultimate performance from their personal firearms. Those are the folks that have my admiration... unfortunately for me, I am not among their ranks. My hand hammered loads, altough 100% reliable thus far, are for paper punching only and downloaded considerably below max pressure to get the most "bangs from the brass":)

The mention of the civil suits brings up another topic that would be good for discussion on the RKBA sub-forum. The civil suit issue is one that is dependent on state law.... glad to be a Texan:D

[TheTman]

That handloading is an art isn't it. I was able to get a very accurate 44. Magum load worked up that beat most anything off the shelf i tried. It was milder than full on .44 mag rounds, but hotter than .44 special, and in the longer .44 mag case for better accuracy. My 629 doesn't shoot near as well when using the shorter .44 special cases. I suppose a bit longer distance from the case to the forcing cone may be at fault. The load was great for target shooting, but probably not so hot for self defense. That was back in the day when I could work up a load, and make a couple cylinders full and run outside and test it. Plus I could actually see 25 yards while focusing on my front sight. I tried some 25 yard shooting with my Dan Wesson .357 magnum at the indoor range the other day, and the bullseye was just a big blur, I still got about a 3 inch group. not bad for these old eyes. I've considered taking a small washer and fixing it to my shooting glasses so give a peep site effect that helps clear up the sight picture. I've seen some semi-professionals doing this with pretty good effects.

[Rainman48314]

Your last sentence surprises me, I'd think personally hand loaded ammo would be the best to have for self defense. When we used to big game hunt in Colorado we trusted our hand loaded rifle ammo much more than any factory loaded. Maybe pistol ammo is a whole different ball game.
From a legal standpoint, there's a lot to be said for only using factory rounds and keeping your gun factory stock..no removing mag safety, no trigger jobs etc.

[Rainman48314]

no offense, but I still think that is a hyped up urban myth started by a "professional gun writer/trainer" (name with held) that originated from a very limited sample of cases

just my personal opinion
I'm gonna go with expert advice. If a guy has been in the court room a 1,000 times as either an Expert Witness or in the line of duty, he gets a feel for the subtelties. Its a little thing but little things add up to defining you as a crazed gun nut. Little things add up to become a preponderance of evidence.

Reloads also void most warranties.

[mr surveyor]

I'm gonna go with expert advice. If a guy has been in the court room a 1,000 times as either an Expert Witness or in the line of duty, he gets a feel for the subtelties. Its a little thing but little things add up to defining you as a crazed gun nut. Little things add up to become a preponderance of evidence.

Reloads also void most warranties.



whatever you feel most comfortable with ... your call

not every state has to deal with the same issues though;)

[Brittanyman]

Speer Gold Dot 115 gr. and/or Corbon DPX 95 gr.