[gdm320]

Hello All,

Well, I'm finally getting my hands on the P239 .40S&W that I have coveted for the last few months.

Now I need a recommendation from folks regarding ammo to feed the beast. Range ammo is one thing, but I want to hear opinions on what I should load my magazines with for self defense use as my daily carry.

I'm not sure if there are any ammo restrictions, but if it matters I am a Florida resident.

Thanks in advance!

 

[cmdrdredd]

I use Winchester Ranger T 180gr (RA40T). I would also not hesitate to use Federal HST 180gr, or Speer Gold Dot 180gr.

Tactical Defense Solutions has all 3 in stock. The HST is larger expanding, but I ordered the Rangers before the HST became available. All about $30 per box of 50.

You could pick a load off the list at Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo and be ok

In Florida you have no restrictions on ammo.

 

[gdm320]

Thanks CMDR!

 

[cmdrdredd]

The reason I chose the Ranger over the Gold Dot was because I don't anticipate shooting through barriers which is where the Gold Dot shines. I'm not an LEO so I don't ever forsee having to make a shot through a car window for example. The Rangers seemed to expand better in typical defense situations (bare ballistic gel and covered gel). The HST outclasses both in expansion and holds together well through barriers, but since the Gold Dot is bonded, it will always be the better choice for that situation (rare/never).

 

[ibesarcasm]

not saying I use either of these....... but you make look at Dynamic Research Technologies "DRT" Dynamic Research Technologies - lead free frangible ammunition in time proven calibers
and Extreme Shock Extreme Shock - The World's Most Advanced Ammunition

Mind you NEITHER will be cheap, however, they are the "new" technologies....
Well, not new..... but new to most general public, as most have never heard of them before the past few years........ VERY nice rounds though......

 

[NosaMSirhC]

I carry Federal HST in my P229 with no problems. I would seriously consider the Winchester Ranger load if I had some in .40S&W. I do carry Ranger in a .45 when I carry one (most of the time).

Be Safe,

NosaM

 

[cmdrdredd]

not saying I use either of these....... but you make look at Dynamic Research Technologies "DRT" Dynamic Research Technologies - lead free frangible ammunition in time proven calibers
and Extreme Shock Extreme Shock - The World's Most Advanced Ammunition

Mind you NEITHER will be cheap, however, they are the "new" technologies....
Well, not new..... but new to most general public, as most have never heard of them before the past few years........ VERY nice rounds though......

Both are junk and there's much info about them and how the manufacturer is/was unwilling to provide any for testing to Dr. Roberts who is a very respected ballistics expert. The short of it is, don't waste your time.

If you ook it up on The Boxotruth they do some tests and the claims the manufacturer makes are all proven false. Poor penetration to reach vitals on a BG was the main concern.

 

[Majorlk]

There are many good SD loads available in .40S&W from just about all the manufacturers. Despite all the manufacturer's hype and advertising, as well as dozens of conflicting "real life" tests, just about any of the JHP rounds will do nicely for SD carry.

The most important thing is 100 percent reliability in your particular firearm.

The second most important thing is accuracy in your particular firearm.

After that, as someone has said, everything else is angels dancing on the head of a pin.

I have Federal HydraShok, Remington Golden Saber and Winchester Black Talon and feel confident with any of them in my PT140.

BTW, I am in complete agreement with cmdrdredd's opinion of the DRT and Extreme Shock products. I'm not willing to risk my life on the stuff.

 

[gdm320]

HydraShock and Black Talon rounds are the ones that my Dad has been putting through his Sig for years, those are probably what I'll go with. Thanks for the great link CMDR it seems like their prices for 50 are similar to what other places charge for 20. Awesome.

 

[cmdrdredd]

HydraShock and Black Talon rounds are the ones that my Dad has been putting through his Sig for years, those are probably what I'll go with. Thanks for the great link CMDR it seems like their prices for 50 are similar to what other places charge for 20. Awesome.

The 50 round boxes are LE boxed. The civilian market only gets 20 round boxes. It stands to reason, they can make more money off 20 round boxes. There's no law telling you that you cannot buy the LE rounds, it's just the manufacturer's decision.

BTW: The Black Talons are no longer made, that is to say they are not black. The Winchester Ranger T rounds (not the bonded) are the newest generation of the same bullet design. It has had some slight changes made to it throughout the years. Call it upgrades.

 

[gdm320]

The 50 round boxes are LE boxed. The civilian market only gets 20 round boxes. It stands to reason, they can make more money off 20 round boxes. There's no law telling you that you cannot buy the LE rounds, it's just the manufacturer's decision.

Surely, entirely their right to decide they want to give LE a bit of a "bulk discount" or whatnot. Happily they have appeared for civilian purchase, which is nice. I'm ordering a box now .

 

[Majorlk]

BTW: The Black Talons are no longer made, that is to say they are not black. The Winchester Ranger T rounds (not the bonded) are the newest generation of the same bullet design. It has had some slight changes made to it throughout the years. Call it upgrades.

And Winchester wanted to get rid of the stigma of the "cop killer" moniker that the anti-gun press put on the Black Talon name. Believe it or not, both Law & Order and CSI still refer to them as banned cop-killer bullets.

 

[cmdrdredd]

And Winchester wanted to get rid of the stigma of the "cop killer" moniker that the anti-gun press put on the Black Talon name. Believe it or not, both Law & Order and CSI still refer to them as banned cop-killer bullets.

Didn't you know the black lubalox (is that it?) coating will let it zip through kevlar vests? :rofl:

 

[cmdrdredd]

Surely, entirely their right to decide they want to give LE a bit of a "bulk discount" or whatnot. Happily they have appeared for civilian purchase, which is nice. I'm ordering a box now .

Winchester will only sell them to an LEO channel. That is basically a distributor that caters to LEO orders or a departmental order. The distributor is not under any obligation to limit what retail locations actually order them. Winchester would prefer them not to be sold to the civilian market so they can market their civilian lines to them. The newest civilian offering is the new Supreme Elite PDX1 Bonded ammo. This is the same as the 50 round boxed Ranger Bonded Law Enforcement ammo (RA40B). It is the ammo that the FBI has settled on for their new duty load. Funny thing is, they use that as part of their marketing for the PDX1 ammo "The load chosen by the FBI". Also somewhat funny to me is that it has slightly inferior performance than the standard Ranger Ts (RA40T) in tests that don't involve barriers, yet winchester doesn't market the Ranger T line to the civilian market as far as I know.

 

[Sneaky]

Winchester will only sell them to an LEO channel. That is basically a distributor that caters to LEO orders or a departmental order. The distributor is not under any obligation to limit what retail locations actually order them. Winchester would prefer them not to be sold to the civilian market so they can market their civilian lines to them. The newest civilian offering is the new Supreme Elite PDX1 Bonded ammo. This is the same as the 50 round boxed Ranger Bonded Law Enforcement ammo (RA40B). It is the ammo that the FBI has settled on for their new duty load. Funny thing is, they use that as part of their marketing for the PDX1 ammo "The load chosen by the FBI". Also somewhat funny to me is that it has slightly inferior performance than the standard Ranger Ts (RA40T) in tests that don't involve barriers, yet winchester doesn't market the Ranger T line to the civilian market as far as I know.

Great dealer to purchase Winchester ammo: M.A.H. SUPPLIES LLC

 

[jmvdigital]

Dude, you realize this thread is 3 years old right?

 

[Sneaky]

Dude: Nothing is wrong with reactivating ammo history-its fun-Dude!

 

[GoodyFH]

NO on Critical Defense!

I bought a box of Hornady Zombie Max which is the same as critical defense except for a green tip instead of orange. My P239 wont load the round at all, gets caught right before entering the barrel. Big pain in the butt.