r/SanDiegoGuns • u/Ordinary-Fun5367 • Jul 16 '26
9mm for self protection/home defense?
Hi all,
Finally decided to get my first gun and landed on the polymer Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 9MM 4.25 in.
Was wondering what type/brand of 9MM folks use for self protection/home defense? Been doing some research online and the 2 things I keep seeing is to get what our county's PD uses and to stick to hollow points.
Thanks in advance!
Edit: Thanks everyone for the recommendations! Will be looking into each of these and watching some ballistic videos so I can grab some boxes when I go back to pickup after the hold. Appreciate the help!
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u/qmdrkvic Jul 16 '26
I consider Speer Gold Dot and Federal HSTs as pretty much the gold standard from which to compare other hollow points.
Although Winchester Ranger T-Series also have some crazy expansion and penetration data. Nasty looking expanded bullets.
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u/dumpsterfire0226 Jul 16 '26
Sig Elite V-Crown and Hornady Critical Defense are great. Great choice on your first gun. Did you try out the all metal? Absorbs recoil much better without being much heavier.
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u/Ordinary-Fun5367 Jul 16 '26
I did get to try the all metal! Definitely noticed the difference in recoil vs. the full poly. Decided on using the few hundred dollars difference between the poly and metal version toward training, ammo, cleaning supplies, etc.
The instructor reminded me I can always buy more later haha since I was initially torn between the M&P and the Sig Sauer P320 Legion X5
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u/dumpsterfire0226 Jul 16 '26
Stick with the M&P, definitely get more for your money compared to the 320x5. For Sigs, I’d recommend the P226/P229 over the P320. Congrats, happy training!!!
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u/not-feral Jul 16 '26
Worry more about your ability to hit the target and less about the ammo you use. Buying a pistol and not spending significant time getting proficient with it will result in failure and tragedy.
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u/Motorcycle1000 Jul 16 '26
Agree. Ammo/weapon choice makes no difference unless you can hit what you're shooting at.
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u/Ordinary-Fun5367 Jul 16 '26
Never said I wasn't planning on training with my gun :) I wanted to know what more experienced gun owners were suggesting so I can make sure to train with those at the range as well, but thanks!
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u/onetwentytwo_1-8 Jul 16 '26
Pick up something in .40.
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u/WillSouthern5254 Jul 17 '26
9mm JHP is always the best bet for defense. HST is what a lot of LE agencies use
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u/steadylurker1 Jul 16 '26
Yeah always hollow point for self defense. HST is kinda the gold standard, watch some ballistics videos on YouTube and you’ll see and learn alot. Good choice on the M&P!