Attention LEO's... What ammo are you guys carrying?

[Guest CK1]

first off, thanks for doing what you guys do... your service is appreciated.

so after reading quite a bit about what ammo is the best choice for carry, seems there is a general common sense consensus that carrying something identical or as close as possible to what is issued/carried by your local law enforcement is generally a wise choice (based on departments doing the homework/performance research for us, as well as the possible courtroom advantages in, god forbid, the event of having to use one's weapon and having to mount a legal defense).

hoping you guys could post what you're issued/carrying as per your TN department (caliber, brand, grains, P+ or +P+, etc)? thanks.

[Garufa]

Excellent question.

[nolo]

I'm not a LEO, but my cousin is. He carries Golden Saber +P 9mm in his Glock 19.

[Guest smithandwesson]

I know a few leos who like the winchester ranger t-series of ammo

[Guest Todd@CIS]

Currently...

.45acp Speer 230gr Gold Dot

.40 Speer 180gr Gold Dot

[Guest Todd@CIS]

FYI

Metro Nashville has issued Winchester 165gr Ranger-T for 10+ years. Starting next year they will be going to the Speer 165gr Gold Dot.

Since it isn't a performance issue (the 165gr Ranger-T has worked extremely well in officer involved shootings), I suspect it's a money thing. Gold Dots are ALOT cheaper for LE than Ranger-Ts.

Edited April 13, 2009 by Todd@CIS

[EMTRN]

We are issued the Ranger 40 s&w. I think it is +p+, not sure as we fill our mags and leave the boxes at the dept.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

We are issued the Ranger 40 s&w. I think it is +p+, not sure as we fill our mags and leave the boxes at the dept.

It's not. No such animal as Ranger +P+ in .40.

[EMTRN]

It's not. No such animal as Ranger +P+ in .40.

You can tell I pay a lot of attention! It changes from year to year depending on what is the best deal. I've also carried gold dots and hydra-shocks.

[TGO David]

You can tell I pay a lot of attention!

Aw come on man... you're a TGO'er and an Officer. It's your sworn TGO duty to not be "that cop" that never shoots much and doesn't know what he carries. It's in the bylaws.

[Ropin4gold]

We issue Federal 180 grain Tactical Bonded. 40s&w

[Guest KWW67]

Upon my departure we carried .40 S&W Black Talons.

[Smith]

FYI

Metro Nashville has issued Winchester 165gr Ranger-T for 10+ years. Starting next year they will be going to the Speer 165gr Gold Dot.

Since it isn't a performance issue (the 165gr Ranger-T has worked extremely well in officer involved shootings), I suspect it's a money thing. Gold Dots are ALOT cheaper for LE than Ranger-Ts.

Just proof the politicians care more about the bottom line than performance. GD are very outdated.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

Just proof the politicians care more about the bottom line than performance. GD are very outdated.

?

I don't neccessarily disagree with your first statement, but you second is flat wrong. The Gold Dot offers excellent terminal ballistic performance.

Also, if you have two rounds that pass all testing, but one is 20% cheaper than the other, I don't see a problem with going with the less expensive.

It's fiscally smart when you're buying for a 1300-1400 officer Department.

[Smith]

?

I don't neccessarily disagree with your first statement, but you second is flat wrong. The Gold Dot offers excellent terminal ballistic performance.

Also, if you have two rounds that pass all testing, but one is 20% cheaper than the other, I don't see a problem with going with the less expensive.

It's fiscally smart when you're buying for a 1300-1400 officer Department.

Gold Dots do poorly in every test I have seen ( in comparison to newer offerings) and tend to "clog" pretty significantly.

BTW - I should add this is in 9mm. Other calibers may fair better.

Edited April 14, 2009 by Smith

[Curiousgb]

Gold Dots do poorly in every test I have seen ( in comparison to newer offerings) and tend to "clog" pretty significantly.

BTW - I should add this is in 9mm. Other calibers may fair better.

A 9mm GD might expand, but a 45 GD won't contract.

[Guest Bill Lumberg]

A cop would have it on his hip and would be able to tell. We issue ranger. Any reputable brand will suffice for ccw.

[Smith]

A 9mm GD might expand, but a 45 GD won't contract.

Yeah, but clothing is about the only barrier it's gonna penetrate.

[Curiousgb]

Yeah, but clothing is about the only barrier it's gonna penetrate.:mad:

Oh Yea.

[9teeneleven]

Do you LEO's train and practice with the same ammo you carry? Or do you use the same FMJ range ammo as the rest of us? Or, a little of both?

[TNRobocop]

Department mostly carries .40 S&W Ranger SXT. I carry a .45 Kimber and it is loaded with 230 Speer GDHP.

[Guest Todd@CIS]

Gold Dots do poorly in every test I have seen ( in comparison to newer offerings) and tend to "clog" pretty significantly.

BTW - I should add this is in 9mm. Other calibers may fair better.

While any bullet can fail, the only Gold Dots that offer consistant sub-par performance are these...

.380ACP 90gr (this goes for EVERY .380 JHP that I've seen)

.38SPEC 125gr +P (but still pretty equal to other 125gr loadings)

9mm 115gr +p+

.40 165gr medium velocity (discontinued, current 165gr is full power)

Wealth of info here...

Service Pistol Duty and Self-Defense Loads - M4Carbine.net Forums

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm

http://le.atk.com/general/irl/woundballistics.aspx

The best Gold Dot offerings are these and they offer superior performance...

.38SPEC 135gr +P

9mm 124gr +P

.40 155gr, 165gr, and 180gr

.45ACP 230gr

Admittedly, I don't pay much attention to .357SIG

Edited April 17, 2009 by Todd@CIS

[Smith]

While any bullet can fail, the only Gold Dots that offer consistant sub-par performance are these...

.380ACP 90gr (this goes for EVERY .380 JHP that I've seen)

.38SPEC 125gr +P (but still pretty equal to other 125gr loadings)

9mm 115gr +p+

.40 165gr medium velocity (discontinued, current 165gr is full power)

.45ACP 200gr +P

Wealth of info here...

Service Pistol Duty and Self-Defense Loads - M4Carbine.net Forums

Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo

LE - Wound Ballistics

The best Gold Dot offerings are these and they offer superior performance...

.38SPEC 135gr +P

9mm 124gr +P

.40 155gr, 165gr, and 180gr

.45ACP 230gr

Admittedly, I don't pay much attention to .357SIG

You are correct. I was mixing my Hydrashok data with the Gold Dot. Hydrashoks ARE very outdated. Gold dot's not so much. I still think however there are much better options. Ranger-T's are priced well and perform better.

[EMTRN]

Aw come on man... you're a TGO'er and an Officer. It's your sworn TGO duty to not be "that cop" that never shoots much and doesn't know what he carries. It's in the bylaws.

LOL. I do shoot regularly, but I don't get real concerned about equipment!