Ask a Question
Our customer service team has published this Q&A information as a free service to the shooting community.
Please note that LuckyGunner.com expressly disclaims any and all liability with regard to how the shooting community
might use this Q&A information. See Terms of Use for more details.
Posted On: 8/21/2023
By: Adam
A: Hi Adam! LE stands for Law Enforcement (but to be sure, civilians can own this ammo as well). It's the same exact ammo as Speer's other Gold Dot products.
Posted On: 7/26/2022
By: Dan Thompson
A: Sorry sir, but we've never stocked this ammunition in boxes smaller than 50. Here's all the self-defense 9mm we're currently offering in 20-round boxes: luckygunner.com/handgun/9mm-ammo?ammo_use_type=1436&quantity=20
Posted On: 5/20/2022
By: Robert Glaze
A: Thanks for reaching out Robert! I don't know what you heard, and I'm not in Speer's inner circle by any means, but I'd be shocked if Speer discontinued SKU #53618. If they've removed it from speer.com, it is more likely that they simply haven't got it in stock at the moment. But if you go to le.vistaoutdoor.com (Vista Outdoor being the company which owns Speer, Federal Premium, Remington and CCI, among other ammo brands), you'll see that this ammo still apears there: https://le.vistaoutdoor.com/ammunition/speer/handgun/details.aspx?id=53618
Posted On: 4/16/2022
By: Nathaniel
A: Thanks for reaching out Nathaniel! I have the perfect answer to your question: Speer Lawman 124gr TMJ (the total metal jacket bullet is identical to an FMJ except for its jacket, which totally encapsulates the lead core instead of exposing its base to hot propellant gasses). Speer loads their Lawman ammuniton *specifically* to match the recoil, point of aim and ballistic performance of their analogous Gold Dot 124gr JHP ammunition. I'm happy to say that we have currently got it in stock: luckygunner.com/9mm-124-gr-tmj-speer-lawman-53651-50-round
Posted On: 4/1/2022
By: mike
A: Thanks for reaching out Mike! To be sure, the Gold Dot Hollow Point (GDHP) *is* a jacketed hollow point. The GDHP is an exceptional enough JHP to warrant having its own name, however. The GDHP features an electrochemically bonded jacket, which was fused to its alloyed lead core one molecule at a time. Most importantly, this makes the GDHP virtually immune to core/jacket separation during terminal penetration – even if it must first pierce a barrier like sheet metal or plywood. A bullet which excels at remaining intact also retains momentum effectively. And momentum is the force which drives a bullet deeply into its target. The GDHP's nose cavity is also precision engineered to deliver uniform rate and width of expansion, which makes its terminal ballistics extremely effective at quickly neutralizing a threat. Many law enforcement agencies across the land favor Speer's GDHP for that very reason.
Posted On: 3/30/2022
By: Calvin
A: Thanks for reaching out Calvin! Your Kel-Tec P-11 should function seamlessly with this ammo. I would have personally recommended this ammo to you even if you hadn't asked about it specifically. If you are interested, you may read a review of your pistol's performance with this ammo here: gun-tests.com/handguns/kel-tec-p11-9mm-368/
Posted On: 3/25/2022
By: Kevin
A: Thanks for reaching out Kevin! The Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection 9mm Luger +P ammo has the manufacturer SKU 23611GD. It is different from the ammo on this page, which has the manufacturer SKU 53618. This is standard pressure ammo rather than +P, and furthermore not similarly engineered to deliver optimal performance with a shorter barrel.
We do offer your preferred 9mm +P ammo for sale, although I regret that we are currently out of stock: luckygunner.com/9mm-124-grain-p-jhp-speer-gold-dot-short-barrel-20-rounds
We update our inventory constantly, so I hope you will check back in again soon!
Posted On: 3/12/2022
By: Russell
A: Thanks for reaching out Russell! There is quite literally no difference between 9mm, 9mm Luger, 9mm Parabellum, 9x19mm Parabellum, or 9x19mm. Those are all different names for the same exact cartridge. Your Ruger is perfectly equipped to fire any ammo that bears one of those names! For reference, 9mm NATO, 9mm +P and 9mm +P+ are all different, however, as they are loaded to higher pressures than the round we would call 9mm or 9mm Luger.
Posted On: 1/31/2022
By: Carlos Rodas
A: We do! Please enter your info here and we'll email you a discount code:
luckygunner.com/heidi-salutes-our-military
Posted On: 12/17/2021
By: Melissa
A: Thanks for reaching out Melissa! To my knowledge, the U.S. Revolver Company top break revolver was only ever chambered for 32 S&W (aka 32 S&W Short). Although you can fire 32 S&W in a revolver chambered for 32 S&W Long, you never want to fire 32 S&W Long in a revolver that is chambered only for 32 S&W.
I regret that we haven't got the ammo you need in stock right now. We do update our inventory constantly, however, and we stock 32 S&W as often as we're able. (It is a less popular cartridge, although several companies do regularly produce it.) I hope you'll check back in again soon to see how we can be of better help!
Posted On: 10/2/2021
By: Stanley A Haller
A: Thanks for reaching out Stanley. Everything you just named is premium ammo, barring the Blazer which is still serviceable target shooting grade ammunition. I can't account for why your Canik didn't like the HST – I consider that alongside Gold Dot to be the creme de la creme as far as self-defense goes. But every handgun has a soul, and preferences that you can really only discover through trial and error. Without testing this ammo in your handgun myself I really can't give you a useful opinion or a guarantee. Doesn't sound like your pistol's in disrepair, since it ran the Blazer without issue. If I were you I'd place my hopes on the Speer, since they load the same CCI primers as the Blazer ammo your handgun liked.
Posted On: 9/21/2021
By: Kendall Bailey
A: Thanks for reaching out Kendall! You could certainly spark a lot of debate with that question. But most police in this country choose one of two types of ammo for their Glock 19 pistols: Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST. I too believe these are the best brands of 9mm ammo for self-defense. The bullet weight you select is only a matter of preference, and your handgun is designed to safely fire 9mm +P ammo as well. I've narrowed down a selection of Speer and Federal self-defense ammo for you to have a look at here:
luckygunner.com/handgun/9mm-ammo?ammo_use_type=1436&manufacturer=1%2C134
Posted On: 6/22/2021
By: Billy Jones
A: Absolutely Billy, great choice of self-defense ammo for both of those two handguns!
Posted On: 6/22/2021
By: Christopher Range
A: Thanks for reaching out Christopher! We can ship directly to most Americans' doorsteps. You can learn whether we serve your state and whether we're required to ask for any ID right here:
luckygunner.com/faq-state-by-state
Posted On: 7/14/2020
By: Carlos Jacobo
A: Hi Carlos! You want 9mm, 9mm Luger, or 9x19 ammo – they are all identical. Your XD can handle more powerful 9mm+P ammunition. Its downside is that the added power (A) creates more recoil and (B) wears out a handgun faster. Whether you want to deal with a little more recoil is up to you, but I wouldn't worry about wear and tear to a handgun if you're only using the 9mm+P ammo for self-defense.
We're currently short stocked because of the pandemic and the recent civil unrest, but I'm happy to say we currently have two excellent options for self-defense with your XD: https://www.luckygunner.com/handgun/9mm-ammo. The Speer Gold Dot ammo is used by A LOT of police officers because it performs so reliably, and its bullet is precision designed for consistent terminal expansion. It penetrates deep, and it expands to a uniform width. The Black Hills HoneyBadger ammo is lower powered because it is subsonic – unless your handgun is outfitted with a suppressor, you won't get the full benefit of it. The HoneyBadger bullet is still extremely effective for self-defense, but I strongly advise you order the Speer Gold Dot. There are few better options for self-defense out there with a 9mm!
Posted On: 7/11/2020
By: Jeff P.
A: That's important to us as well! You can request that your order be shipped in a plain cardboard box by selecting the "Overbox" option during checkout.
Posted On: 7/10/2020
By: Jason Ames
A: Hi Jason! Fortunately your pistol is rated for 9mm +P ammo. You can take a look at page 11 of the owner's manual linked below for more info.
The general rule with overpressure ammo is that you don't want to use it for training. The greater pressure it generates can wear out a handgun more quickly. However, I don't think a few boxes fired during training ought to inflict any serious damage to your Shield!
Manual: https://snwcdnprod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/owners-manuals/MP9-SHIELD-EZ-031520-3013255-ownersmanual_0.pdf
Posted On: 7/8/2020
By: Phil
A: Hi Phil! What can I say – I'm just really passionate about ammo, is all. If I was born a thousand years ago I suppose I'd have sold arrows. Fifty thousand years ago I would have told other cavemen which pointy rocks were best for throwing at cave bears. I hope we get to ship you some ammo soon!
Posted On: 7/6/2020
By: Ryan Jones
A: Absolutely! This is top shelf self-defense ammo that should function like clockwork in the Q4 Tac.
Posted On: 7/6/2020
By: Chris
A: Hi Chris! This cartridge has features including an electrochemically bonded jacket, precision machined hollow point, and nickel-plated casing. Together they make it more suitable for self-defense, although they accordingly raise its price tag. Some shooters will only fire their self-defense ammo of choice at the range, reasoning it's the best way to familiarizae themselves with its performance. Most shooters opt for more economical full metal jacket (ammo) for range training, though. While you could very well practice with this ammo, you'll find doing so can get a little spendy. I'd recommend 9mm FMJ ammo for the range to you, but unfortunately in the wake of the pandemic and the recent social unrest we're uncharacteristically low stocked on a lot of items! So, while I'd hate for you to shop for ammo elsewhere, I must assure you that your wallet will be a lot happier if you invest in some 9mm FMJ ammo.
Posted On: 6/26/2020
By: Mark A McElfresh
A: Absolutely! This is a top shelf self-defense round that should function correctly in any firearm capable of chambering it. Your semi-auto ought to prove especially capable of cycling this round's sleek nickel plated brass.
Posted On: 6/26/2020
By: Mike
A: This 9mm self-defense ammo should function correctly in any M&P 9 Shield handgun.
Posted On: 6/16/2020
By: Steve
A: Congrats on the new pistol, Steve! The 9mm ammo on this page is optimized for self-defense and should function correctly in your Hellcat. That's a subcompact handgun, so you may have an easier time handling it with 115 grain bullets. The middleweight 124 grain bullet should still be just fine, though. So long as the cartridge is called 9mm, 9mm Luger, or 9x19 it will work in your Hellcat.
Let me tell you the basics of bullets real quick too. There are two you need to know just starting out: the FMJ and the JHP. The FMJ (full metal jacket) is less expensive but less effective for self-defense because it doesn't expand after impact. The JHP (jacketed hollow point) is more expensive and more effective for self-defense, because it does expand after impact.
On that point, if you order the self-defense JHP ammo on this page, you should probably get some FMJ ammo for target practice too. Only good option we got at the moment is Federal Syntech – its bullet is jacketed in heavy duty polymer instead of metal, but it operate3s on the same principle: luckygunner.com/9mm-150-grain-total-synthetic-jacket-tsj-federal-syntech-50.
You ever have any questions about your ammo, you just ask here!
Posted On: 5/21/2020
By: adam estrada
A: Hello Adam! This Gold Dot round should give you a 1,150 fps muzzle velocity instead of the 115 grain's 1,200 fps. (Those velocities are subject to many factors and may vary in practice, of course.) The heavier 124 grain bullet will make your trajectory drop ever so slightly steeper, yet the two rounds' muzzle energies are nearly identical. Some people find that the slightly heavier 124 grain bullet helps their pistol's action work better. Others prefer the 124 grain bullet's slightly softer report, although that hardly matters in a self-defense scenario. Really, the most important factor is what you prefer shooting. If your experience is largely invested in 115 grain rounds, you may prefer to stick with them – but in practice, either would serve you very well for personal protection.
Posted On: 4/30/2020
By: Mark
A: No sir, this is not +P ammo.
Posted On: 11/3/2019
By: Tim Struke
A: Hi Tim. The only difference is in packaging. Most of the time those marked for LE use are packaged in a plain type box with little focus on the market. Civilian or "Personal Protection" will be in smaller quantities and have packaging that is more attractive for retail customers. The ammo is the same.
