The best 9mm ammo depends on your goal, firearm, and personal preferences.
I busted a few of my 9mm pistols out of the safe and tested as many top choices as possible, including my favorites from over the years, to find the best 9mm ammo for just about every situation.
Federal American Eagle 147 grain FMJ is the best 9mm ammo because it performs well for training, plinking, and competition – the primary uses for 9mm ammo among most shooters.
The Best 9mm Ammo on the Market in 2025
| Best 9mm Training Ammo | Federal American Eagle 147 Grain FMJ |
|---|---|
| Best 9mm Self-Defense Ammo | Hornady Critical Duty 135 Grain JHP |
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| Best Target 9mm Ammo | Winchester USA 115 Grain FMJ |
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| Best Subsonic 9mm Ammo | Sellier and Bellot 150 Grain FMJ |
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| Best Bulk 9mm Ammo | Magtech 115 Grain FMJ |
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The Best 9mm Ammo Options in 2025
Best Training Ammo - Federal 9mm Ammo - 50 Rounds of 147 Grain FMJ Ammunition
Specs
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Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
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Bullet Weight: 147 Grains
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Muzzle Velocity: 1,000 fps
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Muzzle Energy: 326 ft-lbs
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Case: Brass
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Useful for general target shooting or competition | Lower muzzle velocity than lighter alternatives |
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| Inexpensive, especially when purchased in bulk | |
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Why I Chose It
When you’re in a life-or-death situation, and adrenaline has your hands shaking, your recoil control is going to be the worst it’s ever been. That’s why I always recommend training for defense with ammo coming as close to the recoil impulse of your carry ammo as possible
I’ve always found Federal American Eagle 9mm ammo to be dependable and accurate. I selected the version with the heaviest bullet because it has a fairly high recoil, making it a good stand-in for more expensive self-defense ammo (which typically has more recoil, in my experience).
Best 9mm Self-Defense Ammunition - Hornady 9mm Ammo - 25 Rounds of 135 Grain JHP Ammunition
Specs
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Bullet Type: FlexLock Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
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Bullet Weight: 135 Grains
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Muzzle Velocity: 1,010 fps
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Muzzle Energy: 306 ft-lbs
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Case: Nickel-Plated Brass
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent performance in FBI ballistic testing | Expensive |
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| Proven Flex Tip technology | |
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| Trusted by local and federal law enforcement agencies | FlexLock hollow points struggle with feed ramps in some pre-1970s 9mm pistols |
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| High-lubricity nickel-plated brass cases | |
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Why I Chose It
Hornady Critical Duty is one of the world’s most successful and prolific home and self-defense ammo lines, and with good reason. Many state and federal law enforcement agencies have turned to Critical Duty for their carry gun ammo.
In FBI ballistic gel tests, the Critical Duty line has consistently demonstrated its ability to penetrate to the ideal depth to stop a threat, as well as minimize the risk of over-penetration. Its Flex Tip polymer insert is designed to prevent the FlexLock bullet’s nose cavity from clogging with fabric and other debris. That preserves the bullet’s ability to initiate terminal expansion, making it more reliable in scenarios in which the threat is shielded by one or more barriers.
The terminal performance of the 135 grain bullet is excellent. When passing through soft tissue, the 9mm projectile expands to over 0.63" in diameter before coming to a rest, and it does so extremely reliably.
Recoil is a bit sharp out of a subcompact, but that comes with the territory. The 135 grain JHP needs its extra velocity to ensure it reaches its target with sufficient energy for deep penetration.
This round has proven itself repeatedly in law enforcement situations, and performed well in every test we (and the FBI and ATF) can think of. That’s good enough for me.
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Best 9mm Ammo to Feed Your Pistol & PCC in 2025