Defense and specialty loads include Federal HST and Syntech, Sig Sauer JHP and M17, Hornady Critical Defense and 147gr and 150gr subsonic.

9mm Luger Ammo Guide

9mm is the cartridge most people mean when they say "handgun ammo." It goes by several names: 9mm Luger, 9mm Parabellum and 9x19mm. They are the same cartridge, so a box marked any of them fits a pistol marked 9mm Luger or 9x19. It is not the same as 9mm Makarov (9x18), .380 ACP (sometimes sold as 9mm Kurz or 9mm Short) or 9x21, and those should never be fired in a 9mm Luger gun.

Most full-size and compact defensive pistols sold in the US today are chambered in 9mm, along with many pistol-caliber carbines and subguns. That popularity is the main reason 9mm is usually among the least expensive centerfire handgun rounds per round, and why it is the easiest to find in bulk cases.

Best 9mm Ammo by Use

Range and Practice

For practice, most shooters use full metal jacket (FMJ) loads. They are cheaper, feed reliably in most pistols, and are what we stock in the largest case sizes. 115 grain FMJ is the most common and usually the cheapest; 124 grain FMJ is a little heavier and some shooters find it feels softer in their gun. Flat-nose and total metal jacket (TMJ) versions exist too, and TMJ is often chosen for indoor ranges that ask for fully jacketed bullets.

Self-Defense

For carry and home defense, most shooters choose a jacketed hollow point (JHP) designed to expand. Common premium lines in this category include Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady Critical Defense and Critical Duty, Winchester Defender and SIG Sauer V-Crown, in 115, 124 and 147 grain. Whatever you pick, buy enough to run a few magazines through your own pistol to confirm it feeds, and carry the same load you tested. +P loads are made to higher pressure; only use them if your pistol's manufacturer says +P is approved.

Hunting

9mm is not a typical hunting cartridge for deer-size game, and many states set minimum calibers or energy for big game. Check your state's hunting regulations before using any handgun round for hunting. Where it is legal, small-game and pest use is more common.

9mm Grain Weights and Bullet Types

Our 9mm listings are mostly 115, 124 and 147 grain. 147 grain loads are typically subsonic and are popular for suppressed pistols and carbines. Lighter specialty loads such as 100 grain and under are usually frangible or solid-copper designs. Bullet types you will see in our listings include FMJ, JHP, TMJ, frangible and solid copper. Ammo marked NATO or M882 is loaded to military spec; check your pistol manual if you are unsure about pressure.

Quick bullet-type key: FMJ (full metal jacket) is a lead core with a copper jacket that does not expand, the usual range load. JHP (jacketed hollow point) is designed to expand and is the usual defensive load. Soft point and polymer tip bullets are designed to expand and are common for hunting. Solid copper bullets are lead-free and are required for hunting in some areas. Frangible bullets are designed to break up on hard targets and are used at some indoor ranges and steel-target courses.

Brass, Steel and Aluminum Cases

Most 9mm is loaded in brass cases, which are the most widely accepted at ranges and can be reloaded. Steel-case ammo, usually lacquer or polymer coated, often costs less per round but cannot be reloaded, and some ranges and some firearms do not accept it. Aluminum-case ammo, such as Blazer, is a budget option that is also not reloadable. Whatever the case material, the product title and box list the exact cartridge, bullet weight and bullet type, so match those to your gun and your use.

Storing 9mm Ammo

Store ammunition in a cool, dry place away from heat sources and out of reach of children, ideally locked. Sealed ammo cans with a gasket help keep moisture out for long-term storage. Keep different calibers in labeled containers so the wrong cartridge never ends up in a magazine. If ammo is corroded, dented or has been wet, do not fire it.

9mm Ballistics: Common Loads

Published velocity and energy for common 9mm practice and defensive loads.

Load key: FMJ = full metal jacket; JHP = jacketed hollow point.

Figures are as published by Federal Premium on each product page (checked October 30, 2026). Federal lists handgun figures from a 4-inch test barrel. Velocity from your own barrel will differ.

9mm Brands We Carry

As of October 30, 2026, this category lists 300+ 9mm products. Brands we carry in 9mm include Winchester Ammunition, Federal, Remington, Blazer Ammunition, Fiocchi Ammunition, Hornady, SIG SAUER, Sellier & Bellot, Magtech, DoubleTap Ammunition, PMC, Speer Ammunition, Aguila Ammunition, Ammo Inc, CorBon, STV Technology, Sterling, Underwood Ammo, Armscor, Browning Ammunition, Century Arms, MAXXTech, Barnaul Ammunition, Barnes, G2 Research, Prvi Partizan, Atomic Ammunition, CCI, Glaser, Gorilla Ammunition, Streak Ammunition, BPS, HSM Ammo and Liberty Ammunition. Stock changes daily, so filter by availability in the grid above.

Buying 9mm in Bulk vs by the Box

A 20- or 50-round box is the cheapest way to try a load in your gun. Once you know what runs well, larger cases of 250, 500 or 1,000 rounds almost always cost less per round. To compare listings fairly, divide the price by the round count to get the cost per round, and include shipping. Orders of $500 or more ship free, which usually makes a case the better deal. See what 9mm has been costing in our Ammo Price Index, and browse bulk ammo.

How to Choose 9mm Ammo

• Confirm the cartridge stamped on your barrel matches the box exactly.
• Pick the bullet type for the job: FMJ for practice, expanding bullets for defense and hunting.
• Buy a small quantity first and test it in your gun, then buy in bulk.
• Check your range rules for steel case, steel core or bi-metal bullets.
• Check your state and local laws before ordering.

Shipping and State Laws

Orders of $500 or more ship free. Ammunition orders under $500 ship for $15.99. Ammunition is not returnable. You must be of legal age to buy ammunition, and some states and cities restrict ammo shipments, require a license or background check, or limit certain bullet types. Read our ammo and magazine laws by state before ordering. Tactical Surplus USA has been selling firearms, ammunition and gear since 2022.

Related Calibers, Guides and Firearms

Related ammo: .380 ACP ammo, .40 S&W ammo, .45 ACP ammo, 5.7x28mm ammo. Comparisons: 9mm vs .45 ACP, 9mm vs .40 S&W, 9mm vs .380 ACP, ammo caliber chart. Shop semi-auto pistols, magazines.