Hornady's American Gunner load carries a 115-grain XTP, a jacketed hollow point built to expand, at a standard-pressure 1,155 fps with 341 ft-lbs at the muzzle. Power factor is 133, over the 125 minor floor for USPSA and IDPA. From a 25-yard zero the bullet is 1.3 inches low at 50 yards and 10.2 inches low at 100, moving about 1,038 fps at 50. Estimated recoil energy in a 1.9-pound compact pistol is 4.1 ft-lbs.

Two of the five comparison loads are hotter. Federal Hi-Shok 115 +P+ leaves at 1,300 fps with 432 ft-lbs, 145 fps and 91 ft-lbs ahead of the Hornady, with about 23 percent more estimated recoil energy in the same pistol. Winchester Defender +P, a 124-grain bonded hollow point, runs 1,200 fps and 396 ft-lbs and kicks about 24 percent harder. The Hi-Shok and the Defender carry +P+ and +P markings, so check your pistol's rating. The standard-pressure loads sit close to the American Gunner. Federal Premium HST 124-grain and Speer Gold Dot 124-grain leave 5 fps slower but carry 23 ft-lbs more from the heavier bullet. Hornady Critical Defense 115-grain FTX is 20 fps slower with 9 ft-lbs less. Drop at 50 yards varies by only 0.4 inch across all six loads, so none needs a different hold at pistol distances.

Buy this as a standard-pressure defensive load for a compact or subcompact 9mm when you want an expanding bullet without +P recoil, or for a pistol not rated for +P. If your pistol is rated for it, Federal Hi-Shok 115 +P+ carries 91 ft-lbs more at the muzzle and is still 48 ft-lbs ahead at 50 yards. If you prefer a heavier bullet, Winchester Defender +P puts 124 grains out at 1,200 fps with 55 ft-lbs more energy and about 24 percent more recoil.