Best Ammo For Taurus PT111 G2: Target and Defense Ammunition

Congratulations on purchasing a new Taurus PT111 G2! But now you need to know which ammo works best in your concealed carry gun.

Since the Taurus G2c is available in two calibers, I have two sections for my top 5 choices below: one for 9mm Luger and one for 40 S&W.

However, if you don't find what you're looking for, we have many more options as you keep reading!

PT111 G2 9mm Recommended Ammo

1. Federal American Eagle 115-Grain FMJ - Best Overall for the Range
2. Hornady Critical Defense 115-Grain JHP - Best for Self-Defense
3. Remington 115-Grain JHP - Honorable Mention
4. Winchester 124-Grain FMJ - Honorable Mention
5. Sellier and Bellot 124-Grain FMJ - Honorable Mention

PT111 G2 40 S&W Recommended Ammo

1. Speer 180-Grain TMJ - Best Overall for Target Shooting
2. Federal 165gr HST JHP - Best for Self-Defense
3. Magtech 180-Grain FMJ - Honorable Mention
4. Blazer 180-Grain FMJ - Honorable Mention
5. Speer LE Gold Dot G2 180-Grain JHP - Honorable Mention

Federal American Eagle 115gr FMJ - Best Overall 9mm Luger Target Ammo

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket
• Bullet Weight: 115 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,180 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 356 ft-lbs

Pros

• Well known brand, loved by shooters
• Reliable rounds
• Comparable ballistics to self-defense rounds
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• To get the best price, you need to buy in bulk
• Not everyone likes the lightweight bullet

Why We Chose It

Federal Ammunition is a favorite of many Americans and shooters across the globe because they've earned a reputation for producing high-quality ammo at reasonable prices.

The Federal American Eagle line is no different, and it's perfect for a day at the range, whether you're shooting a full-size Glock or a compact pistol like the Taurus G2c.

When shooting Federal American Eagle 115gr FMJ rounds, I've NEVER had a misfire or jam...And I've shot well over 500 rounds through a gun very similar to the Taurus G2c, my Smith & Wesson M&P Shield.

So, I can say with confidence these rounds are very reliable.

One of the reasons I don't mind taking these to the range is the decent price. They're not the cheapest rounds, but you could spend more and still get lower-quality ammo.

Another significant reason these rounds are always with me at the range is because they offer a comparable performance to the self-defense ammo that I carry. Personal defense ammo is expensive, so finding something much less costly yet still has similar ballistics is crucial for my training.

As great of a choice as this ammo is, it still has some drawbacks.

The biggest drawback is that to get the best price, you must spend more and buy bulk ammo.

If you shoot a lot, this is no big deal. But if you're just getting started shooting, I understand that buying bulk ammo is a significant investment.

Some shooters also prefer heavier bullets than the 115gr FMJ. This is usually because they like heavier bullets for personal defense, so the ballistics don't match up as well as those with a 124gr or larger FMJ bullet.

For those shooters, Winchester 124-Grain FMJ and Sellier & Bellot 124-Grain FMJ are my top choices.

I've shot both brands on numerous occasions and found them to be a little bit too poppy (too much recoil) for a compact pistol with a polymer frame. However, in a full-size pistol, they're easy to handle while plinking.

I've shot Federal American Eagle for years and will continue buying it because it's been reliable and affordable, and it's just plain fun to shoot!

Hornady Critical Defense 115gr JHP - Best Self-Defense Ammo for T111 G2 9mm NATO

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point
• Bullet Weight: 115 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,135 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 329 ft-lbs

Pros

• Trusted Brand
• Patented FTX bullets
• Accurate
• Reliable
• It packs enough punch to take out the bad guys

Cons

• Expensive

Why We Chose It

I've tested many self-defense rounds in pistols with a short barrel length, and each time, I find Hornady Critical Defense ranks at or near the top of most accurate rounds. That's partly thanks to the technologically advanced FTX bullets that Hornady uses.

I seriously trust these rounds with my family and my life, as these are the rounds I have loaded into my EDC semi-auto handgun.

FTX bullets aren't just a typical hollow point. They have a polymer tip that helps the bullet cut through the wind and expand better on impact. Which means you get to have your cake and eat it, too.

When you buy these self-defense rounds, you get an incredibly accurate bullet with the knockdown power to stop most threats dead in their tracks without risking overpenetration.

On top of that, I know these rounds will fire each time I pull the trigger because Hornady Ammunition has exceptionally high standards and only uses high-quality materials in its ammunition.

My biggest complaint about these rounds is how expensive they are, but considering how they perform and I don't shoot them by the hundreds at the range, I think it's reasonable to splurge a little for defense ammo.

Remington 115-Grain JHP is a considerably cheaper alternative, yet it has a higher muzzle velocity and energy than the Hornady Critical Defense 9mm rounds. However, the accuracy of a traditional JHP is lacking compared to FTX bullets, but it's still plenty good to take out a bad guy in close quarters.

9/10 times you check my EDC bullets, they're going to be Hornady Critical Defense 115gr JHPs or Hornady XTP 147gr JHPs because they're reliable, accurate, and pack a punch.

Speer Lawman 180gr TMJ - Best Overall 40 S&W for Target Shooting

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Total Metal Jacket
• Bullet Weight: 180 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 985 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 388 ft-lbs

Pros

• Trusted by Law Enforcement and civilians
• Safe for indoor and outdoor ranges
• Reliable
• Accurate
• You can reload the brass

Cons

• More expensive than PMC

Why We Chose It

When I ask any of my law enforcement buddies what they prefer to train with, the answer is typically Speer Ammunition because it's accurate, dependable, and very similar to what they carry on the job.

One thing that helps Speer 180gr TMJ stand out is the Total Metal Jacket. This bullet design allows shooters to shoot indoors without worrying about breathing in lead vapors.

So, if your primary option is an indoor range, these are the rounds you need unless you're trying to get lung cancer.

On top of protecting your life from harmful lead vapors, these rounds go bang every time you pull the trigger and rarely jam.

You'll spend more time shooting and less time clearing jams and failure to fires!

Speer uses top-tier bullets, which are very accurate, so you can confidently use them to prove to your shooting buddy that you are a better shot than they are with your Taurus PT111 G2c.

Because Speer uses the best materials, their ammo price points are a little higher than your average plinking ammo, like PMC or Wolf steel case ammo. However, it's more reliable and causes fewer jams than the cheaper brands, and you can't reload steel case ammo as you can the brass-cased Speer 180gr TMJ.

Magtech 180-Grain FMJ and Blazer 180-Grain FMJ are two other rounds worth mentioning; they're at an excellent price point and very reliable.

Even though Speer 180gr TMJs are slightly more expensive than some of the other plinking ammo, but it's not enough to knock them out of the running for the best ammo for a Taurus PT111 G2c because they're trusted by law enforcement: accurate and reliable.

Federal 165gr HST JHP - Best Self-Defense Ammo for Taurus PT111 G2 40 S&W

Specs

• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point
• Bullet Weight: 165 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 1,130 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 468 ft-lbs

Pros

• Trusted Brand and bullet design
• Ultra reliable
• Accurate

Cons

• Less advanced bullet than Hornady FTX bullets

Why We Chose It

As I previously mentioned, Federal Ammunition has been trusted by generations of hunters, competition shooters, and law enforcement officers.

The Federal HST bullet has proven to provide plenty of knockdown power and maintain accuracy in self-defense situations.

If you don't believe me, check out what Paperbanger, an Ammo.com customer, had to say about these rounds-

"Looking for some .40 cal, you can feed your pistol with total confidence? Fill your magazines with the HST JHP from Federal! My Sig and I spent an afternoon punching holes with these, along with three other brands. We know there are some brands okay for range practice because a misfeed or misfire doesn't matter much. But it was clear from the outset that if you carry, these are the guys you want to take with you. Never a misfeed or misfire, and accurate to a gnat's eyelash. I figure if it's my life and perhaps the lives of my loved ones on the line, I'll have enough to worry about without fighting the bad guys and my ammo problems at the same time."

Federal needs to hire this guy as a salesman!

I would say the biggest downside to these rounds is the slightly less technologically advanced bullet that Federal uses. Even though it's a solid bullet, it's not as good as the Hornady FTX bullet, in my opinion.

However, it's less expensive than the Hornady rounds, so I can easily overlook that downside. It's also a little cheaper than Speer LE Gold Dot G2 180-Grain JHP, which is an eerily similar round.

Overall, you can trust Federal Law Enforcement 165gr HST JHPs to get the job done if you're ever forced to use it to protect yourself or the ones you love most because it's accurate and reliable.

How to Choose Ammo For PT111 G2c

My process for choosing ammo for a semi-automatic striker-fired pistol remains the same whether it's a Beretta, Colt, Kel-Tec, Ruger, Springfield Armory, or Taurus, and it's not taking it to a gunsmith.

I like to test out multiple ammo brands from the USA and across the globe to see which one works best in my firearm.

Sometimes, the results are surprising, but most of the time, the same brands and rounds perform the best.

Below, you'll find what I most often look for in rounds for common scenarios.

Self-Defense

My approach to choosing self-defense ammo varies from other scenarios because I focus primarily on accuracy and knockdown power.

If I can't hit the broad side of a barn with the round, I can't count on it to do its job when the time comes, so I need an accurate bullet. However, it still needs excellent knockdown power because we're much less likely to get multiple hits on target in a life-or-death situation, so I need those hits to count.

JHPs are the most common bullet used for self-defense, and they're a solid choice. However, I like the polymer-tipped FTX JHPs even though they're a little more expensive.

Training

I believe you should train with the same ammo you plan on carrying, BUT that gets expensive, so if I plan on pulling the trigger a lot while training, I like to find a cheaper FMJ with similar ballistics to what I carry.

This helps me save a little money but still get a similar feel as I would shooting my carry ammo.

Suppressed Shooting

If you're James Bond or Jason Bourne, you might find the need to shoot with a suppressor. Okay, you're right; it's just plain fun to shoot with a suppressor!

One recommendation when buying ammo for suppressed shooting is to use subsonic ammo because it dampens the sound even more.

Sellier and Bellot 140-Grain FMJ Subsonic and Stelth 165-Grain TMJ Subsonic are excellent options for the Taurus PT111 G2.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, the team at Ammo.com has gathered and answered some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the best ammo for a Taurus PT111 G2.

What kind of ammo does a Taurus G2 take?

The Taurus G2 takes 9mm or 40 S&W ammo, depending on which caliber you want it chambered in.

What kind of ammo does a 9mm Taurus take?

A 9mm Taurus takes all 9mm ammo, just like any other 9mm pistol.

Is the Taurus PT111 G2 a good gun?

Yes, the Taurus PT111 G2 is a good gun. Many people choose to use it as their EDC handgun.

What is the best ammo for a Taurus PT 111 G2?

The best ammo for a Taurus PT111 G2 is 9mm Federal American Eagle 115-Grain FMJ or 40 S&W Speer Lawman 180-Grain TMJ.

Parting Shots: Best Ammo for Taurus PT111 G2

Now that you know Federal American Eagle 115-Grain FMJ is the best target 9mm ammo for a Taurus PT111 G2, it's time to stock up!

Or if you're looking for carry ammo, don't hesitate to grab a few boxes of Hornady Critical Defense 115-Grain JHP because it's the best 9mm self-defense ammo for a Taurus PT111 G2.

Don't worry, 40 S&W shooters, Speer Lawman 180-Grain TMJ is the best ammo for a Taurus PT111 G2 for target shooting indoors and outside. While Federal 165gr HST JHP is the best self-defense round you can load into your Taurus PT111 G2.

Don't forget, you can load up on all your ammo needs at Ammo.com!