9mm weight selection

[Bcwitt]

Is there really a big difference in effectiveness (assuming similar bullet construction) in the usual weight range(147,124,115) With no other guidlines then effect on target. No suppresor or any thing like that. Just typical SD or service sized pistol. Of interest mainly for cc use. I guess its weight vs velocity? I cant imagine it is hugely different. Thank you for your input.

 

[alfsauve]

My consideration is how a given weight bullet groups at the velocities I need. (I load to power factor, usually around 125.) I found in my three main guns 124gr doesn't do well, but 115 and 147gr do.

Now many will say for SD use groups don't need to be that tight, maybe, but some weights, at some velocities, in some guns can spread out pretty quickly. So regardless of what you end up with, it's a good exercise to take a gun rest out to a 25, or better 50 yard range and see what your rig can do.

 

[jmr40]

115 gr HP bullets often don't give enough penetration to be effective but they show impressive expansion. I shoot a lot of 115 gr FMJ at the range because they are the cheapest and at common handgun ranges there isn't enough difference in POI to worry about.

For SD I look for a 124 gr HP with a MV of around 1200-1250 fps. That weight has shown to give decent penetration and that load is what is most common in LE handguns. Just for reference, the real world speed for a 125 gr bullet from a 357 mag is about 1300 fps when fired from typical 3"-4" barrels. That load earned a reputation as one of the best. The same bullet weight 50-100 fps slower should be pretty good.

Traditionally 147 gr bullets have not given reliable expansion because they impact too slow, but they give the best penetration. There have been some newer designs that show promise. For at least a time a 147 gr HP at about 1000 fps is what the FBI used and recommended. I don't know if that is still the case.

For now I trust the 124 gr +p load the most. But I'm open to the 147 gr option.

All of my guns shoot all 3 weights equally. But if your guns don't, that could affect your choice.

 

[9mmepiphany]

It really comes down to being able to repeatably putting shots on target very quickly.

I've found that 115gr loads tend to be snappier and a little slower getting back on target.
I've found 147gr loadings, unless they are running +P, more accurate
I settled on the 124gr bullets because they give my more controlability and acceptable accuracy inside 50 yards.

My personal choice in a SD 9mm round is the Speer 124gr +P Gold Dot

 

[Riomouse911]

Like @9mmepiphany, I gravitate towards 124/127gr +P or +P+ loads. I was issued the 127 gr +P+ SXT load from Winchester for many years, several agencies in the County I used to work in found them to be pretty effective fight stoppers.

Using +P+ ammo caused Warranty beefs from some gun makers, that got the sheriffs range staff to swap to the 124 gr +P SXT load instead. This round, too has a very good local reputation as does the 135 gr +P Hornady Critical Duty, Federal HST, and other premium self defense rounds.

I prefer 124 gr fmj for practice, but I will buy 115 gr fmj when the price tells me to.

Right now, in my nightstand CZ-75 SP-01, I have 18 Federal 147 gr HST rounds in the magazine and chamber should I need to defend hearth and home. My Winchester carry ammo was getting old and this ammo was available for sale at the Sheriffs Gun Range/Pro Shop as it is duty-issue for that local sheriffs office (different county).

Stay safe.

 

[Walkalong]

Standard pressure 124 Gr HST here when it comes to self defense.

Plinkers?

124s are cheaper than 147s, come in a wide variety, and are very pleasant to shoot at around 1050ish FPS.
I shot the cheaper 115s for a long time, but gravitated over to 124s.

 

[Anchorite]

I like mid-weights for practice (124). I’ll run 127+P+ or 135+P and not feel undergunned.
Never cared much for the 115, but it will do for range work.

The 9mm is to the auto pistol what the 38 Special is to revolvers.

 

[Overkill870]

I like 147 grain HST.

 

[InTheSwamp]

147 GD.

 

[hemiram]

I have a couple of guns that at least being new, seem to like 124 over 115, but most of my guns have no issues with any 9mm I put in them.

 

[herrwalther]

Not mentioned so far is your point of impact between weights will vary. Your firearm was likely zeroed at the factory using a set weight bullet. A change in the bullet weight from what was used will give you a different point of impact. Example, Walthers are made in Germany where 124gr is the predominant choice. When I shoot 115gr bullets in mine, rounds tend to land a little bit higher than 124. Keep this in mind if bring several different types of ammo to the range, trying to find which is best for you.