I guess I just had it in my head that 9x18 was 70 ft lbs or so hotter than .380. There are limits to what a blow back pistol can be loaded to, of course. I'll try to scam some Hornady somewhere.
9x18 are hotter than 380. How much, depends on the ammo. Some can be considerably hotter. But realize also that unlike a 380, 9mm, 38spl, or 357 magnum; the 9x18 9mm makarov is also a Larger Diameter bullet. It is .364 instead of .355. Does that seem like a lot? No, but the larger diameter affects the effectiveness as much if not more than equal amounts of kinetic energy. So, take a 9x18 makarov that averages say 20 ft/lbs of energy above a 380acp; and add on a 3-4% increase in diameter, and you have a better round than just a bullet that's going just a little bit faster with the same weight bullet.
And no, there are NO LIMITS to what a blow-back pistol can be loaded to. With all the debates going on about hi-points, people would know by now that there are blow-back pistols also in 9mm luger (Para), 40sw, and 45acp. Yes, you have to build a slide that is heavier and sturdier, as well as making a spring that is compatible; but it is totally doable. But that's why the hi-point is heavy, bulky, and ugly. And thus why most people don't want one. But there's been quite a few companies and calibers throughout history that has made heavy duty blow-back pistols.
Most gun shops sell the hornady XTP in 9mm makarov. But if you're interest in Corbon PowRball ammo, you can buy that directly from them. Go to the corbon website. And while Kinetic Energy is a Crock of Shiite used for marketing, look at the PowRball. It's only a 70 grain bullet instead of the 94-95 average grain, but it's traveling at 1250fps which is between 200-300 fps faster than any 380 or normal 9mm makarov 9x18. And the kinetic energy is about 242 ft/lbs. And at that speed, the .364 diameter 70 grain bullet, WILL penetrate and it WILL expand. And for what it's worth, Buffalo-Bore is also coming out in the next few months with a 9mm Makarov 9x18 95 grain +P which hits 1125 fps and 267 ft/lbs; as well as a 115 grain at 1000 fps and 255 ft/lbs. The first is a hollow point, the second is a flat nose. Excellent penetration.
Also, while it's hard to find except once in a while on gunbroker, there's some good hot russian and east block 109-115 grain 9x18 ammo available. I've spoken to 3 different ammo importers and they say that the ammo is still quite available overseas, but with such a large influx of "Smaller" sized 9x18 pistols, most importers don't want to deal with liability issues with selling ammo that might be too hot for a p64, pa63, and similar. We're talking about ammo that was really intended for the TRUE Makarov (Russian, E. german, Bulgarian, and chinese) or the Czech CZ-82. I still have some of this ammo. Definitely some hot stuff. Wolf bought out TCW and you can still find some 109 grain floating aroung.
But seriously, the 9x18 makarove caliber is a fantastic self defense round. It works great with Hornady, PowRBall, and Silver Bear Hollow Points. You don't need to shoot FMJ through it. But if you want to, then Fiocchi, Silver Bear FMJ or S&B is the best FMJ.
