Isn't all 147gr. 9mm Luger ammo subsonic?

[.308 Norma]

I finally got out and shot my new Glock 43 yesterday afternoon. Because I really wasn’t concerned about much of anything other than function with a variety of factory ammo, I grabbed 3 boxes of different types and brands.

One of the boxes of 9mm factory ammo I grabbed was Winchester, 147gr hollow point, “subsonic” ammo. I hadn’t noticed before that it said “subsonic” on the box, and when I did, it struck me as kind of strange. Wouldn’t ALL 147gr 9mm ammo be subsonic? I mean, I can’t find any 9mm, 147gr loads that break the sound barrier in the 4 loading manuals I checked. Although, my Hodgdon manual lists 1 load that comes close – 1095fps, using Power Pistol powder.

Secondly, I’d like to get some opinions about keeping my 9mm Glock loaded with those Winchester, “subsonic,” 147gr hollow points for self-defense. They look like they might be pretty good to me, but I haven’t studied much on 9mm ammo. Mostly what I’ve read is, “Break your in semi-auto with FMJ bullets, then carry hollow-points in it for self-defense.”

BTW, before I got chilled and had to come home, I put about 70 rounds (including 20 of those 147gr hollow-points) through my new Glock 43. And except for one failure to feed when the slide took a little piece out of my left thumb because I’d foolishly placed it over the top of my right thumb, the gun functioned flawlessly. It seemed pretty accurate too – standing with no rest, I was bouncing a plastic soda pop bottle all over the place at about 20 yards.

 

[hdwhit]

.308 Norma wrote:
Wouldn’t ALL 147gr 9mm ammo be subsonic?

The speed of sound through dry air at 68 degrees (F) is 343 mps or 1,125 fps. But the speed of sound varies with air density and air temperature. So, at an elevation of around 6,200 feet or at a temperature of about -40 degrees (Farenheit and Celsius are equal -40) the speed of sound will be around 300 mps or 985 fps.

 

[hdwhit]

.308 Norma wrote:
I’d like to get some opinions about keeping my 9mm Glock loaded with those Winchester, “subsonic,” 147gr hollow points for self-defense.

I think they could be a perfectly good choice for self-defense provided a large, slow bullet fits with the situations in which you envision yourself needing to use the gun. I think in close quarters a large, slow bullet is good since it is more likely to remain in the target than a light, fast bullet and that means all the energy gets expended disabling the target.

You will, no doubt, hear from many who think even with a 147 grain bullet, the 9mm is not adequate, but I think that opinion is held by people who envision themselves dealing with multiple, highly motivated attackers and so need to ensure each attacker is removed from the fight with the first shot. And if that's what you think you'll be facing, something a little more robust might be in order. My experience has always been with attackers who were opportunistic and had a change of heart when the firearm needed to be brought out, so all I needed in those cases was a .25ACP pistol.

 

[Telekinesis]

Generally all standard pressure 147gr 9mm is subsonic, but there are 147 gr +p rounds that get close or go supersonic.

As far as 147gr rounds and defense, they're fine. I'd worry more about which Winchester ammo it is. If it's something like PDX 1 you're good, if it's something like a Winchester White Box bulk pack with hollow points I'd get some better ammo (I'm not even sure if this exists but we'll use it for the sake of argument). Defensive 9mm has come a long way in the last 10 years or so, so the more modern offerings will have better performance.

Mostly what I’ve read is, “Break your in semi-auto with FMJ bullets, then carry hollow-points in it for self-defense.”

Yes, but you also want to run a decent number of your defensive loads through your gun to make sure that the gun feeds that specific ammo reliably.

 

[.308 Norma]

If it's something like PDX 1 you're good, if it's something like a Winchester White Box bulk pack with hollow points I'd get some better ammo (I'm not even sure if this exists but we'll use it for the sake of argument).

Thanks Telekinesis.
It's Winchester Super-X, 147gr Silvertip HP's I was asking about. But I have a few boxes of less expensive Winchester White Box ammo too. I think they're all 115gr FMJs though.

 

[Steve C]

The 147 gr HP 9mm ammo has been improved in recent years and if you get the premium ammo it makes for a good penetrating and reliable expanding bullet. The Winchester train and defend or the PDX1 (147 and 124) that you can sometimes find at Walmart is good defense ammo. Check out this test on YouTube of the Winchester Train and Defend .

The Federal HST 147gr is also very good defense ammo if you can find it. For a less expensive source go on line and find a source of law enforcement police surplus ammo. You can find a boxs of 50 rounds for $25 to $30 bucks at a surplus dealer. Look for LE surplus Ranger T ammo too.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would not say all 147gr. is subsonic, as mentioned based upon altitude and atmospherics. Also, the length of the barrel and if someone is loading it very hot.

I would say most are from short pistols but would not say all.

 

[.308 Norma]

Check out this test on YouTube of the Winchester Train and Defend

That's a really good video Steve. Thanks for posting it.
I don't know if that guy works for Winchester or not, but he sold me! I'm going to look for some of that Winchester Train and Defend ammo when I get to town this weekend.

 

[gotboostvr]

Heck I've seen 230gr 45acp "subsonic" labeled ammo from federal. From all outward appearances it was their regular 45acp FMJ at a few more dollars a box.

 

[Dudedog]

Target Sports USA often has a good sale on SD ammo.
All + shipping (147gr 9mm)
If you are after Winchester
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/win...147-grain-bonded-jhp-brass-zra9b-p-76649.aspx $21.99/50

Federal HST
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/federal-hst-le-9mm-luger-ammo-147-grain-jhp-p9hst2-p-3547.aspx (out of stock at the moment)
Speer Gold Dot
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/speer-gold-dot-le-duty-9mm-ammo-147-gr-jhp-53619-p-3527.aspx
$22.99/50

(They also have an assortment of 115 and 124s as well.)
A lot of time you can pick up the LE boxes of 50 cheaper than you can by the "consumer" boxes of 20/25 in town.

 

[.308 Norma]

(They also have an assortment of 115 and 124s as well.)
A lot of time you can pick up the LE boxes of 50 cheaper than you can by the "consumer" boxes of 20/25 in town.

Thanks for the tip Dudedog. I'll check it out.

 

[.308 Norma]

Heck I've seen 230gr 45acp "subsonic" labeled ammo from federal.

Ha! Subsonic 230gr .45acp ammo? Who'd a thunk?

 

[RussellC]

Many will disagree and have other ideas, but with hollow point its either Gold Dots or Federal HST for me! As for the 147 grain rounds mentioned, as long as they have enough velocity to expand properly,
they should work fine. I usually use 124 grain 9mm bullets, but nothing wrong with 147, and I need to try some.

Russellc

 

[muncie21]

Speer 147 @ $10.99/50
https://www.targetsportsusa.com/speer-lawman-9mm-luger-ammo-147-grain-tmj-53620-p-930.aspx

 

[RussellC]

Those are not HP the OP asked about, but they do have Gold Dots, HST, Rem. Silver saber hollow points in 147 grain.

Russellc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I can load a 147gr bullet from mild to wild so not all 147gr 9mm ammo is subsonic.