Which 9X18 Makarov Load for Self Defense?

Which 9mm Makarov Load for Self Defense?

  • 95 gr. Hornady XTP HP, 1000FPS 211ME

    Votes: 38 55.9%

  • 90 gr. Georgia Arms Gold Dot HP, 1000 FPS 200ME

    Votes: 7 10.3%

  • 95 gr. Fiocchi FMJ, 1150 FPS, 265ME

    Votes: 23 33.8%
  • Total voters
    68
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A

ARTiger

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New to this caliber and finding that there's plenty of ball ammo out there, but not much in the way of self-defense hollowpoint loads. Which load would you all recommend? If not in the poll, please post your choice. (Note: the 115 gr. Silver Bear JHP is not available widely any longer.)
 
I use FMJ. At those weights and energy levels, I want the penetration. I have done penetration tests on various things and the ball gets right in there. I have a Mak and I'm confident I can place a shot pretty well. From how the Pow'rBalls acted, it appeared as if they'd lose energy too quickly and shallowly, especially if the clothing was thick. Just my opinion....
 
I just use Silver Bear JHPs (bought a few hundred a while back), shame that they're not common anymore. Not sure what I would use when it's time to buy again - maybe the Hornady.
 
Thanks for that chart link Alamo. Wish that CorBon load was still around. I guess ammo makers are neutering 9x18 just like everything else these days.

Hopefully DoubleTap or Buffalo Bore will someday make 9X18. As it is now, their .380 ACP loads are hotter than most 9x18 available. With the high number of surplus CZ's and Maks coming into the country, it'd be a good opportunity. (Hint-hint . . . Sundles?)
 
Each of those velocities you've listed are way above what you'll get out of a Mararov, CZ-82 or P-64:
Click to expand...

I don't doubt that at all. I was using the manufacturer's ballistic data from their websites. Those were probably obtained from the "magical" test barrels that only ammo manufacturers posses.
 
I like the Silver Bear 115 gr. HP's. They do 1000 ft/s and are extremely accurate out of my Bulgarian Mak. Unfortunately, I haven't seen them for sale in years.
 
Wish that CorBon load was still around. I guess ammo makers are neutering 9x18 just like everything else these days.
Click to expand...

The reason they gave at the time was that their bullet manufacturer stopped making 9x18 bullets. I would guess it was 6+ years ago
 
Handload: 95gr Hornaday XTP on 3.6gr Bullseye at .965"
Supposed to be about 970fps. Nothing spectacular, mind you, but should penetrate okay and expand nicely.
 
Never done this, but with this caliber I think I may just stagger the mags with the XTP's and FMJ.

Will be looking for some old stock of Corbon 95 JHP and Silver Bear 115's also. (You never know. I found a case of the old Nyclad 38 +P's not long ago in a rural gun shop.)
 
I stagger my CZ-82 mag with ball and Silver Bear HP's. Truth be told, I have a little more faith in the ball to get deep enough.
 
FMJ =the best was PS Grand which is no longer imported.

PS Grand 95-gr FMJ (10 rounds tested)

Manufacturer: PS Grand a.s., Bytca, Slovakia
Headstamp: PS 9mm M
Cartridge Case: Brass case, Boxer primed, non-corrosive primer
Bullet: 94.6-gr (1 measured), steel-jacketed copper-coated with concave exposed-lead base
Magnetic: Cartridge case – no; bullet jacket is magnetic

OAL (ins)
Range: 0.967 – 0.974
Avg: 0.970

Velocity: (fps)
Range: 1041 - 1093
Avg: 1070
ES: 52
SD: 17


HP =the old Corbon which is no longer made.

Cor-Bon 95-gr JHP (10 rounds tested)

No longer manufactured.

Manufacturer: CorBon/Glaser, Sturgis, South Dakota
Headstamp: *-* 9x18 MAK (Starline brass)
Cartridge Case: Brass case (Starline), Boxer primed, non-corrosive primer
Bullet: 94.9-gr (1 measured) copper-coated with flat copper-coated base
Magnetic: Case and bullet are non-magnetic

OAL (ins)
Range: 0.946 – 0.950
Avg: 0.948

Velocity: (fps)
Range: 1123 - 1153
Avg: 1135
ES: 30
SD: 9



Based on your choices I woud go with fiocchi or another good FMJ found on northbender's list. The Hornady is a weak round compared to others in the 9x18 world. Unfortunately not many choices of 9x18 ammo (the bears, fiocchi and hornady are the most common seen) anymore.

Fiocchi 95-gr FMJ (20 rounds tested)

Manufacturer: Unclear; This ammunition is labeled "Made in European Union", which could have been in Hungary or Italy
Headstamp: G.F.L. 9 MAKAROV
Cartridge Case: Brass case, Boxer primed, non-corrosive primer
Bullet: 94.5-gr (1 measured), copper (brass?)-coated, with concave exposed-lead base
Magnetic: Case and bullet are non-magnetic

OAL (ins)
Range: 0.970 – 0.975
Avg: 0.972

Velocity: (fps)
Range: 976 – 1077
Avg: 1040
ES: 101
SD: 27


Hornady 95-gr JHP (20 rounds tested)

Manufacturer: Hornady Manufacturing Co., Grand Island, NE
Headstamp: HORNADY 9X18 MAKAROV
Cartridge Case: Brass case, Boxer primed, non-corrosive primer
Bullet: 94.6-gr (1 measured), copper coated with flat copper base
Magnetic: Case and bullet are non-magnetic

OAL (ins)
Range: 0.933 – 0.940
Avg: 0.939

Velocity: (fps)
Range: 908 - 956
Avg: 934
ES: 48
SD: 15
 
I'd feel ok with Hornady. I usually don't like xtp's except for some outdoor scenarios, I feel like they penetrate a little too much with limited expansion in many calibers.

However in this .380ish caliber, it's closer to a .380acp than a 9x19 I feel, I'd like adequate penetration with some expansion if possible.

I used to have some CorBon also. I have been using some Barnual jhps when I use a Makarov for defensive purposes though.
 
Okay, I've looked at every gel test I can find on the net. Almost without exception, every 9X18 loading that performed well is no longer made. Also personally chrono'd 5 rounds of Fiocchi (1092 avg), Hornady (971 avg.) , S&B (932 avg.) and Wolf (994 avg.) from my CZ 82. Awaiting a shipment from Georgia Arms of their 95 gr. Gold Dots.

I think the Gold Dot or XTP can be pushed to 1100 where either would perform real well. Guess I'm going to have to get 9x18 dies and tinker some.
 
I've never fired HP bullets from my Maks, are there any feeding problems with HP bullets?
 
Stoney, I had a very few early problems with hollow points in mine but (don't laugh) I actually thought all that cosmoline was just a good lubricant so I didn't remove it. Seriously - stop laughing at me.

Anyway, after a couple initial hiccups, the gun has handled hp's without a problem. I have fired those real cheap silver bear or brown bear hollow points. I believe I've put a very few corbon defense loads through too, and they've been fine as I recall
 
I like the Silver Bear 115 gr. HP's. They do 1000 ft/s and are extremely accurate out of my Bulgarian Mak. Unfortunately, I haven't seen them for sale in years.
Click to expand...

People used to bitch about these when they were 120gr. Seems the OAL was too close to max for some guns.

I never had problems with them or the 115grs in my Bulgy Mak. My experiences mirrored yours in that they were hard hitting and accurate. An aftermarket Wolff recoil spring helps too.

I am down to one box that I save for SD. For practice, and for my non-Mak 9x18s, I use FMJs; currently Barnaul 95 gr.
 
The 120-grain and 115-grain used the same weight bullet: close to 115-grains. But they tightened up the OAL (and the Truth in Advertising, and the size of the hollow point opening) when they started labeling it 115-grain.

Some Maks feed HP easily and some don't even feed FMJ easily. But they will feed anything with continued use. I bought one that wouldn't even feed S&B at first. I kept force feeding it and the feed ramp smoothed out and now it will feed a watermelon. Nothing stops it. If you're in a hurry, smooth the ramp with 600-grit wrapped around a pencil eraser.
 
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