Ballistic Info for short-barreled 9mm semi autos

[MP9NewMexico]

Velocity-Energy Comparisons for 9mm JHP Rounds in a 3.12” Barrel

Testing by Gunsite in the 2012 edition of Concealed Carry Magazine
revealed that a 1” reduction in barrel length reduces a 124 grain round’s velocity by 80 FPS. This being the case, the following stats have been compiled by the author for some top-tier SD loads. Almost all manufacturers test their loads from a 4" test barrel

Please feel free to add to the list if desired, and/or share experiences with any of these loads’ terminal performance qualities, or please correct any errors you might see!

Manufacturers:

Federal
Hornady
Remington
Speer
Wilson Combat
Winchester


1. Federal Hydrashok 124gr
a. 1120 - 80 = 1040 FPS
b. Energy is then 297.75 ft/lb

2. Federal HST 124gr
a. 1150 – 80 = 1070 FPS
b. Energy is then 315.18 ft/lb

3. Federal HST 124gr +P
a. 1200 – 80 = 1120 FPS
b. 345.42 ft/lbs

4. Hornady XTP 124gr
a. 1110 – 80 = 1030 FPS
b. Energy is then 292.05 ft/lb

5. Hornady TAP CQ 124gr
a. 1110 – 80 = 1030 FPS
b. Energy is then 292.05 ft/lb

6. Hornady TAP FPD
a. 1110 – 80 = 1030 FPS
b. Energy is then 292.05 ft/lb

7. Remington HD Home Defense 124gr
a. 1125 – 80 = 1045 FPS
b. 300.62 ft/lb

8. Remington Golden Saber 124gr +P
a. 1180 – 80 = 1100
b. 333.1 ft/lb

9. Speer Gold Dot 124gr
a. 1150 – 80 = 1070
b. 315.18 ft/lb

10. Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P
a. 1220 – 80 = 1140
b. 357.56 ft/lb

11. Wilson Combat 9mm +P XTP 124gr
a. 1200 FPS – 80 = 1120
b. 345.5 ft/lb

12. Winchester PDX-1 124gr+p
a. 1200 FPS – 80 = 1120
b. 345.42 ft/lb

13. Winchester Ranger T-Series 124gr +p
a. 1200 FPS – 80 = 1120
b. 345.42 ft/lb

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Cuda66]

Well...I fail to see the point.

Velocity and foot pounds mean little to nothing in how effective a round will be.

I wanna know if they weill reliably expand after penetrating heavy cloth, and still punch the FBI 12" minimum depth.

I also note that all he used were midweight, highspeed rounds...I'd like to see how much less, if any, velocity 147gr bullets lose.

[Gunsmoke16]

Had a friend with consistant FTF in 9mm short barrel. Turned out to be the 147grain bullets. Too heavy/caused short-cycle of the blow-back. Better to stick with the 125grain or lighter. I would trust the Hornady over all loads on that list. It works.

[MP9NewMexico]

I avoid 147grs in my LC9 (3.12" barrel). I feel like the velocity loss is just too great. I carry a mix of Ranger T-Series 124gr +P, Ranger Bonded 124gr +P, and Gold Dot 124gr+P in my 8 round capacity: first is bonded, then gold dot, t-series, gold dot, etc.

I tried to find terminal performance for those loads, but the best I could find was the brassfetcher sight, and they only tested the Gold Dot through denim; all eelse was through bare gelatin, which I find worthless. When are you EVER going to be attacked by a naked person (well, maybe it would happen, but most likely they would have clothes on).

[redbeardsong]

[QUOTE=MP9NewMexico;2042124]

10. Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P
a. 1220 – 80 = 1140
b. 357.56 ft/lb

FTW!

[MP9NewMexico]

Yeah, looks like Gold Dots are great load, based on my calculations from a short barrel, and from testing on YouTube, by Dr. Roberts, and on Brassfetcher.com
Only problem is, my LC9 can only handle so much +P, but for a CCW, I can't myself shooting a whole ton of +P through it.
If SHTF, post-apocalypse style, I'll have my M&P9 strapped to my side, my 3 extra mags of Ranger T Series ready, and my BUG (LC9) with 2 extra mags.

Plus, if the NYPD uses Gold Dot, and is satisfied with it, it must be at least a decent load.

[Cuda66]

Really...because when I had a snub 9mm (G26) I carried 147's exclusively. Fed perfectly reliably, and are the recommended loads out of short barrels by, well, Winchester...

They actually tend to lose LESS velocity than the warp speed screamers; little thing called dwell time gives them a more efficient powder burn, they spend more time in the bore, and will be closer to velocities out of longer barrels.

I think too many folks don't realize that today's 147gr loads are not the 147gr loads of the 1990's.

Carry what you wish, of course...but you may want to check out some facts before making your decisions...and a quality, heavyweight JHP tends to outperform lightweight bullets out of short barrels is one of those facts.

[theheater905]

Here is something I noticed on Speers LE site regarding 9mm specs
Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 124+P Velocity 1150 w/ 364 ft lbs energy 3.5" test bbl
Speer Gold Dot Std Pressure 124gr Velocity 1150 w/364 ft lbs energy 4 " test bbl
Speer Gold Dot 124+P Velocity 1220 w/410 ft lbs energy 4" TB
The specs for the short bbl 124+P are the same as the Std pressure 124gr. with the exception being the 1/2 inch difference in test barrels.

[Superhouse 15]

There's a lot of good info at ballistics by the inch, but numbers don't tell the whole story.

Everybody has their own opinion about what works. Place your bets, I'll place mine, somebody else will pick differently, first one in a gunfight report back with what happened.