3" Inch 9mm Carry Loads?

[ViperTwoSix]

As Georgib mentioned, ammo quest / ShootingTheBull410 did lots of testing on 9mm loads out of a 3 inch barrel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc5n_JsY3aw

[Ron3]

Thanks guys.

Penetration is marginal. (My opinion) but not too bad.

I'll look through his tests and see if he tested any of the XTP or FMJ.

[TBAR_94]

Thanks guys.

Penetration is marginal. (My opinion) but not too bad.

I'll look through his tests and see if he tested any of the XTP or FMJ.

If you really want to know, you have to chrono the loads through your gun. Some barrels are faster, or slower, than others. The trouble with 'best for a 3inch 9mm" is without testing your particular gun, you don't actually know what kind of velocities you are getting. In a lot of cases, the difference between a 3inch and a 4 inch gun is going to be pretty marginal, especially when you consider a standard deviation of 30-50fps between ammo lots is not uncommon. Throw in weather, elevation, and a bunch of other variables and you might find you are splitting hairs. 9mm is pretty efficient round, so it tends to lose a little less in a short barrel than a .45 or .38.

[Ron3]

If you really want to know, you have to chrono the loads through your gun. Some barrels are faster, or slower, than others. The trouble with 'best for a 3inch 9mm" is without testing your particular gun, you don't actually know what kind of velocities you are getting. In a lot of cases, the difference between a 3inch and a 4 inch gun is going to be pretty marginal, especially when you consider a standard deviation of 30-50fps between ammo lots is not uncommon. Throw in weather, elevation, and a bunch of other variables and you might find you are splitting hairs. 9mm is pretty efficient round, so it tends to lose a little less in a short barrel than a .45 or .38.

I'll chrono it..

[Ron3]

I'll chrono it..

Forgot about this.

I have a few more loads I can test but I did some Hornady 124 gr +P XTP's from my new HK P30SK V1.

They averaged about 1050 fps. Oh well, still probably better than the .32 & .380 fmj I'd been carrying in my Cheetah. (950 fps for the 95 gr .380 fmj, 1000 fps for the 73 gr .32 fmj, chronographed)

[yoni]

After watching MAC's video on Underwood Extreme Defense in 380, I was so impressed with how the round worked that the 9mm +p 68 grain Extreme Defender is now in my Glock 26 as well as all my 9mm guns.

[Cagemonkey]

I use Sigs 365 9mm Ammo in my Sig 365. Its suppose to be calibrated/matched to the gun. https://www.sigsauer.com/9mm-115gr-e...365-jhp-1.html

[Eda]

I use Sigs 365 9mm Ammo in my Sig 365. Its suppose to be calibrated/matched to the gun. https://www.sigsauer.com/9mm-115gr-e...365-jhp-1.html

sig's v crown ammo is sub par

they expand poorly if they even expand at all

[Ron3]

After watching MAC's video on Underwood Extreme Defense in 380, I was so impressed with how the round worked that the 9mm +p 68 grain Extreme Defender is now in my Glock 26 as well as all my 9mm guns.

I ordered some to try out myself. (68 gr +P) Will chronograph from my HKP30SK 3.3 inch and Beretta Cx4 16 inch & report back.

[ABNAK]

Generally speaking the 147gr will lose less velocity than the lighter but faster loads when the barrel gets shorter. I use the 147gr +P HST for my 9mm handguns, regardless of barrel length. Once the +P version runs out (I think they stopped making them) I have the standard pressure 147gr HST's as next-in-line.

I remember back in the 90's and early 2000's when 9mm 147gr loads flat-out sucked. With the advancements in bullet technology, IMHO the 147gr is the way to go. HST's and Ranger's have the weight and sectional density to penetrate deeply yet still expand well. The best of both worlds. Then you factor in less recoil (not as "snappy") and it's win-win.