The Popular 9mm put through the paces.

Evan Marshall, who graciously provided me with LOTS of 9mm ammo for load testing, wanted to know what I had found out. I posted the full results on GlockTalk in June of 2001, but some people might have missed it, here is a brief review of my tests. I performed the tests in a manner similar to the .40 S&W tests which are also here on my website. I completed the testing almost a year ago. The long and short of it...

The Federal Personal defense was #1 out of the Kel-Tec P11, I think mostly due to recoil, but it performed well in Gel and was still accurate. When you moved up to larger guns, the 124+P loads dominated. The 147s were not bad, but did not expand as large as the 124s and had similar penetration, meaning smaller wound channels would be expected. I tested like 18 different JHP loads and 6 exotics. Similar to the .40 tests, the Cor-Bon and Triton were erratic, the Federal, Remington and Winchester were consistent and Predictable.

The top load came out to be the 124+P Remington Golden Sabre. Gel Testing got it the nod. The next two were sister loadings (using Gold Dots), 124+P from Pro-Load and Georgia Arms. Interestingly enough, they bumped out the 3rd sister load, the Speer 124+P Gold Dot due to accuracy. Of 18, the Federal PDHS came out 7th using the larger pistols. I'd recommend one of the top 3 for overall use.

The only truly Exotic that performed well was the Federal EFMJ +P 124gr. I would use this round. It has low recoil and just downright works all the time with good penetration. It is about 50 fps slower than most of the other 124 +Ps, but it did not seem to hurt it in any way. It was 5th overall. It also works well in finicky guns!

Most of the 115s did okay in Gel, but the testers did not like the recoil or the accuracy was poor. No loads except the Triton really had any flash issues. The only loads with feed problems were the Cor-Bons 125 grains and down. Slide velocity was too fast for some shooters and the slide failed to pick up the next round on several occasions. Heavier springs fixed this problem.

Local GTer, Gray Area ammo, also provided his 115 and 124 grain offerings. Both finished in the middle. Recoil, especially in the smaller pistols, knocked it down from the top ranks. The 115s had a slight tendency to plug with 4 layers of denim causing severe over penetration.

Another load has become available in the last few months; the Pro-Load 140 grain +P. It promises to be an excellent load and is extremely accurate. It's gel performance was exceptional and recoil was mild. I am the only one that shot this load, but I have it in my carry Kahr PM9 if that gives you any indication of what I think about it. (get one of these if you don't have one yet!). Unfortunately, there has been some bad press on this ammo. I talked to a few people, and they "don't like it" but have not even shot it.

LMK if you need more info.