What is the best defensive ammo for the PM9?

[Moshe]

Is there any consensus as to what ammo provides the most power, accuracy, and "stopping power".

Is it one of the Federal Premium Hyrda Shoks? They have a couple of different weights.

Are people here generally using 124 grain, 147 grain? ?? what grain is most popular for the PM9?

[denfoote]

My MK9 likes the Winchester USA 147gr HP if that's any help.

Product code: USA9JHP2


Ballistic Coefficient: 0.200


Handgun Ballistics:

Muzzle: 990 f/s 320 fpe

50 yards: 945 f/s 291 fpe

Available at your local Wallyworld!!!

:cool:

[Article2]

Maybe give the search function a try. This topic has been touched on at least once or twice before. ;)

[Moshe]

I went through the search results and found that a lot of people seem to recommend the Winchester 147 Ranger T cartridge? I don't know anything about it and I have to admit I'm not a big fan of either Winchester or Remington. I seem to like Federal or Speer more. I don't know why. It's probably just because I've had bad experiences with Winchester and Remington (deformed rounds, FTF, etc). I went through 300 WWB the other day in my PM9 and they worked very well, so I'm reconsidering opening the door to Winchester again, but I'd need more info first.

Any additional info you guys can provide is appreciated.

Also, a couple people reported in some threads using Speer GD Short Barrel rounds.... how did those work out? I have been looking for the .357 magnum variety of them, but didn't realize they made a 9mm too. Also, Hydra-Shoks I like a lot. Any people here using those and find out their effectiveness out of a PM9 at any given grain-weight?

[Moshe]

hurricane/tropical-storm coming.... so the pressure is on to put a rush job on this.

I need to buy some ammo fast because I just went through everything this morning at the range (before I saw the projected path for Ernesto had changed). :(

[Moshe]

Well, unfortunately I couldn't find any of what I really wanted locally despite being first in the door this morning at the LGS. I bought two boxes of Federal Hydra Shoks (147 grain) just to have something in case of an emergency during the incoming hurricane.

At some point I will try to get a hold of the Speer GDJHP Shor barrels (124 grain).

[Kalmah]

Federal HST
Winchester Ranger T
Speer Gold Dot

These seem to be the top ammo choices. Don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Hydrashoks are OK, but there are newer and better designs out there. I carry the 124gr HST in my PM9 and haven't had any problems with reliabilty.

The jury is still out over which is better in short barrels - 124gr or 147gr. So I would just go with whatever weight and bullet design works best for you in your gun. Whatever shoots the straightest, is the most comfortable to shoot, and feeds the most reliably.

[Jav21]

Right now I am using Corbon 100gr Powerballs. Out of the 3 inch barrel it should yield at least 1100 feet/s. I read somewhere that to expand reliably a 9mm needs at least 1000 feet/s. I don't know, haven't tested this myself, forget where I read it ...sorry! Most defensive ammo is rated at about 1000 to 1200 feet/s out of 4 inch barrels and that is rather standard so... I will use the hotter round ans ensure these standard defensive velocities until I can determine if this is true or not. Shooting 486 ft# muzzle energy rounds out of a PM9 is brutal. Buying Corbon is generally as expensive or cheaper than the other brands so bang for the buck...Corbon wins. :)

[Los Suenos]

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel

[Big Mike 1939]

Bigbadaboom;


Go to this website: http://www.mouseguns.com/amball.htm and scroll down to 9mm. There is a wealth of test info to choose from. I carried Cor-bon 115 jhp (which has had problems feeding in the PM9). It has fed fine in my gun. Reading the tests available, Pro Load seems to be the highest rated in the catagories tested. Flash, FPE, recoil, penetration and expansion. The Corbon came in 5th. Federal showed very well. Speer +P 124 JHP was second.

Just search and ye shall find. Good luck testing.

[Moshe]

Today I tried:

Ammo: --------------------------------- Result
Federal Premium___________________Fed well, snappy recoil
Hydra-Shok 147-grain________________ sub-optimal accuracy

Speer Gold Dot______________________Had a couple of FTF
124-grain___________________________(feed ramp didn't like it)
____________________________________Good accuracy

Remington___________________________Fed well. Comfortable.
Golden Saber________________________Ok accuracy
124-grain_____________________________________________


The hunt continues. None of those made it past "the test".

I want something that is as accurate as WWB 115 grain FMJ's (I have complete 100% control accuracy-wise with that load) - but is a good defensive round.

Winchester Ranger T huh? Haven't seen it around. I'll ask around. Also should I try the Hornady TAP's or (XTP?)'s?

I was surprised the Speer Gold Dot's were given a rough time by the feed ramp.

[Kalmah]

Originally posted by BigBadaBooom
The hunt continues. None of those made it past "the test".

I want something that is as accurate as WWB 115 grain FMJ's (I have complete 100% control accuracy-wise with that load) - but is a good defensive round.

Winchester Ranger T huh? Haven't seen it around. I'll ask around. Also should I try the Hornady TAP's or (XTP?)'s?

I was surprised the Speer Gold Dot's were given a rough time by the feed ramp. FMJ is a poor self defense round. If your pistol doesn't like hollowpoints, you might check out Federal's Expanding FMJ (EFMJ) ammo.

Winchester Ranger T's and Federal HST's are law enforcement rounds that aren't marketed to the general public. You can still buy them, but they're harder to find. Your local gun store probably won't have them.

HST's and EFMJ's can be found here...
http://www.streichers.com/ProductList.aspx?catalog=Guns%20and%20Ammo&category=AMMO_TACT

Ranger T's can be found here...
http://mahsupplies.net/

Remember, reliability is the most important thing, accuracy is secondary. You need to find a round that functions 100% of the time in your pistol. An accurate round isn't going to do you much good if your gun jams.

You'll just have to keep experimenting with different rounds until you find the right one.

[josp]

I carry Corbon 115 in my P9, which has a little longer barrel than yours (1/2 inch I believe). Recoil is a bit more than WWB 115 which is the standard practice load for me, but accuracy is there with it.
Corbon also makes a DPX load (115 grain) which I have used in the past to shoot into geletin. It preforms well and as a rule I generally carry Corbon for serious social purposes, and practrice with something more affordable.
Whatever you choose, be sure your gun runs 100% with it. I see my local Wally world also carries Winchester 115 jhp in the white box load. It may not be the best, but it's better than fmj by far.

[tabor-pm-9]

I tried the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 124gr +P in my PM9, but I had trouble with the slide locking back prematurely. Kahr was no help (I am sure a stronger slide lock spring would have fixed it). They told me to try a different round and now I carry Federal HST 147gr. Also, the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel is hard to find for a fair price. I can get 50 rounds of the Federal HST for $14 from streichers.

[Riz58]

In a CW9 - Speer Gold Dot +P 124 gr - No independent tests, but the data seems to point to it as the best compromise for a short barrel. Feeds fine. (Note, I have polished the feed ramp with jeweler's rouge and a Dremel tool. Approx 1000 rounds through the gun.) Practice rounds are Winchester White Box. I run thourgh a mag of carry ammo periodically.