Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Short Barrel 9mm Ammo?

All of the tests of defensive 9mm ammo that I see are done with service size pistols, and 4.something to 5" barrels.

Are there any bullet performance tests that specifically use a 3" or 3.1" barrel?

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#45ACP

Lucky Gunner does their ammo tests with typical carry pistols, not five inch or test barrels. Typical everyday carry stuff. Some of these tests are dated, and the ammo is no longer available, but there's a lot of relevant stuff there, too.

this guy tested most of the common 9mm loads in a 3 inch..............


https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgNSGOEQko_M90AMdRCDMgd-w4Yozc27i

There is ammo specifically made for shorter barrels. Try a search engine.

What would your concern be?

Bullet velocity and performance.

The gold dot 147s that performed pretty well from My p320 didn't expand as consistently from my LC9S

This guy does a lot of ammo tests including chrono, and gel results. He usually tests 9mm (and other chamberings) in a short barrel, and a longer barrel.

https://www.youtube.com/c/ToolsTargets/videos

T&T does good video. I'm toting the psa Dagr today with 3 spare mags just in case.

A guy can spend a lot of time watching YT videos of short barrel 9mm performance. Personally, I think bullet performance is not the most important variable.

I settled on 124gr Speer Gold Dot because it was a decent price and did reasonably well over a range of velocity that my little pocket 9mm can achieve (measured with my chronograph). Is it the best bullet? Who the bad-word cares! There are more important thinks to worry about.

There is one viable choice if your gun is +P rated. Speer Gold Dot Short barrel 124gr @ Vo 1150 fps from 3,5 inch barrel. No point looking any further.

Hush retard.

Long as you put holes in vitals doesn't make much difference IMO

Is some of the ammo for short barrel handguns meant to reduce the muzzle flash or increase velocity?

Lucky gunner tested 9mm in short barrels. It was pretty comprehensive. I don’t know if it has been updated recently. It’s been at least two years since I looked at it.

What you want is projectile that expands well at lower velocity.

. Reduce muzzle flash

Uhhhh, OK.

I want enough penetration and if I get expansion or not I'm good as long as I have enough penetration. Expansion is useless if the projectile doesn't get to and through the vitals.

That's too much work, wants you to do it for him.

Exactly

The best that I have been able to do is 1090 fps with 124 gold dots in my P365.

In fairness, 1.25" of the 3" barrel is the chamber. So, being able to get 1090 from that little pocket pistol, is about as good as I could expect to get.

It's a bit snappy.

And if anyone cares, I used BE-86 powder to get there.

And for those that are concerned about flash, be-86 does have a flash suppressant. Though, that doesn't gaurantee there won't be any flash at all.

Take a look at Lehigh Defense 68 and 90 gr solid copper bullets. I've switched.
Load data is on their website and multiple videos on youtube.

Or tote a .45.

The 9mm has always been famously efficient out of short barrels, at least compared to .38/.357.

Buffalo Bore gives ballistics for their heavy 147grain “Hardcast” loading down to 2.9” barrels.Only about a 10% loss in velocity. Unfortunately for their other 9mm offerings they only go as short as a 4” Glock.

I wouldn’t think the results would be much different tho.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=389

As I remember, the earliest generations of 147 gold dots were very hard; I think this was to meet some LE penetration test or something. I have heard tell that they made the bullet softer later on. Speer seems to be able to adjust performance of the gold dots based on end user (usually LEO) needs ..for instance there are two part numbers for 125gr gold dots in the 357 sig. One opens up big and one opens up less but penetrates deeper.

My sense is that HSTs and the other weights of gold dots expand more readily. I know I can't tell the difference between a 124 or 147 HST fired into gel from a G43 vs a G17.

All they have to do is to change the amount of antimony in their lead, that changes the lead hardness.

The "AmmoQuest" utube series is very good.

147 gr. Std. Pressure - Winchester Ranger-T or Federal HST, is what my 3" Bbl'ed Sig P938 gets for defensive ammo.

Extremely precise both, and very mild to shoot.

"...Like a brick through a plate-glass window."




GR

There is perfect candidate for short barrel 9mm on Guns International #102072757. This is special edition made for one of larger American gun shops.
This is pro grade gun with combat grips, 3" barrel with tritium front sight DAO action. The only extra you will need is some moon clips from MoonClip Depot. European equivalent would be product made by same company sold in Europe by Hammerli.
Here your chance of getting very good product is probably better then new Ruger or even S&W.

124gr. Gold Dot’s, HST’s, Golden Saber. My 3 favorite

Anyone tried this ammo?

Not available for purchase, but it appears to be same bullet once used to load ammo labeled for Ruger. I would not bet my life on novelty.

Not much said about the 124gr. bonded Gold Saber's, which is one I really like.

They are excellent, in fact the best that I have tested in 20% ballistics gel

[video:youtube]NEW Underwood 9mm Xtreme Defender Test[/video]

Ordered up some Winchester PDX1 147s. We'll see...

I tried, and still have some of the Underwood 90 Defenders. Haven't tried them in the P365, but they felt distinctly more snappy in the LC9. Not unpleasant, but made concentration more difficult. They did do well in my personalized penetration tests. (big bodied coons and water jugs)

IMO, most 147 9mm loads are easier to shoot, and less snappy than lighter loads.

147 grain standard pressure Federal HST. It’s what I carry in all my 9mm’s.

Ron

And I found these for $.58 per round.

Ordered out a thou for $630 delivered.

I would think that the heaviest bullet available would have the most energy in a short barrel.

Yes, provided the bullet is of construction that 🍄 at lower velocity. Some manufacturers use same bullet in different loadings. Prime example is a Hornady using XTP in same caliber: Custom, Subsonic, American Gunner , Black ammo lines.🧐 In this case choose least expensive choice listed for sale. Some gullible folks will pay for what they think is cooler packaging.🤣

Still, the bigger the hole in the right place the shorter the fight.

Simple physics - bigger holes = bigger leak = faster BP drop = earlier brain shut down.

Guncrafter used to offer .50 in 1911s and converted Glock pistols. I think you could send in Glock and they would make the conversion for you. If one does not need to worry about over penetration the JHPs could be eliminated from use which in theory would increase reliability.