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