115 vs 124 grain 9mm jhps

[Ben86]

I used to carry 115 grain jhps exclusively because it had the lightest recoil and highest velocity. Recently I have switched to 124 grain, for defensive carry, to help insure adequate penetration. Did I make the right choice? (I hope I did, it wasn't cheap) What are the pros and cons of both bullet weights?

 

[oneounceload]

124's are more accurate in all my 9MM's

 

[9mmepiphany]

the design weight of the original 9x19mm round was 124grs...like the design weight of the .38 spl is 158grs...most 9mms seem to function well in that weight range.

the most accurate 9m i've ever shot was a 135gr slug

 

[Motodeficient]

I am a noob but wouldn't the 115g have greater penetration than the 124g due to higher velocity? I thought the larger the grain size the lower the velocity/penetration but higher energy transfer upon impact? Not saying the 115g is better, I just didn't think moving to 115g to 124g would increase penetration.

 

[BReilley]

I prefer 124 for the reason 9mmepiphany stated. 115gr is on the light edge of 9mm bullets, 147gr is on the heavy edge, 124 is right in the middle and is what most 9mm pistols are built around. I have lots of 9mm ammo of various loads, but I would want to carry the 124gr(+P JHP) or the 147gr(+P FMJ-FP), depending on environment/situation.

I agree with your choice to go with 124gr, however if you have both 115gr and 124gr - and it's all quality ammo - I don't see any problem with carrying either one, particularly since you're familiar with your pistol's handling with the 115gr.

It'll all probably "do the job" well enough unless you want to carry in the woods.

 

[Ben86]

Moto,

Loaded to roughly similar velocities, and with equal width the heavier bullet will have more penetration because it's extra mass pushes it through the target further. Also a faster moving hollow point opens up faster so therefore usually has less penetration.

I know that 9 grains doesn't make a huge difference in performance, but if it gives me the extra few inches of penetration that I may need to incapacitate an aggressive attacker I'll take it.

 

[belus]

I like heavy bullets in 9mm because I prefer their rolling recoil to the sharp flip.

In a 9mm I would carry 124gr+P or 147gr standard pressure.

 

[McCall911]

I do lean towards the 124 grain just because it's slightly heavier, but I'm also aware that there are some good performing 115 grain bullets that give ample penetration, expansion, etc.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Both (115 gr & 124[5] gr) bullets will do a fine job. Both function well in all my 9mmX19 pistols. Both make excellent self defense bullets. If you are into carrying a 9mmX19 you can't go wrong with either one...

 

[cleetus03]

124 GR. +P Gold Dot to infinity and beyond!

 

[MK11]

Both are fine. Deep penetration is no longer dependent on heavier weight with designs like Corbon's DPX.

 

[Clipper]

The first criteria is that you must believe in your ammo. I carry 115gr Winchester Silvertips for the following reasons:
1. In almost 40 years of using STs, of various calibers, I have never had a failure of any kind
2. STs have been consistently accurate in everything I have used them in.
3. The 115gr hardball WWB I practice with matches all ST components except the bullet configuration, and thus duplicates POI very closely on the range.
4. I personally do not cling with as much faith to the usual penetration standards as most for the following reason: The average human being will measure 12" or so from front to back, so why do I need 15" of penetration? All that says to me is that I'm more likely to have exiting bullets continuing downrange. I have enough to worry about in a shooting situation...I have no desire to add even more anxiety about harming innocents by accident, thank you very much. It only takes 6-8" to make it to the vitals, and the penetration of the 115gr loads will get to them easily.

 

[jglcolosprgs]

124's are more accurate in all my 9MM's

I have found the same thing.

124 GR. +P Gold Dot to infinity and beyond!

But, I like this reason better!

 

[BushyGuy]

i use currently in my everyday carry 9mm-124gr Hornady TAP CQ XTP , i am still looking for more of those but they are very hard to find i dont car emuch for the Critical Defense.

I dont feel comfortable with the 115gr in any bullet make except the 115gr Gold dot in standard pressure.

i have 124gr in my carry gun (Ruger SR9) Spare Mag has 147 Gr Hydra-shoks
i have 115 gr Gold Dots in my Taurus PT92C ,Spare mag has 124 gr AE FMJ

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

i have 115grn +P+ law enforcement jhp's in my glock. ranger and federal (the one the border patrol used for years with great success). i like the 115grn because it delivers more energy than the 124grn, and it penetrates just fine

 

[smoketheresfire]

Clipper,

6-8" penetration in gel will not equal 6-8" penetration in a human being. I believe the skin alone accounts for approx. 2-3" of gelatin. If the bullet has to go thru a rib or other bone that will further decrease penetration. Also the BG may not be facing directly toward you front-to-back. A side shot will require even more penetration.

The FBI does not set 12" of gelatin penetration as their minimum standard because they like to have bullets fly out of BG's and hit bystanders. They have that standard because it is necessary to reliably hit vital organs.

Most 115g cartridges do not meet the 12" standard. That said, if you can find a 115 cartridge that will (ie Cor-Bon DPX), all the better since the 115 is a harder hitting, higher energy round than the 124 or 147.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I prefer to avoid the lightest loads in almost every caliber.

 

[rcmodel]

I just didn't think moving to 115g to 124g would increase penetration.

With expanding bullets it usually does.

Think of it this way.
The lighter the bullet, the higher the velocity.
The higher the velocity, the greater the bullet expansion usually is.
The greater the expanded diameter, the greater the drag.

So, an expanded JHP acts just like the parachute on a nitro fuel dragster.

Given equal bullet design & construction, the heavier bullet starts out slower, may not expand as much, has more weight driving it on through, and ends up having more penetration due more momentum and less drag.

rc

 

[T. Bracker]

I believe that some of the Marshall/Sanow data showed that the 115 gr 9mm in +P+ had some of the most dramatic results in that caliber. I too, find that the 124 gr. Gold Dot in +P has about the same velocity and POI as the cheap 115 gr. FMJ that I use for practice, at least in my guns. So, that is what I use for carry. I use the SB version in my Kahr and the +P in my full size weapons.

 

[blue_ridge]

6-8" penetration in gel will not equal 6-8" penetration in a human being. I believe the skin alone accounts for approx. 2-3" of gelatin. If the bullet has to go thru a rib or other bone that will further decrease penetration.

Also, most people are wearing clothing when they are mugging, stealing or murdering. So, besides the ballistic gel/human tissue there are often several layers of clothing. It has been proven these layers can seriously hinder penetration. In some cases bullets didn't even penetrate a winter coat! This is why I think it is a shame IDPA gives such a free pass to lighter loads like the 9mm 115 fmj. Most of us would not carry this load if our lives depended on it yet everyone at the top of the SSP list shoots 9mm. But I digress.

FBI showed that Silvertips had this problem and they are better than most 115 grain pills.

 

[TheotherMikeG]

I'm mostly willing to sacrifice a little velocity in order to use a heavier bullet...230 gr for .45acp; 124/125 gr for 9mm (147's are too long in my CZ); an 158 gr for .357.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm not a big fan of "light for caliber" bullets. I feel the 115gr bullet is too light and the 147gr bullet is too heavy in for the 9mm and the 124/125gr bullet is just right... (said the baby bear)

I feel the same way about the .357 Magnum, the 110gr bullet is too light and so is the 125gr bullet. A 145gr to 160gr bullet is my preference while the 200gr bullet is too heavy. (just my opinion though)

 

[easyg]

I like heavy bullets in 9mm because I prefer their rolling recoil to the sharp flip.

You must have some very sensitive hands to actually feel the recoil difference between a 115g 9mm round and a 124g 9mm round.
I know I can't tell the difference.

I have no problem with either, but overall I prefer the 115g 9mm.
I don't think the slightly additional weight justifies the slightly reduced velocity and energy.

 

[Ben86]

Would 115 grain bullets be better suited for barrels around 3" ?

According to these FBI test results the loads I have been comparing personally (115 and 124 grain standard pressure gold dots) perform about the same: http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/9mm.htm

 

[jglcolosprgs]

Would 115 grain bullets be better suited for barrels around 3" ?

According to these FBI test results the loads I have been comparing personally (115 and 124 grain standard pressure gold dots) perform about the same: http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/9mm.htm

I have a CZ 2075 (3" barrel) and the 124 grain are more accurate than the 115 grain bullets. The difference is marginal. But I think I can get better repeatable performance from the 124.

I have a 9mm barrel for my Glock 27 and can't tell any difference.