Speer Gold Dot 9mm+P "Short Barrel"

[GVMan]

The Speer web site has specs for Gold dot 124 grain +P out of a 4 inch barrel and GD 124g +P Short Barrel out of a 3.5 inch barrel.

I emailed them to ask if they have any specs for both of those out of the same barrel? What I really want to know is how many Feet per Second will I get using the regular cartridge out of a 3.5 inch barrel.

Here is their response:

They will be so close, it will be down to your gun and the
particular lot of ammo fired. The SB ammunition uses powders that maximize performance from the shorter barreled guns. The standard 124 +P uses powders tested to give specific performance from the longer barreled guns, with some powders, the loads could be the same.

If you have a 3.5" gun, use the SB. If you have a 4" use the standard 124 +P load.
Shoot Straight!

Coy Getman
2299 Snake River Ave.
Lewiston, ID 83501
(800) 627-3640
CCI/Speer Technical Coordinator

The regular Gold Dots seem to be less expensive when purchased in a box of 50. The Short Barrel Gold Dots only come in boxes of 20. Based on their response I think I will stick with the regular gold dots and save the money to buy more ammo.

What do you think?

 

[strambo]

I think if your barrel is 3.5", might as well stay with the regular. If it is 3"...then the full inch is probably worth the switch.

Only way to know for sure is to chronograph 10rds of each then decide if whatever difference you see in the real world with your gun is worth it.

 

[Caliber0]

I just purchased an M&P .40 compact and have been thinking about using the Speer Gold Dot 180 grain short barrel just as the email said.

I have always been told to use the short barrel ammo with barrel lengths less than 4". I have the 124 +p short barrel in my Sig 229R 9mm - barrel length 3.9". I guess, from that email I would probably be better using the regular Gold Dot ammo in my 229R.

Who knows.....

I'm talking about carry purposes obviously.