Still another 9mm ammo question

[polekitty]

I have a 9mm question, even though my preferred carry is my 1911, with "Geneva Convention" 230gr ball ammo.

On occassion I find I can't avoid the need to carry my 9mm. I used to think in terms of light weight, as fast as possible. So, I have some 95gr+p Corbon. But, I understand jhp stuff tends to "choke up" on heavy clothing and act as if it were fmj. So, do you guru's think I should stick with my red hot 95gr, or go to something heavier, like 115gr jhp? I saw some research some time back that even under ordinary conditions the heavier jhp (like more than 115gr) stuff often fails to expand due to going too slow. I do have a "mid-size" 1911 but the 9 seems to conceal better under some extreme conditions.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

But, I understand jhp stuff tends to "choke up" on heavy clothing and act as if it were fmj.

I saw some research some time back that even under ordinary conditions the heavier jhp (like more than 115gr) stuff often fails to expand due to going too slow.

It is not guaranteed or inevitable that these things will happen. It is, however, guaranteed that a FMJ will fail to expand. every time. I personally prefer a 115- or 124-gr. JHP, standard pressure.

 

[Ben86]

Jhps can fill with heavy clothing and fail to expand. That being said the premium stuff sold today (Speer Gold Dot, Rem Golden Saber, etc.) rarely does that. There are also jhp bullets that are very resistant to clogging such as Corbon powerball, and Hornady critical defense.

For me 95gr is too light. It doesn't offer the best expansion/penetration balance. I believe that 124 is optimal, but 115 is fine also. I think 147 is too slow, and its only use is in a subsonic pistol or carbine. I'm not into +P because you get more wear on your gun than an upgrade in performance.

Considering the added stopping power and less chance of overpenetration you get with jhps, As long as they function well in your gun there is no reason not to use them. There are even jhps designed for short barrels.

 

[Deus Machina]

Well, think of it this way: JHP can clog and perform as FMJ. FMJ will never perform like JHP.

In my opinion, also, 95-grain is too light. 115 is still too light for my taste, but it will do the job. Premium 147-grain bullets should work fine, but the Federal HST is the only one I personally trust in that weight from what info I've gathered on them.

I'm also of the opinion that 124-grain is the 'golden bullet' for 9mm. Not much slower than 115, and more than enough energy to make up for the little speed lost, especially in +P. If I had the choice, I would never carry anything but Gold Dot or HST 124gr +P.

That said, I wouldn't feel completely undergunned with any of Cor-Bon's light-bulleted loads. Especially if it's the DPX. That's good stuff, even if it is light.

If you're overly worried about clogging, check out Federal's expanding FMJ. It's not a premium JHP, but it performs better than the Wal-Mart ones. It's sorely under-hyped stuff, IMO.