Stephen A. Camp
Moderator In Memoriam
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 2,430
The original range report was done about a year ago. I didn't find it on this site, but I THINK it's over at the old "The Firing Line" if interested.
Hello. It's been about a year since the original range report was done on the PT-92 I've owned for quite some time, and since the post, I've shot it very little. It has served as a "loaner" for folks qualifying on the Texas CHL course, but while I "like" this pistol, it's not a favorite.
No changes have been made to the gun since the original report and it continues to group surprisingly well despite the miniscule fixed sights and the way that pistols of this ilk have no real support at the muzzle end of the barrel.
Ammunition: The following factory rounds were fired and chronographed. The average velocity figure shown after each of the ammunition brands/loads is based on 10 shots fired approximately 10' from the chronograph screens.
Hirtenberger 100-gr. JSP "FL": 1363
Corbon 100-gr. PowRball +P: 1476
Remington UMC 115-gr. FMJ: 1214
Fiocchi 115-gr. FMJ: 1188
Federal 115-gr. JHP: 1170
Fiocchi 123-gr. FMJTC "Combat:" 1100
Fiocchi 123-gr. FMJ: 1119
PMC 124-gr. Starfire JHP: 1078
Speer Lawman 124-gr. TMJ: 1182
Triton 125-gr. Hi Vel JHP +P: 1301
Winchester 127-gr. RA9TA "Ranger T" +P+: 1292
Two handloads were also tested using Speer's 124-gr. Gold Dot Hollow Point and Hornady's 124-gr. XTP. They were loaded in Magtech cases (once-fired) over 6.0 gr. Unique and ignited with Winchester Small Pistol primers.
XTP handload: 1261
GDHP handload: 1174
It's interesting to note the difference in velocity that can occur between bullets having the same weight, but by different makers in different shapes. In some of my 9mm's, there virtually no difference in velocity or not quite this much.
"Scientific Bullet Expansion Testing:" As I've tested the Winchester RA9TA as well as the PowRball in a couple or three other range reports, I opted to fire two bullets of essentially the same weight, but opposite ends of today's velocity spectrum into water jugs. One was the Triton 125-gr. JHP +P, the other, PMC's 124-gr. Starfire, which was the slowest of any JHP fired today.
The Triton is on the left and it did separate from the jacket with fragmentation evident. I did NOT find all the little pieces as they were lost when the first jug exploded. The recovered Triton bullet (only) measured 0.50 x 0.58" and with the jacket and one piece weighed 108.2 grains. The PMC Starfire did lose one jacket petal and weighed 122.3 grains. The diameter of the bullet (only) was 0.57 x 0.61." FWIW the 124-grain PMC has been considerably more accurate for me in several pistols than the early 115-grain version. I think they're loaded too light as I've read that they don't expand after the dreaded 4-layers of denim thing, but they might do "a job" if the felon's not wrapped in denim!
Observations: Not really much different to report in that there were zero malfunctions of any kind. Felt recoil was minimal. I am glad that the sights, small though they are, have been "on" in terms of POA vs. POI as these might be more difficult to change with regard to elevation and windage. Yes, the rear sight's drift adjustable, but it's in the slide very tightly and there's not as much slide at the very top for it to be moved laterally without it perhaps extending beyond the slide.
You can see what I was talking about with regard to potential problems if much windage change was needed.
Though not a "favorite," I do like and respect what this handgun does. I think it was well worth the money.
Best.
Hello. It's been about a year since the original range report was done on the PT-92 I've owned for quite some time, and since the post, I've shot it very little. It has served as a "loaner" for folks qualifying on the Texas CHL course, but while I "like" this pistol, it's not a favorite.
No changes have been made to the gun since the original report and it continues to group surprisingly well despite the miniscule fixed sights and the way that pistols of this ilk have no real support at the muzzle end of the barrel.
Ammunition: The following factory rounds were fired and chronographed. The average velocity figure shown after each of the ammunition brands/loads is based on 10 shots fired approximately 10' from the chronograph screens.
Hirtenberger 100-gr. JSP "FL": 1363
Corbon 100-gr. PowRball +P: 1476
Remington UMC 115-gr. FMJ: 1214
Fiocchi 115-gr. FMJ: 1188
Federal 115-gr. JHP: 1170
Fiocchi 123-gr. FMJTC "Combat:" 1100
Fiocchi 123-gr. FMJ: 1119
PMC 124-gr. Starfire JHP: 1078
Speer Lawman 124-gr. TMJ: 1182
Triton 125-gr. Hi Vel JHP +P: 1301
Winchester 127-gr. RA9TA "Ranger T" +P+: 1292
Two handloads were also tested using Speer's 124-gr. Gold Dot Hollow Point and Hornady's 124-gr. XTP. They were loaded in Magtech cases (once-fired) over 6.0 gr. Unique and ignited with Winchester Small Pistol primers.
XTP handload: 1261
GDHP handload: 1174
It's interesting to note the difference in velocity that can occur between bullets having the same weight, but by different makers in different shapes. In some of my 9mm's, there virtually no difference in velocity or not quite this much.
"Scientific Bullet Expansion Testing:" As I've tested the Winchester RA9TA as well as the PowRball in a couple or three other range reports, I opted to fire two bullets of essentially the same weight, but opposite ends of today's velocity spectrum into water jugs. One was the Triton 125-gr. JHP +P, the other, PMC's 124-gr. Starfire, which was the slowest of any JHP fired today.
The Triton is on the left and it did separate from the jacket with fragmentation evident. I did NOT find all the little pieces as they were lost when the first jug exploded. The recovered Triton bullet (only) measured 0.50 x 0.58" and with the jacket and one piece weighed 108.2 grains. The PMC Starfire did lose one jacket petal and weighed 122.3 grains. The diameter of the bullet (only) was 0.57 x 0.61." FWIW the 124-grain PMC has been considerably more accurate for me in several pistols than the early 115-grain version. I think they're loaded too light as I've read that they don't expand after the dreaded 4-layers of denim thing, but they might do "a job" if the felon's not wrapped in denim!
Observations: Not really much different to report in that there were zero malfunctions of any kind. Felt recoil was minimal. I am glad that the sights, small though they are, have been "on" in terms of POA vs. POI as these might be more difficult to change with regard to elevation and windage. Yes, the rear sight's drift adjustable, but it's in the slide very tightly and there's not as much slide at the very top for it to be moved laterally without it perhaps extending beyond the slide.
You can see what I was talking about with regard to potential problems if much windage change was needed.
Though not a "favorite," I do like and respect what this handgun does. I think it was well worth the money.
Best.