Which would you rather prefer in 9mm Luger: 124gr or 140gr

[Medusa]

Here where I live I have only 2 options in 9mm Luger ammo: regular 124gr FMJ and subsonic 140gr FMJ. Which one would be more preferable self-defence caliber considering the penetration ability (and not overpenetration) and stopping power?
Sorry, I haven't had any comprehensive experience with this caliber, more like 5.7x28 and 5.56 NATO.

 

[armoredman]

Neither, truthfully. NO Hollowpoints at all? See if it's legal for you to get the Federal Expanding Full Metal Jacket ammo, as it isn't a hollowpoint round, or the CorBon PoweRball.
If I had to choose one over the other, I'd take the 124gr. A subsonic FMJ, I don't know. 140? Sure it isn't 147?
Anyone else want to chime in, done some back yard testing?

 

[Riktoven]

Never heard of 140 either, but hey, they might be 140 and not 147.

Either one in FMJ is going to slice through any human targets. I'd reccomend that if that's all you have to work with, practice head and pelvis shots.

 

[Lone Star]

You aren't as bad off as some chest-beating he-man gun nuts think. Surely, expanding bullets that gave ample penetration would be preferable, but my son has shot eight men quite successfully with military 9mm ammo. He knows other soldiers who have had similar results.

As long as the bullets are well placed, they will usually knock a man down.
This view was confirmed by a friend who was once in charge of an anti-terrorist unit in Southern Africa, and who had access to many shooting reports.

Go for the higher velocity 124 grain. The 140 grain sounds like target or small game ammo.

I am surprised that you can shoot someone defensively in most European countries. I know a few do allow self defense. Glad that you seem to still have the basic right of self protection in this wimpy age.

Lone Star

 

[Onmilo]

GECO 124 grain full metal jacket.

 

[armoredman]

...chest-beating he-man gun nuts...

Thanks for the label - hadn't known I officially qualify as a he-man. I do qualify as a gun-nut, I mean, firearms enthusiast....

 

[Medusa]

Thanks for the replies, I checked, it is Sellier&Bellot's 140 grainer FMJ. That's all I have. Oh, I've seen Wolf's ammo too, but it's similar. Yeah, Europe is rather crowdy thus I'd like to minimize the collateral damage.

 

[Ala Dan]

124 grain FMJ, or better yet order you some 124 grain Hornady TAP JHP's

 

[Snowman92D]

Since both of them would be prone to over-penetrate, perhaps it would be best to use the 124-grain fmj since it will likely shoot closer to your pistol's point-of-aim/point-of-impact. Unless, of course, your pistol has an adjustable rear sight...then you can dial it in to whatever weight of bullet you like.

Beyond that, buy a lot of practice ammo and refine your ability to shoot well.

 

[147 Grain]

Top three 9mm SD loads:

* Double Tap's 147-gr. +P Gold Dot load is under SAMMI specs (only 200 psi over standard ammo) and yet it achieves 1,135 fps in a Glock 17, using specially blended cooler burning powders not commercially available.

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/ca...products_id=121

* Winchester Ranger T (Talans) in 147-gr. +P at 990 fps (Glock 19) consistently achieve about 15" penetration and almost 3/4" expansion in clothed gelatin tests. This load also outperforms many 357 Sig and 45 Auto loads as well, but not all.

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php...25&goto=newpost

* Golden Saber 147-gr.

Nothin' else out there on the market beats the top 3 as far as self defense is concerned.

 

[Longbow]

Whichever one is more available, then practice a lot. Its all shot placement ya know.

 

[Universal]

Of the two you mentioned, I would recommend the 124 grain round. I agree that you should use what you have available and make sure to practice as much as possible with that round.

 

[raghorn]

+1 for the 124 gr.