Range Test: Sub-Compact 9mm Ammunition for Personal Defense
I recently tested ten types of low bullet weight 9mm hollow point ammunition. The ammunition was tested at 15, 25, and 50 feet for reliability and group size. Bullet weights ranged from 115 grains to 135 grains at prices from $0.41 to $1.00 per round. All testing was performed on an indoor range with a Walther PPS 9mm pistol. (Barrel length 3.2 inches).
Round 1 of testing consisted of 9 variations of 9mm hollowpoint ammunition. Each round was tested twice from 15 feet (3 rounds per group) and twice from 25 feet (5 rounds per group). Winchester Target (WWB) was also tested to establish a baseline as this was used to sight in the pistol. The results are displayed in table 1 below.
TABLE 1: Round 1 of testing ordered by most accurate (Group results expressed in inches)
1. Winchester PDX1 failed to eject 5 of 25 rounds fired.
Round 2 consisted of the top 3 variations from Round 1 and the 124 grain variant of the Fiocchi XTP round. Each round was tested once at 50 feet and 3 times from 25 feet. All were shot in groups of 5. Results in table 2 below.
TABLE 2: Round 2 of testing ordered by most accurate (Group results expressed in inches)
2. Only 3 rounds of the Federal Hydra-Shok 124 grain hit paper. This variant fell to the bottom when averaging the 25 foot groups alone.
Overall, all 4 variants in round 2 fired well at 25 feet. Recoil was indistinguishable between them. Of all ammo tested, the Hornady Critical Defense had the lightest recoil. Speer Gold Dot and Hornady TAP had noticeably more recoil and muzzle flash. All variants tested performed without failure except for the Winchester PDX1 +P fired in round 1. Surprisingly, the least expensive was the best performer.
Chime in with your favorite Sub-Compact 9mm ammunition.
I recently tested ten types of low bullet weight 9mm hollow point ammunition. The ammunition was tested at 15, 25, and 50 feet for reliability and group size. Bullet weights ranged from 115 grains to 135 grains at prices from $0.41 to $1.00 per round. All testing was performed on an indoor range with a Walther PPS 9mm pistol. (Barrel length 3.2 inches).
Round 1 of testing consisted of 9 variations of 9mm hollowpoint ammunition. Each round was tested twice from 15 feet (3 rounds per group) and twice from 25 feet (5 rounds per group). Winchester Target (WWB) was also tested to establish a baseline as this was used to sight in the pistol. The results are displayed in table 1 below.
TABLE 1: Round 1 of testing ordered by most accurate (Group results expressed in inches)
1. Winchester PDX1 failed to eject 5 of 25 rounds fired.
Round 2 consisted of the top 3 variations from Round 1 and the 124 grain variant of the Fiocchi XTP round. Each round was tested once at 50 feet and 3 times from 25 feet. All were shot in groups of 5. Results in table 2 below.
TABLE 2: Round 2 of testing ordered by most accurate (Group results expressed in inches)
2. Only 3 rounds of the Federal Hydra-Shok 124 grain hit paper. This variant fell to the bottom when averaging the 25 foot groups alone.
Overall, all 4 variants in round 2 fired well at 25 feet. Recoil was indistinguishable between them. Of all ammo tested, the Hornady Critical Defense had the lightest recoil. Speer Gold Dot and Hornady TAP had noticeably more recoil and muzzle flash. All variants tested performed without failure except for the Winchester PDX1 +P fired in round 1. Surprisingly, the least expensive was the best performer.
Chime in with your favorite Sub-Compact 9mm ammunition.
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