CC ammunition for CM9?

[Snowbird]

Thanks to you all. I think I've got it covered now.

[djd100]

I'll be the contrarian, in that I use 124 gr +P Hornady XTP in my PM9, as I believe velocity aids expansion, and expansion not only helps to guard against over penetration, it also can hit harder with larger wound channels, so more is better in a 3.1" barrel IMO.

I use standard pressure rounds in my modified CZ SP01 with it's 5" barrel, as the longer barrel aids velocity etc, and I shoot it out to longer distances.

That said, there certainly is more recoil and flash etc, so only use +P if you can handle it semi-comfortably, and be accurate with it out to 10 yds or so IMO.

[Snowbird]

Good advice. Thanks to you all. Wish I wasn't sitting on a bunch of 147 grain HPs, but that's my reality at the moment. Perhaps I can do a trade at the next gun show. For the time being, if the 147 grain (HST and Winchester Ranger) cycles well, I'll use it.

[weemsf50]

My department issues us 124 grain Speer Gold Dots.

[Bawanna]

My department issues us 124 grain Speer Gold Dots.

That's a good round. My old dept when they foolishly went from 45's back to 9's carried 124 gr which is my preference. Originally we had Gold Dots, I think now they have gone to Federal but not certain. Did a whole circle, started with 9's, went to 40's and finally after 10 years of nagging by me 45's. Just before I retired they got back on the more is better school of thought and went back to 9's. No longer my problem.

[Barth]

I have carried the Federal 150 gr Micro HST for a number of years in my PM9. It has functioned without hiccup and is accurate in my gun. Here is some data to look at.

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data (luckygunner.com)

No PM9, but I really like Federal 150 gr Micro HST for my micro 9mm guns.
Standard go to in all 9mm guns - Federal HST 147 standard pressure.

[djd100]

I have carried the Federal 150 gr Micro HST for a number of years in my PM9. It has functioned without hiccup and is accurate in my gun. Here is some data to look at.

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data (luckygunner.com)

Note that the M&P Compact used in the Lucky Gunner tests has a 4" barrel, vs 3.1" for our CM/PM 9's, which is near a 25% increase etc, so velocity is improved to some degree via the longer barrel.

[Bawanna]

I seriously doubt 1'' of barrel especially in the under 4'' category makes a lot of difference but you are correct.

[Scott321]

I seriously doubt 1'' of barrel especially in the under 4'' category makes a lot of difference but you are correct.

IIRC, at the time of the test the M&PC was around 3.5." I don't think they had the 4" until the M2.0 came out. So the difference is even less, but I'm not a 9mm fan so I'm already biased. I do think that HP expansion might suffer as the barrel length/velocity descreases for most rounds/calibers.

From LG website:


To the OP, although times have have changed, as well as ammo prices and availability for different brands/versions of ammo, before the pandemic I settled on Rem 115gr +P HTP. Lackluster specs, but with performance from a shorter barrel I am OK with, a price I could practice with, and good local availability (again, pre-pandemic). It kicks less than the NATO loadings, and I had no issues in the CM9 nor K9. However, I don't carry my 9's much.

ShootingTheBull410 has some interesting videos on 3" 9mm ammo performance. I don't agree with some of his opinions, but there's a lot of interesting tests of 9mm and 9mm +P in 115gr-147gr options.

https://www.youtube.com/user/ShootingTheBull410

[djd100]

I seriously doubt 1'' of barrel especially in the under 4'' category makes a lot of difference but you are correct.

The delta seems to be between 50 - 100 FPS on average, with the lighter bullet weights seeing a bigger change (between 3" and 4" for 9mm).

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/9luger.html