9mm cartridge differences

RC20 said:
The SD/HD hollow points DO NOT upset. Thats a 5.56 round characteristic (3000 fps area) that has to do with the bullet length and velocity).
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It is correct that pistol caliber hollow points expand but don't upset, and that upsetting is a function of bullet length and shape (center of balance), velocity is not a factor. The reason 3,000 fps is important for the 5.56 M16/AR-15 round is that the effectiveness of the bullet lies in having the outer jacket fracture when the bullet tumbles upon entry. Above critical velocity, the centripetal force generated by the tumbling tears the case open at the cannelure. The minimum velocity is necessary to generate the fracturing. Below critical velocity, it's just a .22 caliber hole.
 
9mm NATO refers to a specific loading, adopted as the NATO standard issue ammo.
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I'll assume this NATO marked stuff is the standard issue to our service members for use in the issued Beretta semi pistols?

Above, I was told to not run a ton of this through my Glock. I bought a box today just to try a few......devil made me do it. :D
 
Glocks are designed to handle NATO ammo. You can run 500,000 rounds through your Glock and you won't see any unusual wear. If your Glock's throwing brass farther than about 8', then go with a stronger recoil spring.

I believe the info that NATO 9mm is lower-than-standard 9mm pressures to be fallacious.
 
FlySubCompact read post #9 about. NATO ammo is actually lower pressure than standard SAMMI spec ammo. Whoever told you you cant shoot it in your Glock don't know what the heck they are talking about.
 
I stand corrected. It's funny how many posts I've seen on forums like this of folks' stating, with an air of total authority, that NATO ammo is much hotter than "standard" 9mm ammo. :eek:
 
It's funny how many posts I've seen on forums like this of folks' stating, with an air of total authority, that NATO ammo is much hotter than "standard" 9mm ammo.
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In 20/20 hindsight, I should have written that NATO is slightly hotter than "most commercial 9mm" rather than "standard 9mm".

The key is that NATO specifies a minimum velocity in addition to a maximum pressure, whereas SAAMI only specifies a maximum pressure. Standard run-of-the-mill FMJ 9mm practice ammo is generally loaded well below the SAAMI maximum pressure to reduce the chances of a catastrophic kB! and probably also to allow greater production tolerances and reduce costs. OTOH NATO ammo is essentially certified by the manufacturer to meet a certain power standard. If you buy NATO, you know you are getting a fairly hot load!

OTOH premium commercial SD loads are more likely to be loaded closer to SAAMI maximum pressure because the manufacturers know that buyers will be paying closer attention to the ballistics. Most of these loads will be comparable to NATO or hotter.
 
Thanks for all the info. Got the NATO stuff, but can't shoot it until next week. :mad:

Man, I wish the company I work for would install a target range for us employees. That would make lunch hours more fun :)
 
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