9mm velocities

N

Nightcrawler

New member
What are typical velocities for the 9mm cartridge?

Bullet weights:

115 gr
124 gr
147 gr

I know the standard velocities (give or take) for these weights are 1150 fps, 1050 fps, and 950 fps respectively, but how much faster are typical +P and +P+ loadings? The NATO standard is, I believe, 124 grains at 1200 feet per second. Is that +P or +P+?

I ask because I'm considering saving myself some money all around and, instead of getting a .45 automatic this summer, getting the CZ-85 (which I am completely in love with, but had been planning to get later on) first, in addition to the revolver. (A 9x19mm handgun is probably better for a novice like myself.)
 
According to Georgia Arms, their +P 115gr is rated at 1250fps (395 ft. lbs. of energy), 124gr at 1200fps (392 ft. lbs.) and 147 at 1050fps (356 ft. lbs.). I shoot both of the lighter loads and it is stout stuff.
 
Research the individual manufacturers specs for their products. Note bullet weights and design, claimed velocities, test barrel length, and whether they claim +P or +P+ or standard pressures.

Also note their performance in test media. Penetration, expansion, weight retention etc.

The terms +P and +P+ refer to maximum PEAK pressure and do not necessarily relate to bullet performance.

Homework.

And then....you will not know for sure till you chronograph from YOUR individual gun.

Sam: My favorite 9mm is the 9X32R.
 
(A 9x19mm handgun is probably better for a novice like myself.)


Nightcrawler, I bought a TZ99 for my first pistol - a 15rd 9mm. I think my 1911 is easier to shoot. The .45ACP recoil is definately larger than the 9mm, but I feel that it's easier to control because it's a slower recoil, instead of a sharp snap.

Of course, if you have it narrowed down to 1 9mm instead of 3 or 4 .45's.. 9mm ammunition is cheaper as well, so hopefully you'll spend more time plinking rather than trying to save up for another box of ammunition :)
 
Here's a bunch of chrono data from a Glock 19, 23, and 32. All have a 4" barrel.

Code: 
fields are: 'load: avg stddev'

9x19 DNL/PMP 115:    1062, 27.7
9x19 Proload 115+P:  1298, 10.6
9x19 Proload 124+P:  1171,  0.9 (!!!!)

.40 Proload 135:     1172, 27.5
.40 CCI/GoldDot 155: 1161, 10.7

357SIG Rem.125:      1337, 17.4
357SIG CCI/GoldDot:  1349, 12.8

Some data from another day:

               Glock 23       Glock 27
40-
Blazer 180      974 (13.2)     954 (14.1) 
Proload 135    1188 (28.5)     -
Proload 155    1098 (13.6)    1088 (15.8)
Proload 165    1074 (13.0)    -
Proload 180    1021 ( 7.6)    1004 (12.1)

9x19--
               Glock 19
Proload 124+P 1163 (21.5)

.357SIG--
               Glock 32
CCI G.D. 125   1345 (17.3)
Rem JHP 125    1337 ( 5.6)
Proload 125    1451 (31.2)
 
The SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) max pressure for the 9mm is 35,000 psi. The SAAMI +P max is 38, 500 psi. The CIP (Convention on International Performance) max pressure is 39,200 PSI. US mil-spec M882 NATO ammo is loaded to 36,250 psi, within SAAMI/CIP specs. Some NATO and US LE ammo is loaded to higher pressures,as high as 42,000 psi. Win and FEd NATO spec stuff is usually around 38,500 psi.

Some higher pressure stuff may be slower than some lower pressure stuff; depends on component mix, flash suppression, etc:

Glock 17

Speer 124 +P Gold Dot 1260 fps
Fed 124 +P+ Hydra Shok 1210 fps
Fed 124 NATO 1200 fps
WIN NATO 1220 fps
Win NATO 1180 fps (different lot)
Black Hills 124 +P Gold Dot 1275 fps
Proload 124 +P Gold Dot 1240 fps
CorBon 125 +P JHP 1285 fps
Fed 124 +P EFMJ 1105 fps
Rem 124 +P Golden Saber 1175 fps

Fed 115 +P+ JHP 1310 fps
CorBon 115 +P JHP 1360 fps

Fed 115 FMJ American Eagle (AE) 1200 fps
Fiocchi 115 FMJ 1250 fps
PMC 115 FMJ 1140 fps
Blazer 115 FMJ 1200 fps
Magtech 115 FMJ 1200 fps
Rem UMC 115 FMJ 1200 fps
Win USA 115 FMJ 1190 fps
Fed 124 AE FMJ 1100 fps
 
Does it seem to anybody else that Federal seems to add one "+" to all of it's ammo compared to everybody else's velocity?

I mean thier +P+ stuff regardless of 9mm or .38 normally seems to run at the same speed as Winchester or Speer +P rounds. While Fed's +P ammo seems to usually have the same specs as the other companies standard loads. The 115 grain +p+ 9mm load seems to be the only one even close to the other companies.

Just a more cautious manufacturer???
 
Corbon lists 1350fps for 115gr and 1250fps for 125gr from a 4" gun. I have not put their 125 over a chrono but the 115's went right around 1,350 from my 5" Taurus.
 
Reading the above, it looks like NATO 124gr is slower than Speer's Gold Dot 124gr +P. Since I would have guessed the opposite, I'm lost. Any friendly comments?!
 
(very half-fast and not techno accurate)

------------------------------------------------------------
Fast powder - O <--position of bullet @ peak pressure
------------------------------------------------------------
|
| peak pressure is measured here
------------------------------------------------------------
Slow powder- position of bullet @ peak pressure-->O
------------------------------------------------------------

Slow powder comes on later, fast powder comes on sooner.
There's more surface area in the barrel for pressure to
spread itself out. With fast powder, acceleration is over
sooner and the max level (of acceration)
is reached (in an extreme case)
before the bullet leaves the bore.
ie a .22 short or BB cap in a long barrel rifle.
With slower powder,acceleration takes place over the entire
length of time the
bullet is in the bore (in an extreme case it still try's to
happen outside the bore ie: big muzzle flash)
In a lot of ways it's like Salt Water Taffy or silly putty.
Pull it slow, with an even amount of force and it stretches.
Apply the same force fast, and it snaps.
 
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