What Round Would You Use In A Short Barrelled 9mm

Mike H

New member
If you were choosing a personal defense round for a short barrelled 9mm such as the H&K USPc with a 3.58 inch barrel, what would be your choice. I choose the USP deliberately as it was designed to handle +p loads (if necessary of course). I have long been a follower of 124/125 grain 9mm rounds but realize that the reduced velocity that goes hand in hand with shorter barrels may dictate the use of a 115 gr round.

Secondly, just what 9mm rounds are available to civilians in +P loadings ??

Regards,

Mike H
 
In a Glock 26 (3.46" barrel) I choose the 124 grain +P Remington Golden Saber.
 
I read a great, in depth article in "Concealed Carry Handguns" a couple of years ago regarding short 9mm barrels and defense loads.
The author compared ammo brands using a Kel-Tech P11 and a Glock 19 as a control.

I regret that I just searched my back-stash of gun-mags, and can't find the article, but I'll look at work on Monday. If this post is still going, I'll cite the author and full findings.

I don't remember the full list, but federal Hydra-shocks and Winchester Silvertips did NOT do well in the short barrelled guns. They failed to expand quite often.

Also, the "magic bullets" like the magsafe did poorly in these same tests. (Again, I'll look hard for the actual results, and the author's name, if you wanna take it up with him.)

As far as the "winners", I only remember the Remington Golden Sabre +P was one of the top finishers, and the one I ultimately chose for my wife's Kahr MK9. It is also the brand I now carry for my Kahr P9.

Of course, that's just my opinion, and probably not a very good one at that. :)

[This message has been edited by Onslaught (edited October 06, 2000).]
 
Hello. I carry Triton or CorBon 115 gr +P JHPs in my Kahr K9 and have been very satisfied with both velocity, feed reliability, and accuracy. Best.
 
all +P loads are available to civilians. some +P+ loads are just sold to LEOs.

i personally like Speer 124gr+P Gold-Dots. Remington 124gr+P Golden-Sabers are also good.
 
I used Cor-Bon 115gr JHP in Glock 26 for a while. I like Cor-Bon for their high velocity (1,230 fps from my 26) and low muzzle flash just in case I have to shoot at night.
 
115gr JHP by Sellior and Bellot. Minimal muzzle flash, profile close to ball for reliable feeding, quite a bit hotter than my second choice (Silvertips) and don't deform on chambering. Primer and bullet are sealed. A real bargain at $8 per 50 -- but they came ahead of everything else in my informal tests (vs. Triton 115/124, Remington 115/147, Silvertips).
 
124gr+p Golden Sabre (personal favorite)
125gr+p Triton Hi-Vel
115gr+p Remington jhp
124gr+p+ Fed. HS
115gr+p+ Fed. 9BPLE

The last two loads are LE only, but are available to civilians from Blue Grass Armory at www.bgarmory.com.

Best,
{long shot}
 
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