There are some good modern bullet designs available today in this heavier 9mm bullet weight, designs which have demonstrated the potential for some consistent expansion in some of the rigorous testing protocols favored among many LE users (and therefore among manufacturers who hope to receive contracts from LE users). The subsequent developments in the area of bullet design, and how it affected and influenced the 147gr hollow point loads developed for LE use, can vary a bit among the different companies. The reason for its first acceptance into the LE field is also pretty easily found. The development of the original W-W OSM load and its military application is pretty much easy to find online. (The problem sometimes encountered with this is ammunition manufacturers may be inclined to spend the significant money involved in strict gel testing protocols only on their 'premium' LE-type loads, not bothering much with their 'old style' JHP loads.)īullet design does have a significant influence on its potential deformation & expansion, and there's been some ongoing refinement and improvement in bullet design when it comes to defensive hollow points. Some folks are willing to accept manufacturer data. Last time I checked the FBI required a formal agency letterhead request, signed by someone of at least supervisory capacity, who would agree not to disseminate the info outside their agency.) (The problem with this is that many LE/Gov sources don't want their in-house results to be viewed as some sort of 'endorsement' or recommendation for ammunition, so they don't like to make their testing easily available. Some folks like to try and reference LE/Gov info and testing. Some folks are willing to reconsider their opinions based upon newer experiences.

Some folks seem willing to base their opinions on info, experiences and other opinions which may be somewhat dated. Some folks seem willing to adopt the opinions of others just upon their say so. Some folks have some experience to support their opinions. If you're really curious, drop a note to somebody like Speer or Hornady for their opinion. I'd expect today's premium 9mm ammo to do well for expansion - but if you're going to carry something that's not between 115 and 125 grains, I'd want to shoot a bunch of it to make sure it cycles. Handgun ammo has come a long way in recent years with all the big bucks 'self defense' stuff for $1 a round. There for awhile, 147 grains was popular since it's subsonic (mostly), but I suspect that the hollow point bullets weren't always up to expanding predictably at low velocities. This doesn't mean 147 grains won't work, but does your GI M1911A1 always feed 185 grain wadcutters? Mine doesn't. Feed ramps, magazine lips, all that stuff, designed for that load. Most 9mm handguns, I believe, were built anticipating that the standard ball cartridge was the standard load to be used. The 9mm was a hot number when it was kinda new in the German Luger in WW1, and (by the way) they loaded it kinda hot in 115 grain ball. Let's start with the theory that 147 grain loads were developed in an effort to try to get as much 'oomph' out of the 9mm when loaded down to subsonic levels for the guys who have suppressors on their handguns (I'm jealous). Remington 88 grain 9mm JHP (R9MM5) This bullet is far too light.ĬCI Lawman 147 grain 9mm PHP 'Plated Hollow Point' (3619) Remington 147 grain 9mm Golden Saber JHP (GS9MMC)

Winchester 147 grain 9mm Super-X Subsonic (XSUB9MM) Winchester 147 grain 9mm Silvertip Subsonic JHP (X9MMST147) Numbers given:įederal Gold Medal 9mm 147 grain JHP (9MS)įederal Hydra-Shok 9mm 147 grain JHP (P9HS2) 147 grain ammo sucks.īad 9mm Loads to avoid (and certainly NEVER carry).

Ignore the gun magazine hype and stick to what works. 147 grain hollowpoints often jam in many popular 9mm guns like the Browning Hi-Power, SIG, Beretta 92, S&W and Glock. I don't care what you've heard: never use any 9mm hollowpoint heavier than 125 grains. Now it is time to impart some crucial information: NEVER use 147 grain ammo in a 9mm pistol! There was a stupid fad for 147 grain hollowpoints a few years ago, and many were suckered into buying these weak, worthless and malfunction-prone rounds.

147gr 9mm ammo for sale