Speeds, Feeds and Ballistics: 9mm Slugfest Federal HST and Speer Gold Dot

[mr.revolverguy]

Does this video put an end to the much debated and talked about caliber wars? If you have not seen the other video's in this series you may want to see how the 9mm compares to the 10MM and 40S&W.

Stay tuned for the statistics comparison side by side in the grand finale.

https://youtu.be/ZN7u9fOdS4s

[The_Shadow]

We can not sell the 9mm short and it is a good caliber and performer!  Speer and Federal are the premium bullets in many calibers as they have them down to a science with performance.
I still see the 10mm as my choice for many uses especially for outdoor and defensive carry.  Now for conceal carry in really close quarters, restaurants, stores, etc., I like 45ACP.
I'll be waiting on the final video and compare more results side by side with you. 

[sqlbullet]

Here is the problem I have...You just can't tell me that more energy is not useful.  That tells us something about the test.

To use a drag racing analogy, this is like telling drag racers that the winners will be the person with the time closest to 9 seconds, but not faster, using the same 3,000 lb car for every racer, and the amount of fuel left is the tie breaker.

We would expect to see statements like "you don't need more that 815 HP, any more is a handicap to fuel usage", and "Focus on driving skill at the start line to hone in your times"

This is kinda like what is happening with ammo.  A standard was set up that makes a bunch of assumptions.  The full FBI spec is pretty good, but increasingly ammo is measured only on the heavy clothing test, ignoring steel, plywood, wallboard and glass tests.  The FBI spec is also based around encounters that occur between standing combatants where the vector of entry to the vitals is perpendicular to the spine.

Then end result is the test assumes a bunch of variables that may not be your real life.  For instance, if my family were being attacked by a determined invader at night, the firefight would likely end up centered around my stairwell, with the aggressors finding cover from sheetrock and 2X4's at a 180° corner.  My shots would be coming at them from above and through both wallboard and wood (assuming they didn't discontinue and retreat).

Not, I admit this is an edge case.  99% of defensive shootings are face to face, standing, at 3'-9' distance.

But, like the drag racing analogy, I always want to be prepared to bracket up.

[Graybeard]

Excellent video once again! Thanks Mr.revolverguy. Agree completely with Sqlbullet. Nothing wrong with more energy. My takeaway is that both Federal and Speer make excellent 9mm defensive ammo, it would appear that the Gold dots were just a little better in expansion and penetration in the clear gel.

[Kenk]

Awesome job once again Mr.revolverguy. Thanks for all your efforts!


Ken

[Rojo27]

As always appreciate the efforts, tests and that you share them with us!
Nothing in the world wrong with 9mm and modern top flight jhp ammunition  Pretty fond of my 45's and love the best millimeter (10mm) pistols too! 

By the by, I've got the CZ-P-09 as well and it's one fantastic pistol!! 
Sent mine to Louisiana for a little Cajun Gunworks pro-package customization.