So I picked up a Kimber Micro 9 for EDC when I need something easier to hide. Shoots fine, no problems, no malfunctions but it’s not the most accurate thing past 7-10 yards and I don’t expect it to be. What’s everyone’s thought on standard pressure ammo in these little guns.
9mm in very short barrels
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Chief137
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So I picked up a Kimber Micro 9 for EDC when I need something easier to hide. Shoots fine, no problems, no malfunctions but it’s not the most accurate thing past 7-10 yards and I don’t expect it to be. What’s everyone’s thought on standard pressure ammo in these little guns.
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641 Posts
Barrel length doesn't really affect accuracy. Short sight radius probably plays a more important role. I can't think of a single manufacturer or firearm that can't handle standard pressure loads.
Sorry, I probably didn’t make my self clear on the question. I’m looking for a good defensive cartridge that performs well on a short barrel for carry. I was thinking Hornady critical defense. I fully understand the issues with small guns and accuracy. If I could hide it, I’d carry my duty weapon, but I’m not a big enough guy to hid it in summer. Hell, I carry my 1911 in winter.
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1,177 Posts
I use Underwood with monolithic projects.
underwoodammo.com
9mm Luger 90gr. Xtreme Defender Solid Monolithic Self Defense Ammo
Underwood Ammo offers the most comprehensive and innovative Lehigh Defense™ Supersonic Lead Free Handgun Ammo for personal defense & hunting. Shop now 9mm Luger Copper ammo with Solid Monolithic.
underwoodammo.com
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7,999 Posts
I like 147grain hst for all my 9mm needs.
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It’s not the barrel and ammo, it’s that the smaller guns get, the harder it is to easily shoot well without substantial practice. Quality small guns, whether pocket pistols or subcompacts, can be shot accurately, but it takes more practice usually.
Thanks. That’s the kind of thing I was looking for. I’m looking for something that functions and can expand at the lower velocities.
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Your barrel is 3.1" thereabouts? If so, it's similar to a P365 for which there are several ballistics test videos.
The short answer is that I chose Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P for the P365. My hillbilly expansion tests on both standard and +P pushed me (very slightly) that direction and there wasn't any big difference in recoil that I could notice. However, I'd also be perfectly ok with the standard pressure Gold dots. The same goes for HSTs, standard or +P.
As my daughter always says to me, "Dad, it's not that deep" (it's not such a big deal). So, you really don't need to be buying any specialized ammo, and you can confirm your choice by shooting into some water jugs and see how it expands.
Below are some videos of a guy who likes to do some hillbilly tests with short barrel pistols.
The short answer is that I chose Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P for the P365. My hillbilly expansion tests on both standard and +P pushed me (very slightly) that direction and there wasn't any big difference in recoil that I could notice. However, I'd also be perfectly ok with the standard pressure Gold dots. The same goes for HSTs, standard or +P.
As my daughter always says to me, "Dad, it's not that deep" (it's not such a big deal). So, you really don't need to be buying any specialized ammo, and you can confirm your choice by shooting into some water jugs and see how it expands.
Below are some videos of a guy who likes to do some hillbilly tests with short barrel pistols.
That would be a poor choice, especially after the design change.
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I carry standard pressure 124 Gr HSTs in my micro 9s.
They seem to be highly regarded universally and almost all the gel tests show performance within FBI standards.
They seem to be highly regarded universally and almost all the gel tests show performance within FBI standards.
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61 Posts
another +1 on Gold Dots, Sig also has a V Crown 365 for short barrels.
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I would recommend Critical duty over critical defense. its supposedly Plus+P but recoils is milder than most Plus+P ammo even in a lightweight Keltec PF9. The fact that it uses a 135 grain bullet might have something to do with the reduction in felt recoil since in Some calibers heavier bullets seem to recoil less tha lighter faster bullets. This is true of 147 grain 9mm vs 124 or 115 gran and in 40S&W 180 grain vs 135 or 165 grain.
However this is not true in a lightweight 44 special Charter Arms bulldog where 180 grain and 200 grain recoil LESS than 240 grain and also with 45 ACP when the 185 grainers seem to recoil less than the 230 grain bullets.
Here's three different Gel tests with Critical duty out of short barrels, one that is Plus+P, and the other with non-Plus+P and one with Plus P out of a 4 inch barrel. all these videos have ads but there's a "skip Ads" option in the lower right hand corner.
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This is what I carry in anything shorter than my G19.
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I carry standard pressure Federal HST and it performs well. Speer Gol Dot is another brand you should consider, as mentioned above.
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I have a bunch of 147 grain HST I purchased several years ago -
This video tests the new design - and also shows past results on the new round.
It sure does not look like a poor choice to my eyes.
Average expansion .608" (.719 old version) and 14.78" penetration (13.25" original).
Seems like a good choice to me - but I am also happy I still have 250 rounds of the original.
My assumption is Federal wanted more penetration so they gave up a little expansion.
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