I usually shoot 115 grain ammo at the range, but lately I found some 124 grain at W/M that was cheaper (and in stock) than the 115...
So, as far as range shooting what is the difference....

124 is a little quieter, and a little less snappy.

 

For range shooting, nothing. Shoot it up.

 

My question for you is this: What bullet weight/velocity do you use for self defense? In all honesty, you want to practice with the same approximate performance on the range, as you use/experience in your defense, as well as others... If 124gr, why not same in Speer Lawman and Gold Dot? Same point of aim. That's just an example- use whatever works best for you, but commonality of performance, like carrying two pieces, using the same magazines, is a very, very, good thing...

 

I load a few thousand 9mm handloads a year and always prefer 124 gr over 115. I think the wee bit extra mass helps make the action of the pistol function better.

With Glocks this isn't readily apparent but a tightly fitted steel 9mm shows some difference.

124s also smack steel targets harder and knock bowling pins down a bit better if you compete.

 

124s also smack steel targets harder and knock bowling pins down a bit better if you compete.

I respectfully disagree. I use 95 grain bullets exclusively for bowling pins and falling steel and will gladly compete against heavy slow bullets. Velocity has more affect on smacking steel down and blowing pins off a table than weight does. Why do you think 38 supers fell into vogue and heavy, slow 45’s fell out in bowling pin leagues?

 

My G19 & G26 perform better with 124 grain. I have tried lighter and heavier bullets but the 124 has tighter groups. The G19 does almost as well with 147 grain but the G26 performs poorly with 147. I have a Taurus PT92AF that likes the heavier 147 better but the 124 has almost as tight of group.

I had relegated the PT92 to nightstand duty but I came into a quantity of Hornady 147gr JHP XTPs. I have a load that works well for the PT92 and another that works well for the G19 but I have not found a recipe that works well with the G26. I traded off some of the 147 bullets with a friend for some 124 grain bullets but it looks like I am going to be taking the PT92 to the range for a while.

 

I reload 124 and 147 grains exclusively for 9mm, I find the actions of every gun I shoot with cycle more smoothly, and recoil is flatter so the follow up shots are faster.

For personal defense, I go with 147 grains mostly but I carry also 124 HP with no doubts about performance.

 

What with the heat of the summer in South Florida, the G 26 has been only at the range.
I'v gone to my LCP in my pocket for the summer...
But I'll see if I can tel the difference with the G 26 next week at the range.
Tnx

 

Heavier bullets penetrate further. Lighter bullets get their faster. Your choice.

 

As previously stated, I like to practice with the same weight
as I use for Self Defense.

But that's just me...

 

I generally like 124 and 147gr for range and defense ammo in my pistols. If I had a tiny pocket sized 9mmP, I might consider 115gr.

 

In some firearms, the 147 grain dont' feed as well; they're longer. 124 gn are my personal choice, but the differences in 115, 124, 135, and 146 grain are slight. Ensure that whatever you choose functions well in your pistol and go with that.

It's about shot placement. Not the bullet weight. Shoot what's reliable and what you can reliably handle. The nuances of this bullet vs. that are minor; use what feeds and use what you can use to hit the target. The difference between 115 and 124 gn is very slight.

 

In some firearms, the 147 grain dont' feed as well; they're longer. 124 gn are my personal choice, but the differences in 115, 124, 135, and 146 grain are slight. Ensure that whatever you choose functions well in your pistol and go with that.

It's about shot placement. Not the bullet weight. Shoot what's reliable and what you can reliably handle. The nuances of this bullet vs. that are minor; use what feeds and use what you can use to hit the target. The difference between 115 and 124 gn is very slight.

Yep. It's not like the difference between a 180-gr .44 Mag load versus 300-gr .44 Mag load.

If the 124-gr were to load up to military spec velocity then I can feel a hair more snap, but otherwise, the difference is hardly worth mentioning.

 

I carry Golt Dot 124gr SB and shoot Freedom reman 124gr HPs or FMJs for practice or comp. I always shoot 124gr because it will knock down steel targets reliably.

 

As 124 tends to be the standard bullet weight in Europe and most all 9's are but or designed there , I have always found a SLIGHT edge in accuracy with 124 versus 115/147. It is so slight it is not worth my trouble to seek out 124 grain ammo as opposed to 115 that is available all over. In my glocks the difference was about a 1/4 to 1/2" tighter 25 yard group with 124. Not enough to matter except in bullseye competition which I certainly do not use a glock for any way

 

I prefer 115gr, but the difference is minimal.

 

It's the *****, not the arrow. Don't be concerned about it.

 

I had a Hi-Power which seemed to shoot more accurately to point-of-aim with 124-grain. But other than that, I just stick with 115-gr because of its availability. It's consistent enough in all my 9mm pistols and the Winchester Silvertips I carry perform the same.

 

I wish I was a good enough shot to be able to tell the difference. My Glock 19 eats everything I feed it, so I just buy whatever is cheapest, seems to usually be 115g.

 

I can tell a difference between one of my "Hot" 147 and "light" 115's. Most of the time my hands are not sensitive enough to distinguish between the bullet weights and powder loads unless they are loaded at opposite ends of the spectrum. I try to find what powder charge will yield the tightest group and many times it is on the lighter side of the recommended load data.

 

I've been shooting for many years, and can not tell any difference between them. I shoot whatever is available at a good price. 90% are my 115 or 124 reloads. I can't really see a good reason to make an effort to find rounds that mimic my defense loads, as I've never noticed a change in POI at defensive ranges or speeds. Work more on grip, trigger control and mag changes.

 

115gr NATO

 

Well 4 1/2 years ago I said, 115 FMJ because it is the cheapest.

BTW the 9mm NATO standard is 124 grains.

 

The big differences are in PF and powder speed.

If you like a quick impulse, a slow impulse is going to suck. If you load different bullet weights to the same PF with the same powder, perceptual difference isn't going to be that great. Reliability may suffer is you move too much energy into the bullet or powder, though.

And obviously if keep the charge constant and change bullet weight, PF is going to vary. And that makes a big difference.

 

I like NATO range ammo. It has a nice little snap.

 

I shoot only 115 9mm and never have shoot anything else!

 

I shoot 115 gr for range use and I carry 124 JHP. There is some difference but not much.

 

I used 124gr Gold Dot or HST for carry and 124gr. AE for range for many years.
I recently switched to 147gr. HST and 147gr. AE for personal reasons.