I think it is more important to have a gun that you can carry every day and every where you go rather than try to squeeze another 35 fps out of it. I don't think the BG will know the difference.

 

For competition, yes, it's worth it, that's why the G34 won over the G17 for a open 9mm major gun.

For carry, not a consideration, G26.

 

Some very impressive work, and thought was put into this. Thanks for doing this.
Good to see the numbers to make an informed decision.
thanks 481.

 

Some very impressive work, and thought was put into this. Thanks for doing this.
Good to see the numbers to make an informed decision.
thanks 481.

You are welcome.

 

For any given 9mm HD/SD/CCW ammunition, is the increase of each additional 35 fps in bullet velocity gained at the muzzle worth each extra inch of barrel length that must accompany it?

This decision is, in the end, up to the individual carrying the pistol and making the choice and determining what they value most in terms of the "exchanges" and "compromises" that must be made in the way of balancing "performance" and "concealability".

Thoughts?

I think you show that the performance -fps - is not the issue based upon the above information.

Gun dimensions and weight are greater influences in the cc decision process. Even when it comes to concealability - for inside waist band carry - the grip length is more of an issue than barrel length. as that is the part that is exposed.

Overall, if I had to pick one determining factor for cc from the info you present it would be weight because size would follow from that. If the weight of a gun makes you think twice about carrying it; you may not.

 

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/results.html

 

Thanks 481.

 

That value has prttey much been known forever, generally in a handgun 25 to 50 FPS per inch of barrel with the same load is an accepted value but what may be more important for some is the change in energy that 35 FPS gives. 35 FPS X 115 = 40.25 FLBS but that only counts at the muzzel since energy figures are only valid at impact range, as are vel figures

 

Thanks 481.

You bet.

 

To 481: Excellent write-up, clear & concise with workable results. Thanks.

 

To 481: Excellent write-up, clear & concise with workable results. Thanks.

Doc-

My pleasure. Glad that you found it to your liking.

Gotta admit it was fun doing it and I was really surprised at the consistency of the results that I saw. Makes me think that I did something right.

As a result of this little experiment, I feel all that much better about carrying my Glock 19 when conditions force me to do so.

I much prefer my Glock 17 over the Glock 19 (the 17 fits me more comfortably and I shoot better with it) and always felt as if I was giving up something significant in the way of muzzle velocity with my chosen carry ammo (the Hornady 9mm 147 gr. XTP JHP).

However, my Glock 17 gives me an average velocity of 987 fps (shot with the same lot of ammo today, results follow below) with the same ammunition so the performance between the two (17 v. 19) is about as "identical" as you can get from two different pistols.


From the Glock 17:

Hornady Custom XTP 9mm 147 gr. JHP
Hi: 1029
Lo: 934
Av: 987
Md: 981.50
ES: 95
SD: 17.27
n: 25

 

Excellent information! If anyone is going to try to shoot competitions with a shorty like the G19, they need to definitely chrono their ammo even if it is factory. I witnessed two guys at a major USPSA match shooting squeeze cockers who failed to make minor power factor because of their barrel length. They assumed since they were shooting factory ammo, they were going to make minor. I felt bad for them. They were excellent shooters with those little guns. The chrono dq'd them from the match.:crying:

 

Excellent information! If anyone is going to try to shoot competitions with a shorty like the G19, they need to definitely chrono their ammo even if it is factory. I witnessed two guys at a major USPSA match shooting squeeze cockers who failed to make minor power factor because of their barrel length. They assumed since they were shooting factory ammo, they were going to make minor. I felt bad for them. They were excellent shooters with those little guns. The chrono dq'd them from the match.:crying:

I shoot my G26 a lot at IDPA matches and I am not sure what would happen if they tested my ammo. I typically shoot Wolf 115 grain for IDPA. I have to say they should have an allowance for the short barrel guns. Lets face it how many people are going to carry a G34/35? IDPA prides itself in not being a gamer event that USPSA has become and in my opinion it is just about the same. I would be hard pressed shooting a factory G26 against an equal expert class shooter shooting a G34 that has special sights and trigger job. However this is not why I shoot IDPA with a G26. I shoot it because it is in my opinion continued education/experience with a primary carry weapon. I don't care about shooting the fastest time and taking first place, I do however care about shooting what you carry. Even my G17 I shoot is all stock except for night sights (same as G26) and the G34 slide release. I figure its better to learn to shoot those then a gamer gun.

Sorry to be off track with the post. I do think it is better to compare the G17/19/26 rather then a long slide. In my opinion the G17 is hard to carry but is a good car/home gun. I like the G26 for carry since it can always go with me. I also just bought a G36 for the same reason.

I carry the Winchester Ranger T 147gr 9mm and the Ranger T 230g 45acp. I will carry the 230gr +P but will have to see how it feels in the little G36. I need to do some test with the G26 using 147gr vs 124gr +p or +P+. I of course always want the better performing bullet however I need to be able to shoot it quickly and reliably.

I now want to whip out the chronograph and see what the specs are. Might have to do that before the snow starts to fly. Very good write up! Would love to see the G17/19/26 compared with ballistic test. Seems most ammo manufactures use the full size pistols for their test. I wonder if anyone has the same test using a sub compact?

 

I now want to whip out the chronograph and see what the specs are. Might have to do that before the snow starts to fly. Very good write up! Would love to see the G17/19/26 compared with ballistic test. Seems most ammo manufactures use the full size pistols for their test. I wonder if anyone has the same test using a sub compact?

Do it! Since I do not have a G26, I'd like to see the results that you get. I'd also encourage you to use ammunition from the same lot in both/all guns if at all possible to make sure the results that you get are the most valid possible.

What more of an excuse do you need to get out and shoot? :whistling:

Glad you liked my write up, too.

 

I don't have the G19, but I do have some numbers that I gathered last year from my G17 and G26.

I don't compute all the above data. I just do average speed over ten rounds.

Rem/UMC 115 gr FMJ:________ G17.....1172 fps _____ G26.....1104 fps

Fed 124 gr EFMJ+P:__________ G17.....1125 fps _____ G26.....1056 fps

Fed 124 gr FMJ:_____________ G17.....1123 fps _____ G26.....1061 fps

Double Tap 147 gr JHP +P:____ G17.....1136 fps _____ G26.....1081 fps

 

I don't have the G19, but I do have some numbers that I gathered last year from my G17 and G26.

I don't compute all the above data. I just do average speed over ten rounds.

Rem/UMC 115 gr FMJ:________ G17.....1172 fps _____ G26.....1104 fps

Fed 124 gr EFMJ+P:__________ G17.....1125 fps _____ G26.....1056 fps

Fed 124 gr FMJ:_____________ G17.....1123 fps _____ G26.....1061 fps

Double Tap 147 gr JHP +P:____ G17.....1136 fps _____ G26.....1081 fps

Depending on the load, you are losing somewhere on the order of 69-55 fps per inch of barrel length lost. Pretty consistent results, really.

Doesn't look like the Federal 124 EFMJ is all that "hot" compared to the regular 124 FMJ stuff given that it bears a +P rating. I wonder what that is all about. :headscratch:

The DT 147 +P looks like good stuff even from the short (3.46") barrel of the G26 and it's screamin' comin' offa that G17 tube. Nice. :supergrin:

 

Doesn't look like the Federal 124 EFMJ is all that "hot" compared to the regular 124 FMJ stuff given that it bears a +P rating. I wonder what that is all about.

I thought the same thing about that EFMJ load.

The DT 147 +P looks like good stuff even from the short (3.46") barrel of the G26 and it's screamin' comin' offa that G17 tube. Nice.

That's the round I carry in the G26. The G17 is pretty much a dedicated steel plate games gun now, tricked out with a dot sight and a trigger pull that I wouldn't carry with, so it doesn't get the good stuff anymore...just 124 gr ball ammo at matches.

 

This is exactly why I carry an 8 1/2" barrel S&W revolver for my CCW. I like to get the most out of my ammo!

 

There's no need to worry about velocity loss in the subs (at least G26/G27) because you can just drop a G19/G23 4" barrel in them. It's completely compatible and has no effect on carrying comfort or concealability. I don't know why Glock doesn't offer them like that.

.

 

This is exactly why I carry an 8 1/2" barrel S&W revolver for my CCW. I like to get the most out of my ammo!

I'll bet that's kinda hard to do with an IWB rig! :animlol:

 

Are you carrying an 8 1/2" barrel revolver for your CCW, or are you just glad to see me?
:rofl:

 

Here are a few graphs of some chrony work I did a few months back with different 9-mm ammo and barrel lengths:

 

Here are a few graphs of some chrony work I did a few months back with different 9-mm ammo and barrel lengths:

Thanks. Very nice!

Besides being very interesting it also lends a different perspective to the topic.

 

A lot of good info about Feet per second. What is the importance or significance of it?

 

A lot of good info about Feet per second. What is the importance or significance of it?

More velocity = more energy. And since energy is mass * velocity^2 it is more important than mass. One of the reasons I prefer mid-weight bullets instead of the heaviest possible. e.g. 124gr for 9mm instead of 147gr.