[GlockCanMan]

A lot of competition shooters will use Federal Syntech ammo if they don't reload. While they make multiple different loads for different caliber, this one is tailored for match shooting and to make the 125 power factor. But since you are using a shorter barrel it might not make it.

Also depending on where you are shooting (Cold weather) some powder is temp sensitive and will also affect your velocity.

 

[Bren]

Assuming I shoot it in the sanctioned state match, I'll have to make the power factor. One of my old shooting buddies who's shot in a lot of sanctioned matches feels the 115 and 124 grain bullets are a better bet to make the PF.

Then he isn't that smart.

The whole point is, power factor is mass x velocity, while the muzzle energy/recoil energy is mass x velocity(squared). That means the higher the bullet weight, the slower you can go while still making the power factor and the lower the recoil energy. There is literally no validity whatsoever to the idea that you can better make the power factor with a light-recoiling load by using a lighter bullet. It's basic science, not a debated opinion. Isaac Newton could have explained this to you in 1687.

9mm Ballistics Chart | Ballistics 101

 

[Bren]

Well, most of our locals run 147's in G17's and G34's without issues. If they don't function at the minor floor there is another problem.

Your recoil spring has to be matched to your ammo. The stock spring works with factory ammo, but most people try to use light loads in Glocks with the stock recoil spring. I imagine that is even more common with the new recoil spring systems replacements being even less common. I can get a replacement recoil spring for a 1911 anywhere and I probably have 20 of them in my parts box, but Glocks are less common and people usually replace the whole guide rod with them.

 

[Jim Watson]

Of the three cases I cited, one is a very experienced Glocker and I have no doubt he was changing recoil springs. One was not research minded enough to do the match, just changed bullets.
The third is is a novice I eventually I caught on and gave a 13 lb spring to for better reliability WHO.

 

[9x45]

Your recoil spring has to be matched to your ammo.

I've never run anything but OEM springs in my G17 that has over 300K thru it and only 7 recoil spring assemblies running 124 gr at about 135 PF. I've tried 15, 13 and 11 lb springs I got as product over the years, but it didn't change much for me. By the way, you can put weaker springs on the OEM rod. Slide lock it. pull the tab off, put the new spring on the OEM rod, then slide lock it and replace the tab. Doesn't work for stronger springs, the tab will pop off. I run 20lbs in my G31's and 22lbs in my G20.

 

[snowbird.40]

Thanks to you all for the education.

Obviously, I qualify as a novice in these matters, especially regarding spring weights related to 1911s, which I'm vaguely familiar with because I carried them as issued weapons from the armory while in the U.S. Army (1970-71) serving as an MP sentry dog handler.

Bottom line: I think I'll try shooting the 147-grain loads in practice and matches. My ambition is to make a sincere effort to improve my performance over the next six months, culminating in the state sanctioned match. I recently learned that my sponsor has (once again) been diagnosed with cancer and I want to make a better effort on his behalf ... beyond my usual shooting just once a month in matches. I might even actually practice (gasp!) at the local gravel pit. My weak hand and strong hand skills are pretty abysmal.

If anyone has any final thoughts, or wants to discourage my course of action, please enunciate your position in simple terms so I can proceed with a bulk ammo purchase and get on with my strategy.

 

[9x45]

Best thing you can do is take shooting lessons from an IDPA Master before the state match and get in at least 2-3 matches a month.

 

[Snoopy47]

It does to me too. But as a casual shooter (no competition) who shoots 5k or 6k rounds a year I find 147 to have less recoil than 115.

The recoil pulse recoil can be slower.

 

[fredj338]

I've been shooting action pistol matches for about 16 years, primarily IDPA, but an occasional USPSA or BUG match. Now that I'm 70, I've been concentrating all of my matches on using my EDC with an IWB holster at about 3:30 in order to duplicate a situation where I might need to use the weapon in a real-world confrontation (even though I usually CC AIWB in a Galco Ultimate Second Amendment). After lots of expensive experimentation, I've settled on the Glock 26 platform for my primary carry weapon. I seem to shoot it better than all other guns, even out to 25 yards in a USPSA match, and it carries well enough that I'm mostly comfortable with it unless I'm sitting for a long period of time.

For some reason, my local home-based FFL dealer rolled the dice about five years ago and agreed to sponsor me in my matches with free match ammo. (I wear his logo on my vest and long-sleeved t-shirt.) Throughout the years of experimenting, I've typically landed about in the middle or just below in the overall standings. I partially attribute that to my poor vision, swapping guns, and a lack of practice between matches.

Now that the winter season is looming, I'm wondering if I shouldn't make one final effort to improve my standings in the matches, break down and buy a 1,000-round brick of 9mm ammo (or split the cost with my sponsor) and take the time to practice more and stick with one of my two G26s in the matches. All of this would be in preparation for the state match in March, 2022.

I've shot lots of different brands and weights of ammo, but wondering if the Winchester 115-grain white box isn't the softest load to shoot for controlled recoil and faster double taps.

Suggestions? (P.S. - Price IS a factor.)

I shoot MA/bug in idpa. I find softest in my g26 is 147gr loaded to 120pf. If looking at a soft factory load, Freedom 147 is pretty soft. Also a 160gr loaded to 120pf is stupid soft. I shoot my g26 as well as any gun i own, which is why its also my primary ccw.
Also felt recoil takes into account blast & torque. Fast light bullets are loud & offer more rotational torque. Why i feel light/fast are snappy compared to heavy/slow loads.

 

[fredj338]

Assuming I shoot it in the sanctioned state match, I'll have to make the power factor. One of my old shooting buddies who's shot in a lot of sanctioned matches feels the 115 and 124 grain bullets are a better bet to make the PF.

Not really. Most failed factory 9mm i have seen is wwb 115 in ccp guns.

 

[9x45]

Assuming I shoot it in the sanctioned state match, I'll have to make the power factor. One of my old shooting buddies who's shot in a lot of sanctioned matches feels the 115 and 124 grain bullets are a better bet to make the PF.

Your shooting buddy doesn't own a chrono, does he?

 

[9x45]

Not really. Most failed factory 9mm i have seen is wwb 115 in ccp guns.

Yup, factory 115's sometimes don't make the floor, especially in shorter guns..

 

[Sherlock913]

Had two WWB cartridges misfire a couple of Saturdays ago- in two different pistols.

WWB is the only ammo I ever had trouble with. The 124gr 9mm seems okay, other than that, I stay away from it.

 

[Bren]

Not really. Most failed factory 9mm i have seen is wwb 115 in ccp guns.

Power factory obviously favors heavy bullets and low-recoil favors heavy bullets, which makes the choice pretty easy.

 

[fredj338]

Power factory obviously favors heavy bullets and low-recoil favors heavy bullets, which makes the choice pretty easy.

Yes but about 3/4 of the shooters that show up to my matches are using factory ball. WWB/115 is just dicey in shorter bbls if making PF.

 

[waktasz]

Are there actual choices again that answer this question? It's pretty much you buy what you can find on the shelf somewhere these days, no?

 

[njl]

Are there actual choices again that answer this question? It's pretty much you buy what you can find on the shelf somewhere these days, no?

If you’re buying ammo, at least you can know what to look for / avoid. If, like me, you reload, as long as you have powder and primers, there are all sorts of choices.
I’ve settled on 135-138gr for 9mm. Each loaded to about 130pf, it’s nearly as soft as 147, and the bullets tend to be a bit cheaper and maybe not quite as brass selective as 147 and heavier bullets.

 

[fredj338]

If you’re buying ammo, at least you can know what to look for / avoid. If, like me, you reload, as long as you have powder and primers, there are all sorts of choices.
I’ve settled on 135-138gr for 9mm. Each loaded to about 130pf, it’s nearly as soft as 147, and the bullets tend to be a bit cheaper and maybe not quite as brass selective as 147 and heavier bullets.

In my 1911/9, I find the 147 almost too soft, the slide seems sluggish @ 130pf. So I have been trying 130-135 to see if that just feels better.

 

[snowbird.40]

Now you have me nervous. My sponsor and I struck an agreement on 1,000 rounds of WWB 115 grain. I chipped in $185 and bought the lot. Not sure what he paid, but I'm guessing he made his contribution. He also provided me with 200 rounds of 147 grain ball ammo. So, perhaps I should shoot the club matches with 115 and save the 147 for the sanctioned match in March? Will the POI change enough to make a difference in an IDPA match?

Or, should I see if I can get someone to chrono the 115s soon (like at the next match) to make certain they will meet the power floor?

 

[9x45]

If your gun is zeroed for 115's, the 147's will shoot higher by about 1.5" at 20 yards. Not enough to make a difference. If your 115's don't make the floor, oh well.