I have read that 147gr ammo would not cycle in some 9mm autos. I use the federal HST for self defense. I brought 3 boxes of the 124+P and 3 boxes of the 147gr +P HST to the range recently to try with my M&P 9 and M&P 9C. I figured if any 147gr would cycle the +P would with the extra pressure. The 124gr +P worked without a flaw in both guns. I expected this. I was mainly just getting used to what I carry. The 147gr +P ran through the M&P 9 ok, but I noticed the slide cycling slightly slower. When I tested the 147gr +P HST in the M&P 9C (one of my carry guns) though I could really tell the difference. The slide cycled considerably slower and actually stopped motion several times on the return when trying to feed the next cartridge from the mag. It never hung up or failed to eject, but the slide got so slow in movement it actually stopped and had to be assisted several times. I have several other 9mm Smiths, but will not use any 147gr ammo in any of them. As far as the range, all anyone needs is the 115gr ball ammo anyway unless testing their self defense ammo to see how it works and feels in their gun. 147gr 9mm would only be considered by someone for self defense in my opinion because of the extra weight and expansion. When it comes to self defense for me after this test, I will stick to the 124gr +P HST or Ranger. I have some 135gr +P Bonded HST that I am wondering about now and will test soon. I think it should be ok, but won't carry it until I make sure. Test the ammo you plan to use for self defense and do not believe all the hype on the 147gr 9mm ammo.

I'm assuming your pistol is clean and lubricated with CLP and not grease (or peanut butter )?

Try another brand of 147gr. Winchester Ranger-T 147gr (RA9T) cycles perfectly in my M&P9.

-- Chuck

You have a high speed camera in your head that can watch the slide cycle while you shoot? I don't buy it, I've shot plenty of 147gr and it's cycles just as well as 124gr. I know a couple people who only shoot 147gr in their handloads, no issues.

Is using grease not good? I clean with clp, but lube the slide with hopps grease. Should I stop this?

All i shoot is 147gr through my gun. 147gr's are known for less recoil at the same PF

I prefer grease on the rails as it stays put. I used tetra grease.

I have been told that using grease, or too much, can adversley affect slide velocity and capture small particles of dirt,grit, unburnt powder, etc....that can clog up the works. If your cleaning with clp, just use that as the lube, an all in one product.

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Chris Wolfe
Dearing, GA

Yep, grease adds friction and slows the movement of moving parts. I have induced stoppages in my Beretta M9 using grease. The word rarely appears in pistol lubrication guides.

A carry pistol requires very little lubrication so don't worry about CLP oozing out; you're only carrying a magazine or two anyway. Range lube needs to be more generous.

-- Chuck

Yes, especially if you are using the grease I think you are referring to. That stuff is for storage, not usage. Also you are leaving an oily residue on the gun after cleaning with CLP that defeats the purpose of having grease on there. All oil residue should be removed from the metal before applying fresh grease on weapons that require grease, such as the M1 Garand.

Lot's of 147gr (mostly XTP and SXT) through both my fullsize and compact without issue.

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NRA Certified Instructor

I've used 147 cmj and moly through my M&P9 with no issue.

I use 147 grn Winchester PDX1 and Federal HST as my carry loads in my M&P9c. For practise I use 147 grn Federal American Eagle, never any problem with this weight bullet.

Does anyone use Win231 to reload 147 grain bullets? If you reload what power level do you load to?

I have some 147 gr lead and want to use them up. I have Win231 and Titegroup. Win231 is better as Titegroup tends to melt the back of a lead bullet. Or so I'm told.

I use 4.6 of Power Pistol with the Lyman 147 gr. 356637 and I think it works great.

I've got both the 9 and 9c.

I've never run 147 gr through the 9c because I read (somewhere from a reliable source but can't remember now) that the shorter barrels (mainly under 4") don't fire well on a consistent basis unless the grains are less than 125.

As for the FS 9, you can run 147 gr but it's my belief that the 9mm was designed for, again, grains of less than 125. If you feel the need to go higher in your grains you should probably get a larger caliber gun.

You asked for opinions and that is mine. Good luck!!

Finally got around to loading the 147 gr lead Oregon Bullets I have. I used 3.6 grains of Win231. Worked fine. My 9mm Pro will eat anything. No problems with too hot a load. This load was given to me from someone on another thread. Then I found an old Lee manual that gave the same load. The only power factor I worry about is USPSA minor and those pesky knockdowns you need to knock down.

I have running 147 gr reloads in both my FS and compact and they both do fine- the 9c seems to be more accurate.

My agency has around 1,100 M&P 9mm's in the field, out of which about 125 or so are M&P9c's. we are going on our 5th year with the M&P.

These guns are fed Winchester 147gr TMJ as a training load and Winchester 147gr JHP as a duty load. No ammo related issues so far. These guns see at a minimum around 800-1,000 rds per year. Officers who train more or who are shooters, obviously put a substantially larger amount of ammunition through their guns per year.

The only ammo related issues have been with the light weight frangible ammunition, and that has been rare.

The 147gr loading and the M&P is a great combination in my experience.

I have certainly learned from riding/building mountian bikes that grease is not good. It draws in contaminates and holds on to them unelss it is in a sealed environment (like a bearing). I use rem oil, and hoppes #9 with the occaisional shot of "3 in 1 oil". If I were forced to choose between an oily gun and a dry gun, I'd pick the dry gun.....a fog of aerosol Rem-Oil and then a wipe off with a cloth are all my m&p 9c ever sees...It purrs like a kitten. Just my opinion. I am anxious to try some 147 gr bullets as well. I never have.