115gr 9mm vs 147gr

Smiffer · #1 11-21-2013, 02:36 PM

I am new to handguns this year. Between my SD9VE and my M&P 9 FS I traded it in for I have about 1500 rounds of 115gr down range.

I just picked up a box of 147. They are American Eagle brand from Federal.

What if anything should I expect to notice with the heavier bullets? Will the accuracy be any different, will I notice any change in the perceived recoil?

mafbloggerdanny · #2 11-21-2013, 02:39 PM

there is an interesting thread about that here: 9mm 115 Gr. vs 124 Gr. vs 147 Gr.

hope it helps

tblt44 · #3 11-21-2013, 02:48 PM

I like the 124s

forrestinmathews · #4 11-21-2013, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mafbloggerdanny

there is an interesting thread about that here: 9mm 115 Gr. vs 124 Gr. vs 147 Gr.

hope it helps

This was a great read. Thank you for linking it.

Personally, I carry 124 gr +P HST. Why? Because they shoot to my sights and I couldn't find any Ranger-T +P+ 127's yet. I plan on going home afterward and I don't mean to see Jesus any sooner than necessary. Carry the baddest, meanest ammunition you can find and be the nicest person you can be. Your ammunition will likely only be shot at the range, but on that off chance, bring your best angels to the fight.

robertrwalsh · #5 11-21-2013, 05:24 PM

It is my understanding the 147 grain load was developed specifically for suppressed weapons. It will still make a hole in the bad guys. Trajectory will be a little mortar-like, but at reasonable SD ranges that isn't a biggie.

Rastoff · #6 11-21-2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forrestinmathews

Personally, I carry 124 gr +P HST. Why? Because they shoot to my sights and I couldn't find any Ranger-T +P+ 127's yet.

Were you aware of this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by M&P Manual

“Plus-P-Plus” (+P+) ammunition must not be used in Smith &Wesson firearms. This marking on the ammunition designates that it exceeds established industry standards, but the designation does not represent defined pressure limits and therefore such ammunition may vary significantly as to the pressures generated and could be DANGEROUS.

Sorry, that's a little off topic, but I thought it could be an important safety issue.

I've been using the 147gr bullets and I like them very much. I find the accuracy to be quite satisfactory, but I admit that I haven't done any serious testing by comparing one weight to another. If they hit within a hand span at 15 yards, that's good enough for defensive shooting which is what I use it for.

epj · #7 11-21-2013, 05:29 PM

I think the US Military uses the 147's. Not 100% sure of that. When I was on active duty I carried a .45 or a .38.

dullh · #8 11-22-2013, 10:07 PM

The 115 vs 147 debate has been ongoing since the internet came into widespread use. Google "115 vs 147" and you'll pull about 4 million hits.

That being said, I use 115gr JHP's. 147's have come a long way from the days when they acted exactly like ball rounds upon striking targets (including humans), but I still wouldn't carry them.

And no longer does any LE agency that issue 9mm sidearms...

dullh · #9 11-22-2013, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epj

I think the US Military uses the 147's. Not 100% sure of that. When I was on active duty I carried a .45 or a .38.

They do not. They use NATO 124gr ball...

epj · #10 11-22-2013, 10:38 PM

Hummm. I stand corrected then. As stated, no personal knowledge, just what I thought I had read.

loc n load · #11 11-23-2013, 12:21 AM

I was a SWAT operator/Instructor for years and we ran the WW 147gr sub sonic rounds in our suppressed MP5's.....they were effective out of the MP's, but we ran 115gr Silvertips out of our Sig 228's. I am not comparing the two platforms, cause it is apples to oranges...and we usually trained using the Mp's on burst mode for CQB purposes. Drilling someone COM with a 2-3 rd burst of 147's in less than a second usually ends the incident.