I got to the range today to do some shooting. I really have to set aside more time for this.

The first purpose of the testing was to make sure that the 3913TSW (rail) that I got the reassembly right after BMCM returned the shaved and dehorned safety/decocker.

The second purpose was to compare 124gr and 147gr ammunition in terms of accuracy.

All tests were done at 21 feet with reduced size targets.

First up was a box of WWB 124gr FMJ. The first seven or so rounds were fired by loading one round at a time into the magazine, firing, and then reloading. Those are the ones in the lower left of the target.



After I was sure all was functioning properly, I went to the full magazines with the results pictured above. Accuracy was good, but the rounds went a bit to the left. Not horrible and as you can see most of them went through the big hole in the middle. My last magazine was experimenting with head shots, with okay, but not great results.

Next up was Federal 147gr FMJ. I fired full magazines as I knew the gun functioned as it should.



Subjectively, I think this ammunition is a bit more accurate. While the 124gr is acceptable (to me) for some reason this ammunition didn't pull to the left nearly as much. A couple of "fliers" but not horrible. Except for a couple from my last magazine (head shots again) all hits would make a theoretical bad guy saw "OWWIE!".

Here is where I think I made a mistake. I should have shot the DAO gun first. 100 rounds fired DAO are tiring to my arm and hand. I think that affected accuracy especially on the last target.

Back to the WWB 124gr for the first target.



Accuracy again is acceptable (for me), but again there is more pull to the left than I like. The other factor that I'm starting to think effects the accuracy is the one round shorter grip. That's great for concealed carry, but the full length 39xx guns sit in my hand just a little bit better.

Last was the Federal 147gr FMJ.



Subjectively, I think the accuracy with the 147gr was better, although some of the rounds scattered around the target more or less at random. Again, I think shooting the DAO gun last effected my accuracy. By this point my shooting hand and forearm were a bit fatigued. The rounds went where I pointed them, but not necessarily where I wanted them to go!

I also shot this box a little bit more quickly than the first three. No specific reason for it, but it seems to have just happened that way.

If I do this again, I'll fire the DAO guns first then the TDA guns.

I was a bit surprised that the 124gr pulled a bit more to the left than the 147gr. I have no explanation for that. I would have expected that one would shoot higher, but not to the left or right.

Maybe someone has some ideas on that.

In any case, I think either firearm is suitable for personal defense carry. It also makes me sort of wish that I still have my 3953 to do a comparison to see if grip length is a factor.

I plan to continue carrying 147gr JHP for personal defense carry.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Gary, I must have missed it, but caliber and gun?

3913TSW and 3853TSW.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

It could be the sharper recoil of the 124g vs the softer push of the 147g that's making your rounds seem to hit to the left. Though to me the targets look pretty similar? Hard to really tell accuracy with that many rounds on the larger silhouette target.

They sell a target with 5 smaller bullseyes at my range that I like to shoot for accuracy. I'll generally load 5 rounds for each bullseye to stay consistent, and go through a few of those sheets each session. I'll start and finish with some ANT-4 silhouette targets, shooting faster for defensive reaction-type shooting with these. I like the ANT-4's because it's a dark picture of a 'bad guy' but has the outlines of his spine & major organs when viewed up close.

*edit to add*
If you haven't seen this link before, it's a great resource for ballistic gel tests with 9mm out of a 3.5" barrel. Some of the 147g results surprised me, and definitely affected my chosen carry loads: http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self...llistic-tests/

Ever since GaryS and others had reported that heavier 9mm bullets shot a bit higher (and possibly closer to fixed sights point-of-aim with 3rd Gens), I had wanted to do my own comparison tests. After many delays, I finally got to do that earlier this week.

My own shooting was done indoors at 25 feet. I used one of my 908S pistols and my 909 pistol. Long story short: I did find that the 147 grain rounds shot about 2"-3" higher than my usual 115 grain rounds in direct back-to-back comparisons. It was more evident in the 908S than in the 909.

My range's standard paper target has a squarish 3-1/2" by 3-1/2" bullseye. When I did my part, all the rounds were in that bullseye (or awfully damn close) regardless of bullet weight... 115 grain, 124 grain or 147 grain.

In the direct comparison tests of both: a) 115 grain to 124 grain and, b) 124 grain to 147 grain, I found no meaningful differences. The 147 grain seems to kick a little harder than both the 115 grain and the 124 grain, but not to the point of discomfort. They all kicked less than my CS40, which itself is not a problem.

In short, at my dubious old man's level of proficiency, there is no practical point-of-aim problem at 25 feet with me using my usual 115 grain rounds. I liked how the 124 grain felt and shot, but it isn't worth the extra money to me for simple paper-punching. Besides, I've already got enough 115 grain in my ammo stash to sink a ship.

I don't carry my 9mm 3rd Gens. But if I did, I'd probably be tempted now to go with 124 or 147 grain rounds.

Looks like ya got him Gary!!

I, too, have found that the 147 grain bullets offer an accuracy advantage in my 439 and 6946. My 6946 shoots low at 25 yards with 115 and 124 grain ammo, but with 147's the bullets strike the paper just above the top of the front sight.

It's entirely possible that I'm over thinking this as the accuracy with either round is fine as long as I do my part. The only thing that I am sure of from previous testing is that 115gr shoots to low for me to be comfortable with it. The only exception to that is with my 5906. That gun doesn't care what ammo I put through it, it just hits where I aim.

The other thing I forgot to mention is that the dehorned 3913TSW is now comfortable to carry and a viable option. Slimming and dehorning the ambi levers and using a flatter slide stop lever makes a lot of difference.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Gary I suspect for you to be constantly shooting high left you gun is slipping in your hand in that direction. Quite often we do NOT even realize its happening to us. I suggest re-checking your grip to see if that helps any.

This may be. Especially with the shorter grip on the early TSW guns.

More testing is in order. Tough job, but somebody has to do it!

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I did the same thing with a 3.5" and a 5" 9mm.

Funny how each pistol shoots the ammo a little differently and
how the POA shifts with the length of barrels and the style of grips
plus my "Human Error" thing tossed in the mix.

The 3.5 gets good accuracy with most of the ammo but really shines with the 147 gr slower ammo.
My 5" seems to like the 115gr stuff in the medium to high speed loadings.

I am now trying to get the two kids to like a target speed 124gr JHP but it is a struggle.

Got to love it..........

Good shootin there Tex...

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JAREDSHS
LEO(retired)