Forgive me if this has been asked before, but I was having some issues with the search function on my machine. I will be purchasing a new full size M&P 9mm in about a week or so. I really like the performance I have seen out of the 147gr HST, and doing a little research, it looks like the American Eagle 147gr flat point FMJ would be a fairly comparable round for practice purposes just based on the specs of both. On the surface, it looks like POI, recoil characteristics, etc. should be roughly the same. I would like my practice rounds to mimic my defense rounds as closely as possible. Does anyone have any experience with both of these rounds through the full size M&P? Any reliability issues with either?

I use Federal Premium as well as American Eagle in my M&P9c and other 9mm pistols, no issues so far...

__________________
Jorge

Never had an issue in ANY gun with those manufacturers. Dont forget that every gun is different and dont always follow the data. Try a bunch of different weights and see which one your gun likes best. Ranger and Gold Dot 124gr are also excellent performers

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

This is the exact combination I use in all my 9mms.You're on the right track. Try Streicher's Police Supply for both.Fast shipping.

__________________
Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

The ballistics are close enough...but what shoots best through your gun may not be the 147's. I think 9mm pistols are regulated with 124 grain so they may shoot closer to POA for you.

At any rate try different weights and see what shoots and feels best for you. Personally I prefer heavy for caliber bullets but Im in the minority.

I have never been a big fan of the 124 grain bullet. I think that's partly because the non-+p loads for that weight are all but impossible to find around here, and being a firm believer in practicing with a round that almost exactly mimics the defense round I intend to carry (including bullet weight), that would mean sending a whole lot of +p loads downrange. I'd rather not subject my firearms to that extra wear and tear.

Anyway, I prefer heavy for caliber as well. I like the extra little bit of penetration that the heavier weight bullet affords. I'm assuming if POI is off with the 147s, it will most likely be a little high, as usual, due to the longer dwell time of the heavier, subsonic rounds in the barrel. If that's the case, I imagine I could just swap out the front sight for something a bit taller.

BTW, I just picked up my M&P yesterday. I said it was going to be about a week before I bought it, but it turns out I just couldn't make myself wait that long. Hopefully in the next few days I'll get a chance to give it a proper test run.

I agree with Arik about trying different loads. I have an ammo box with an assortment of loads that range from 115gr to 147gr. in both standard and +P. Unfortunately, my six 9mm's prefer 4 separate loads. It creates problems having to keep different types of ammo on hand, but I guess you can never have too much ammo.

I like 147gr JHPs in my 9mms.

That said I dont give much thought to weight of prctice ammo, except price. 147gr, 115gr; what ever one is cheapest, yes please!