Low flash 9mm SD round?

Doublebit · Feb 23, 2016

Gentlemen,
Can anyone recommend a 9mm self defense round that has minimal muzzle flash? I have been firing Winchester and Federal hardball in my Ruger LC9s with a 3" barrel and they light the range up. I know these aren't defense rounds but would like some recommendations before investing in the dollar-a-round stuff. Thanks,

LT

colt_saa · Feb 23, 2016

Doublebit said:
Gentlemen,
Can anyone recommend a 9mm self defense round that has minimal muzzle flash? I have been firing Winchester and Federal hardball in my Ruger LC9s with a 3" barrel and they light the range up. I know these aren't defense rounds but would like some recommendations before investing in the dollar-a-round stuff. Thanks,

LT

Most all Premium Self Defense ammunition from the major manufacturers have suppressed flash

Bargain ammunition like white/yellow/green box, foreign and most boutique ammunitions do not have flash suppressant added to the load so as to reduce cost.

Ed Fowler · Feb 23, 2016

I have not shot at an indoor range for many years so can't speak to the flash problem there.

I did read an article in the American Hangunner that the duration of the human blink is longer than the flash. Shooting outside I do not see a flash with any of my 9mm rounds. Apparently worrying about the flash in self defense situations is not warranted.

Maybe it is just me, but I am not distracted by the flash. I do see one when watching others shoot from a distance.

Anyone else experience a flash to be distracting when they are the one shooting ?

mrmike7189 · Feb 23, 2016

Low flash propellent advertised on the box

I was at walmart looking at Winchester PDX1 . They advertised on the box that it uses a low flash powder. I have fired some and they seem great.

Nevada Ed · Feb 24, 2016

When reloading a 9mm 115gr FMJ type bullet with w231, I get very low yellow MF to none...........
However I do not know if Winchester uses this powder in their "Factory SD" ammo, sold to the public?

I do know that the higher priced Federal HST does have and use a low flash powder in its SD loads for the 9mm and you can search the web and find pictures of the amount of flash against other ammo.

Pisgah · Feb 24, 2016

Ed Fowler said:
I have not shot at an indoor range for many years so can't speak to the flash problem there.

I did read an article in the American Hangunner that the duration of the human blink is longer than the flash. Shooting outside I do not see a flash with any of my 9mm rounds. Apparently worrying about the flash in self defense situations is not warranted.

Maybe it is just me, but I am not distracted by the flash. I do see one when watching others shoot from a distance.

Anyone else experience a flash to be distracting when they are the one shooting ?

I've told it before, but will again, about my buddy and I doing a pretty extensive experiment with a wide variety of commercial and handloaded ammo, our intent being to determine for ourselves whether or not the muzzle flash had any negative effect on our shooting in full-dark situations. We found that the flash DID have an effect, and a major one -- and, it was all to the good!

We found that, contrary to blinding us, the flash actually lit up the target and made hitting where we wanted to hit much easier and quicker on follow-up shots.

Now, someone will point out that the flash is also pinpointing the shooter, but face it -- if you're shooting in self-defense you're not ambushing someone in the dark. He knows you're there, you know he's there, and what counts is who hits whom quickest and most solidly.

Not saying you should look for the ammo with the biggest flash but,unless you have a vision problem of some sort that might make the flash a problem for you, you can quit worrying about it.

Ed Fowler · Feb 24, 2016

PISGA- thanks it is good to know others test and I appreciate your sharing your experience.

Protected One · Feb 24, 2016

Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady Critical Defense, Winchester PDX1 or Train & Defend rounds ALL advertise "Low Flash". I have used them all and can vouch for their statements.

Low flash 9mm SD round?

Doublebit

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colt_saa

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Ed Fowler

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mrmike7189

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Nevada Ed

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Pisgah

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Ed Fowler

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Protected One

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