I don't have a 39-2 but I can tell you that most of the 147 gr. 9mm loadings are somewhat underpowered by design, which seems to be a fad. If anything, they might shoot a bit high but otherwise you shouldn't have any trouble with them. I think I have seen two commercial loadings that actually have respectable velocity and I expect that these would be considerably more expensive if you find them.
I have shot several different types of 147gr ammunition in my 9's and they shoot fine even in older Walther P1's. The heavier 147gr bullet at a velocity of 950 to 1,000 fps offers only slightly heavier recoil energy to the pistol so if your model 39 hasn't had its recoil spring replace in many years its probably a good small investment to obtain a new fresh one from Wolf at Wolff Gunsprings - Firearm Springs for Semi-Auto Pistols, Revolvers, Rifles, & Shotguns as they weaken with use over time.
I handload 147gr. truncated cone 9mm ammo. They are generally speaking much milder in noise and recoil....very pleasant to shoot.
The downside is they are less accurate in both my XDm and 1911 with a Nowlin barrel. The accuracy issue relates(I think) to low speed....950fps....and heavy bullet not stabilizing as well.
Then it's a "fad" that's lasted more than 20 years.....
Despite gun magazine tales, and discredited "experts" opinions to the contrary, the "underpowered" 147 grain 9mm's continue to be among the top performers, and are still the 9mm round of choice for many law enforcement agencies that actually study wound ballistics.
The fad goes back as far as Viet Nam. The 147 gr bullet was designed for use in a surpressed S&W used by the Navy Seals and called a hush puppy if I remember right. It was to take out sentrys and dogs without any noise. The slide could be locked in place so it would not move when the pistol was fired. The heavier round was sub sonic so it was surpressed very well. The round had no other purpose then being used in surpressed weapons. It is not a good defense or police round.
Fortunately, the hundreds of people shot with them by LAPD, LASO, San Diego PD, Sacramento PD, etc, etc., etc., over the last 20 years, weren't privy to your opinion......
Gold Dot 147's are quite accurate and I'm sure not very fun to get hit with. If they over penetrate they at least disrupt more tissue than M882 Nato ball. I wouldn't want to get hit with that either.
Fortunately, the hundreds of people shot with them by LAPD, LASO, San Diego PD, Sacramento PD, etc, etc., etc., over the last 20 years, weren't privy to your opinion......
+i on Elmer's comments. Contrary to what gun rag writers and a few other "experts" have said, the 9mm 147gr loading is very effective and works under various conditions. It is soft shooting and highly accurate. Ask any major ammo manufacturer sales rep or LE supplier on a national level what 9mm loading they sell the most of to police departments. Their response will be 147gr by far. If it didn't work on the street we wouldn't use it. Bill
Commercial 147gr 9mm is not +P so there is no problem shooting it in your 39. There is some LEO only ammo that is 147gr and +P but you have to go out of your way to find it for purchase by civilians.
The fad is the ridiculously underpowered loadings we see in the majority of 147 gr. 9mm ammo. Why is this? Do most people who choose the 9mm for personal protection carry suppressed fully automatic weapons? No? Then why do we see so much underpowered ammo in 9mm, the 147 gr. bullets in particular? Most 147 gr. bullets are kept to velocities of less than 1000 FPS when in fact they can get about 200 FPS more from most modern service grade semiautomatic pistols. I do not dispute the effectiveness of heavy bullets, but it's about time more manufacturers started loading the better 147 gr. bonded hollowpoint bullets to the cartridge's fullest potential.
The fad is the ridiculously underpowered loadings we see in the majority of 147 gr. 9mm ammo. Why is this? Do most people who choose the 9mm for personal protection carry suppressed fully automatic weapons? No? Then why do we see so much underpowered ammo in 9mm, the 147 gr. bullets in particular? Most 147 gr. bullets are kept to velocities of less than 1000 FPS when in fact they can get about 200 FPS more from most modern service grade semiautomatic pistols. I do not dispute the effectiveness of heavy bullets, but it's about time more manufacturers started loading the better 147 gr. bonded hollowpoint bullets to the cartridge's fullest potential.
Bullet technology is such today, that good terminal performance can be achieved with a 147 grain at 900-975 fps. After shooting quite a few of them into gel, I didn't see enough difference to justify any recoil or accelerated wear penalty. Have you seen testing that would lead you to a different conclusion?
Bonded pistol bullets excel through barriers such as automotive window glass. They often aren't the best performer in bare gel. Only you can decide what your needs are.
I dont know if hollow points are actually needed. I dont know anyone that would keep goin after gettin shot with a fmj. Let alone a mini cheese grater! I mean if you really need to kill someone in self defense the fmj would do it and theyre cheaper
I dont know if hollow points are actually needed. I dont know anyone that would keep goin after gettin shot with a fmj. Let alone a mini cheese grater! I mean if you really need to kill someone in self defense the fmj would do it and theyre cheaper
Well, I have seen people and dogs shot with the expensive, hi-tech Gold Dot that expands wonderfully and then falls out of the entrance wound because THE BULLET DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH VELOCITY AND THEREFORE FAILS TO ADEQUATELY PENETRATE. If I'm seeing this out on the street then others are seeing it too and either can't figure out what's happening or just don't care. If I must carry some version of watered down ammo that lacks velocity, then I'll take the FMJ flat point every time because at least I know it should penetrate.
Sheer velocity does not determine penetration as opposed to bullet weight, expansion rate, and momentum. I have never known Speer Gold Dot rounds in recognized combat calibers to fail adequate penetration in real world shootings. The exception is the Gold Dot115gr 9mm +P+.
Concerning FMJ stopping and killing people, handguns are weak weapons as compared to rifles. There are bad guys out there that simply will not stop when shot multiple times and will try to take you with them. Alcohol, drugs and mindset all can effect this. When a firearm is deployed in self defense the shots are fired to stop the action and not to kill. A quality, controlled expansion round will be much more efficient in stopping an attacker than a FMJ bullet. Bill
