Low recoil ammo for EZ 9mm?

[Mario777]

Hello all.

New gun owner here. Bought my first gun, a 9mm EZ and had the chance to shoot it today. Being new, the recoil and noise was a bit intimidating. I used 115 gr CCI Blazer for target practice. What is the best ammo with low recoil for both target practice and HD? Any ammo that is quieter? Guessing a 147gr would probably work best. Any suggestions?

 

[sheppard]

147 grain ammo does recoil less. Arn't you using hearing protection, ie. ear plugs or a set of muffs?

 

[hardluk1]

Quiet ammo ? For get about it . 22lr will hurt your hearing fired from a handgun . 147hr standard velocity like hst and ranger t-series have a slower pushy recoil impulse , less snap !

Noise _ Ear plugs and muffs but don't save a few dollars . Muffs can be 30db + reduction today and I use silicone EM plug for anything out side noise mower weed eating to shooting at home , specially if shooting indoors but add muffs .

There are some ammo labeld as uspsa 9mm minor power level . Use as a reference to what you typically use as cost of many like from atlanta ammo will be higher !! I reload practice ammo so not much help .

The lower the power factor the better . I loaded 160gr before at 700fps but pistol had lighter recoil springs too for the grand kids to shoot .

Nitrile coated gloves go a loooong way at improving grip control and if you can find a pir that fit well cut the trigger finger short so you still have a good trigger control .

When group size starts to suffer , Take a break with a 22lr or your done for the day !!

 

[Dave Lively]

I agree with the previous posters that 147 grain ammo has a bit less recoil and noise but don't expect miracles. A semi auto handgun is designed around standard power ammo and will not operate reliably if fed ammo without enough power.

Try doubling up on hearing protection, plugs and muffs. It has no effect on recoil but the noise can make recoil seem worse than it is.

 

[Mario777]

I agree with the previous posters that 147 grain ammo has a bit less recoil and noise but don't expect miracles. A semi auto handgun is designed around standard power ammo and will not operate reliably if fed ammo without enough power.

Try doubling up on hearing protection, plugs and muffs. It has no effect on recoil but the noise can make recoil seem worse than it is.

Thanks. I think that's what it is. Maybe noise makes recoil seem worse. 1st time shooting and going to range. Need to build confidence. I am using Walker Razor Slim earpro, but will also use plugs when I head there again today.

 

[Ranger17]

I think time and practice will help quite a bit, and for a new shooter some proper education.
My wife will only occasionally hit the range with me and usually prefers just plinking with a 22. Once in awhile she will try one of my 9’s (she’s actually good with it). As it can be quite sometime in between her range trips, that first 9mm round she fires will surprise her a bit. Then she gets into a good routine.
So for a first time owner and potentially shooter starting with a 9, it can seem tougher until they get used to it.
Only thing I’d say on ammo, is practice with what you can get. Meaning if 115’s on the shelf and 147 is not, hard to practice/train when ammo can be limited. Which can happen.

 

[sandog]

I can't tell much recoil difference at all between 115, 124 and 147 grain ammo.
Keep in mind that 147 will hit higher on the target than the lighter, faster rounds. Maybe too high, depending on the gun. you don't want to have to remember to always aim 5 or 6 inches low to hit what you are aiming at.

My full-size 9mm will hit dead on with 115 grain, and 124 grain are just a tad high. But 147 grain hit about 4 inches high.
My PC Shield with 9mm barrel in it will hit way low with 115 or 124 grain, but dead on with 147 grain.

 

[OKFC05]

Familiar story. I get students who can't shoot, never had any instruction, and are intimidated by their new gun. Most extreme I ever had was a fellow club member that bought a Maryland Gun Works .44 Mag custom Redhawk with scope for hunting, who could not hit a full-size B8 target at 25 yards, and insisted the gun was defective. Being range office that day, I checked it out for him and put 2 shots in the 10 ring off hand at 25 yards. He decided the gun was OK, took some lessons, learned to shoot and kept his Ruger.

Maybe its time for lessons before developing a flinch THIS BIG, and posting your S&W EZ shoots low left...…………...

 

[Ranger17]

Familiar story. I get students who can't shoot, never had any instruction, and are intimidated by their new gun. Most extreme I ever had was a fellow club member that bought a Maryland Gun Works .44 Mag custom Redhawk with scope for hunting, who could not hit a full-size B8 target at 25 yards, and insisted the gun was defective. Being range office that day, I checked it out for him and put 2 shots in the 10 ring off hand at 25 yards. He decided the gun was OK, took some lessons, learned to shoot and kept his Ruger.

Maybe its time for lessons before developing a flinch THIS BIG, and posting your S&W EZ shoots low left...…………...

I will admit to being guilty of this as well. I only got into this hobby 7 yrs ago when handed down a Colt Challenger 22. I found that gun ‘easy’ to do well with so picked up a SW 9c. First time with it, i sucked. Said the gun had issues. The RO spent some time with me and suddenly the gun was ok. Now thousands of rounds later thru my various handguns, i still find a range trip is like a round of golf. Not all days are great even if the form seems correct. But i never leave the range until i feel i have fixed whatever an issue may have been that day. We are always learning.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I would agree with the posters who suggested getting some training. Proper techinque can help with handling recoil.

As far as ammo choices, I think the actual recoil energy of standard pressure loads across all three common bullet weights is probably pretty close together, but in my limited experience the 147gr loads will be more of a push than a snap so it may feel like less.

As has been stated, semi-autos require a certain minimum amount of power in order to function. Additionally, JHP defensive loads require a certain minimum amount of velocity to function as designed.

FWIW, my EDC is a Beretta PX4 Compact with a 3.27" barrel, which is shorter than the EZ's barrel, and my carry load of choice is Federal 147gr HST. My preferred practice ammo is Speer Lawman 147gr TMJ. However, in these times, ammo can be hard to come by, so I'd focus on getting a handle (pun intended...) on shooting your EZ with the ammo you have available. I think it's something you'll eventually get used to with practice and, ideally, some instruction.

As for noise concerns, doubling up with muffs and plugs is a good idea. I'm not particuarly fond of the noise, either, but I got used to it with time and good hearing protection.

Just my opinion.

 

[hogblue]

Get some instruction from a certified instructor before you do too much shooting and develop habits that need to be broken and retrained in the correct method. It’s harder to break old habits and learn the correct way than it is to learn the right way I the beginning.

You’ll save money in wasted ammunition too!!

 

[Ranger17]

OP, for the noise concern. One thing i occasionally run into: i wear prescription glasses with prisms in the lenses that are necessary due to double vision issues without. Then add on safety glasses and i am wearing 2 pair. Which doesnt always allow for a good seal around the ears wearing muffs. So at an indoor range where the noise stands out more, i may use foam inserts in the ears along with the muffs. That can help, again if wearing glasses.

 

[Mario777]

Get some instruction from a certified instructor before you do too much shooting and develop habits that need to be broken and retrained in the correct method. It’s harder to break old habits and learn the correct way than it is to learn the right way I the beginning.

You’ll save money in wasted ammunition too!!

Thanks. Yes, I have already scheduled with an instructor. Getting familiar though in the meantime at the range.

 

[Mario777]

What about frangible ammo for both training and HD?

 

[BSA1]

A good choice for ammunition is Hornady American Gunner 115 gr. XTP. This is non +P factory load. The XTP bullet has a good track record for expansion.

Another big thing I like is it’s price. It is or was priced low enough to shoot frequently for practice. I buy it or use to buy it on sale from a store I buy my horse feed from.

As a new shooter you may hear stories about the low cost of ammunition 2020 bc. These stories are not tall tales.

Ok, ok. A little dry humor. The current events has dried up almost all ammunition with the result also being the prices are higher. Your selections are probably limited.

 

[ContinentalOp]

What about frangible ammo for both training and HD?

I think frangible ammo has its place for practice, but that's pretty much limited to closer range steel targets.

For self defense, the most important aspect after shot placement is adequate penetration while minimizing the risk for overpenetration. You want rounds that will penetrate deeply enough in an attacker to damage important organs, vessels, and nerves. But you don't want rounds that will exit the attacker's body with enough energy to endanger any bystanders.

Fortunately, most of the good JHP loads available now do a pretty good job of doing this. HST, Gold Dot, Ranger, etc., are all good options.

The problem with frangible loads marketed for self defense, like Glaser Safety Slugs, is that they won't penetrate deeply enough to effectively stop an attacker. It may make an attacker change his mind and flee, or it may make an attacker more aggressive against you. That's why you want rounds with adequate penetration. Nothing is 100% certain, but rounds with good penetration will have a better likelihood of stopping a violent attacker.

But like I said before, with ammo selection not being great these days, you may just have to do the best you can with what you can get.

If you haven't already, I'd suggest doing a search in the Self Defense and Ammo subforums as this topic has been discussed many times with many recommendations.

Just my opinion.

 

[swsig]

What about frangible ammo for both training and HD?

For self defense ammo, here are two sources that are very helpful in choosing what to carry. The first source gives you data, and the second gives you recommendations. I suggest choosing a recommended round that has done well in the Lucky Gunner tests, and then shoot it enough to make sure that it functions reliably and accurately with your EZ.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm

Service Caliber Handgun Duty and Self-Defense Ammo

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Ranger17]

For ammo, if one uses a specific range (usually indoor) I would ask if they have any they do not accept. I have seen locations not accept reloads, certain brands, and even certain casings or rounds.
Especially for a new shooter, so they dont stock up on something they may not be able to use.
Just a thought.

 

[Mario777]

For self defense ammo, here are two sources that are very helpful in choosing what to carry. The first source gives you data, and the second gives you recommendations. I suggest choosing a recommended round that has done well in the Lucky Gunner tests, and then shoot it enough to make sure that it functions reliably and accurately with your EZ.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm

Service Caliber Handgun Duty and Self-Defense Ammo

Welcome to the Forum!

Thanks for the links. Good info!
And it looks like the Remington 124 Saber is on the acceptable list of HD ammo. That is what LGS recommended and I picked up yesterday.

 

[sandog]

Some ammo that guys carry for self defense isn't real consistent in the expansion department. If some, or most of the rounds don't expand and penetrate 21 inches, you might as well be shooting FMJ.
I picked up some Remington Ultimate Defense at the store a few months ago. It said it had a Golden Saber bullet so it had to be good, right ?
Looked at the Lucky Gunner tests after I got home and the "Ultimate Defense" didn't do that well, most of the rounds barely expanded.
Some of the XTPs and Fiocchi JHPs are the same.

You can't go wrong with HST's in any caliber, weight or velocity. They have reliable expansion every time. Same with the Ranger-Ts and Gold Dots. Some, but not all of the Golden Sabers are good to go.