129rds tested so far...



As always... YMMV... so please view my carbines data as just my results... the same barrel, under the same conditions, so as to eliminate variables, .... your carbine might be faster or slower slightly.

I want to make sure everyone realizes my results are from a Colt Pattern Carbine, with a mag block insert..... any feeding issues might not happen in a Glock Pattern, or a designed from the ground up 9x19 carbine ( Beretta, Sig .. etc.. ) So take the feeding issues with a grain of salt.



I realize most people are not really concerned with the velocity of various 9x19 rounds... but ...My goal was to see what will run in my carbine, what the velocities were , and "guesstimating" what the added velocity would do to the various JHP, Bonded HP's, Copper HP's etc.... ( You have to start somewhere... )

A good example would be the Fed. XM9001.... that older design bullet already penetrates to a shallow depth.. and the added velocity will probably make its penetration depth less... kinda acting like a "varmint" 9mm round.

I also know there are various other sites with very helpful info ( BBTI ) ... but, some of their data is kind of dated, and does not include the newest rounds.


Weather.....68 degrees, slightly overcast, chronograph was 12 feet from the muzzle.

18rds of each 9x19 ammo was chronographed...
The reason being, I am going to later conduct a 32rd mag test concerning reliability / feeding and accuracy test... I will include the FTF and FTE , etc from this round of testing.

My "standard" for velocity checks, is GECO Swiss 124gr... I have found it to be very consistent and accurate... so I used it every hour to spot check velocity.
Just to make sure the sun or "murphy's law " wasn't skewing chronograph results.

Rifle info....
PSA 16" 9MM Colt Pattern Hybrid,  1n10 twist,  Lantac Muzzle Brake,  ALG ACT trigger with JP Springs,  6.75oz Buffer,  Tubbs .308 variable power spring.

Competition Electronics ProChrono Pal Chronograph was used....


General observations...

Not all 9mm is created equal... I observed numerous nasty bullet setbacks.. Photos will follow later... but it was obvious some brands use better QC and neck tensions / crimp pressure.... ( Remember YMMV )

Only one 9mm OEM round would not cycle consistently, it should be noted that every other FMJ bullet fed perfectly in my carbine, but not the MaxxTech 115gr FMJ ... and it was VERY low velocity as well ( compared to same weight ammo ) perhaps the low velocity contributed to the feed issues.....

While some of the ammo was expensive,  those same rounds were very impressive in function.. I have to say Buffalo Bore ammo was 100% reliable....even while using the same bullet ( Barnes X bullet ) that other manufacturers rounds had trouble with.

I expected some JHP's to choke while feeding, simply because of the HP's profile and the less then perfect feed ramps of a Colt pattern carbine.... and some did.... consistently across the weights.
That is NOT to say it is bad ammo... just not a good choice in my AR15 Colt pattern 9MM... that same ammo might feed perfectly in a Sig MPX... Or a Glock Pattern AR....or such.

As we all know... a blowback 9mm carbine can get filthy quickly, and some ammo burns very clean... while some burns filthy.
If you are running a suppressor..... I strongly suggest you use the cleanest burning, fully coated / "sealed" bullet.... I was just starting to have issues with chambering at the end of the day.. from the gunk that had accumulated. There was no noticeable effect on velocities... just function got sluggish.

Onward to the velocity results.... ( accuracy and 32rd reliability tests will be part 2 )

115gr and below...

Polycase, 65gr Interceptor............................1940fps, smelled like burning plastic slightly
Polycase, 65gr Interceptor RNP.....................1844fps, smelled like burning plastic slightly


Ruger, +P 80gr ARX.....................................1689fps, very ES 12, smelled like burning plastic slightly

LeHigh Defense, +P 90gr Extreme Defense... 1773fps, no issues.

Winc. 90gr Zinc Core "Super Clean"...............1548fps, UNBelivably clean burning inside and out.

Buffalo Bore, +P+ 95gr Barnes TAC-XP..........1880fps, very consistent, Low ES

Magtech, 95gr JSP........................................1694fps


Fiocchi, 100gr Frangible................................1568fps

Hornady, 100gr Lite, Flextip..........................1326fps, 2 bullet setbacks



Aguila, 115gr FMJ.......................................1360fps, low ES
Aguila, +P 115gr FMJ..................................1418fps
Aguila, 117gr JHP.......................................1282fps

Armscor, 115gr FMJ....................................1200fps, very smooth shooting.

Atlanta Arms, 115gr FMJ, AMU load.............1388fps, VERY accurate

Barnes, +P 115gr XTAC...............................1303fps ...4 FTF

BlazerBrass, 115gr FMJ................................1335fps

Brown Bear, 115gr FMJ ..............................1398fps... the gunky chamber didn't like the Lacquered case

Browning, 115gr FMJ...................................1392

Buffalo Bore, +P+ 115gr Barnes TAC-XP .....1505fps, very low ES, so much so that it was noticeable , very consistent feeling.

Colt SCHP, 115gr Solid Copper HP...............1360fps.... dismal feeding.. 8 FTF... no setback though

Estate, 115gr FMJ......................................1310fps

Federal, 115gr FMJ Aluminum cased, .........1326fps...  4 NASTY bullet setbacks resulting in FTF
Federal 115gr SynTech...............................1362fps....3 FTF... found a chunk of the "Poly" jacket in the rifle cleanup
Federal, +P+ 115gr JHP 9BPLE...................1640fps, very smooth running and feeding
Federal, 115gr JHP, XM9001.......................1532fps, very smooth running and feeding
Federal, 115gr JHP 9BP..............................1363fps, very smooth running and feeding
Federal, 115gr FMJ AE................................1324fps
Federal, 115gr FMJ "Champion"..................1340fps, oddly, softer recoil then the above AE

Fiocchi, 115gr HP.......................................1458fps
Fiocchi, 115gr FMJ......................................1316fps, large ES 88

Herters, 115gr "Total Nylon Jacket".............1340fps, large ES 88

Hornady, 115gr C. Defense FTX...................1340fps

HotShot, 115gr FMJ....................................1372fps

GECO, 115gr FMJ, German made................1334fps

IMI, 115gr FMJ..........................................1427fps, very low ES, clean
IMI 115gr Di-Cut........................................1352fps

Independence, 115gr FMJ, Brass.................1305fps... 60 ES

Magtech, 115gr FMJ..................................1371fps
Magtech, +P+ 115gr JHP...........................1640fps, very fast 115gr

MaxxTech, 115gr FMJ................................1198fps, for a FMJ bullet..numerous FTF, underpowered part of the issue ?

Nosler, 115gr JHP, "Match"........................1464fps, very low ES 12

PMC, 115gr FMJ........................................1287fps

PPU, 115gr FMJ.........................................1363fps, NASTY setback in 9rds ( worst of all the setbacks ) This is the ammo that made me realize "not all ammo is equal"
PPU, 115gr FMJ NATO................................1448fps

Sellier & Bellot, 115gr FMJ.........................1340, large ES 102, smelled odd ?!
Sellier & Bellot, 115gr JHP.........................1370fps.... 5 FTF, 2 with setback

Sig Sauer, 115gr FMJ.................................1498fps
Sig Sauer, 115gr JHP V-Crown....................1462fps... NASTY setback... AGAIN, setback in my Carbine YMMV !!!

Silver Bear, 115gr FMJ ..............................1525fps
Silver Bear, 115gr FMJ ..............................................................................................................testing again, curiosity

Speer, 115gr GD.........................................1525fps, ordered another box.. surprisingly fast.
Speer, 115gr TMJ.......................................1396fps
Speer, +P 115gr TMJ..................................1382fps
Speer, +P+ 115gr GD.................................1596fps, given the "standard" pressure loads velocity, I was surprised this wasn't faster.

Tula, 115gr FMJ..........................................

Winc., 115gr FMJ.......................................1370fps
Winc., 115gr FMJ "Forged".........................1336fps, large ES 90

Wolf, 115gr FMJ Military Classic..................1352fps
Wolf, 115gr FMJ Polyperformance...............1530fps... 1st lot #,... tested twice because of the high velocities
Wolf, 115gr FMJ Polyperformance...............1410fps... 2nd different lot #,... also tested twice because of the very different lots.
Wolf, 115gr FMJ Polyperformance........................................................................................................................................

Yavex ( Turkish ) 115gr FMJ................................................................................................................................................

124gr



Aguila, 124gr FMJ.................................1280fps

Armscor, 124gr FMJ...............................1234fps
Armscor, 124gr JHP...............................1208fps

Atomic, +P 124gr JHP, Match................1565fps

Buffalo Bore, +P 124gr JHP...................1470fps

CCI, 124gr Blazer Brass FMJ........................................................................................................................................

Colt 124gr JHP, by Double Tap..............1332fps , 3 FTF , 3 setback  of the setbacks single loaded and fired.. 1419fps
Colt NM 124gr FMJ................................1280fps

Federal, 124gr HST...................................1335fps.. oddly a little smokey
Federal, +P 124gr HST..............................1422fps
Federal,124gr FMJ AE................................1287fps
Federal, 124gr "Suppressor".......................1145fps

Fiocchi, 124gr JHP.....................................1377fps
Fiocchi, 124gr Truncated Cone...................1292fps

HotShot 124gr FMJ....................................1210fps, dirty-smoky


Hornady, 125gr FMJ, Steel Match...............1258fps
Hornady, +P 124gr TAP FPD.....................1378fps, 2 FTF, no bullet setback
Hornady, +P 124gr XTP Amer. Gunner.......1382fps

GECO, 124gr FMJ Hungarian.....................1242fps
GECO, 124gr Copper Clad Steel Jacket, Swiss.... 1248fps... 8 ES

Independence, 124gr FMJ.......................1340fps, High ES 90

IMI 124gr FMJ........................................1325fps

Magtech, 124gr Bonded JHP...................1392fps
MagTech, 124gr FMJ..............................1328, very Low ES

MEN 124gr FMJ.....................................1310fps

PMC 124gr Starfire.................................1235fps, Honestly , I thought this would not feed... but it was perfect... soft shooting.
PMC, 124gr FMJ ....................................1195fps

Remington, +P 124gr BlackBelt GS........1398fps... 1 FTF, no setback
Remington, +P 124gr GS.......................1395fps... Perfect

S & B, 124gr FMJ, Gov. Contract RUAG...1201fps
Sellier & Belliot, 124gr FMJ...................1280fps
Sellier & Belliot, 124gr Soft Point...........1290fps

Sig Sauer, 124gr JHP V-Crown..............1430fps... nasty setback 5rds.. 5FTF.. didn't like my Colt pattern feed lips.
Sig Sauer, 124gr FMJ............................1490fps, Low ES, 12

Speer +P 124gr GD..............................1458fps
Speer 124gr GD...................................1376fps
Speer 124gr TMJ .................................1304fps

Winchester 124gr FMJ NATO................1340fps

ZVS 124gr FMJ....................................1215fps

135gr, 147gr, and 158gr


Federal, +P 135gr Tactical Bonded HP......1345fps....

Hornady,  135gr Critical Duty Flexlock......1130fps, very low ES 14
Hornady,  +P 135gr Critical Duty, Flex. ....1225fps.. ES 18


Aguila, 147gr FMJ, FP..............................1140fps

Armscor, 147gr FMJ................................1078fps

Atlanta Arms, 147gr JHP "Major".............1348fps.. probably uses VV3N38, so this should be fast, and it was.

AYSM, 147gr "Match"..............................998fps....

Browning, 147gr X Point.........................1122fps... 2 FTF... no bullet setback
Browning, 147gr FMJ..............................1168fps... smooth as a sewing machine...and clean burning

Federal, +P  147gr HST..........................1182fps
Federal, 147gr HST.................................1124fps
Federal, 147gr JHP "9MS".......................1132fps
Federal, 147gr FMJ "AE".........................1084fps


Fiocchi, 147gr FMJ..................................1078fps

Magtech, 147gr JHP...............................1195fps... High ES 98
Magtech, 147gr FMJ...............................1090fps

PPU, 147gr JHP...........................................................................................................................................................

Remington, 147gr FMJ............................1144fps.... slightly odd bullet profile, but no issues.

Sig Sauer, 147gr FMJ..............................1248fps
Sig Sauer, 147gr V-Crown.......................1165fps, 11rds FTF, nasty bullet setback... I am confident the V-Crown ( Sierra ) bullet is a GREAT design... but it just didn't feed in my carbine.

Silver Bear, 145gr JHP............................1052fps, 3 FTF.. no bullet setback

Speer 147gr GD ( 1st Gen ).....................1184fps... 5 FTF... no bullet setback...
Speer, 147gr TMJ....................................1182fps

Winc. 147gr FMJ Train & Defend..............1107fps.... very accurate, very clean burning, and very smooth running... My favorite 147gr carbine ammo. Hands down.
Winc. 147gr Bonded JHP  ........................1167fps
Winc. 147gr FMJ, White Box.....................1098fps
Winc. 147gr, JHP, White Box....................1146fps

Wolf, 147gr JHP, "Gold"...........................970-1109.... huge ES, throughout the string


Fed. 150gr HST Micro..............................952fps, perfect feeding.... could this be a perfect subsonic HST ?

Fiocchi, 158gr FMJ..................................947fps

IMI, 158gr FMJ.......................................1018fps.... low ES 16

PPU, 158gr FMJ......................................1005fps

Saving the accuracy testing for the 32rd  ( full mag ) function testing. A separate test... frankly it is just to much to do it all in one sitting.

Todays info took 10 hours.

Still wondering if I should fire for accuracy at 50yds or 100yds.

50yds will be easier, ( 20 min shooting session, then walk to target, 20min shooting session ... etc )  and require less targets

But... for the most part, all the ammo was within a man-sized target placed at 50yds... Club rules demand you have a target to shot at... ( I totally destroyed the wood behind the NRA 100yd target )

D'oh ! ...  I meant to write that in !! Thanks !!

Competition Electronics ProChrono Pal Chronograph

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/113204/competition-electronics-prochrono-pal-chronograph?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Shooting - Chronographs, Wind Meters & Timers-_-Competition Electronics-_-113204&gclid=CMyF_KeaqtMCFciDfgodQScEgg

bump... for added 135gr, 147gr, and 158gr data

Glad to help !

I suggest you consider the IMI 158gr as a possible choice.... even unsurpressed, that round was noticeably quieter.

Bullet setback examples... IMHO... it worries me that some economy FMJ rounds would setback so "easily".

Fed. 115gr FMJ Aluminum cased




PPU 115gr FMJ




Colt 124gr SCHP





Remington 124gr GS

Thank You !

Federal 115gr Syntech...




And the SIG Sauer V-Crown's... Just to large of a HP to feed properly, the 147gr was a dismal feeder...

Thanks !

I have ordered 35+ more common rounds..  so hopefully weather will allow me to fire some after it is delivered.

As best as I can find on the internet... about 153ft above sea level.

"Swiss or German made Geco, IMI, MEN in 124 gr. and the Winchester 147 gr. T&D.".... VERY good choices. And frankly my choices mimic your choices.

Great minds think alike !

Very good points. 50yds it is.

And thanks for all the accolades, I do appreciate it.

And, wait 'til I add my 80ish more rounds to my .223 / 556 data...

For those of you that haven't seen that data...

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_16/676005_Various-Chronograph-results----16-Middie-and-20-Rifle-.html

Thank You.

I might do another test on the various steel cased 9x19.... I suspect the lot to lot differences in velocity are going to be fairly high.

Be it from poor QC or different lots of powder... I'd bet, the main concern is "going bang" not consistency.

I order up some more rounds, including some "Military Classic" ... maybe those have a stricter QC.

I am basing these thoughts on the 2 different lots of Wolf Polyperformance 115gr FMJ.


Also, I got some 150gr Micro HST.... I will be interested in seeing if it is slower, because of its intended use.

Added the next 52 rds to chrono, they are listed, then followed by .....................................

Hope this info is helpful to the readers.

After it all arrives I will add the chrono numbers.

And fired the next batch of 52rds today.

The AA 147gr Major was very fast for a 147gr JHP.

As well as the Magtech 115gr +P+ JHP.

Already got the YAVEX 115gr and a few others waiting on decent chrono weather.

I will have to look up the YAVEX 124gr NATO... and see if it is available

To be added...

YAVEX 115gr FMJ
S&B 140gr FMJ
Tula, Wolf, Silver Bear, 115gr FMJ... just different "lot" numbers to check consistency and those high numbers.
PPU 147gr JHP

The Atlanta Arms 147gr load is a "Major" load.. IE probably +P+.... and I sure could tell it is moving fast and hard.

And KAK sells a configurable 9mm extended and carbine buffer kit... IMHO, the way to go since you can make it what ever weight you want.

RGRundeRGRound , Thanks for adding the ME to the list.

In overly simplistic terms... you could be firing a .357 Magnum powered round ( ME wise ) from a lot of the tested rounds.

But.....

Everyone should remember.. most pistol bullets are designed to be used in a rather narrow velocity range... so consider that when choosing a round.

Bonded bullets will most likely fair better then conventional 9MM bullets overall.... due to the added velocities.

Some of the rounds will simply be over-powered by the added speed... effectively turning them into poor penetrators.

The Fed. XM9001, and its older designed bullet, is a great example. It will basically turn that bullet into "varmint" bullet. I would love to see its effects on a 20lb varmint.


For me, the added velocity means I can effectively count on a round to perform as designed at an extended distance.