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9mm Luger Ammo

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Which grain weight is best for 9MM?

One of the primary considerations for selecting 9MM ammunition is bullet weight—specified in grains. The optimal 9MM bullet weight depends in large part on intended use.

  • Self-Defense: For personal and self-defense, heavier 124 to 147-grain 9MM bullets that provide deep penetration and expand on impact are effective at quickly neutralizing an aggressor.
  • Target Practice: For range shooting and target practice, the lighter 115-grain bullet is the weight of choice for most shooters. This 9MM bullet tends to be less expensive than larger grains and generates less recoil making it more comfortable to shoot.
  • Competition Shooting: Both light and heavier grain bullets can be used for competitive shooting. Lighter gain bullets produce less recoil, while heavier bullet weights are recommended for improved long-distance accuracy.

Ultimately, determining the best 9MM ammo bullet grain is achieved by aligning your shooting goals with an acceptable recoil comfort level.

What are the different grains used for?

Each 9MM ammunition grain weight is designed to serve a specific purpose:

  • Lighter Grain: Lighter weight bullets (115 grains or lower) are affordable and produce low recoil making them ideal for longer shooting sessions and improving accuracy.
  • Medium Grain: Medium-weight bullets (±124 grains) are best for self-defense and range shooting. Medium-grain bullets balance penetration and recoil, making them a great choice for general use.
  • Heavier Grain: Heavier bullets (±147 grains) are ideal for personal and self-defense. They stop threats effectively due to deep penetration and reliable expansion on impact.
  • Specialty Grains: Specialty 9MM bullet weights, such as the 135 grains or 147 grains +P (overpressure), are special purpose grains. They are designed to enhance performance for specific shooting applications.

Which 9MM grain is best for self-defense?

Heavier 124 to 147-grains are considered by many to be the best 9MM bullet weights for self-defense. The deep penetration and expansion of these grains produce a punch that will stop an aggressor in their tracks. While the lighter 115-grain 9MM bullet doesn’t provide quite as much energy upon impact, its softer recoil makes it more manageable for smaller shooters.

Which 9MM grain is better for target practice?

Many shooters prefer lighter weight bullets, such as the 115 grain, for target practice. Lighter weight 9MM bullets produce less recoil and are more comfortable to shoot for extending periods of time. Lighter grain 9MM ammunition also tends to be less expensive, making target practice more affordable and convenient.

9MM ammo ballistics and performance

9mmm ammo comes in bullet weights of 45 to 165 grains. The most popular and commercially available 9mm bullet weights are 115, 124 and 147 grains. For self defense, the most popular 9mm bullet weights are 124 and 147 grains—which provide more energy upon impact than 115 grain 9mmm ammo. The less expensive 115 grain 9mm is a great range bullet. Performance ballistics for 115, 124 and 147 grain 9mm bullets are found in the following table.

9MM LUGER VELOCITY
Muzzle 50 yd 100 yd
115 gr 1155 ft/s 1047 ft/s 971 ft/s
124 gr 1110 ft/s 1030 ft/s 971 ft/s
147 gr 975 ft/s 935 ft/s 899 ft/s
9MM LUGER ENERGY
115 gr 341 ft⋅lb 280 ft⋅lb 241 ft⋅lb
124 gr 339 ft⋅lb 292 ft⋅lb 259 ft⋅lb
147 gr 310 ft⋅lb 285 ft⋅lb 264 ft⋅lb

Disclaimer: Actual velocity and energy ballistics may vary.