Scott Witner, writing at The Truth About Guns explains "What 9mm Ammo Does the FBI Use — And Why It Matters to You." I'm not going to go back over the 1986 Miami shootout and the rest of the backstory that takes us to the present choice in 9mm by the FBI. You probably already know it and, if you don't, you can click over to Witner's article. The key points, however, are these:
- "FBI is widely reported to be issuing Hornady Critical Duty 9mm +P 135gr (FlexLock/FTX) as its current duty load."
- The 135 grain (rather than 115 grain or 124 grain) is the important bit.
Without endorsing specific brands, the FBI’s own researcher offers practical guidance:
Look for duty-focused projectiles in the 135–147-grain range, engineered for consistent barrier performance. Bonded or mechanically locked bullets — designed to hold together and expand reliably through intermediate barriers — are where modern defensive ammo earns its keep.
Ultra-light 115-grain loads optimized for raw velocity are, in his words, “old news” for duty criteria. Some 124-grain loads can perform well, but often depend on +P velocity to achieve consistent penetration through barriers.
- Barriers includes not just glass or metal, but heavy clothing.
115 FMJ is for target practice. If you must use a 9mm, when it matters have personal defense ammo.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I don't even look at 9mm defense ammo that is less than 124 grains. The higher weight equals higher momentum which, when paired with decent velocity, equals better penetration against most barriers. The same seems to apply to other calibers as well: for instance, the better performing .380 rounds all seem to be at around 100 grains rather than the traditional 90 grain loads.
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