115, 124, 147

[Mister Coffee]

I've been giving some thought to switching over to subsonic ammunition. In the interests of preserving what is left of my hearing, you might say.

My question is: Is there anything to keep in mind when shooting heavier bullets through a Hi-Power? I'm thinking of a) functionality and b) service and wear.

Thanks.

[CXM]

There is a long established faction who thinks 'heavier is better.' Another likes velocity... Others want a compromise...

In general I have always liked the 'slow/heavy' point of view... There is however a question of diminishing returns... how much gain in performance is there between a 124gr bullet and a 147gr bullet? How about between 115gr and 124gr? Does nine grains actually make a difference?

There is a difference in point of impact between a 115gr bullet and a 147gr bullet in 9x19mm. BUT... is the difference enough to worry about at typical shooting distances? For most people the answer is no, there isn't. Most 147gr loads are sub-sonic which could have some advantages in some situations... but probably not for most people.

Some people say they can feel a difference in recoil among the various bullet weight groups... I can't but I am also not very sensitive to recoil (the little Mauser HsC 380 pistol being the most unpleasant pistol to shoot I have found... day I got rid of it was a happy day indeed.

Assuming you have a modern high power there isn't much difference in performance I can detect among the bullets. All my HP pistols are exceptionally reliable... HPs are known to be really reliable... when I encounter function problems it is nearly 100% sure to be an ammo problem.

The MkIII HPs are a remarkably strong reliable pistols. I expect mine will prove a lot more reliable in long term service than I will... They will certainly be fully functional long after I'm not.

So my advice (and probably not much help)is try some different brands/weights of ammo and see what you like...

FWIW

Chuck

Aug 21, 2019 21:50:18 GMT -5 Mister Coffee said:

I've been giving some thought to switching over to subsonic ammunition. In the interests of preserving what is left of my hearing, you might say.

My question is: Is there anything to keep in mind when shooting heavier bullets through a Hi-Power? I'm thinking of a) functionality and b) service and wear.

Thanks.

[Mister Coffee]

Thanks for that thoughtful reply, Chuck. It helps develop my thinking on this subject.

[Mister Coffee]

Today, I visited two LGSs and a Big 5 Sporting Goods store. The only subsonic 9mm I could find was Federal 150 gr. Syntech.

www.federalpremium.com/handgun/syntech/syntech-action-pistol/11-AE9SJAP1.html

Anyone have any knowledge of, or experience with, synthetic coated bullets? My concern is that the synthetic coating will muck up the gun. Federal seems to think that it won't.

[jonnyc]

I have always preferred the feel, reliability, and accuracy of 124 grainers in all my 9x19 pistols. The only odd-ball is the 147 gr. HSTs I carry in my Glock 43X.

[Mister Coffee]

jonnyc: Thanks for your comment.

[tnorris]

I had always purchased whatever was on sale which was usually Win White Box/115. I wanted to standardize and save some cash and ordered Speer Lawman in 115, 124 and 147.

The 124 and 147 shot softer than 115... and I could detect no difference between 124 and 147. Price was the same for each of the three. I ended up going with the 124 partly based on remembering reading that 124 was what the platform was designed for... this may or may not be true.

I have had no problems with the 124 and still stock some 147 for use with the smaller Sig P938. In the Sig, I can feel a difference between 124 and 147.

Ammo testing is fun!

[Mister Coffee]

@tnorris : Thanks for your post. It's very helpful.

[gunhand]

As a law enforcement firearms instructor since 1980, I can tell you with any caliber of handgun, it is bullet placement, NOT caliber, speed, bullet weight, that wins a gunfight.

[Bob Reed]

Hello, Mister Coffee,

As long as you're firing quality, standard pressure 115-gr, 124-gr or 147-gr it probably doesn't matter much (if any) when it comes to which one induces the most wear on your High Powers. I also haven't seen any difference in reliability when using either of those bullet weights, meaning no-malfunctions.

I haven't used the 150-gr Federal Syntech load but, the coated bullets shouldn't cause any problems (especially at lower handgun velocities). There was a time that I worried about coated bullets excessively fouling bores, but after working for a shop that serviced a lot of hunting rifles that had pretty much exclusively been firing coated bullets, the bores cleaned up fairly easily using my normal cleaning method with Hoppe's No. 9 Solvent. FWIW: I wasn't cleaning a bore that had fired one or two rounds, no, these guys used their guns a lot and only brought them in for servicing from time to time. One of the guys only had his rifle serviced once a year, and some of the others didn't do much better.

Take care, MC, and let us know if you try that 150-gr Federal out.

[Mister Coffee]

Thanks for the post, Bob. Good info, as always.

If I go from 115 gr./1130 fps. to 150 gr./870 fps., will I have to change my springs? What would you recommend?

[Bob Reed]

Hello, MC,

Considering all the High Powers (at least the ones I'm aware of) that run perfectly fine with Factory Springs and Factory Loaded 147's, I doubt you'd have to change for the 150-gr load.

That said, I personally wouldn't use ANY load that wouldn't properly cycle the gun with it's Factory Springs simply because, I want my guns to function 100% with any Standard Pressure, Factory Loads that I may have to use for whatever reason.

[BHP]

I've been using Remington 147 gr. Golden Saber in my '89 HP for many years. It works with any recoil spring from 16 to 18-1/2 lb. equally well.

[bandito]

have arrived at the 147-150 gr range as my standard load. I am going to pick up a mold for that range. will post of my exploits one day. But it may be a while. I'm retired and have maaaaaannnny projects, then there are the Honey Do's They always take precedence. Be Well. Bandito PS Please understand I am new to only the Hi-power not handgun loading in general.