Chrono 9x19mm Defensive loads thru Sig P320C

[Morne]

So since I got a Sig P320C in 9x19mm recently I thought I should get a bunch of defensive ammo to run through the chrono and see how they really perform. All done with five (5) rounds through the chrony at about ten (10) feet from the muzzle. This gun has a 3.9" barrel.

49 F, 74% RH, 30.15" Hg

Federal 124-gr +P EFMJ:
Average FPS = 1,135-------------ES = 15
Federal 124-gr +P+ Hydra-Shok JHP
Average FPS = 1,071-------------ES = 22
Buffalo Bore 124-gr +P+ JHP
Average FPS = 1,259-------------ES = 22
Hornady Critical Defense Lite 100-gr FTX
Average FPS = 1,064-------------ES = 27
Hornady Critical Defense 115-gr FTX
Average FPS = 1,070-------------ES = 27
Hornady Custom 124-gr XTP
Average FPS = 1,018-------------ES = 41
Remington Golden Saber 124-gr JHP
Average FPS = 970-------------ES = 83.8
Speer Gold Dot 124-gr JHP
Average FPS = 1,050-------------ES = 24
Speer Gold Dot 124-gr +P JHP
Average FPS = 1,126-------------ES = 18
Hornady Critical Duty 135-gr FlexLock
Average FPS = 981-------------ES = 11.4
Hornady Critical Duty 135-gr +P FlexLock
Average FPS = 1,013-------------ES = 10

Interesting tidbits:

1 - There's no need to go all the way up to 147-gr to ensure that 9x19mm stays subsonic. ALL of the non+P ammo listed here was subsonic out of my 3.9" barrel from the compact pistol (note = calculated speed of sound with the reported temperature is about 1,106 FPS). Thus, if you want subsonic just avoid +P and you're set. Honestly, none of these loads are speed demons at all EXCEPT for the Buffalo Bore.

2 - As usual the muzzle velocity printed on the side of the box is often at variance with real world guns and real world shooting. For instance, the Hornady Critical Defense Lite 100-gr FTX advertises 1,125 FPS from a 4" barrel at the muzzle but I saw 1,064 FPS. NEVER trust what is printed on the box.

3 - All functioned flawlessly in my gun. That is quite a range of different bullet profiles to feed, I'm kind of surprised that none of them caused a hiccup. OK, OK, I only tested eleven (11) different loadings with five (5) rounds each - thus 55 rounds total. Still, I figured SOMETHING would choke.

4 - With the exception of the Remington Golden Saber the Extreme Spread (ES) of velocities over five (5) rounds was very tight. Tight enough that I want to make my handloads that much better. I usually figure that any ES under 50 is good enough - glad to see that premium defense ammo seems to be held to an even higher standard.

5 - I haven't done any gel testing but a quick internet search will yield you hours of joy. Still, I would feel comfortable carrying any of these 124-gr or heavier loads EXCEPT for the Golden Saber.

[TSiWRX]

Neat! Thanks!

[MyWifeSaidYes]

The Remington 124gr seems to have the speed of the 147gr.

[Morne]

The Remington 124gr seems to have the speed of the 147gr.

I was a bit surprised. When I have chrono'ed .357 Magnum the Remington green & yellow box stuff seems to be among the fastest.