9mm Luger or 9x19 self defense testing

Personal Testing by Jesse Mathewson for the 9x19 caliber handgun. Every individual should test
individual cartridges for themselves, in these tests between 250 and 500 rounds of each with the
exception of Federal Hydra-Shok rounds were tested. While this was not in all cases per handgun, some
were. Specifically the Speer Gold Dot, Remington and Hornady rounds, these three rounds were all
over half of an inch upon spread and impact. Again unfortunately, this was also either lost or not
recorded, over the course of several moves. Both Gold Dot rounds flipped once but ended up point
forward, the Remington ended up backwards, and the Hornady flipped twice and ended up point
forward. All four of these rounds only lost a small amount of weight, less than a percent per due to
minor fragmenting and or partial loss of jacket with some of the tests and rounds. None of them were
enough to cause serious issues in performance.
Most recently updated as of December 2016 to include two alternate handguns and the Hornady
Critical Duty round initially begun in 2006.

The test barrels and guns were three G19s (4.02 inches; barrel length) after-market WOLF
Barrel, Glock OEM and Double Diamond as well the numbers are averages of 8 rounds for velocities
and 2-5 for penetration; velocities can be increased or decreased by 50-100 FPS depending on barrel
lengths. Three additional firearms were tested for function as well, the choices made were done based
on the function in all firearms tested, Keltec PF9, Kahr PM9 and a Springfield XDM.

The following ammunition's were tested for expansion, penetration and velocity- they were also tested
for reliability (feeding etc.)- All rounds were tested for penetration using 10% gel mix through, (4
layers of denim/ 1/8 soft steel / 1/2 drywall and windshield glass) and than into gel.
1. Federal Hydra Shock 147 JHP (NO expansion at all on tested rounds - as a result test was canceled,
no reason to spend 1.00 per round if my FMJ 's have better performance. )
2.Winchester ED 147 JHP *(expanded fine in bare/ cloth however failed several times with soft steel,
drywall and windshield glass)
Penetration 15 inches ;
Average speed * *972 FPS - based on (8 rounds)
High Speed * 983.8 * *
Low Speed * 957.6
Extreme Spread * 26.2
Standard Deviation * * 9.0 *(this is tight very tight - under ten is great!)
Average Deviation 7.4 * *
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308 FtLbs / I do not recommend this ammunition unless you are certain no soft cover will be engaged.
3. Speer Gold Dot 124 JHP * Definitely a solid round, and highly recommended, I do not suggest going
higher than this in weight.
Penetration 14 inches;
Average speed 1093 FPS - based on (8 rounds)
High Speed * * 1117 *
Low Speed 1075
Extreme Spread * * 42.5
Standard Deviation 15.8 *
Average Deviation *13.1 *
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328 Foot Lbs average

4. Speer Gold Dot 115 JHP *- All statistics place this at the top of the list with Hornady Critical
Duty 135 JHP
Penetration 13.5 inches;
Average speed * *1222 FPS - based on (8 rounds)
High Speed * 1235 * *
Low Speed * *1202
Extreme Spread * 33.6
Standard Deviation * * 9.9 (again very nice - under ten is great!)
Average Deviation 6.4 *
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381 FtLbs
5. Remington 115 JHP; this is the inexpensive Remington jhp rounds, and I would highly recommend it
and or use it without hesitation.
Penetration 8 inches;
Average speed * *1142 FPS - based on (8 rounds)
High Speed * 1167 * *
Low Speed * *1130
Extreme Spread * 37.9
Standard Deviation * * 12.2 *
Average Deviation 9.2 *
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333 FtLbs
6. Magtech 92.6 SCHP (Solid Copper Hollow Point)
Penetration 3 inches;
Average speed * *1321 FPS - based on (8 rounds)
High Speed * 1341 * *
Low Speed * *1292
Extreme Spread * 49.6
Standard Deviation * * 8.8 (again very nice - under ten is great!)
Average Deviation 14.7 *
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358 FtLbs
7. Magtech 124 JHP (Had feed issues at several points.)
Penetration 12 inches;
Average speed * *1046 FPS - based on (8 rounds)
High Speed * 1089 * *
Low Speed * *1007
Extreme Spread * 81.7
Standard Deviation * * 28.7 *

Average Deviation 24.1 *

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301 FtLbs
8. Hornady Critical Duty 135 JHP (Absolutely recommend this round!)
Penetration 14 inches;
Average speed * * 982 FPS
Unfortunately neglected to record the additional information.
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273 FtLbs