bullet weight for cm9

[HD Springer]

I'm going to start reloading for my cm9. I haven't picked a bullet weight as yet. When working up loads, is one weight just more accurate than another? I've found that so in .40 & .44mag. Would you suggest 115, 124 or 147? These will be fmj for range use.

[muggsy]

I haven't noticed any great difference in grouping, but the 147 gr shoot a little higher thatn the 124 or 115 gr. bullets. The CM9 isn't a target pistol, but rather a defensive weapon. With that in mind I'd opt for the 147 gr. If you intend to punch holes in paper any weight will do.

[SCSportsman]

I carry 124, so i would recommend that. My personal opinion is that 147 is too heavy for the 9mm.

[Barth]

124 is my preferred 9mm weight.
My Glock G27, with a Storm Lake 40-9mm barrel,
shoots near match accurate with Speer GDHP 124 gr +P rounds.

[340pd]

I use 124gr Berry's plated with great results in my PM9, 226, and Shield.

[VBVAGUY]

I think the best *All Around* weight is the 124gr. Also someone please correct me if I am wrong, but was not the 9mm designed originally 124gr ??? God Bless :)

[Barth]

I think the best *All Around* weight is the 124gr. Also someone please correct me if I am wrong, but was not the 9mm designed originally 124gr ??? God Bless :)

I don't know by a long shot.
But thought 115 gr was the standard for years.
124/127/147 came along later if memory serves...

[TheTman]

I use 124 Hydra Shocks in my CM sized 9. I think the 9mm was originally designed for the 115-124 gr. weights. I just never took to the 147 gr. after doing some tests reloading with 115, 124, and 147 gr. bullets, the 147 gr. just didn't perform as well, as the lighter bullets using a Beretta 92 and Star Mod 30. I don't think 9mm 147 gr. bullets were even around when most of the classic 9's were made, Luger, Hi-Power, etc. And I would think they'd perform even worse from the shorter barrel. But many folks do use the 147 grain. I'd think you'd want something low mass to get moving quicker and faster from the short barrel.
I think there's two schools of thought, low speed and heavy, like .45 230gr, and high speed and light like .357 125gr. For most calibers, I like light and fast, with the exception of the .38 in 158gr LSWCHP that has served law enforcement well for many years. I think the 147gr. bullets are an attempt to make the 9mm behave like a .45, and it just wasn't meant for that. IMHO. Some folks swear by the 147gr though, and there are more than a few SD loads made in that bullet weight .

[muggsy]

From ballistic testing the 147 gr. +P load offers better penetration with less recoil and muzzle flash than the 124 gr. +P load in a short barrel handgun and is considered to be the better defensive load. That not an opinion, it's a fact.

[OldLincoln]

^ +1. I carry the 147gn +P because most tests I've seen put the penetration higher through clothing. The 9mm isn't know for it's stopping power bit the 147gn HST expands out to 3/4" which is about the size of a 12ga shotgun slug.

[ltxi]

I think the best *All Around* weight is the 124gr. Also someone please correct me if I am wrong, but was not the 9mm designed originally 124gr ??? God Bless :)

Yes, it was

[OldLincoln]

So if something better comes along it should be discounted out of hand because that wasn't the original design. Seems like we should be zipping arroung in Wright Flyers instead of jumbo jets.

[muggsy]

Linc, me thinks that the nay sayers are quite a bit younger and less experienced than we is. Our ages combined date back to the invention of gun powder. :)