Gold Dot vs. Gold Dot Short Barrel 9mm Test

[Ljutic]

Finally got it done. Enjoy!

http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2012/09/gel-testing-speer-9mm-gold-dot-vs-gold.html

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v391/BDSBruce/Blog%20Photos%202/IMG_0944_zps490719f0.jpg

[muggsy]

Outstanding tests. I wouldn't have a problem using either load in a defensive situation, but like you I prefer the short barrel load for my CM9.

[FLBri]

Thanks for your efforts. Great test and clearly reported. It's a super resource!

[itsthelaw]

Thanks for the post. This is GREAT stuff.

[ripley16]

Very interesting and informative. Thanks. I've tried the GDSB ammo in my HK P2000sk and found it to be excellent. If I recall the only drawback I noted was a difference in the recoil, which I think was a bit sharper compared to other +P rounds I use, (GD and PDX).

[JFootin]

Great report! You are so very professional in your testing procedure. I am going to have to get some of the short barrel GDs. Where can I get a good deal on some? Do they make it in 50 round boxes?

[MikeyKahr]

I have never seen it in 50 round boxes, only the 20.

[Ljutic]

Thanks all. The only 50 count SB boxes I've found were the 135 Grain .38 Special +P, but I don't get out much.

[sierrajb]

Thanks for the valuable education, Ljutic! You may have addressed this question already, but "Are there other manufacturers who put out similar rounds for the short barrel that would be worth comparing?"

[Ljutic]

Thanks for the valuable education, Ljutic! You may have addressed this question already, but "Are there other manufacturers who put out similar rounds for the short barrel that would be worth comparing?"

Glad you enjoyed it.

Off the top of my head, Hornday Critical Defense is the only other purpose constructed ammo for short barrel CC arms. There may be more, but none are springing to mind. I can say that I've never had a failure or disappointing performance from any HST load. While not advertised as short barrel, they work really well in 3" shorty barrels.

[TucsonMTB]

http://home.mindspring.com/~justsomeguy/thumbsup.gif

[Yogi 117]

Outstanding report as always! Wouldn't hesitate to use the SB version in my G26 or CM9. Thx for your efforts, very much appreciated! :D

[JERRY]

You do a great blog. I like the everyday guns you critique which the everyday man can afford.

Id say youre up there with the late and sorely missed stephen camp. Thats about as good as a compliment any man can get.

[Ljutic]

You do a great blog. I like the everyday guns you critique which the everyday man can afford.

Id say youre up there with the late and sorely missed stephen camp. Thats about as good as a compliment any man can get.

I spent my late 20's reading just about every gun magazine and reloading manual I could get my hands on. I'll be 50 soon and I can think of no better next career than an evaluation/writing gig with ties to the industry. I appreciate the compliment and I hope one day to live up to that standard.

[mcbowflex]

Thanks for testing this. I'd say the short barrel definitely did better in this test. Have you done any testing with 147 gr HSTs in shorter barrels? I looked on your blog but didn't find any. I like what I've seen from the HST 147 gr from a 4" barrel, but don't know if my CW9's 3.5" would have any serious negative affects on the rounds performance.

[Ljutic]

Thanks for testing this. I'd say the short barrel definitely did better in this test. Have you done any testing with 147 gr HSTs in shorter barrels? I looked on your blog but didn't find any. I like what I've seen from the HST 147 gr from a 4" barrel, but don't know if my CW9's 3.5" would have any serious negative affects on the rounds performance.

On tap for some future time. I probably have at least 10 varieties of 147 to test. I'm interested in how they perform too. The one I did test, Winchester Personal Protection white box failed to expand from a 3" barrel.

[Charlie98]

I've often wondered how the GDSB's would perform in a longer barrel vs standard GB's, say your 3.1" S&W vs a 5". It's obvious the bullets are constructed differently (and are different components when purchased for reloading; ) my curiosity is whether the SB bullet would be overdriven at higher velocities (from a longer barrel) and come apart at impact (much like the standard bullet dropped parts of it's jacket in the wound channel.)

I carry GDSB 230grn .45's in my 4" Kimber, but found Hornady 147grn TAP more accurate in my CW9 vs GDSB's. Maybe I'll have to get a block of jello and see what the bullets do...

[Barth]

I've often wondered how the GDSB's would perform in a longer barrel vs standard GB's, say your 3.1" S&W vs a 5". It's obvious the bullets are constructed differently (and are different components when purchased for reloading; ) my curiosity is whether the SB bullet would be overdriven at higher velocities (from a longer barrel) and come apart at impact (much like the standard bullet dropped parts of it's jacket in the wound channel.)

I carry GDSB 230grn .45's in my 4" Kimber, but found Hornady 147grn TAP more accurate in my CW9 vs GDSB's. Maybe I'll have to get a block of jello and see what the bullets do...

The short barrel version is still bonded and shouldn't fragment at higher velocities.
The bullet may open earlier.
And therefore have less penetration than a standard GDHP from a standard length barrel.

From what I've seen with chronograph results the short barrel fast burn
gunpowder doesn't seem give dramatically better velocity from longer barrels anyway.

The caveat being how much higher velocity are we talking about?
If you hand load the bullets to near 357 Sig velocities then all bets are off.

[fitpro]

Thanks for the great review! I like the new gel. Well done staying on the cutting edge of technology.

[wyntrout]

The GD bullets are constructed a bit differently between the regular and the short barrel versions. It's most evident in the 230-gr GD's with the Short Barrel version's cavity being about .1" less deep and wider at the bottom of the cavity. In the smaller calibers like the 9mm the changes aren't as evident.

Starting with post #16 are my pictures of the defense ammo I use, including the aforementioned 230-gr GD/GDSB.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3519/5787429603_54588215fd_z.jpg

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7147&page=2

If you want velocity differences between barrel lengths, try Ballistics by the Inch. They took Thompson Contender barrels for virtually all calibers and tested various brands of ammo in each barrel, then cut an inch off and did it again... until they got down to 2 inches. They also showed the velocities in a lot of common pistols and carbines with the same ammo... VERY interesting site!

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/index.html

They have an extensive .380 Real World firearm test section and recently added .22's as well. You can see how your Ruger 10/22 fared velocity-wise with various ammo, as well as many of the popular pistols.

Wynn:)

[Redstate]

Anyone aware of any 3" barrel 9mm tests with clothed gelatin?

[wyntrout]

Plug that "3" barrel 9mm tests with clothed gelatin" into Google or your favorite search engine. :rolleyes:

When I did that I got Search About 3,720,000 results (0.41 seconds)


Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

Here's a good link for video testing of Gold Dots... pistol and rifle against denim/gel and through windshields into the denim/gel:

http://www.kiesler.com/videodetail.aspx?id=1534

And here are some velocity results at Ballistics by the Inch with 3" barrels... no Kahr on this one, but one real world pistol with 3" velocityies is listed, as well as the test barrel:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/9luger.html

Wynn:)

[7shot]

I used to carry Gold Dot in my k9 but as of lately it would nose dive on the second shot. So I switched to Horandy Critical Duty and have not had any issues. Now I do carry Gold Dot in my XDm and runs flawless. Thanks for the test data, very informative.

[wyntrout]

That's why we advise thoroughly testing any defense ammo in your concealed carry weapon. Too many people, I suspect, just buy defense ammo and load it in their defensive weapon... without being assured that it will function in their weapon! There are many choices and most defensive ammo costs over $1 to $2 a pop, so frugality is misplaced by not testing carry ammo.

Wynn:)