adman
04-10-2016, 03:09 PM
What you'll read below is my experience with my PM9 pistol. It is not a recommendation. It is just my thoughts going through the process of finding the most accurate self defense carry ammo for me and my PM9. Here are the results of me testing 4 different ammunition brands, weights and pressures. I chose this group because I made a general determination not to use +P in the gun. The ones I had tried (HST +P in 124 and 147; Gold Dot +P in 124 and 147) were not accurate enough for me (but I soon found this not entirely true as it relates to higher pressure, more later). Simply, they shot low and broad. I'm sure I could tame them, but why?
I use the PM9; it is the old style with a squared-off nose. I use Lakeline followers and a heavier 10.5 pound recoil spring but otherwise the pistol is stock. I shot from a manageable 5 yards. 5-shot groups. Groups are measured center to center, longest to longest. I shot standing, freehand. Here are the results:
Gold Dot 115:
Group #1 3.1" without flyer; 6.0" with flyer (1 in the 10 ring; 2 in the 9 ring)
Group #2 3.78" (1 in the 10 ring; 3 in the 9 ring)
Note: I had a guy in the next lane shooting an M4 at an indoor range. This was distracting. So I will make notes if I felt this was an issue.
HST 124:
Group #1 4.9"
Group #2 3.75" (2 in the 10 ring; 1 in the 9 ring)
Note: This was a surprise because I wanted this one to be the one as I loved its gel test. This is still a very hot round for standard pressure.
Golden Saber 124 +P (unbonded):
Group #1 2.0" (1 in the 10 ring; 3 in the 9)
Group #2 3.0"
Note: I was surprised by this. This was not only +P but an older version. Better think about this one, if I can find the unbonded.
HST 147:
Group #1 2.8" (without flyer), 4.5" (with flyer) (2 in the 10 ring; 1 in the 9 ring)
Group #2 1.75" (this was the nicest group of the day, once Mr. M4 put his rifle away) (2 in the 10 ring; 3 in the 9 ring)
Note: I was impressed with this heavier bullet. I would call it a tie with the GS.
My thoughts are that the Golden Saber 124 +p and HST 147 standard pressure might be the best match for this particular PM9 pistol. As mentioned, I'd already tried the +P's in HST and Gold Dot. I will always keep an open mind, however. I would take any of these selections as carry ammo as they all produced good real-world group accuracy. Group numbers don't reflect the placement and clusters.
That said, I then ended the visit with 50 rounds of 380 Magtech through a SIG P232 ST. I did this to make sure I was still able to shoot tighter groups than many of these produced with a small pistol. Thankfully, I did. Please use this information as you see fit. I have over 2000 rounds of HP defense ammunition I test from time to time in multiple guns. I've learned the gun must like the ammo and if the gun doesn't... it won't protect you. If you can't hit the target, then the impressive bullet weight and cartridge pressure won't bring down the bad guy. It's worth testing. :D
I use the PM9; it is the old style with a squared-off nose. I use Lakeline followers and a heavier 10.5 pound recoil spring but otherwise the pistol is stock. I shot from a manageable 5 yards. 5-shot groups. Groups are measured center to center, longest to longest. I shot standing, freehand. Here are the results:
Gold Dot 115:
Group #1 3.1" without flyer; 6.0" with flyer (1 in the 10 ring; 2 in the 9 ring)
Group #2 3.78" (1 in the 10 ring; 3 in the 9 ring)
Note: I had a guy in the next lane shooting an M4 at an indoor range. This was distracting. So I will make notes if I felt this was an issue.
HST 124:
Group #1 4.9"
Group #2 3.75" (2 in the 10 ring; 1 in the 9 ring)
Note: This was a surprise because I wanted this one to be the one as I loved its gel test. This is still a very hot round for standard pressure.
Golden Saber 124 +P (unbonded):
Group #1 2.0" (1 in the 10 ring; 3 in the 9)
Group #2 3.0"
Note: I was surprised by this. This was not only +P but an older version. Better think about this one, if I can find the unbonded.
HST 147:
Group #1 2.8" (without flyer), 4.5" (with flyer) (2 in the 10 ring; 1 in the 9 ring)
Group #2 1.75" (this was the nicest group of the day, once Mr. M4 put his rifle away) (2 in the 10 ring; 3 in the 9 ring)
Note: I was impressed with this heavier bullet. I would call it a tie with the GS.
My thoughts are that the Golden Saber 124 +p and HST 147 standard pressure might be the best match for this particular PM9 pistol. As mentioned, I'd already tried the +P's in HST and Gold Dot. I will always keep an open mind, however. I would take any of these selections as carry ammo as they all produced good real-world group accuracy. Group numbers don't reflect the placement and clusters.
That said, I then ended the visit with 50 rounds of 380 Magtech through a SIG P232 ST. I did this to make sure I was still able to shoot tighter groups than many of these produced with a small pistol. Thankfully, I did. Please use this information as you see fit. I have over 2000 rounds of HP defense ammunition I test from time to time in multiple guns. I've learned the gun must like the ammo and if the gun doesn't... it won't protect you. If you can't hit the target, then the impressive bullet weight and cartridge pressure won't bring down the bad guy. It's worth testing. :D