Recoil response differences between 9mm ammo.

[Friesland]

Practice/range 9mm ammo. being shoot out of a 3.75" to 4" semi-auto barrel. Does the recoil/handling response differ between the different 9mm weights, 115gr, 124gr., and 147gr.?

My understanding is, probable wrong, 115gr. is snappier and the 147gr. is softer.

Which 9mm weight returns to target quicker/sooner, which maybe louder, which might you enjoy shooting more of or often?

I know, newbie questions, what can I say, prefer to ask before I buy a thousand rounds.

[ScottyXbones]

Yes there is a noticeable difference. Depending on your shooting style you may prefer one recoil impulse to another. If you're shooting weaver style that depends on stacking your small wrist bones up behind the pistol, you'll want the lowest energy round, a slow 115 gr. If you shoot Iso, you'll want a slower recoil impulse so your muscles can compensate. The 147gr rounds absorb more energy than lighter rounds to get moving down the barrel, while that translates into more energy going rearward into your hands, it will be slower and more manageable.

If you shoot weaver properly, the frame of the gun will barely move. Buy a few boxes of commonly available factory ammo and test out which one feels more comfortable/accurate out of your gun before you commit to a case.

[hermosabeach]

Recoil and the impulse is really subject to the perception of the shooter.

I would say that you should try 5 or 6 different loads to see what works for you.

Wallart has 115 Grain Perfecta 9MM that is loaded very light... So light that you can see malfunctions if you are not firmly holding the firearm.

If it works in your gun, it might be a light recoil option.

[BoJackUSMC]

As for me, I cant tell the difference between 115 to 147 grains. My lady cant even tell the difference either. In fact, she only likes to shoot and operate two guns (glock 19 9mm and glock 42 380).

[BoJackUSMC]

I think if you take some shooting class and learn the fundamental of shooting stance. You should not be able to tell the difference between 115 to 147 grains as well.

[Friesland]

"So light that you can see malfunctions"

Probably will need to change the recoil spring, It has a 16 lb. one now for near +p 9mm ammo. Will be changing to a 14 lb. for the range.

[Friesland]

BoJackUSMC, For a bulk purchase of 9mm range ammo. 124 gr. Speer Lawman would probably be as good as anything else.

[Citizen_B]

There is a difference. Try alternating rounds in the magazine. It's subtle, but there. I generally prefer 147gr. 115gr. feels more snappy. However I train with 124gr. because it feels similar to my 147gr. defensive load (different mfg.).

I'm a believer in training as close as possible to your actual final load (whatever the purpose). So if your final purpose load is a +p, I suggest practicing with some cheaper rounds that are hot and feel similar. If it's just to plink around, buy cheap stuff that loads properly in your gun.

[BonnieB]

The real question is "what do you intend to do with it?". Always assuming you are using the very same gun for testing, for range plinking, a lower load is probably fine. But if your real intention is to practice for self defense, I'd shoot the larges load I can handle. There are ballistics charts around that show the penetration charts for different calibers and loads. Just google.

But for self defense, as I often say, shot placement trumps load and caliber. If you can't hit the target in the right place, a .45 won't help you.