9mm Rifles Are Pointless?

Published on January 17, 2025
Duration: 14:14

This video tests whether 9mm rifles offer significant advantages over pistols and PCCs. While longer barrels increase velocity by over 200 FPS with +P loads, accuracy gains are minimal beyond a 9-inch barrel. Penetration tests show slight improvements in wood but similar performance in gel and sand, except for steel plate penetration where longer barrels excel.

Quick Summary

A 16.37-inch 9mm rifle barrel increased muzzle velocity by over 200 FPS compared to a 4.3-inch pistol barrel using +P ammo. While easier to shoot accurately than a pistol, a 9mm rifle offered no significant accuracy advantage over a 9mm PCC. Longer barrels excelled at steel plate penetration.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Pistol vs PCC vs Rifle
  2. 00:09Accuracy Testing at 25 Yards
  3. 03:05Muzzle Velocity Comparison
  4. 04:41Subsonic Ammunition Performance
  5. 05:48Penetration Tests: Wood, Sand, Gel
  6. 12:34Steel Plate Penetration Test

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a 9mm rifle barrel significantly increase velocity compared to a pistol?

Yes, testing showed a 16.37-inch 9mm rifle barrel increased muzzle velocity by over 200 FPS compared to a 4.3-inch pistol barrel when using 9mm +P ammunition. Standard loads saw a smaller, but still noticeable, velocity gain.

Is a 9mm rifle more accurate than a 9mm PCC or pistol?

At 25 yards, both the 9mm PCC and rifle were easier to shoot accurately than the pistol. However, the rifle's accuracy was not significantly better than the PCC, suggesting the PCC offers similar accuracy benefits with less bulk.

Can a 9mm rifle push subsonic ammunition into supersonic speeds?

No, testing with 147gr and 150gr subsonic 9mm rounds indicated they remained subsonic even when fired from a 16.37-inch rifle barrel. Longer barrels did not provide enough velocity to break the sound barrier for these specific loads.

What are the penetration differences between 9mm pistols, PCCs, and rifles?

Longer 9mm barrels (PCC and rifle) showed slightly better penetration in wood. All three struggled with a 6-inch sandbox. However, both the PCC and rifle successfully penetrated a steel plate that the pistol could not, demonstrating increased effectiveness against hard targets.

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