Does a longer barrel improve performance? 9mm carbine 124gr Federal HST gel test

Published on February 19, 2018
Duration: 5:32

This guide details a ballistic gel test of Federal 124gr +P HST ammunition fired from a 16-inch barrel CMMG 9mm carbine. The test, conducted by Andrew, an expert, evaluates bullet performance in both bare and clothed gel, measuring velocity, penetration, expansion, and retained weight according to IWBA standards. The results highlight how barrel length and clothing layers significantly impact defensive ammunition effectiveness.

Quick Summary

A 16-inch 9mm carbine significantly increases velocity for ammunition like Federal 124gr +P HST. While this caused over-expansion and poor penetration in bare gel tests, the ammunition performed effectively when fired through four layers of denim, meeting optimal penetration and weight retention standards for defensive use.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction and Test Setup
  2. 00:24Bare Gel Test Firing
  3. 00:58Bare Gel Test Results
  4. 01:30Insufficient Penetration for Defense
  5. 01:50Bare Gel Bullet Specs & Further Reading
  6. 02:09Clothed Gel Test Setup
  7. 02:32Clothed Gel Test Firing
  8. 03:03Clothed Gel Results: Good Performance
  9. 03:50Clothed Gel Bullet Specs & Physics Discussion
  10. 04:18Call to Action and Channel Support

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a longer barrel affect 9mm carbine ammunition performance?

A longer barrel, like the 16-inch on the CMMG carbine tested, significantly increases projectile velocity. For Federal 124gr +P HST, this higher velocity caused excessive fragmentation and expansion in bare gel, leading to insufficient penetration, contrary to its performance from a handgun.

What are the key performance metrics for defensive ammunition in ballistic gel tests?

Key metrics include penetration depth (ideally 12-18 inches), expansion (significant but controlled), and retained weight (high percentage of original weight). These factors determine if the ammunition can effectively reach vital organs and cause incapacitating damage.

Does clothing affect 9mm defensive ammunition performance?

Yes, clothing layers can significantly alter ammunition performance. In the test, four layers of denim slowed the Federal 124gr +P HST enough to prevent over-expansion and fragmentation, allowing it to achieve optimal penetration and weight retention, meeting defensive standards.

Is Federal 124gr +P HST suitable for a 9mm carbine for self-defense?

The test suggests it can be, but with caveats. While it performed poorly in bare gel due to high carbine velocity, it performed well through clothing. This indicates that ammunition designed for handguns might behave differently and require re-evaluation when fired from a carbine, especially in barrier-penetration scenarios.

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