Back to Top

Self-Defense Ammo for Pistol Caliber Carbines

You’ve probably put serious thought and research into what self-defense ammo to carry in your pistols. Can you count on that same ammo being the ideal choice for a pistol caliber carbine? To find out, we tested six popular 9mm jacketed hollow points, looking at the effect a longer barrel has on their velocity as well as their performance in ballistic gelatin. More about handgun ballistics from some industry experts: https://youtu.be/T6kUvi72s0Y Our handgun ballistic gel tests are all posted over at Lucky Gunner Labs: https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/ Support our channel. Buy ammo from Lucky Gunner!

Comments

Gary Nelson says:

Excellent vid with lots of good information.Also, you beard in awesome and deserving it's own Channel!!

Justin Brewer. says:

Please please please if you do some PCC videos include 357/38 defensive and hunting loads as well. I'll be all over that data

TheDarkOne_HxC says:

Test some +P+ loads out of the 16". You'll see what these carbines are really capable of.

Jake Story says:

Would love to see Federal, Speer, Hornady, et al develop some PCC specific defensive loads.

Videonator says:

I think you over emphasize ballistic gel. Looking at the front of a human body, about 80% of it has bone in front, middle, or rear. Those HST's that look so great in ballistic gel performed badly in Paul Harrell's meat target.

Randy Bohannan says:

I would like to see more testing on pistol carvings in 40 + 9

Jeff Conner says:

would love to see the heavier bullets with some distance. i mean, improved accuracy for 5 yds? love the channel!

Bert Hamoen says:

Out of curiosity: how often in your life have you ever felt (or had) the need or considered to defebd yourself with a fire-arm?
I'm from Western Europe and never had the need (which is a good thing since just owning a fire-arm is very difficult) and wonder if US American society is that more dangerous that you guys do.

Daniel Pate says:

I would actually like to see some variation on barrel length as well. I use Hornady 135 hr critical duty and would like to see how that performs as well from a 16 inch or 14 in barrel.

Jaustin says:

I seriously fucking love you. Please put a bearded baby in me

Matthew McPherson says:

I recently purchased a Ruger PC9 and its corresponding SR9. Thank you for this, it's been quite helpful

chris hogan says:

What about the wad cutter?

Christof Harper says:

Excellent.my testing generally indicates that your ideal barrel length is going to be in that 8 to 10 and 1/2 inch range. You get enough of a boost out of 6 or 7in to make a difference in power without going dramatically over.8 to 10 and 1/2 inch is generally where you hit your maximum gain in velocity without going really large with firearm. Almost everything I have tried you have a significant decrease in increase of your velocity once you get past 10 in in some Loads or 8 in others. (meaning you hit your point of diminishing returns like a wall somewhere between 8 and 10 in, which is evident in your 12 to 16 in velocity)

Justin Opinion says:

I hope everyone appreciates the very significant amount of work it took to present this information. Thanks!

Humbled Hector says:

Definitely Sub'd for more testing and would love to see the 100yard testing as well, from cheap Federal target 9mm, to these HST that you recommended.

Güber McSanchez says:

I'd be down to see the difference with some of the honey badger ammo or the extreme penetrators ammo from underwood. Some of those already start at 1300fps. Good watch. Ty.

Reply to Daniel Pate Cancel reply

*