.

Fair warning, I might be over thinking this...


I thought why train with 115gr ball ammo when I carry 147gr Gold Dot Hollow Point. Certainly the ballistics are completely different between these rounds and the old Fighter Pilot saying is, Train to Fight because you will Fight liked you Trained...

My training ammo matches the ballistics of my carry ammo.

9mm P226 4.4" barrel
Lawman vs. Gold Dot Hollow Point

Part Number
53620 vs. 23619

Bullet Wt.
147gr vs 147gr

Test Barrel Length
4" vs. 4"

Velocity (Feet per Second)
Muzzle
985 vs. 985

50 yards
932 vs. 932

100 yards
888 vs. 887

Energy (Foot Pounds)
Muzzle
317 vs. 317

50 yards
284 vs. 284

100 yards
257 vs. 257

Trajectory
Sighted in at 25 yards
0 vs. 0

50 yards
-1.5 vs. -1.5

75 yards
-5.5 vs. -5.5

100 yards
-12 vs. -12



9mm P320 Compact 3.9" barrel
American Eagle vs. HST Hollow Point

Part Number
AE9FP vs. P9HST2

Bullet Wt.
147gr vs 147gr

Test Barrel Length
4" vs. 4"

Velocity (Feet per Second)
Muzzle
1000 vs. 1000

25 yards
976 vs. 976

50 yards
953 vs. 953

75 yards
933 vs. 933

100 yards
914 vs. 914

Energy (Foot Pounds)
Muzzle
326 vs. 326

25 yards
311 vs. 311

50 yards
297 vs. 297

75 yards
284 vs. 284

100 yards
273 vs. 273

Trajectory
Sighted in at 25 yards
0 vs. 0

50 yards
-1.4 vs. -1.4

75 yards
-5.2 vs. -5.2

100 yards
-11.5 vs. -11.5

.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sleepla8er,

wrightd, I've used thousands of rounds of Q4318 124 NATO in the last ~18 years. In fact, I bought another case the other day. While I like the fact that the case mouth and primers are sealed, I do have to cut the crimp out of the primer pocket if I'm reloading it for the first time. The Winchester NATO primers do seem to be harder than other primers I've used. This has caused no issues except with one revolver in which I'd installed lighter springs. Went back to factory springs and all was well. Over the years. I've chronographed this load from all kinds of pistols, revolvers and in 16" length carbine barrels. Q4318 is warmer than some other commercial 9MM of the same weight, but does not quite generate the velocities of most 9MM +P ammo I've chronographed. A couple of reasons it has become some of my favorite range ammo, is that it is consistent in quality, velocities are consistent, and it reliably functions any and all semi-auto pistols and carbines I've used it in. I would think preppers would love the stuff.

BTW, I've been also been using the IMI 124 NATO as range ammo during the last few years. It has proven to be of excellent quality too. The IMI NATO generally produces velocities 3-5% higher than the Win. Q4318 NATO in my guns. And, the primer crimp in the IMI NATO brass is lighter than the Q4318. I don't have to remove the crimp when reloading the IMI brass for the first time.

Bottom line, if limited to the Winchester and/or IMI NATO for some reason for range use, I would be content with that......ymmv

I have used the IMI 124 grain 9 mm NATO as well, and had good results with it.

I did get the impression it was just slightly hotter than the Winchester Q4318.

That is the reason that I tend to favor the NATO ammo as well. I just don't seem to get any bad boxes or rounds with it. With the exception of the one time a Win Q4318 locked up my Beretta 92FS for reasons that are totally unclear.

I don't recall ever having any problems with Speer Lawman FMJ, but it seems to me that having issues with an occasional box or occasional round of 9 mm FMJ ammo is becoming a little more common. I've had an occasional under-powered box, missing primer, irregular case, set back projectile, etc with most of the major brands.

Well I'm going to try that for a while; only Win NATO, IMI NATO (which I've never seen), or Speer Lawman. BTW, bought a case of Win NATO Q4318 from outdoorlimited.com after reading this thread. Good outfit - price, clean transaction, shipping, all good. Will do business with them again. I will keep some 115 gr whatever on hand for training new shooters on my dime, the cheaper the better. Probably less recoil than 124 gr NATO which probably helps some.

I haven't read the thread, but Q4318 is a favorite of mind. In my experience, it's as warm as any fmj 9x19 round available commercially in the United States. Makes a great practice substitute for 124 grain +P loads such as Speer's Gold Dot.

And for the price that Q4318 is really consistant and always of good quality in my experience. I like to keep some on hand as break in ammo for any guns that might require it. HKs in 9mm are notoriously tight out of the box and usually don't like 115 grain fodder. Run a box maybe 2 of this stuff through and they are golden with whatever you run through them.