Hornady 9mm 135gr +P CD in Clear Ballistics Gel.

5pins · May 16, 2018, 06:51 PM

Test Gun: Sig P229, Beretta Nano.
Barrel length: 3.9, 3 inches.
Ammunition: Hornady 9mm 135gr +P Critical Duty FTX.
Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel.
Distance: 10 feet.
Chronograph: PACT 1 XP with inferred sky screens.
Five shot velocity average: 1070fps, 1018fps
Gel Temperature 70 degrees.

Back in November I tried out the Hornady 9mm 135gr Critical Duty standard velocity and came away disappointed with its performance in heavy clothing. So disappointed in fact I stopped the test after the first round in heavy clothing passed through both 16-inch blocks of clear gel. With the announcement that the FBI was adopting the +P version of this round, I decided to order a box and give a try.

Out of the Sig P229, I got an average velocity of 1070fps with a high of 1096fps and a low of 1052. Hornady lists the velocity out of a 4-inch barrel at 1110fps so I was coming in just 40fps under that. This is a very shot shooting load and point of aim was spot on at 10 yards.

It also shot point of aim out of the Beretta Nano but with the small sights, small grip, and long gritty trigger I just can’t shoot it as well as the Sig. the 5 shot average velocity was 1018fps with a high of 1026fps and a low of 1011fps. It was also a nice soft shooting round out of this small pistol.

Out of the Sig, the first round in the bare gel had a velocity of 1060fps and penetrated to 19 inches with a recovered diameter of .46 inches. The second round impacted at 1054fps penetrated to 18.25 inches with an expansion of .45 inches.

In the heavy clothing gel, the first round hit at a velocity of 1074fps with a penetration of 22 inches and expanded to .43 inches. Round two went to 20.75 inches, with a velocity of 1054fps and also expanded to .43 inches.

Out of the Nano, the first round in the bare gel had a velocity of 1015fps, penetrated to 19 inches and expanded to .45 inches. Round two’s velocity was 1038fps and went 18.5 inches in the gel and also expanded to .45 inches. The performance out of the Nano was very similar to the Sig.

jonnyc · May 18, 2018, 02:19 PM

Is the round perhaps a bit too heavy? I would be happier to see a bit less penetration and a bit more expansion.

2damnold4this · May 18, 2018, 03:06 PM

Thanks for the review

reteach · May 18, 2018, 04:46 PM

Yes, thank you, 5pins. Really appreciate you going to the trouble of running these tests and sharing the results.

Model12Win · May 18, 2018, 05:49 PM

Fantastic performance. The FBI chose this since it does so well through intermediary barriers like auto glass, wood, etc. Other rounds won't hold together and/or won't penetrate as well. This new FBI loading will reach the vitals even at off angles and differing materials in the way, yet still expands and doesn't over penetrate like ball.

May 16, 2018, 06:51 PM	#1
5pins Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1998 Location: WV Posts: 252	Hornady 9mm 135gr +P CD in Clear Ballistics Gel. Test Gun: Sig P229, Beretta Nano. Barrel length: 3.9, 3 inches. Ammunition: Hornady 9mm 135gr +P Critical Duty FTX. Test media: 10% Clear Ballistics Gel. Distance: 10 feet. Chronograph: PACT 1 XP with inferred sky screens. Five shot velocity average: 1070fps, 1018fps Gel Temperature 70 degrees. Back in November I tried out the Hornady 9mm 135gr Critical Duty standard velocity and came away disappointed with its performance in heavy clothing. So disappointed in fact I stopped the test after the first round in heavy clothing passed through both 16-inch blocks of clear gel. With the announcement that the FBI was adopting the +P version of this round, I decided to order a box and give a try. Out of the Sig P229, I got an average velocity of 1070fps with a high of 1096fps and a low of 1052. Hornady lists the velocity out of a 4-inch barrel at 1110fps so I was coming in just 40fps under that. This is a very shot shooting load and point of aim was spot on at 10 yards. It also shot point of aim out of the Beretta Nano but with the small sights, small grip, and long gritty trigger I just can’t shoot it as well as the Sig. the 5 shot average velocity was 1018fps with a high of 1026fps and a low of 1011fps. It was also a nice soft shooting round out of this small pistol. Out of the Sig, the first round in the bare gel had a velocity of 1060fps and penetrated to 19 inches with a recovered diameter of .46 inches. The second round impacted at 1054fps penetrated to 18.25 inches with an expansion of .45 inches. In the heavy clothing gel, the first round hit at a velocity of 1074fps with a penetration of 22 inches and expanded to .43 inches. Round two went to 20.75 inches, with a velocity of 1054fps and also expanded to .43 inches. Out of the Nano, the first round in the bare gel had a velocity of 1015fps, penetrated to 19 inches and expanded to .45 inches. Round two’s velocity was 1038fps and went 18.5 inches in the gel and also expanded to .45 inches. The performance out of the Nano was very similar to the Sig. __________________ www.general-cartridge.com

May 18, 2018, 02:19 PM	#2
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	Is the round perhaps a bit too heavy? I would be happier to see a bit less penetration and a bit more expansion. __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

May 18, 2018, 03:06 PM	#3
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	Thanks for the review

May 18, 2018, 04:46 PM	#4
reteach Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 379	Yes, thank you, 5pins. Really appreciate you going to the trouble of running these tests and sharing the results.

May 18, 2018, 05:49 PM	#5
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Fantastic performance. The FBI chose this since it does so well through intermediary barriers like auto glass, wood, etc. Other rounds won't hold together and/or won't penetrate as well. This new FBI loading will reach the vitals even at off angles and differing materials in the way, yet still expands and doesn't over penetrate like ball.