Speer 9mm 124gr GDHP v 124gr +P GDHP

[DocCasualty]

I have been keeping an eye out for the +P variety to try out based on it being in the recommended SD list but haven't been able to obtain any. I started to wonder how the standard pressure 124gr GDHP compared and finally found what is purported to be FBI tests here http://demigodllc.com/~zak/firearms/fbi-pistol.php Curiously there are two sets of 124 gr GD and 124 gr GD +P data listed there. The second set shows the non +P variety meeting the 12"-18" penetration criteria for bare gel and cloth covered, while the first set fails. Does anybody know if these were done at different times reflecting possibly a different bullet construction? Or is this just the randomness of testing? Doc?

[Fail-Safe]

Dr Roberts:

We compared the 9 mm Gold Dot 124 gr standard pressure to the 124 gr +P out of a Glock 17:

9 mm 124 gr JHP Gold Dot 53618 (lot# F08H33), gel calib= 9.5 cm @ 605 f/s
Bare Gelatin--vel=1144, pen=13.0, RD=0.62, RL=0.32, RW=125.5
4 layers of Denim-- vel=1153, pen=16.6, RD=0.51, RL=0.43, RW=125.2

9 mm 124 gr +P JHP Gold Dot 53617 (lot# B03J35), gel calib= 9.0 cm @ 596 f/s
Bare Gelatin--vel=1225, pen=12.0, RD=0.67, RL=0.30, RW=124.2
4 layers of Denim--vel=1239, pen=13.0, RD=0.54, RL=0.39, RW=124.5

Both of these loads offer acceptable performance, although the 124 gr +P has a slight edge.

...........

[TheLefty]

I can't help with your actual question, but I've been keeping an eye out for some myself, and it looks like SGAmmo just got some:

http://www.sgammo.com/product/9mm-9x...e-hollow-point

[DocCasualty]

Thanks for that corroborating info, Fail-Safe. I tried to Google this but my Fu isn't working for me. I was guessing this had been discussed somewhere previously and I just couldn't find it. I'm still wondering if the other set of "off" figures was a different/older GD bullet design, as the standard pressure underpenetrated bare gel and overpenetrated the denim covered gel.

And thanks Lefty for the link!

[tpd223]

The earlier versions of the 124gr Gold Dot expended very little and penetrated a great deal.

We had a couple of OISs where we talked to Speer about the bullets due to minimal expansion and what we felt was a dangerous level of over-penetration, I'm pretty sure with that and other feedback they tweaked the bullet design.

The older vs newer bullets have a noticeable change in the meplat and hollow point.

My agency was one of the very fist to start using this ammo.

[DocCasualty]

The earlier versions of the 124gr Gold Dot expended very little and penetrated a great deal.

Thanks for validating that. Too bad that data list I found didn't include dates of the tests or some footnotes indicating design changes. Sounds like Speer came up with a real winner here to perform so similarly at different velocities and under differing circumstances.

I keep searching but have yet to find compiled listings here on M4C of how the different cartridges perform with various barriers, etc. Is there a sticky somewhere besides Dr. R's SD/Duty list?

[Pardoner]

I tend to end up using Georgia Arms 124 +P gold dots. They are pretty reasonable at $27.50 for 50.

I normally try to get at least one bag every time I am at the big gun show down here.

[Fail-Safe]

Georgia Arms, meh. In the .38Super and 7.62x39 ammo I had, the velocities were very low. Sometimes the 7.62x39 stuff barely broke 2,000fps.

[tpd223]

I would definitely stick to Speer factory ammo for defensive use with the Gold Dot bullets.

[Ak44]

I tend to end up using Georgia Arms 124 +P gold dots. They are pretty reasonable at $27.50 for 50.

I normally try to get at least one bag every time I am at the big gun show down here.

$27.50 is close to what Factory Speer +P Gold Dots cost...why not just spend the extra buck and get the real deal?