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I've found some Fiocchi Extrema ammo on-line that looks good on paper (loaded with Hornady XTP bullets; velocity & energy comperable to other brands) and the price is right. Before I start ordering (and yes, it is back ordered), I want to check/get some opinions of specifics. If anyone is intrested, here is the ballistic info: http://www.fiocchiusa.com/cat_centerfire.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

First, I have an M&P9 and am working on tracking down a Kel Tec PF9. While the KT can shoot +P in small amounts, I want to stick with standard pressure stuff for both guns - easier to keep one thing in stock than mix & match. In 9mm, they offer 115 XTP and 147 XTP.
Questions:
I know that years ago, the FBI said the 147 to be the preferable round. Is that still true?
I read - somewhere - that older PF9s (and, I think, P11s) had issues feeding 147 gr bullets. ANyone confirm or refute that?

Second, I'm also wanting to feed my Springer Loaded 1911. Again, looking at the Fiocchi, they only have one loading and thats a 200 gr XTP.
Questions:
I assume my 1911 is factory sighted for 230 ball. How much change in trajectory will I experience at, say, 15 yards? Is it severe enough that I should stay away from the 200gr ammo? [Edit to add: checking their velocity tables, the 200gr is only about 50fps faster than their non-XTP 230 grain bullet. I would wager that there can be +25fps variance between rounds. This may not be as big a deal as I first thought, huh?]

Finally, their .38 Special loaded with the XTP only cranks out about 850 fps. What do you think of XTPs running that "slow?" Be better off finding another brand of +P out of my SP101 (it'll shoot magnums, of course, but there are times when magnum ammo is not wanted)?

I appreciate the collective wisdom of the board...

Q

Edited...

For the .38 spl, I've read good reports about Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel (pn:23921). I'm looking for some for my new S&W 442.
From what I have read the Speer Gold Dot, Winchester Ranger, Remington Golden Saber seem to be widely used by law enforcement agencies. I've read alot about Cor-Bon also, but not about LEOs using it.

I feel safe with any of the ones I mentioned. I use Speer GD as my first choice. I like the fact that they have developed the 'Short Barrel' loads and the GD bullet design has a good reputation.

Fiocchi, MagTech, Aguila, Buffalo Bore, Double Tap, Hornady, Black Hills, they are all doing it too. Speer still gets my vote.

The FBI and 147gr. 9mm? Not many 147gr. loads available. The 115gr. and 124gr. seem to be the most widely used. The FBI was big on the 10mm too. I think they have too much time to sit around and think about stuff.

If you are toten a 45acp because it's big, why not go with the 230gr bullet, it's bigger. The Speer GD SB load for a 45acp uses a 230 gr. bullet for the 'small guns'.

For the Kel-Tec, http://www.KTOG.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has lots of info on Kel-Tecs. I seem to remember discussions of problems with 147gr. bullets and P11s. I have a P11 and I use Speer GD 124gr. in it.

I've read good things about Fiocchi FMJ over the years when it was comming from Italy. I've shot the Italian 32acp fmj without problems.(KT P32). I don't know anything about the ammo they are producing here in the USA.

A number of people suggest using the same ammo the cops use. Sounds reasonable to me.

Regards, OE

The FBI and anyone else who used it was sorely disappointed in the 147gr stuff. If I recall correctly, they were using that in the Miami shootout that led to their search for a better round. I don't think any law enforcement agencies are using 147gr 9mm any more.

Let me try to tackle all those questions. First the Fiocchi ammo has no track record and the XTP bullet has a less than stellar reputation on the street. You and only you can decide what your life is worth. The problems with the old 147 gr 9mm loads was due to the loads being subsonic and the bullets would not expand reliably. Modern 147s will do the job, the Federal 9mm 147gr HST +p load is a really potent and effective loading. Bullets are designed for velocity envelopes if the .38 load you are interested in is using a bullet designed for that velocity it should do well. In a snubby, I would opt for a +P load with a 125-135 gr jacketed bullet or the 158 grain SWCLHP. .45 ACP 200 grain loads are very effective and I doubt you would notice a difference in point of impact.

Now to answer what to carry, carry what functions in your gun and you have confidence in. I carry ammunition by Federal, Speer, Winchester, and Remington depending on caliber and gun. I wouldn't have any qualms using Cor Bon, (especially DPX) Black Hills, Buffalo Bore or, Georgia Arms.

I use Speer gold dot (124gr +P), but I wouldn't discount the 147gr. The 147gr I believe was developed because the 115gr was involved in the FBI Miami shootout.

Additional info here:
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/9mm_ ... ection.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://concealedcarryforum.com/forum/to ... C_ID=10909" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defen ... /index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://frag.110mb.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some opinion in favor of the 147gr:
http://concealedcarryforum.com/forum/to ... IC_ID=6132" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;