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In another thread I stated that I received my new EMP (9mm) and hand cycled some FMJ thru it with no problems. I then tried to hand cycle some JHP Corbon's +P (#1 in Picture) and could not get even one to feed. They would nose dive on the feed ramp from all three mags.

One of our fine forum members (thanks foo.c) asked me what JHP I was trying and suggested I try Speer Gold Dots.
Today I received some 124gr Speer GDHP's (#2 in picture) and although I cannot try them right now (my slide is at Trijicon for lamp replacement) I think I can visually see why the Corbon's would not feed.

I have included a American Eagle 124gr FMJ (#3 in picture) that cycled fine (by hand) for comparison.

You can see that the Corbon (#1) is considerably shorter than the Gold Dot (#2). And that the Gold Dot is closer to the physical size of the American Eagle FMJ (#3).

So, I think that the reason for the failure to feed with the Corbon is directly due to the round being physically shorter.

I know that the EMP needs a break in of 200-300-400 rounds of FMJ before running any JHP (per Springfield) and I intend to do exactly that. But when I am ready for the test of the JHP's I will try the Gold Dots first (and expect them to work fine) and then try the Corbon again. I expect that the Corbon MAY actually feed after the required break in, but, that is yet to be determined.

I will post a range report of the 3 different rounds in this thread once I get my slide back from Trijicon.

I am posting this info and picture to show why I believe the Corbon (and possibly other manufacturers) shorter JHP's may not feed reliably in the EMP.

Anyone with further info, please feel free to add to this thread.

The bottom line for me at the moment (the way I am thinking now) is that the JHP round you choose for SD should be the same overall length as a standard 9mm FMJ.

I ran in to a similar issue with JHP's in my 1911 (Springfield 1911-A1). I was told that the 1911 was basically designed for FMJ ammo, so this is a common problem. One suggestion I got was to try some of the JHP that had some kind of 'fill' in the cavity (sorry for the lack of terminology...I have no idea what it's called) like the Corbon PowR Ball or Hornady Critical Defense.

I found that those worked...but after I put about 500 rounds through it, I tried Hornady TAPs and they fed with no issues.

I know it's not a lot of info, but I figured I'd throw this out there...

Unfortunately, there is no other type of magazine available for the EMP.

But your suggestion of the feed lips is a good one and those on the EMP Mags can be "adjusted". However, the problem I had in hand cycling was not "releasing the rear of the cartridge earlier, allowing it to pivot upwards sooner in the feeding-cycle".

My problem was that the Corbon shorter OAL round was nose diving into the feed ramp of the EMP barrel.

AndyC wrote:Then the lips in that case are bent outward too early for that particular type of ammo; it sounds like the rear of the cartridge would need to be kept in place for a bit longer in the feeding cycle in order to maintain the correct angle for as long as possible.

However, it sounds like a moot point in that particular case if there are no other options for magazines, which is a pity - but it is what it is and the decision to go for ammo with a longer OAL is about all you could practically do.

When all else fails and only FMJ will feed there are options - - - CorBon Powr'ball, Hornady Critical Defense, Federal EFMJ or just about any JHP from Remington. Remington's JHP rounds have the reputation of feeding in all but the most problematic pistols. The ogive of the Remington Bullet is rounded all the way to the cavity. Golden Saber is Remington's premium offering and has a quiet but stellar reputation.

Coincidently, the Remington Golden Sabers were about the ONLY round my 10mm Glock 29 would not reliably feed.

That Corbon round looks like it may use the Hornady XTP bullet based on your picture. I could not get that bullet to feed reliably at any COL I tried in my EMP. The combo just did not work for me.

Gold Dots run great though. BTW, they make a 9mm Gold Dot specifically for short barreled guns like the EMP has, but I haven't actually tried it myself.

Thanks again.
The Gold Dot 124gr GDHP is what I am going to try when I get the slide back. It was about 27.00 in a 50 round box.

They also make a Gold Dot 124gr +P in 50 round box with P/N 53617 but they are hard to find since the recall of some of their ammo. This recalled ammo was released to various ammo houses that sell it but it is listed as "relisted" & "not for LE" or something like that. It was pulled by Speer due to some primer failures and they decided to scrap many lots and make it known to LE agency's in a pro action manner to keep their base of LE buyers.

I will probably end up running with the GD 124gr GDHP until the 50 round boxes of the GD 124gr +P GDHP become available again. In most circles the GD 124gr +P GDHP round is considered to be the best available (of any brands).

This all hinges on the range test when the slide comes back.

foo.c wrote:That Corbon round looks like it may use the Hornady XTP bullet based on your picture. I could not get that bullet to feed reliably at any COL I tried in my EMP. The combo just did not work for me.

Gold Dots run great though. BTW, they make a 9mm Gold Dot specifically for short barreled guns like the EMP has, but I haven't actually tried it myself.

The Corbon DPX round uses the Barnes "X-Bullet" bullet. http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/pistol/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

mkosmo wrote:

foo.c wrote:That Corbon round looks like it may use the Hornady XTP bullet based on your picture. I could not get that bullet to feed reliably at any COL I tried in my EMP. The combo just did not work for me.

Gold Dots run great though. BTW, they make a 9mm Gold Dot specifically for short barreled guns like the EMP has, but I haven't actually tried it myself.

The Corbon DPX round uses the Barnes "X-Bullet" bullet. http://www.barnesbullets.com/products/pistol/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ah, ok. The profiles are similar though.