The 9mm is the most popular handgun caliber in the country, more popular even than the .45 ACP and .40 S&W, both of which are in their own right, popular alternatives.
It stands to reason then, that since there have been so many new gun owners added to the mix over the past four years, many of them have purchased a 9mm handgun.
It also stands to reason that some of these new owners are still learning the ins and outs of ammo and bullet types.
It’s one thing to recognize that a firearm with a 9mm Luger chamber can only fire 9mm Luger ammunition, but another thing entirely to recognize the difference between all of the types of ammo that are out there.
So let’s take a look at three broad classes which are fairly popular – 9mm full metal jacket, wadcutter, and hollow point ammo.
9mm Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
One of the most common types of round out there for 9mm is 9mm full metal jacket, or FMJ.
Full metal jacket ammo is loaded with a bullet that has a lead core, and which is fully encapsulated by a jacket of a harder metal, typically a copper gilding metal.
Full metal jacket ammo is designed for maximum penetration and minimal deflection on contact with a target.
Full metal jacket ammo – not just 9mm full metal jacket – is also a generic type of ammo and therefore it is often much more affordable than alternatives like hollow point (see below).
As a result, this is the ammo of choice for high-volume target shooting, training, plinking, and in some instances, even competition.
Wadcutter Ammo (Flat Nose Ammo)
Some jacketed 9mm bullets have a flat nose – which is exactly what it sounds like and not jargon or a trick of the industry.
Also known as wadcutter ammo, flat-nose ammo is highly beneficial for some target shooters who desire precision accuracy and scoring from their ammo.
The thing about wadcutter ammo is that the round nose punches a clean, round hole in paper targets, with little to no tearing at the edges, making scoring much easier than it would be with plain, round nose FMJ.
Wadcutter ammo is, therefore, better in some instances for competition, but it is also more expensive so for general range time, regular FMJ is preferable.
Hollow Point Ammo (HP)
On the other end of the spectrum we have defensive ammunition, the most basic classes of which are loaded with hollow point, or HP, bullets.
Hollow point ammo is often jacketed like FMJ ammo, but unlike FMJ, it has a depression in the nose of the bullet. The jacket is also typically skived, or scored, forming weak points in the jacket.
When an HP bullet contacts a soft target, the skives in the jacket allow it to tear away, exposing the lead core and causing the bullet to expand, or disrupt. This creates a larger wound channel, releases all of the bullet’s energy, and helps prevent overpenetration.
It also makes hollow point ammo far more suitable for defensive applications and, in some situations, preferable for handgun hunting, too.
The only thing is that it is usually much more expensive than 9mm full metal jacket, so outside of routine training, it’s best to reserve it for its intended purpose.
Stock Up Online
Working with a local shop that’s a bit behind the times and still strapped by recent ammo shortages? Don’t let that put a damper on your burgeoning interest in the shooting sports. Get your ammo online at Bucking Horse Outpost.
They carry a wide range of popular calibers and 9mm is no exception. Plus, they have 9mm bulk ammo deals, along with weekly sales and police trade-in specials. Don’t miss a deal, visit them today.
