9MM Ballistics

9mm Ammo Ballistics: The Ultimate Guide with Charts

The 9mm Parabellum—known to most as just “9mm”—is the king of handgun rounds. Born in 1902 from the mind of Georg Luger, this cartridge has spent over a century proving its worth in police holsters, concealed carry rigs, and range bags worldwide. But what makes it tick? Ballistics—the science of how bullets fly and hit—holds the answer. In this guide, we’re unpacking 9mm ammo’s velocity, energy, and penetration with two crystal-clear charts. Whether you’re a newbie shooter or a seasoned pro, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what this round can do.

Breaking Down 9mm Ballistics

Ballistics isn’t just nerdy jargon; it’s the story of a bullet’s journey. For 9mm, that story unfolds in three acts: muzzle velocity (how fast it leaves the gun), kinetic energy (the punch it packs), and penetration (how deep it digs into a target). Most 9mm bullets weigh between 115 and 147 grains, and each weight tells a different tale. Lighter rounds zip faster; heavier ones hit harder over distance. Let’s dive into the numbers with our first chart, which lays out velocity and energy like a roadmap.

Chart 1: Velocity and Energy Breakdown

Here’s where the rubber meets the road—or rather, the bullet meets the barrel. This chart shows how popular 9mm loads perform straight out of a 4-inch barrel, a common length for handguns like the Glock 19. Study this closely—it’s your cheat sheet for picking ammo that matches your needs.

Bullet Weight (grains)	Type	Muzzle Velocity (fps)	Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs)	Drop at 50 Yards (in)
115	FMJ	1,200	370	-1.5
124	FMJ	1,150	364	-1.7
147	FMJ	990	320	-2.0
115	JHP	1,180	355	-1.6

The 115-grain FMJ screams out at 1,200 feet per second (fps), delivering 370 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) of energy—perfect for snappy range fun. Compare that to the 147-grain FMJ, which lumbers at 990 fps but keeps a steady 320 ft-lbs, ideal for subsonic loads with a suppressor. The jacketed hollow point (JHP) at 115 grains splits the difference, blending speed and expansion for self-defense. Bullet drop stays tight, under 2 inches at 50 yards, so your aim won’t need much tweaking at typical ranges.

Chart 2: Penetration Power

Velocity and energy set the stage, but penetration steals the show—especially for defensive shooters. This next chart reveals how deep 9mm rounds go in ballistic gelatin, a standard test mimicking human tissue. This is the data that matters when lives are on the line.

Bullet Weight (grains)	Type	Penetration (inches)	Expansion (inches)
115	FMJ	18-20	None
124	JHP	12-14	0.55-0.60
147	JHP	14-16	0.50-0.55
115	+P JHP	11-13	0.60-0.65

The 115-grain FMJ plows through 18-20 inches—overkill for self-defense, as it doesn’t expand. Meanwhile, the 124-grain JHP hits the FBI’s sweet spot of 12-18 inches, expanding to nearly 0.6 inches to maximize stopping power. The heavier 147-grain JHP digs 14-16 inches, with slightly less expansion, while the +P 115-grain JHP ramps up velocity for a tight 11-13 inches and wider wound channels. These numbers explain why agencies like the FBI trust 9mm JHPs—they balance penetration and expansion perfectly.

What Affects 9mm Performance?

Ballistics aren’t set in stone. Barrel length tweaks the tale—a 3-inch subcompact drops velocity by 50-100 fps compared to a 5-inch duty gun. Temperature matters too; cold ammo lags a bit, while hot climates juice it up. Then there’s the +P factor—higher pressure for extra oomph, but only if your pistol’s rated for it. Even bullet design (FMJ vs. JHP) shifts the outcome, as our charts show.

Why It All Matters

So, why obsess over these details? Because 9mm’s versatility shines through its ballistics. At the range, cheap 115-grain FMJ keeps you shooting without breaking the bank. For concealed carry, a 124-grain JHP offers proven stopping power. Suppressors love the 147-grain subsonic loads. Those charts? They’re your playbook—use them to match ammo to your gun, your skills, and your mission. From backyard plinking to high-stakes defense, 9mm delivers, and now you know exactly how.