Change my mind about 9mm?

[Roundgunner]

I have never been a fan of 9mm but got this so the students in my class could get a feel for the deference in calibers of the compacts.

I found a lot of leading when I cleaned it last time so today I took it out to fire lap it to cut down on friction. I set up at 15 yards and just shot them thru.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/LC9TARGET_zpsfb8797fc.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/LC9TARGET_zpsfb8797fc.jpg.html)

I was pretty impressed when I went down to clean up. the little LC9 can shoot!

I don't think I ever shot it more than 10 times before today (it's not a S&W ya know) I will shoot it more soon. Maybe even put some time into load development. This was LEE 124 TL over 3 gr of Titegroup with 220, 320 & 600 lapping compound.

[Garyshome]

9mm is a good caliber!

[Mik]

9mm will get the job done as well as any of the other auto calibers. For SD, I'd try to stick with the 147 grain projectiles. Quality projectiles of that weight will penetrate just as well as quality projectiles in 40 and 45. Penetration is everything!

[Nobade]

Wow, that many firelap loads - what does the throat look like now?

-Nobade

[Roundgunner]

I do 6 of each grit. If I could see better I might be able to see the throat but for now I'll be happy if it does not collect lead.

[trails4u]

I'd say it depends on your purpose. My FIL has standardized his entire personal arsenal to 9mm...his reasoning based on a combination of performance and availability. His home defense pistol is loaded with 147 HPs, his primary carry with 147HPs, his backup carry with 124HPs and his home defense rifle with 124RN. Not my cup-o-tea...but when we have our marathon reloading sessions, his seem to go quicker than mine. :( While he's cranking 9mm with few changes in setup....I'm working .40, .380, and 5.56while he grins at me as I change from caliber to caliber......

[dubber123]

Wow, that many firelap loads - what does the throat look like now?

-Nobade

Probably good.. I put 100+ through the last Ruger I did, and it shrink groups at 50 yds. from 4+" to under 2" I have found firelapping to be a very slow process in the dozen or so guns I have tried it in so far.

[dubber123]

I do 6 of each grit. If I could see better I might be able to see the throat but for now I'll be happy if it does not collect lead.

It might be worth experimenting with boolit diameters. I have a few 9mm's I have shot cast in, the tightest one takes a .358" diameter boolit, one gets .359", (a Walther). I get no leading from them at all.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
There must be a reason lots of police use at least the caliber .40 and less use a 9mm.
I still think... Bigger holes are always better.
Mike in Peru

[Roundgunner]

I loaded them as cast just rolled in 45,45,10 lube. Just fast enough to make it run. I have done many classes with this load but got busy and did not clean it out until it had 200 + rounds thru it and the lead was sticking all the way down the tube. I hoot nothing but lead in all my guns so I will have to make this work too. Lapping is a good start.

[Moonie]

One of my sons has this pistol sans the laser. I currently have custody of it while he is in Afghanistan. I have shot PC 120TC boolits through it. It does shoot very accurately, I hate the long heavy trigger but I do shoot triggers like this well as I shot bowling pin competition many years ago with a 357 revolver.

The PC prevented any leading and the barrel looks great.

[dragonrider]

"Change my mind". Appears as though you have already done that.. I have two nines, Ruger P85, Browning High Power. The BHP is my nine of choice. May even sell the Ruger as I never use it. The BHP shoots well enough for me and leading has always been minimal. I size to .359" for it.

[Roundgunner]

These are water dropped wheel weight with some range lead mixed in. 130 gr at .359-.360

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/9mmmike_zps94765541.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/9mmmike_zps94765541.jpg.html)