Do I need to worry about making Minor Power factor with factory 9mm?

[pjb45]

Generally, I cut out a hole in an older target and use it to impede muzzle blast. With minor it might not be a problem but with major loads, it is best to have a muzzle blast shield rather than relying on standing back farther.

You can go to various vendor website and typically they will tell you the velocity of their rounds. But as everyone knows, barrel lenght, type, etc can vary the velocity from the published velocity.

[Team Amish 1]

My question is why not shoot single stack minor? I mean if you are going to shoot minor, at least get the advantage of the extra rounds.

That's what I was hinting at. UNLESS... you REALLY want a huge magwell or a slideracker on your 1911.

[EkuJustice]

Have as big a magwell as they make for the 1911(techwell XT and still fits for single stack).

[ManNamedJed]

I imagine 124 or 147gr ammo would be most likely to comfortably make minor. Maybe pick up some of that before the big match?

[RePete]

I imagine 124 or 147gr ammo would be most likely to comfortably make minor. Maybe pick up some of that before the big match?

Not necessarily true. Get a box of each and chrono them to be sure.

[West Texas Granny]

UMC is pretty close but it depends on the gun- some barrels are faster than others. Don't ever assume....

<div><br></div><div>If you don't make MINOR- you don't get bumped to Open you get a DQ.</div>

No, you just shoot for no score or recognition. Definitely not a DQ.

Appdx C2 39

If the resultant power factor fails to meet the minimum power factor floor

for the relevant Division, the competitor may continue shooting the match,

but not for score or match recognition.

So this rule means that any ammo used be hand loaded?

[scooterj]

UMC is pretty close but it depends on the gun- some barrels are faster than others. Don't ever assume....

<div><br></div><div>If you don't make MINOR- you don't get bumped to Open you get a DQ.</div>

No, you just shoot for no score or recognition. Definitely not a DQ.

Appdx C2 39

If the resultant power factor fails to meet the minimum power factor floor

for the relevant Division, the competitor may continue shooting the match,

but not for score or match recognition.

So this rule means that any ammo used be hand loaded?

Only if factory ammo will not make minor power factor in your gun. Edited March 8, 2011 by scooterj

[The Antichrome]

I once went 123.8 in a major with Rem UMC.

[aztecdriver]

UMC is pretty close but it depends on the gun- some barrels are faster than others. Don't ever assume....

<div><br></div><div>If you don't make MINOR- you don't get bumped to Open you get a DQ.</div>

No, you just shoot for no score or recognition. Definitely not a DQ.

Appdx C2 39

If the resultant power factor fails to meet the minimum power factor floor

for the relevant Division, the competitor may continue shooting the match,

but not for score or match recognition.

So this rule means that any ammo used be hand loaded?

Actually, what it means that your ammo and gun combination must meet the required minimum power factor as you have declared when you sign up for the match, as measured by the chronograph procedure. The rules don't make a distinction as to hand load or factory - for the reason one could take reloads, pretty them up and stick them in factory boxes and claim "I'm shooting factory". They're both treated the same at the match.

Every competitor must validate their ammo shoots through their gun at the required power factor. What we are suggesting to everyone is don't make the assumption that just because it is factory produced ammunition that it will shoot the required power factor. Many will with room to spare, but it depends on the gun, length of barrel, the manufacturer's variances and whole host of factors down to the weather an even your altitude above sea level on how ammo will perform. It's best to validate your gun and ammo configuration with a chronograph than to make that assumption.

[beltjones]

I once went 123.8 in a major with Rem UMC.

Out of what?

[The Antichrome]

I once went 123.8 in a major with Rem UMC.

Out of what?

M&P 9mm (4.25")

A few days later, over a different chrono, ammo from the same box showed 132-134.

I recently chrono'd some UMC out of my CZ Shadow...128ish and the WWB went 136.

[Gailor]

I am making consistent 122/123 with an XD 9mm 4" using a couple different brands of factory 115 grains. I don't reload 9mm. Can someone suggest a hotter load? Any suggestions for a factory load (brand/weight) which might make it?

[aztecdriver]

I am making consistent 122/123 with an XD 9mm 4" using a couple different brands of factory 115 grains. I don't reload 9mm. Can someone suggest a hotter load? Any suggestions for a factory load (brand/weight) which might make it?

Try Atlanta Arms and Ammo 147gr. match.

[JasonS]

Out of curiousity I ran some 115 gr Remington UMC 9mm through a chrono today, while I was testing out some reloads.

String of 10 shots

Gen4 Glock 17:

Max PF = 127.53

Min PF = 124.08

STI 9mm Edge:

Max PF = 130.53

Min PF = 126.96

So it sure seems possible you could go below minor PF with low cost factory ammo.

-J

[aztecdriver]

Out of curiousity I ran some 115 gr Remington UMC 9mm through a chrono today, while I was testing out some reloads.

String of 10 shots

Gen4 Glock 17:

Max PF = 127.53

Min PF = 124.08

STI 9mm Edge:

Max PF = 130.53

Min PF = 126.96

So it sure seems possible you could go below minor PF with low cost factory ammo.

-J

And the obvious difference here is the Edge is 5" and the G17 4" - the numbers make sense.

[twodownzero]

G17 is something like 4.6". A Glock 19 has a 4" barrel.

[RePete]

Actually the numbers represent the type of barrel rifling.

[JasonS]

Rifling, and probably head space/chamber tolerances, would be my guess.

Edited April 1, 2011 by JasonS

[digby7]

ok, finally went and found a chrono to use and I think i'm safe with any of my ammunition.

Heres the results:

Temp: 66 degrees

Chrono setup: 5 feet away, slightly cloudy day

firearm: Wilson CQB 1911 9mm - 5 inch barrel

Magtech - 115gr

1117 128.46

1178 135.47

1164 133.86

1141 131.22

1190 136.85

1183 136.05

1161 133.52

1184 136.16

1131 130.07

1136 130.64

1166 134.09

1183 136.05

1172 134.78

Federal - 115gr

1133 130.30

1119 128.69

1128 129.72

1103 126.85

1141 131.22

1136 130.64

1121 128.92

1138 130.87

1106 127.19

1106 127.19

1142 131.33

1095 125.93

1107 127.31

[JasonS]

This is kind of off subject, but just out of curiousity, as I've been wondering this about my own reloads. How much above minimum power factor should you really be aiming for, in tuning. That 125.93, seems like it could be cutting it close.

Federal - 115gr

1133 130.30

1119 128.69

1128 129.72

1103 126.85

1141 131.22

1136 130.64

1121 128.92

1138 130.87

1106 127.19

1106 127.19

1142 131.33

1095 125.931107 127.31

[digby7]

i'll probably go with the magtech. I think for local matches most people here go for just barely over, but at major matches its +5 at least

[aztecdriver]

Actually the numbers represent the type of barrel rifling.

Really. So I guess the .51 inch difference in length means nothing. In that case i assume the approx .8 inch difference from the 17 to the 34 will shoot the same ammo the same velocity. It's the same rifling and headspacing?

[aztecdriver]

G17 is something like 4.6". A Glock 19 has a 4" barrel.

4.49. I was rounding. I was just trying to make the point that barrel length matters in pressure velocity etc

[RePete]

Actually the numbers represent the type of barrel rifling.

Really. So I guess the .51 inch difference in length means nothing. In that case i assume the approx .8 inch difference from the 17 to the 34 will shoot the same ammo the same velocity. It's the same rifling and headspacing?

Not really enough to worry about.

[Gailor]

I'm just a regular guy with no credentials that should make people listen to me but I think barrel length is the most important factor. Everything has a little impact but barrel length is primary. This is why people make 135 with 115 gr. 9mm out of a 5" while I only make 123 something out of my 4". This is what my research has come up with.