What grain of ammo?

[Dragonfly]

I have been wondering about what weight of ammo I should use in my 9 mm SA. Price difference between 115 gr and 124 gr is not all that much for FMJ. What are the Pros and Cons in switching between the two? Now to make more confusing, I am looking to add 40 cal maybe XD or Glock 22. So now I have access to 155, 165 and 180 gr rounds, is 180 to powerful or maybe even noticeably shorten the barrel life cycle.

[Bob]

I may not be correct but I don't see how the 180 gr could harm the barrel or shorten the life of it.

In a 9MM I shoot 115, 124, and even 135 gr hydra shok with no noticeable problems.

In a 1911 I shoot 230 fmj all the time and have for years and I have yet to replace a barrel, the accuracy is consistant with when it was new. There have been many, many, rounds put through that 1911, I can't honestly tell you how many.

I think proper cleaning is the most important thing.

[OakRidgeStars]

There's no difference in the weight of the bullet when it comes to wear on the gun. A 230 grain bullet will expand more and penetrate further than a 185 grain bullet would. The gun doesn't care as long as the round is compatible with the chamber.

[allingeneral]

Bullet weight could have an effect on accuracy. For instance, if you usually visit the range with 105gr rounds and you fire 100 of them each time out, but you carry 180 grain rounds and find yourself needing to use them, the difference in recoil, muzzle velocity and pressure may affect the aim point and accuracy.

That said, I would suggest practicing with similarly weighted rounds as what you carry. Other than that, I agree with what OakRidge says - no worries about wearing of the bore.

[Moccasin]

Heavier bullets tend to drop quicker and have more drop than lighter bullets, changing the point of impact in a given gun/zero. In a handgun I don't think it would have much of an effect, with a rifle at longer ranges it could have a big effect. The 155 gr .40 S&W drops .8 inches at 50 yards, the 180 gr .40 S&W drops 1.3 inches at 50 yards (Speer data, 4 inch barrel, sighted for 25 yards). I can't see it being a problem, what's the chances you will be shooting 50 yards or more from a handgun? And like the other have said, different weights won't harm your barrel.

[fiasconva]

Every gun is different. You should carry whatever load is the most reliable and accurate in your firearm. What shoots best in your gun may be completely different from another gun even if it's the same model. Try several loads and find out which one is best for you.

[Blaidd]

I know that in my S&W model 19-3 (.357 mag), I won't load up hot rounds under 158gr. There is a bit of rumor that (I have not personally seen it) where a hot loaded 125gr diet through older S&W K frame model 19's will cause cracking of the forcing cone. More than likely, I could shoot as much of them as I like and never see the problem but why take the chance. As for 9mm or .44 mag, my 9mm eats up the 124gr and my .44 mag loves anything up to 300gr (even though I don't).