9mm Ballistics From Every Popular Ammunition Manufacturer

Congrats! You’ve discovered our in-depth look at 9mm ballistics from all the popular ammo manufacturers.

Save time by clicking the links below to jump to your preferred ammo company and find the ballistics data you need for your favorite factory 9mm loads.

9mm Ballistics Charts

Jump to an ammo company: Barnes | Black Hills | Blazer | Federal | Fiocchi | Hornady | Magtech | PMC | Prvi Partizan (PPU) | Remington | Sellier & Bellot | Sig Sauer | Speer | Winchester

Barnes Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Barnes Defense TAC-XPD 9mm 115 grain SCHP | Barnes Defense TAC-XPD 9mm +P 115 grain | Barnes VOR-TX 9mm 115 grain XPB

Barnes Defense TAC-XPD 9mm 115 grain SCHP Ballistics Chart

Barnes Defense TAC-XPD 9mm +P 115 grain Ballistics Chart

Barnes VOR-TX 9mm 115 grain XPB Ballistics Chart

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Black Hills Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Black Hills 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Black Hills 9mm +P 115 grain JHP | Black Hills 9mm 124 grain JHP | Black Hills 9mm +P 124 grain JHP | Black Hills Barnes TAC-XP 9mm +P 115 grain | Black Hills Extra Power 9mm 115 grain HP

Black Hills 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Black Hills 9mm +P 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Black Hills 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Black Hills 9mm +P 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Black Hills Barnes TAC-XP 9mm +P 115 grain Ballistics Chart

Black Hills Extra Power 9mm 115 grain HP Ballistics Chart

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Blazer Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Blazer Aluminum 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Blazer Brass 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Blazer Brass 9mm 124 grain FMJ | Blazer Brass 9mm 147 grain FMJ | Blazer Clean-Fire 9mm 124 grain TMJ | Blazer Clean-Fire 9mm 147 grain TMJ

Blazer Aluminum 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Blazer Brass 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Blazer Brass 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Blazer Brass 9mm 147 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Blazer Clean-Fire 9mm 124 grain TMJ Ballistics Chart

Blazer Clean-Fire 9mm 147 grain TMJ Ballistics Chart

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Federal Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Federal American Eagle 9mm 70 grain Lead-Free IRT | Federal American Eagle 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Federal American Eagle 9mm 124 grain FMJ | Federal American Eagle 9mm 147 grain FMJ | Federal American Eagle IRT 9mm 124 grain FMJ | Federal American Eagle IRT 9mm 147 grain FMJ | Federal Champion Training 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Federal Gold Medal Action Pistol 9mm 147 grain TMJ FN | Federal Personal Defense HST 9mm 124 grain JHP | Federal Personal Defense HST 9mm +P 124 grain JHP | Federal Personal Defense HST 9mm 147 grain JHP | Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok 9mm 124 grain JHP | Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok Deep 9mm 135 grain JHP | Federal Personal Defense Punch 9mm 124 grain JHP | Federal Syntech Action Pistol 9mm 150 grain Syntech Jacketed FN | Federal Syntech Defense 9mm 138 grain SHP | Federal Syntech PCC 9mm 130 grain Syntech Jacketed FN | Federal Syntech Range 9mm 115 grain Syntech Jacketed FN | Federal Syntech Range 9mm 124 grain Syntech Jacketed FN | Federal Syntech Solid Core 9mm +P 147 grain | Federal Syntech Training Match 9mm 124 grain Syntech Jacketed FN | Federal Syntech Training Match 9mm 147 grain Jacketed FN | Federal Train + Protect 9mm 115 grain JHP

Federal American Eagle 9mm 70 grain Lead-Free IRT Ballistics Chart

Federal American Eagle 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Federal American Eagle 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Federal American Eagle 9mm 147 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Federal American Eagle IRT 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Federal American Eagle IRT 9mm 147 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Federal Champion Training 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Federal Gold Medal Action Pistol 9mm 147 grain TMJ FN Ballistics Chart

Federal Personal Defense HST 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Federal Personal Defense HST 9mm +P 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Federal Personal Defense HST 9mm 147 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok Deep 9mm 135 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Federal Personal Defense Punch 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Federal Syntech Action Pistol 9mm 150 grain Syntech Jacketed FN Ballistics Chart

Federal Syntech Defense 9mm 138 grain SHP Ballistics Chart

Federal Syntech PCC 9mm 130 grain Syntech Jacketed FN Ballistics Chart

Federal Syntech Range 9mm 115 grain Syntech Jacketed FN Ballistics Chart

Federal Syntech Range 9mm 124 grain Syntech Jacketed FN Ballistics Chart

Federal Syntech Solid Core 9mm +P 147 grain Ballistics Chart

Federal Syntech Training Match 9mm 124 grain Syntech Jacketed FN Ballistics Chart

Federal Syntech Training Match 9mm 147 grain Jacketed FN Ballistics Chart

Federal Train + Protect 9mm 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

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Fiocchi Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 9mm 115 grain JHP | Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 9mm 124 grain JHP | Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 9mm 147 grain JHP | Fiocchi Hyperdefense 9mm 147 grain XTP | Fiocchi Hyperformance Defense 9mm 115 grain XTP | Fiocchi Hyperformance Defense 9mm 124 grain XTP | Fiocchi Range Dynamics 9mm 100 grain Lead-Free Frangible | Fiocchi Range Dynamics 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Fiocchi Range Dynamics 9mm 124 grain FMJ | Fiocchi Range Dynamics 9mm 147 grain FMJ | Fiocchi Range Dynamics 9mm 158 grain FMJ

Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 9mm 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 9mm 147 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Fiocchi Hyperdefense 9mm 147 grain XTP Ballistics Chart

Fiocchi Hyperformance Defense 9mm 115 grain XTP Ballistics Chart

Fiocchi Hyperformance Defense 9mm 124 grain XTP Ballistics Chart

Fiocchi Range Dynamics 9mm 100 grain Lead-Free Frangible Ballistics Chart

Fiocchi Range Dynamics 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Fiocchi Range Dynamics 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Fiocchi Range Dynamics 9mm 147 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Fiocchi Range Dynamics 9mm 158 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

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Hornady Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Hornady 9mm 147 grain XTP | Hornady American Gunner 9mm 115 grain XTP | Hornady Black 9mm 115 grain XTP | Hornady Black 9mm 124 grain XTP | Hornady Critical Defense Lite 9mm 100 grain FTX | Hornady Critical Defense 9mm 115 grain FTX | Hornady Critical Duty 9mm +P 124 grain FlexLock | Hornady Critical Duty 9mm 135 grain FlexLock | Hornady Custom 9mm 124 grain XTP | Hornady Custom 9mm 147 grain XTP

Hornady 9mm 147 grain XTP Ballistics Chart

Hornady American Gunner 9mm 115 grain XTP Ballistics Chart

Hornady Black 9mm 115 grain XTP Ballistics Chart

Hornady Black 9mm 124 grain XTP Ballistics Chart

Hornady Critical Defense Lite 9mm 100 grain FTX Ballistics Chart

Hornady Critical Defense 9mm 115 grain FTX Ballistics Chart

Hornady Critical Duty 9mm +P 124 grain FlexLock Ballistics Chart

Hornady Critical Duty 9mm 135 grain FlexLock Ballistics Chart

Hornady Custom 9mm 124 grain XTP Ballistics Chart

Hornady Custom 9mm 147 grain XTP Ballistics Chart

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Magtech Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Magtech 9mm 95 grain JSP Flat | Magtech 9mm 115 grain FEB | Magtech 9mm 124 grain FEB | Magtech 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Magtech 9mm 124 grain FMJ | Magtech 9mm NATO 124 grain FMJ | Magtech 9mm 147 grain FMJ Flat | Magtech 9mm 115 grain JHP | Magtech 9mm +P+ 115 grain JHP | Magtech 9mm 124 grain Bonded JHP | Magtech 9mm +P 124 grain Bonded JHP | Magtech 9mm 147 grain JHP | Magtech 9mm 147 grain Bonded JHP | Magtech 9mm +P 147 grain Bonded JHP | Magtech 9mm 124 grain JSP | Magtech 9mm 124 grain LRN | Magtech Guardian Gold 9mm +P 115 grain JHP | Magtech Guardian Gold 9mm 124 grain JHP | Magtech Steel 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Magtech Steel 9mm 124 grain FMJ

Magtech 9mm 95 grain JSP Flat Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm 115 grain FEB Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm 124 grain FEB Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm NATO 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm 147 grain FMJ Flat Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm +P+ 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm 124 grain Bonded JHP Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm +P 124 grain Bonded JHP Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm 147 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm 147 grain Bonded JHP Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm +P 147 grain Bonded JHP Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm 124 grain JSP Ballistics Chart

Magtech 9mm 124 grain LRN Ballistics Chart

Magtech Guardian Gold 9mm +P 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Magtech Guardian Gold 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Magtech Steel 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Magtech Steel 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

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PMC Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: PMC Bronze 9mm 115 grain FMJ | PMC Bronze 9mm 124 grain FMJ | PMC Bronze 9mm 115 grain JHP | PMC eRange 9mm 115 grain EMJ NT | PMC eRange 9mm 124 grain EMJ NT | PMC SFX 9mm 124 grain JHP

PMC Bronze 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

PMC Bronze 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

PMC Bronze 9mm 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

PMC eRange 9mm 115 grain EMJ NT Ballistics Chart

PMC eRange 9mm 124 grain EMJ NT Ballistics Chart

PMC SFX 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

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Prvi Partizan (PPU) Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Prvi Partizan 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Prvi Partizan 9mm 124 grain FMJ | Prvi Partizan Defense 9mm 115 grain JHP | Prvi Partizan Defense 9mm 147 grain JHP | Prvi Partizan Rangemaster 9mm 124 grain FMJ | Prvi Partizan Subsonic 9mm 158 grain FMJ

Prvi Partizan 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Prvi Partizan 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Prvi Partizan Defense 9mm 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Prvi Partizan Defense 9mm 147 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Prvi Partizan Rangemaster 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Prvi Partizan Subsonic 9mm 158 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

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Remington Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Remington 9mm 147 grain FNEB | Remington Golden Saber Bonded 9mm 124 grain JHP | Remington Golden Saber Bonded 9mm 147 grain JHP | Remington Golden Saber Defense 9mm 124 grain JHP | Remington Golden Saber Defense 9mm +P 124 grain JHP | Remington Golden Saber Defense 9mm 147 grain JHP | Remington Golden Saber Defense Compact 9mm 124 grain JHP | Remington HTP 9mm 115 grain JHP | Remington HTP 9mm +P 115 grain JHP | Remington HTP 9mm 147 grain JHP | Remington Range 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Remington Range Clean 9mm 115 grain FNEB | Remington UMC 9mm 115 grain JHP | Remington UMC 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Remington UMC 9mm 124 grain FMJ | Remington UMC 9mm 147 grain FMJ

Remington 9mm 147 grain FNEB Ballistics Chart

Remington Golden Saber Bonded 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Remington Golden Saber Bonded 9mm 147 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Remington Golden Saber Defense 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Remington Golden Saber Defense 9mm +P 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Remington Golden Saber Defense 9mm 147 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Remington Golden Saber Defense Compact 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Remington HTP 9mm 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Remington HTP 9mm +P 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Remington HTP 9mm 147 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Remington Range 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Remington Range Clean 9mm 115 grain FNEB Ballistics Chart

Remington UMC 9mm 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Remington UMC 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Remington UMC 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Remington UMC 9mm 147 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

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Sellier & Bellot Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Sellier & Bellot 9mm 100 grain SCHP | Sellier & Bellot 9mm 100 grain SJSP | Sellier & Bellot 9mm 124 grain SJSP | Sellier & Bellot 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Sellier & Bellot 9mm 124 grain FMJ | Sellier & Bellot 9mm 115 grain JHP | Sellier & Bellot 9mm 124 grain JHP | Sellier & Bellot NonTox 9mm 91 grain FMJ-Zinc

Sellier & Bellot 9mm 100 grain SCHP Ballistics Chart

Sellier & Bellot 9mm 100 grain SJSP Ballistics Chart

Sellier & Bellot 9mm 124 grain SJSP Ballistics Chart

Sellier & Bellot 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Sellier & Bellot 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Sellier & Bellot 9mm 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Sellier & Bellot 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Sellier & Bellot NonTox 9mm 91 grain FMJ-Zinc Ballistics Chart

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Sig Sauer Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Sig Sauer 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Sig Sauer 9mm 124 grain FMJ | Sig Sauer 9mm 147 grain FMJ | Sig Sauer Elite Defense 9mm 115 grain V-Crown JHP | Sig Sauer Elite Defense 9mm 124 grain V-Crown JHP | Sig Sauer Elite Defense 9mm 147 grain V-Crown JHP | Sig Match Elite 9mm 115 grain V-Crown JHP | Sig 365 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Sig 365 9mm 115 grain V-Crown JHP | Sig Sauer Rose 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Sig Sauer Rose 9mm 115 grain V-Crown JHP

Sig Sauer 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Sig Sauer 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Sig Sauer 9mm 147 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Sig Sauer Elite Defense 9mm 115 grain V-Crown JHP Ballistics Chart

Sig Sauer Elite Defense 9mm 124 grain V-Crown JHP Ballistics Chart

Sig Sauer Elite Defense 9mm 147 grain V-Crown JHP Ballistics Chart

Sig Match Elite 9mm 115 grain V-Crown JHP Ballistics Chart

Sig 365 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Sig 365 9mm 115 grain V-Crown JHP Ballistics Chart

Sig Sauer Rose 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Sig Sauer Rose 9mm 115 grain V-Crown JHP Ballistics Chart

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Speer Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Speer G2 9mm 147 grain JHP | Speer Gold Dot Carbine 9mm 135 grain JHP | Speer Gold Dot Carry Gun 9mm 135 grain JHP | Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 9mm 115 grain JHP | Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 9mm 124 grain JHP | Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 9mm +P 124 grain JHP | Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 9mm 147 grain JHP | Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection 9mm +P 124 grain JHP | Speer Lawman 9mm 115 grain TMJ | Speer Lawman 9mm 124 grain TMJ | Speer Lawman 9mm 147 grain TMJ | Speer Lawman Clean-Fire 9mm 124 grain TMJ | Speer Lawman Clean-Fire 9mm 147 grain TMJ

Speer G2 9mm 147 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Speer Gold Dot Carbine 9mm 135 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Speer Gold Dot Carry Gun 9mm 135 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 9mm 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 9mm 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 9mm +P 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 9mm 147 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection 9mm +P 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Speer Lawman 9mm 115 grain TMJ Ballistics Chart

Speer Lawman 9mm 124 grain TMJ Ballistics Chart

Speer Lawman 9mm 147 grain TMJ Ballistics Chart

Speer Lawman Clean-Fire 9mm 124 grain TMJ Ballistics Chart

Speer Lawman Clean-Fire 9mm 147 grain TMJ Ballistics Chart

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Winchester Ammunition Ballistics - 9mm

Jump to a ballistics chart: Winchester Defender 9mm +P 124 grain Bonded JHP | Winchester Defender 9mm 147 grain Bonded JHP | Winchester Personal Protection 9mm 147 grain JHP | Winchester Silvertip 9mm 115 grain JHP | Winchester Silvertip 9mm 147 grain JHP | Winchester Super Clean 9mm 95 grain Zinc Core Lead-Free FMJ | Winchester Super Suppressed 9mm 147 grain FMJ Encapsulated | Winchester Target & Practice 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Winchester Target & Practice 9mm 147 grain FMJ | Winchester Target & Training 9mm NATO 124 grain FMJ | Winchester USA 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Winchester USA 9mm 115 grain JHP | Winchester USA Forged 9mm 115 grain FMJ | Winchester USA Ready 9mm 115 grain FMJ FN | Winchester USA Ready Defense 9mm +P 124 grain JHP | Winchester USA Target & Practice 9mm 124 grain FMJ | Winchester USA VALOR 9mm NATO 124 grain FMJ | Winchester WinClean 9mm 115 grain BEB | Winchester WinClean 9mm 124 grain BEB | Winchester WinClean 9mm 147 grain BEB

Winchester Defender 9mm +P 124 grain Bonded JHP Ballistics Chart

Winchester Defender 9mm 147 grain Bonded JHP Ballistics Chart

Winchester Personal Protection 9mm 147 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Winchester Silvertip 9mm 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Winchester Silvertip 9mm 147 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Winchester Super Clean 9mm 95 grain Zinc Core Lead-Free FMJ Ballistics Chart

Winchester Super Suppressed 9mm 147 grain FMJ Encapsulated Ballistics Chart

Winchester Target & Practice 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Winchester Target & Practice 9mm 147 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Winchester Target & Training 9mm NATO 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Winchester USA 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Winchester USA 9mm 115 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Winchester USA Forged 9mm 115 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Winchester USA Ready 9mm 115 grain FMJ FN Ballistics Chart

Winchester USA Ready Defense 9mm +P 124 grain JHP Ballistics Chart

Winchester USA Target & Practice 9mm 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Winchester USA VALOR 9mm NATO 124 grain FMJ Ballistics Chart

Winchester WinClean 9mm 115 grain BEB Ballistics Chart

Winchester WinClean 9mm 124 grain BEB Ballistics Chart

Winchester WinClean 9mm 147 grain BEB Ballistics Chart

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Administrative Note: The information above comes from the manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from advertised ballistics. Ballistic performance can also vary lot to lot, even with the same brand and label. When manufacturer ballistic data was unavailable, ballistics were calculated using a ballistics calculator.

9mm Ballistics Trajectory Chart

A bullet’s flight path to the target is often called its trajectory or change in elevation. We measure the trajectory in inches of bullet drop, though it can also be measured in minutes of angle (MOA).

A flat trajectory is preferable because it allows the shooter to compensate less for bullet drop while aiming. Most handgun cartridges have terrible trajectories compared to rifle cartridges. That isn’t really to their detriment, however, as handguns (and pistol caliber carbines) are intended for firing on relatively close-range targets (e.g. within 50 yards).

The following sample bullet drop chart gives you a general idea of the 9mm’s trajectory.

Note: The chart above is an example of one 9mm load. Actual ballistic performance may vary depending on bullet weight, lot, barrel length, and environmental conditions while firing.

9mm Velocity

A bullet’s velocity is measured in feet per second (fps). Muzzle velocity is the rate at which the bullet exits the gun barrel.

Generally, a longer barrel produces a higher muzzle velocity, as it gives the exploding propellant more time to exert its energy against the bullet. This is why you will get higher velocities when firing a 9mm semi-auto carbine than when firing the same ammo in a 9mm pistol.

Bullet weight and design also contribute to a bullet's velocity. Heavier bullets tend to have lower velocities than lighter ones, and 9mm bullets with more streamlined profiles tend to conserve more velocity downrange.

Most factory-loaded 9mm Luger ammo has a muzzle velocity between 900 and 1,500 fps. You can achieve higher velocities by handloading 9mm cartridges. We always advise following the instructions in your reloading manual.

9mm Kinetic Energy

A bullet’s kinetic energy is measured in foot-pounds (ft-lbs). Muzzle energy reflects the amount of force with which the bullet exits the barrel. Striking energy is the amount of energy the projectile possesses the instant it collides with its target, just before exhibiting its terminal ballistics. Only two variables determine a bullet’s energy: weight and velocity.

The 9mm Parabellum won’t blow you away with muzzle energy like the 44 Magnum, yet it still has the stopping power requisite to end a threat quickly. That's why it’s a favorite for law enforcement and self-defense. Shot placement still counts for everything during home defense and concealed carry situations, of course, but the 9mm can get the job done with competent marksmanship.

Overpressure rounds like Federal HST 9mm +P 124 grain have about 400 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, whereas a standard pressure 9mm 115 grain FMJ load has about 335 ft-lbs of energy.

9mm Effective Range

Georg Luger designed the 9mm for close quarters applications. It isn’t reasonable to expect it to deliver long-range accuracy like a rifle round.

In the hands of a skilled marksman (FBI, U.S. Army, or competitive shooters), the 9mm can remain effective out to 100 yards. In the hands of an average shooter, that range typically drops to 25-50 yards.

How Do 9mm Ballistics Compare to Other Handgun Cartridges?

The 9mm sits among many excellent pistol cartridges. What makes it special compared to rounds like the 38 Special, 357 Mag, 40 Smith & Wesson, or 45 ACP?

Let’s find out by comparing the ballistics of some of these calibers!

9mm vs. 40 S&W Ballistics

Don’t miss our in-depth look at 40 S&W ballistics!

9mm vs. 380 Auto Ballistics

Don’t miss our in-depth look at 380 Auto ballistics!

9mm vs. 45 ACP Ballistics

Frequently Asked Questions

The team at Ammo.com has gathered and answered some of the most commonly asked questions regarding 9mm ballistics.

How much does a 9mm drop at 100 yards?

A 9mm will drop 9-15” at 100 yards.

What are the ballistics of a 9mm?

The ballistic performance of a 9mm cartridge varies depending on the load you’re firing. You can expect a muzzle velocity of approximately 1,150 fps and a muzzle energy 350 ft-lbs from the average 115 grain load (out of a 4” barrel).

What is the effective range of a 9mm pistol?

The effective range of a 9mm pistol is 25-50 yards in the hands of the average shooter and 100 yards in the hands of a skilled marksman.

Does barrel length affect a 9mm?

Yes, barrel length will affect the ballistic performance of any cartridge or shotshell.

What is the muzzle velocity of a standard 9mm round fired from a handgun?

The muzzle velocity of a standard 9mm round fired from a handgun is about 900 to 1,300 fps.