If you’re one of the millions of new gun owners that just joined the fold over the past couple of years, you don’t need us to tell you there’s a lot to learn.
This extends beyond action styles, platforms, and even cartridges, down to the bullet type. But when it comes to a given cartridge, it is the bullet type that is the primary indicator of suitability for a given shooting discipline.
That being the case, here are some of the more common bullet types frequently loaded into 9mm ammo.
Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
Full metal jacket, most commonly referred to as FMJ, is one of the more common types of ammo you will encounter, and is the most common used for range training and competition. A full metal jacket bullet consists of a lead bullet core that is fully enclosed by a copper jacket except at the base.
FMJ ammo, in addition to being relatively affordable, is consistent, accurate, reliable, and feeds well, making it perfect for range training. Also, the copper jacket helps minimize lead exposure.
Total Metal Jacket (TMJ)
Total metal jacket, also called TMJ, is slightly more expensive than FMJ because the entire bullet core is enveloped in a copper jacket, including the base of the bullet. TMJ ammo offers all of the aforesaid benefits of FMJ (notwithstanding the slightly higher cost) with the added benefit that since the core is fully enclosed, it offers better protection against lead exposure.
Wadcutters
Wadcutter bullets are a special type of jacketed bullet that have a flat nose. Because of this, wadcutters punch clean, round holes in paper targets, making them more effective for scoring.
Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
A jacketed hollow point bullet is a bullet that has a depression or a hollow in the nose, hence the name. These bullets expand rapidly (also called disruption) on contact with a soft target. They produce a wide wound channel, cavitation, and result in deadly stopping power. They also tend not to penetrate too far through soft targets. As a result, jacketed hollow point bullets are preferred for defensive applications.
Lead Round Nose (LRN)
Lead round nose 9mm ammo is fairly uncommon but there are still a few producers that load it. Basically, a lead round nose 9mm bullet is a jacketed bullet without the jacket. It is cheaper than FMJ, but it doesn’t uphold the same standard of accuracy, and worse, it produces a great deal of lead fouling, which is not only not great for health and safety, but it will leave your pistol’s bore very dirty.
Frangible
Frangible 9mm bullets are made with a sintered metal composite that is designed to shatter into dust on contact with a target. As a result, there is a much lower risk of ricochet with frangible bullets, making them ideal for indoor range training, as well as shooting at steel targets.
Where to Get 9mm Ammo Online
For the vast majority of shooters, the main two types of 9mm to be concerned with are FMJ and JHP, the former which is used for range training and the latter for defensive applications. You can learn more about 9mm ammo (and stock your ammo cans) with what Able Ammo offers online. Check out their website to learn more and get in touch with them if you have questions.
