Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
It's really not a step up in performance. That short barrel reduces its performance to that of your of your longer barreled .380. Shoot some factory 9mm loads over a chronograph from one of these sub compact pistols. Prepare to be disappointed. All that noise and commotion does not translate into performance. As a matter of fact, they are a very clear indicator of the loss suffered through these short barrels.
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Interesting thought.
Using Ballistics by the inch, and comparing similar loads to my carry of regular FMJ (for .380, expanding ammo is pointless). I use Speer gold dots 124 gr in my BHP. I'd never run +P in the Colt 1908.
Assuming a 3" barrel for the 911 and 4" for the Colt 1908
.380 - 95 gr. FMJ, using Winchester 95 gr PDX1 as similar
9mm - 124 gr speed gold dot
.380 4" barrel = 966 fps at 195 ft-lbf energy
9mm 3" barrel = 1108 fps at 338 ft-lbf energy
For comparison, out of BHP, the gold dot will be:
9mm 5" barrel = 1259 fps @ 437 ft-lbf
So your point on the reduced performance is valid (3" vs 5" barrel), but the performance of the 9mm in a 3" barrel is still ~50% more energy than the .380
With the Colt Defender 3"
Federal Hydrashock 230gr = 787 fps @ 316 ft-lbf
Corbon 165gr +P = 1050 fps @ 404 ft-lbf
For comparison, Using a 5" 1911A1
Federal Hydrashock 230gr = 895 fps @ 409 ft-lbf
Corbon 165gr +P = 1238 fps @ 562 ft-lbf
Again, at the speed/energy levels, running expanding bullets out of the 3" Colt Defender might be problematic