I'm posting this not to say the PM9 is better than any other short barrel 9mm, but just because I have one and decided to see what it would do with standard pressure JHP ammo. So here is my review.....

Finished the hollowpoint tests with my Kahr PM9 using my "unballistic" newpaper wetpacks. A photo is attached for your ammusement, not to be considered 'certified' data for choosing what to carry in your short barrel pistol.

The penetration was about equal in all cases, 7 - 8" in the wetpack which meets minimum for standard pressure ammo. (Wetpack penetration is about 2/3 what gelatin gets.) Two wetpacks were used and averages are based on 5 rounds of each ammo.

The Golden Saber was kinda strange with the main expansion being the brass jacket petals with the lead sticking up like a flower blossom. The jacket on the GS is heavy brass and is almost half the weight of the bullet. I bent the petals out on one bullet and they reach to over 7/8"!! This would make a large wound as the petals opened. The other brands have only a thin copper jacket and the petals tear off in some cases. No petals broke off on the GoldenSabers.

The biggest surprise was the Winchester 115gr. 'Personal Protection' USA white box. I was really impressed with the expansion and penetration of this low cost ammo. For $11 at WalMart you get 50 rounds, which is cheaper than the $15 I paid for 25 rounds of GoldenSaber. And the Federal is $12 for a box of 20.

The Federal 135gr. 'Personal Defense' also looks very good with consistent expansion and penetration from all rounds fired.

I'm not too impressed with the Speer 124gr., penetration was 8+" but low expansion. The Speer 124+p GoldDot does better in my G19 but I didn't test it in the PM9.

For personal carry in the PM9 any of the first 3 rounds look good. I'll probably carry a mix of all 3.

Cheers,
og