{"id":4275,"date":"2025-12-22T04:16:45","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T04:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/testing-for-our-9mm-147-grain-hollow-points\/"},"modified":"2025-12-22T04:16:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T04:16:45","slug":"testing-for-our-9mm-147-grain-hollow-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/testing-for-our-9mm-147-grain-hollow-points\/","title":{"rendered":"Testing for Our 9mm 147-Grain Hollow Points"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p class=\"single-post-meta\"><small><span class=\"posted-on\">Posted on <time class=\"entry-date published updated\" datetime=\"2025-11-03T12:04:32-08:00\">November 3, 2025<\/time><\/span><span class=\"byline\"> by <span class=\"author vcard\">Daniel Mitchell<\/span><\/span><\/small><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Minuteman Ammunition, every load that carries our name goes through a full evaluation, not just a quick range trip.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently we tested a new 147-grain 9mm hollow point as a potential restock candidate, and we want to share how deep we go to verify performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Starting strong then digging deeper<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The projectile looked promising on paper: exceptional price, solid design, and fantastic early results. Accuracy was tight, and initial expansion in ballistic gelatin looked outstanding. But we don\u2019t stop at \u201cgood enough.\u201d When results showed inconsistency, we dug in to find out why.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Controlled Gel Testing<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using brand-new 10% FBI-standard ballistic gel, we ran bare-gel performance tests first.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The results were impressive:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 2.2\u00d7 expansion from the original .355\u2033 diameter<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">100% weight retention<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consistent penetration of around 13\u201d (within FBI-recommended depths of 12-18\u201d)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s the kind of consistency we aim for, repeatable performance that proves both design integrity and load quality.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Platform Differences<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, we ran the same test through a subcompact pistol. The story changed. Expansion dropped dramatically, and penetration went well past acceptable limits. This confirmed something we always consider: barrel length and velocity matter. A round that performs beautifully from a full-size pistol might behave very differently in a short barrel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To address this, we pushed the full-size platform to the projectile\u2019s upper recommended velocity and expansion and penetration came right back into spec for both platforms. That\u2019s the level of refinement we expect before any product goes to customers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Clothing and Barrier Tests<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bare gel performance is important, but real people wear clothes. So we went further, testing through multiple layers and types of fabric. Here\u2019s a snapshot of what we found:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2 layers of denim \u2192 gel:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Great expansion and penetration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3557\" src=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-layers-of-denim-224x300.jpg\" alt=\"2 layers of denim\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-layers-of-denim-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-layers-of-denim.jpg 249w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\"\/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>4 layers of denim \u2192 gel:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Poor expansion, excessive penetration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3558\" src=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-layers-of-denim-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"4 layers of denim\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-layers-of-denim-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-layers-of-denim.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\"\/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>4 layers of microfiber \u2192 gel:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Great expansion and penetration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3560\" src=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-layers-of-microfiber-cloth-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"4 layers of microfiber cloth\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-layers-of-microfiber-cloth-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-layers-of-microfiber-cloth.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\"\/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>4 microfiber + 1 denim \u2192 gel:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Great expansion and penetration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3559\" src=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-layers-of-microfiber-cloth-denim-224x300.jpg\" alt=\"2 layers of microfiber cloth + denim\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-layers-of-microfiber-cloth-denim-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2-layers-of-microfiber-cloth-denim.jpg 249w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\"\/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>1 denim + 4 microfiber \u2192 gel:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Poor expansion, excessive penetration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3562\" src=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-denim-4-microfiber-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"1 denim + 4 microfiber\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-denim-4-microfiber-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-denim-4-microfiber.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\"\/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>1 denim + 1 fleece + 1 dress cotton + 1 cotton t-shirt:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Poor expansion, excessive penetration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3563\" src=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-denim-1-fleece-1-dress-cotton-1-cotton-t-shirt-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"1 denim + 1 fleece + 1 dress cotton + 1 cotton t-shirt\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-denim-1-fleece-1-dress-cotton-1-cotton-t-shirt-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-denim-1-fleece-1-dress-cotton-1-cotton-t-shirt.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"\/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>1 thick fleece +1 thin flannel +1 thin fleece + 2 cotton t-shirt: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poor expansion, excessive penetration<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3564\" src=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-thick-fleece-1-thin-flannel-1-thin-fleece-2-cotton-t-shirt-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"1 thick fleece +1 thin flannel +1 thin fleece + 2 cotton t-shirt\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-thick-fleece-1-thin-flannel-1-thin-fleece-2-cotton-t-shirt-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/1-thick-fleece-1-thin-flannel-1-thin-fleece-2-cotton-t-shirt.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The takeaway? Fabric type and order make a difference. Some materials clog a hollow point cavity and stop it from opening properly, while others allow full, clean expansion. It\u2019s a real-world variable that we test.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Our Standards Going Forward<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We don\u2019t settle for a round that performs \u201cwell enough.\u201d We\u2019re continuing to refine our testing and will only restock projectiles that meet our criteria across multiple conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consistent expansion and penetration in bare gel<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reliable performance in \u201creal-world\u201d testing equivalency<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Documented testing results<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clear labeling for performance<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If it doesn\u2019t meet the standard, it doesn\u2019t make it into our boxes, period.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Why It Matters<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every round you fire represents trust in your gear, your training, and your ammunition. We take that trust seriously. That\u2019s why we share our results openly and continue to test beyond industry minimums.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Minuteman Ammunition, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">we don\u2019t chase shortcuts, we chase consistency.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We extensively tested this 147-grain hollow point as a possible replacement for our current projectile. While it delivered exceptional performance in some conditions, it showed unacceptable variability across platforms and clothing\/barrier scenarios. Because consistency and safety are our top priorities, we will not be replacing our current projectile with this hollow point and will continue evaluating alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay tuned for future updates as we continue to evaluate new projectiles and products. Our goal is simple: build ammunition you can count on, every time, no matter the conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Read the full article <a href=\"https:\/\/sporting-systems.com\/blog\/behind-the-scenes-testing-for-our-9mm-147-grain-hollow-points\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Posted on November 3, 2025 by Daniel Mitchell At Minuteman Ammunition, every load that carries our name goes through a full evaluation, not just a quick range trip. Recently we tested a new 147-grain 9mm hollow point as a potential restock candidate, and we want to share how deep we go to verify performance. Starting<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4275"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4275\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4277,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4275\/revisions\/4277"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}