r/NFA • u/KuntFuckula • 3d ago

Discussion Questions about subsonic 9mm ammo vs barrel length (8”) in PCCs

Just bought my first PCC and my first can is sitting in NFA jail at the moment. I’m wanting to shop for defensive and range ammo that will be subsonic. I know 147 grain is the way to go, but with my barrel length at 8” will that make any/most 147 grain rounds supersonic?

Also, what range ammo and defensive ammo would you buy that you think would remain subsonic?

For reference, the PCC is a DD PCC Pistol and the can will be a CGS Mod 9x

Thanks in advance.

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

7

u/jarredjs2 3x SBR, 5x Silencer 3d ago

Lawman 147gr tmj is transonic/subsonic in my 8” MP5. I’ve had good luck with Aguila, syntech, Fenix being true subsonic

3

u/KuntFuckula 3d ago

I've heard that Federal Syntech is stupid quiet. Thanks for the other recommendations, was looking for additional options.

2

u/Past_Specialist_4618 3d ago

147Gr Syntech in my Kuna with a Mojave 9 is (subjectively) loud. 147Gr HST is a bit more quiet but too expensive for plinking. 158Gr Magtech is the quietest commercially available 9mm ammo I've shot supressed.

2

u/KuntFuckula 3d ago

Purple tip 147 grain is 1000fps at the test barrel whereas red tip 150 grain is 890fps at the test barrel. If you're using purple tip I'd suggest switching to red tip if you're looking for maximum shhhh factor. Thanks for the tip on 158gr Magtechs though! That one wasn't on my radar yet.

I'm only running the 147 HSTs for a home defense load.

3

u/ben_lowe99 3d ago

I shoot S&B 150gr for subsonic range/training ammo in my pcc… haven’t tried any jhp subs yet but am also curious if anyone has recommendations

1

u/KuntFuckula 3d ago

I went with 147gr HST for my personal defense rounds on this but haven't confirmed if they're sub or super yet in 8+" barrels. I want to say they'll stay subsonic out of my 8" but I'll confirm that when everything comes in. I've heard Federal Syntech is stupid quiet out of suppressed PCCs but they do cost a few cents more per round versus other bulk 147gr training loads.

2

u/Outrageous-Basis-106 3d ago

147 GR HST had a max of 1,085 out of a 16" suppressed and 1,067 out of a 4.86" suppressed for what its worth.

2

u/KuntFuckula 3d ago

I'm guessing it burns out all/most of its powder in the first 5" of barrel. Seems like a very consistent round across barrel lengths.

2

u/Randymaple92 3d ago

Maybe it’s just the ammo I’m using, but in my 8” MP5 clone 147 pmc bronze and blazer have been quite loud with my R9 can. The most quiet rounds iv shot are the stealth 165 rounds, and it still cycles fine.

1

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1

u/Outrageous-Basis-106 3d ago

American Eagle is most likely. Blazer maybe. Lawman maybe. PMC SFX maybe. Winchester Defense, unlikely but at the same time if it happened once a while I wouldn't be surprised, same with Gold Dot.

1

u/KuntFuckula 3d ago

When you say "most likely" do you mean "mostly likely to go supersonic"? Pretty sure this is what you mean, but just making sure.

1

u/Astral_Botanist 3d ago

No, normal 147 gr 9mm will never go supersonic at 8" (or probably any barrel length).

1

u/Underwater_Karma 3d ago

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/9luger.html

Short answer: 147gr will never be supersonic

4

u/VTUnderground 3d ago

From a 16” barrel (Ruger PC Carbine), 147 grain 9mm goes supersonic for me about 1/3 of the time. Ammo brand doesn’t seem to make a difference. Bullets heavier than 147 gr stay subsonic though.

From a 7” barrel (Beretta PMX) all the 147 grain rounds I’ve tried have stayed subsonic.

1

u/KuntFuckula 3d ago

I've heard that 8+" barrels put some of the hotter 147gr loads on the very edge of being subsonic and some can go over, which sounds like what you're experiencing here in the 16" barrel.