Hornady doesn’t load its 9mm rounds as hot as some other brands do. The listed velocities are a bit less than 100 fps slower than other brands claim and a bit more than 100 fps slower than some other brands actually deliver. However, less velocity is not always a hindrance. A milder load is usually easier to shoot, allowing for faster follow-up shots, quicker recovery and better-placed shots.

And they’re no slouches in penetration, meeting the 12-inch FBI standard with ease. The lightest XTP (which in all bullets with all other things being equal means shallowest penetrating) does 15 inches. The 124s can be counted on for 16, and the 147s will give you 18 inches or more--all with generous expansion.

I ran a bunch of XTPs through a selection of 9mm handguns to get a handle on velocity and terminal performance. What I found was what I expected: deep penetration, excellent expansion with no hint of bullet breakup, and stellar accuracy.

Of the three weights, I found myself leaning more and more to the 115-grain. That’s heresy for a .45 ACP proponent, I know, but it is hard to deny the attractions: soft recoil, excellent accuracy and 15 inches of penetration, plus or minus half an inch. The mild recoil combined with a soft muzzle blast has to be accompanied with a moderate chamber pressure, making it a loading highly unlikely to be a problem in hot weather.

The 115-grain bullet in the accompanying photo passed over the chronograph at 1,101 fps and then traversed 151⁄4 inches of ballistic gelatin. This one had the largest diameter of expansion, .528 inch; the smallest measurement of the least-expanded was .495 inch.

Even a dyed-in-the-wool big bore shooter is hard-pressed to quibble with performance like that, and were I using only a 9mm as a carry gun, it would be most attractive. In the winter, if I had to deal with miscreants wearing heavy clothing, the 147s would ensure penetration even after getting through leather jackets or down vests.

Yes, the 9mm has never been touted as a death-ray. It won’t exit the far side of a moose after expanding to a full inch in diameter (no handgun round will). But for a compact gun or a comfortable concealed carry gun, the 9mm has a lot going for it. And the Hornady XTP should be high on your list as the load to carry in said blaster. Those carrying for defense should consider the accuracy as a bonus, to make your scores at the gun club or during CPL renewal look even better.