Federal's American Eagle AE9AP pushes a 124-grain FMJ to 1,150 fps, which lands at 364 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and a power factor of 143. From a 25-yard zero the bullet is 1.3 inches low at 50 yards and 10.0 inches low at 100, still moving at 1,050 fps at 50. In a 1.9-pound compact pistol it produces an estimated 4.7 ft-lbs of recoil energy.

Among the 124-grain ball loads here it sits toward the fast end. It is about 40 fps faster than Magtech 124 and 35 fps faster than Aguila 124, and produces about 6 percent and 5 percent more recoil energy than those two in the same pistol. Sellier & Bellot 124 goes the other way at 1,181 fps and 384 ft-lbs, with about 5 percent more recoil than the AE9AP. Drop at 50 yards is within two tenths of an inch across all of these, so none needs a different hold at pistol distances.

The reason to pick this load is the Speer Gold Dot 124-grain: the AE9AP matches it exactly at 1,150 fps, 364 ft-lbs and 4.7 ft-lbs of recoil energy, so it is the practice round for anyone carrying that hollow point. USPSA and IDPA shooters clear minor with 18 points to spare. If you want the softest 124-grain ball for a long session, Magtech 124 gives about 6 percent less recoil. If you want more speed for a pistol with a stiff recoil spring, Sellier & Bellot 124 is 31 fps faster.