Maxxtech's 124-grain FMJ runs 60 fps short of BPS and 60 fps ahead of Blazer Brass, on the warm side of the 124-grain ball loads here. It lists 1,150 fps and 364 ft-lbs, a power factor of 143, about 18 points over the 125 minor floor for USPSA and IDPA. From a 25-yard zero it is 1.3 inches low at 50 yards and 10.1 inches low at 100, still about 1,047 fps at 50. Recoil in a 1.9-pound compact pistol is an estimated 4.7 ft-lbs.

BPS is the only load above it, at 1,210 fps and 403 ft-lbs, and it produces about 9 percent more recoil energy in the same pistol for 39 ft-lbs more. PMC Bronze runs 40 fps slower and Blazer Brass and Armscor 124 run 60 fps slower; the Maxxtech kicks about 6 percent harder than the PMC and about 10 percent harder than the other two. Ammo Inc's Total Metal Coating load is the outlier at 1,017 fps, and the Maxxtech kicks about 23 percent harder than it. At 100 yards the Maxxtech drops 0.8 inches less than Blazer Brass and 2.5 inches less than the Ammo Inc, but at 50 yards every load is within half an inch.

Buy the Maxxtech for a 124-grain practice load close in recoil to a 124-grain carry load that runs a little hot, with velocity to spare for stiff recoil springs. For a subcompact or a new shooter, Blazer Brass or Armscor 124 still make minor at 135, and this load kicks about 10 percent harder than either. If your range requires a bullet with no exposed lead at the base, only Ammo Inc's TMC is built that way. For the most margin over minor, BPS adds 60 fps and 39 ft-lbs.