PMC's Bronze 147-grain FMJ moves at 975 fps and generates 309 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, a power factor of 143, about 18 points over the USPSA and IDPA minor floor of 125. The round-nose FMJ is built to feed through tight feed ramps. At 975 fps it stays 150 fps below the 1,125 fps speed of sound, so it stays quiet through a suppressor. From a 25-yard zero the bullet is 1.9 inches low at 50 yards and 13.3 inches low at 100. In a 1.9-pound compact pistol it produces an estimated 5.0 ft-lbs of recoil energy.

It sits mid-pack among the 147-grain loads. CCI Speer Lawman 147 TMJ is 10 fps faster and Magtech 147 Flat Subsonic is 15 fps faster, each with about 2 percent more recoil energy in the same pistol. Armscor 147 is the slow end at 850 fps, 125 fps slower, with about 20 percent less recoil; it drops 17.6 inches at 100 yards against 13.3 for the PMC.

This is a practice load for suppressor users and for newer shooters who want a heavy bullet with a slow push. It is also the closest ball match to Federal HST 147 JHP, which leaves at 1,000 fps with 326 ft-lbs and about 4 percent more recoil, so it doubles as practice for that carry load. Confirm it cycles a compact with a stiff recoil spring, since a load this mild can short-stroke. If your gun needs more slide velocity, Lawman 147 or Magtech 147 Flat Subsonic add 10 to 15 fps while staying subsonic. For a softer heavy load, Fiocchi 158-grain at 850 fps gives about 8 percent less recoil, and Armscor 147 about 20 percent less, but Armscor's power factor of 125 sits exactly on the minor floor.