Did It Save Face or Fall Flat On It?...Pilgrim Ammunition 9mm +P Torch Self-Defense AMMO Test! 

Good test Tools. Personally I'm not a fan of the super light-for-caliber 9mm loadings, I'll stick with the Gold Dot/HST but glad to see so many options out there for folks

The cavitational explosion is what no one talks about with these rds. Everyone gets hung up on penetration. In slow mo you see the gel massively expand, alot more than other rds.

Impressive performance in the gel, but I'd need to see barrier tests and maybe something like Paul Harrel's meat target before I'd consider switching from a traditional JHP.

Interesting results Tools. At least they are consistent. The fragmentation needs to happen a bit deeper and that plug needs to go much deeper. My biggest concern though is what happens if it hits bone or some harder barrier? Are these rounds only good for close in with nothing more the hitting some clothing and then flesh? What would be the results of extreme body fur, such as animal, or a tough hide? Just not sold on this high speed low weight ammo. To many unanswered questions. Be vigilant and always be safe my friend.

Not my type of round, but always glad to see another fine round of Jelly Time testing, thanks.

Enjoyed the testing, so thanks for taking the time! That said, the problem with the really light stuff is that a rib or anything else is going to stop that thing.

I'm not a huge fan of this type of ammo either but holy cow man! Over 500lbs in that G17 Geez! I wouldn't have any problems carrying a mag full of that stuff if I had to. Thank ye brother.

That's some stuff I might actually carry I usually stick to normal JHP's but the wound channel on those are nasty

I run the Liberty Civil Defense 9mm loading in both my CZ P 10m and my Walther PPS M2 LE, and these are so similar. The reason I chose the Liberty rounds was that I don't have to worry about regular hollowpoint failure with those short barrels not providing enough velocity for regular hollowpoints to expand. Never heard of the rounds you feature until today.

For very light projectiles decent performance. Glad they hit the listed speeds, would be happier if they went deeper. Thanks for the jelly test Tools!

These would make a decent varmint round for anything under 50lbs. I just wouldn't count on it for the 2 legged variety,

How would this perform out of a carbine? the jump from 1" of barrel makes me think this might get up near 2700 fps from a 16" barrel

That's some pretty impressive ammo, I have never seen where live but I sure will look for it. Thanks for all that you do.I really enjoy the videos.

Tools time to test these Pilgrims vs Liberty civil defense!!!

Id be curious to see how it does with 3A soft armor ..

Interesting idea but not good enough for my taste. I want to see somebody do a very similar loading but out of a G 40 with a 9X25 conversion going around 3000 FPS.

I use the Barnes vortex in 115 gr out of a G2C. It’s been raining here on the coast. The only way I’m going to get my pistol wet is there going to have to be really stupid for me to use it lol.

High velocity 9mm vs 5.7

Good testing as always.👍 I honestly do not have an application, other than, maybe this stuff would actually make a cantaloupe explode.🤔

Brian, how can I contact you? I have some of the original Silvertips from back in the bad old days, if you'd like to try some out but I've no idea how to send them to you! Cheers, jc

That’s bout as perfect lookin gel results for those that you I’ve seen….load some 124s to 1400fps and try em..like to see that in jelly..or refer me to a vid you got on that specific combo..👊🏻

Hy, i am new to this subject so if i may ask how big is the recoil difference between +P 9mm and some average 10mm bullet, from comparable pistols of course...? Thank you all!!!

Good test, Brian! I kind of like the ammo but it just doesn't have enough penetration for my tastes. If all you are ever going to get is straight on frontal shots, it's great stuff but I don't want to rely on that kind of luck. It would be great stuff for the zombie apocalypse I suppose, where head shots are required. These things would be some melon splitters for sure! But I think I'll stick with my current carry ammo, which is also a melon splitter! Cheers, jc

I have to question what stuff like this does when it hits bone. I’m thinking that it would negatively impact on the ammunitions performance.

I'm going to stick with the 124+P In 9mm, Thanks Brian, have a great weekend.👍🇺🇸

The Eeeee Zeeee. love this guy rofl

Played with the Mete MC9 at a show today, that trigger is almost 1911 like, damn! This ammo is a bit like overpriced RIP…

Until they are tested and proven, I'll keep my 124gr Underwood HPs

No penetration, no expansion, no terminal effects through a handgun. That velo won't hold to vitals for wounding. That would probably be a serious flesh wound and a heart attack from the sound 😂

We need to get this man to 100k as a 2A community. ...

Before I even watch the test I gotta say, your own range with nothing but woods around, blue skies, 80 perfect degrees, some tools, targets and ammo. Doesn’t get no better, does it? I’m in Florida and we’re already pushing 100 degrees with almost 80% humidity. Range days make you a bit more sweaty, but still fun. 😎

🇦🇺😎👍They have a good crack at this end….great velocities ….great option …at least the round wouldn’t come out as easy and drill a family member 🐱 🐶 👧 🏁

In fairness, the reason for the FBI penetration minimum value is to simulate a side hit that still hits the heart. So, through an arm, and then the side into the heart. Face to face with an attacker, this stuff would probably be great. I'm not saying opinions are wrong or these tests are flawed. I love them. It's why I come here. I was just sharing what I know about the FBI standard. Regardless, I still stick to HST+P. lol

You might try the rifle setting on the lab radar. I believe it is a velocity issue. Great channel! Thanks for what you do!

Exactly like the Liberty 9mm. I seem to remember you not liking the Liberty although you sound exited for this. Did the Liberty have so other shortfall?

Great test, but I'm like you. I just don't trust these types of ammo for defense. You have to have too many factors be just right, for them to work as they should. And after a lifetime career of seeing shootings and shooting victims, I can tell, nothing ever works just right and the stars are rarely aligned when you have to shoot in self defense. There are always different factors at work in almost every situation. Better to rely on something that's tested and looked at as the norm. For 9mm, that would be a quality 124 gr JHP (+p or not) such as the HST, Gold Dot, or Critical Defense or a 115 gr +P+ JHP. Just load up and relax. You've probably got the best ammo for most situations.

I personally like this kinda stuff. Thanks Tools! Please test Simx Defensecore!

Been waiting on this one. Glad to see it! Would like to see if with some bone simulating barrier to see how that affects the expansion in the gel

So it's basically a 9mm varmint round. Looks like it does what it was designed to do pretty well! Love the channel!!

I’m not sure how the gel blocks work when you’re melting them down. But I was wondering if you put some actual meat in the block. With some bone. Not sure if that’ll give you less uses of the gel though.

This round would probably make for a good varmint round out of a carbine.

Tools try a 40 cal round

nuthin' ruins a block of gel like Liberty or Pilgrim...

What do you think would happen if this went dead center in the sternum? Perform better or worse?

So my question is, what happens when a round like that hits bone? Does it dump all its energy on the surface or will it get deep enough to incapacitate the threat?

Well I'm impressed with it. Nice shot placement btw. 👍

Please test the 45acp, which is my favorite carry

I love these tests! Hey is there any chance you could do a 38 super test out of a true 38 super pistol?

I'm stocked up with V-Crown, HST and Gold Dot! 😊

Those would be good for coyotes or bobcats outta that Henry if you had that problem but I would stick to standard grains.

Looks like these might be a good self defense round as long as within reasonable distance, but I am not soldo these lightweight rounds still a fan of 124 grain rounds like a federal Hydrashok or a HSTor asilvertip

Really would like to see what they could do with the 10mm.

These look like the civil defense rounds.

Those smacked that gel hard.

👍👍 thanks Tools. All you can ask is for a cartridge to work like the manufacturer says it does and this one does that , so at least you know what you’re getting.

That's some pretty interesting stuff, another ammo test in the books Tools 🇺🇸👊 I'm kind of rounds are not what I would use but if that's all I had I would run it..

Those hit the gel pretty hard up front. Lots of damage. 👍 Good stuff. 🙂👊😎🇺🇸

Miss, on not taking a tape measure to depth. And if it can make it thru a rib cage, not looking to put the round thru the offender and into someone else....sort of the point of the semi frangible.....in my opinion. I run the liberty defense....for what its worth

On paper I am not a fan of this sort of load, but I wonder what it would do IRL? I'd love to see the results from a Paul Herril meat target.

Have you seen the Grizzly 124gr +p+? According to the advertised velocity, that stuff is moving out faster than the underwood stuff.

Always trust your testing ...very well done again as usual

I agree that it is not the best ammo. But if you were to get shot wearing summer clothes with this stuff, your going down.

Not something I would buy or carry, but they did good, and did as advertised. Thanks for another great test!

Those would make one hell of a cavity mess, maybe try a goat rib bone in some older gel. Thanks for the great test

Love the packaging - that’s what the Brotherhood of Steel must be ordering 😂

Nice test man. That clear gel is great! I would've expected G17 would've given us more penetration but not really. Perhaps slowed up due to higher velocity?

Only reason I would go for something this light is if I was worried about over penetration. I got an idea if you put a piece of plywood in the front of the gel that can mimic a bullet hitting bone first and see what it can do after in the gel. Would like to see how these lighter projectiles can penetrate after hitting a hard barrier.

No overpenetration is exactly what i want especially with that nasty wound channel. No fixing that damage 💪

👍🏻👍🏻

might be good for home defense. How about shooting thru drywall?

Please do Hornady American Gunner 124gr 9mm +P XTP (The poor man’s hollow point) It’s Jelly time !!!

Not my preference for ammo. But I'm glad it exists as an option and I get why some people choose it. Thx for the vid!

Smoking 😎

I could never trust boutique ammo.

" Defeating the whole purpose of a light fast round if it isn't fast". That makes it........Half-fast. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

For what these rounds do... this or civil liberty? I sometimes carry civil defense during summer to save weight ( usually critical defense), and my home defense is liberty overwatch because im in an apartment and worried about a miss hitting the next door down..

This appears to be a close copy of Liberty Civil Defense. I like them. I wouldn't use them exclusively as my entire ammunition supply because it's specialized, but I do carry a Colt Agent with the .38 Special version in the cylinder at all times. With one speedloader loaded with more Liberty Civil Defense, one with 110 grain Federal standard pressure, and two speed strips with Remington standard pressure lead semiwadcutter. The +P Remington FBI load is my favorite, but some guns, especially 2" barrels, don't like it and it delivers a rather dispersed group in them. Others shoot it very well. It does have substantially increased recoil and muzzle flash though, and becomes somewhat more difficult to control from lightweight alloy frame guns. The Liberty is shockingly loud but with oddly light recoil. It also hits 4"-6" low at 10 yards from anything. But that's unavoidable with ultralight bullets. I know at least one armed professional carrying 9mm Liberty Civil Defense on duty, and he reports they're extremely effective. So there's that. It definitely has a place.

So i guess pilgrim improved on these than the last test. I think i will just stick with my liberty civil defense they been around and proven

There needs to be a PS5 Simulator called Tools & Targets.

Tbanks cir tedting these Tools! Not my cup of tea, but its an option for up close and personal short of a get off me round. ♠️🎩🎯🎱🇺🇲🏁🇮🇱🇺🇦🔱🌻🌼🏵️💮🌸🏴‍☠️🏹

So with all your testing you think you’d make a video of your top 5 or 10 carry rounds? You could put in jelly as you tell us or just a review like video but would be cool to see one for 9mm, 10mm, 45, and maybe 357/38spl? Just food for thought.

I'm kinda with you on these type rounds but, SinterFire Special Duty in 45acp is pretty impressive. 155 grain the base that penetrates is much heavier and larger than many of the others plus the break-away stuff up front looks like mushroom cloud of hurt! Relatively inexpensive too!

9mm was much better. .380 just seems too hard to do right; I like the platform’s extreme concealment, but definitely not an EDC option

As someone who lives in an apartment with very thin walls I am very concerned about over penetration. This seems like it would be very good for my situation. Any other brands people could recommend for my situation would be greatly appreciated. I am currently eyeing g9

Please test the 9mm S&B XRG rounds, currently carrying them because I couldn't get anything else...

Does anybody sell these projectiles for hand loading

The Lone Ranger would be impressed with those. Would I carry those, probably not. They do what they're suppose to though. Thanks for another good test Brian!

Not my preferred type of ammo and I'll stick to Gold Dots and HST's but at least this time around they managed to walk the walk.

Can you text the .45 acp Remington golden Sabre 185 grain +p…??

I’m not a fan of these types of rounds but it was still pretty impressive. They passed advertised velocity and performed as advertised. Sure would make a mess of squishy parts if it made it to them. Awesome test as always good sir 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸

Good video. I'm not a fan of frangible ammo, either. It has it's place, though.

Good performance for what they are. Not enough penetration for me! I bought some 68 gr extreme defenders for my Hellcat. They perform great in the test I’ve seen. Thanks Tools 👍🏻

I want to see 147 grain +p gold dot made someday. Like around 1035 fps

Interestingly enough, this stuff has the potential to penetrate certain soft armor... like what police and some citizens wear under their uniform or clothes.

You should get that Canik extended mag that has the extra material on the baseplate to fill in the gap on the MC9. Real game changer for that gun in both ergonomics and aesthetics

Hey have you ever tried out 380 Streak ammo before? Does it actually do what it is advertised?

Great job Tools not bad but I think I'll stick with the gold dot have a great weekend stay safe and God Bless.

I don't like overpenetration for urban use. I do like massive energy dumps, I do like at least 12 inches of penetration. This stuff, would likely stop a threat, might even bleed like a pig. I'm not sure it's lethal in a big city where EMS is only a few minutes away. Call me a barbarian but if I need to fire my weapon, I expect a certain result, I'm not sure this stuff would give me that result.

For those who really dislike the idea of over penetration because of where they live, this might be an excellent option.

Usual comment for the algorithm. Thanks T&T!