PMC SFX Ammo

All SFX cartridges are designed to ensure easy and consistent feeding in semi-automatic handguns.

Starfire Jacketed Hollow Point

PMC SFX 9mm 124 grain SFHP (Starfire Jacketed Hollow Point) is a new self-defense round from PMC. This designed to meet FBI protocols and service duty requirements for law enforcement. This includes meeting the FBI’s standards for penetration, expansion, and waterproofing. What makes this round stand out is its affordable price, nearly half that of other high-quality self-defense ammunition. When purchased in bulk, the price can be as low as $0.43 per round. As the cost of handgun ammo has risen over the years, this caught our attention and sparked our curiosity.

124 gr SFHP

Our testing aimed to thoroughly evaluate this ammunition’s performance as a self-defense round. Our team lacks access to a state-of-the-art laboratory for conducting an official FBI protocol test, so we took a different approach. We compared the PMC SFX 9mm to one of the top self-defense rounds on the market: Federal Premium Law Enforcement HST 124 grain 9mm.

Ballistic Gel Tests

To ensure an accurate comparison, we used the same gun, conducted the test on the same day and under the same conditions, and used the same ballistic gel block. This allowed us to properly evaluate and compare the performance between the two rounds.

What Is PMC?

PMC, also known as Precision Made Cartridges, is a South Korean company established in 1968 by Poongsan Metal Corporation. They produce a variety of ammunition for the South Korean military and have gained recognition as one of the world’s largest manufacturers. My personal experience with their 9mm FMJ rounds and 5.56mm rifle rounds has been satisfactory. Despite not being an American company, South Korea’s strong influence from the US military, including numerous military bases, speaks to the quality of PMC’s products. Additionally, their ISO certification and adherence to SAAMI specifications make them a reliable option rather than a “cheap” alternative. Being a metal company themselves, they have their own brass mill and can control the raw components, leading to better cost and supply management without compromising quality.

Is PMC Ammo Any Good?

In terms of reliability, we tested 100 rounds through various concealed-carry handguns, including Walther PDP Compact, Glock 19, Sig P365XL, and Glock 43. We encountered no issues, and all rounds fired smoothly without any feeding problems. Even though I haven’t had the chance to fire thousands of rounds, I trust in PMC’s ISO certification and commitment to producing ammunition up to law enforcement standards, indicating their reliability.