Review: Norma 9mm Competition Ammunition

by
posted on November 6, 2019
norma1.jpg

Norma is well known for their premium rifle ammunition. They have recently entered the pistol ammunition market and have targeted their new 9mm Luger ammunition at competitive shooters.

The company produces two 9mm loads geared towards competitors. Their Envy line is designed for top performance in pistol caliber carbines (PCCs). Norma says it’s capable of groups under 1 inch at 50 yards. The Envy cartridge has a 124-grain FMJ round nose bullet and is rated for 1,345 fps from a 17-inch carbine barrel.

Envy and Hexagon from Norma
The Envy 9mm round (l.) is a traditional FMJ bullet. The Hexagon 9mm bullet (r.) has a unique design recognizable from the six grooves pressed into the tip of the hollow point bullet.


The other load is a Hexagon match-grade line which has been optimized for accuracy out of a handgun. Norma offers three rounds in the Hexagon line, 9mm Luger, .357 Magnum and .45 ACP. The 9mm version features a 124-grain Hexagon bullet, which has a unique appearance produced from six stabilizing grooves and an aerodynamic shape. Norma claims accuracy is 1 inch at 25 yards. It’s rated for 1,181 fps from a 6-inch barrel. The Hexagon cartridges are loaded with high performance powders for consistent velocity.

Both rounds are “dual use” cartridges, meant for both pistols and carbines. I tested them in a 9mm pistol for velocity and accuracy. I used a hybrid pistol with a Para Ordnance frame, Caspian slide and a 5-inch Kart barrel.

Minor power factor was easily made from my 5-inch barrel with both loads. The 124-grain FMJ bullet clocked at 1,110 fps (137 PF) and the Hexagon bullet clocked at 1,127 fps (139 PF). Velocity spread was limited. The maximum spread of 30 124-grain FMJ rounds was just 31 fps, and the maximum spread of 30 Hexagon rounds was just 36 fps. Thus, even the slowest bullets were only two power factors below the average power factor.

As for accuracy, the 124-grain FMJ round had an average 10-shot group size of 1.68 inches. A 30-round aggregate group had a maximum spread of 2.22 inches. The Hexagon load had an average 10-shot group size of 2.15 inches, and all 30 shots were in 2.75 inches.

Hexagon and Envy accuracy
Accuracy was assessed at 25 yards with the gun in a Ransom Rest and is the average of three 10-shot groups. The aggregate group size is from a target placed under the 10-shot targets that captured all 30 rounds. Velocity was recorded with a Shooting Chrony chronograph at about eight feet and is the average of 30 shots.


There were no malfunctions at any time during my tests. My pistol preferred the FMJ round over the Hexagon bullet, but individual guns have individual preferences, and you don’t know what your gun will like until you try it. Still, the difference in accuracy was just half an inch at 25 yards, which isn’t much.

Both loads will serve competitive shooters needs. They are accurate, easily make power factor and are reliable. The 124-grain Envy FMJ retails for $13.01 for 50 rounds, making it very economical. The Hexagon 9mm round retails for $19.09 for 50 rounds. Learn more at norma-ammunition.com.


Read more articles by Brad Miller:

Latest

2024 CMP NE Games 3
2024 CMP NE Games 3

Recapping The CMP New England Games: Most Colorful Competition Yet

The New England Games took place in late September and CMP staff members were grateful to the Vermont National Guard for being generous hosts and for allowing the use of their beautiful facilities.

White Flyer Website Has New Look

White Flyer launches new website that boasts an improved user experience and branded merchandise, along with a host of additional features.

51 Cadets, 12 Teams Compete At Fourth Annual NRA Arizona State JROTC 3-Position Air Rifle Championship

There were 51 shooters in competition at the 2024-2025 NRA Arizona State JROTC 3-Position Air Rifle Championship, held in Arizona this past September.

Savage’s New Stance XR Offers Increased Capacity, Quick-Release Optics Plate

The Stance XR adds another everyday carry pistol option to the Savage Arms lineup.

Hillsdale College ‘Citizenship And Shooting’ Event Celebrates USA Shooting Olympians, Importance Of Second Amendment In The Constitution

Sponsored by Hillsdale College and USA Shooting, this special event in October included skeet instruction and remarks from four-time Olympic skeet gold medalist Vincent Hancock, plus speeches from USA Shooting CEO Kelly Reisdorf and Hillsdale President Larry P. Arnn.

Tandemkross Unveils New 10/22 Barrel Concept

A box girder rifle barrel? The Ruger 10/22 rimfire rifle gets a new barrel concept from Tandemkross.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.