No such thing as a break in period. Go shooting.

 

that has always been my experience, with previous weapons, but this is my first HK product, and I have seen a lot of folks around here saying that. But I was skeptical.

Either way, I will report back when I take it back to the range, hopefully tomorrow.
I won't be buying that ammo any more. 147gr ammo shouldn't be an issue right? Its gonna be this particular cartridge. I got different 147gr ammo coming and same ammo, in different weights, to verify that it is the manufacturer loading and not 147gr in general.

 

Send a picture to HK CS of the same 147 new round in the CC9 barrel vs. the VP9 barrel and see what they say. cs@heckler-koch-us.com

 

Will do, waiting on new ammo to arrive to do more process of elimination, then I will send them an email. I want to gather as much data as possible. Let me take a photo of the same round on the VP9 barrel to put side by side.

 

Here are all 3 cartridges that were fired today. See that the 147gr round fails to headpace correctly. Also will get stuck after just being dropped in.

 

Here are all 3 cartridges that were fired today. See that the 147gr round fails to headpace correctly. Also will get stuck after just being dropped in.

There’s nothing wrong with your gun. The ammo is the problem. The video you posted with the round getting stuck in the barrel is typical for ammo loaded too long for the guns chamber. The bullet is engaging the rifling and getting stuck.

For reloaders like me, we call this “the plunk test”.

Reloading Tips: The Plunk Test - Shooting Times

The plunk test. It's a funny name, but it's very important to use when you're reloading. The

www.shootingtimes.com

 

I wouldn't use that ammo in your CC9 anymore. I'm guessing a bad batch, but I don't use Freedom Munitions so I can't speak to their ammo.

 

I am not. Posting a video right now of the same round in the VP9A1F chamber VS the CC9 Chamber for comparison.

 

It’s probably the ammo. That gun eats about everything, but those bullets look long.

 

they do look long, and I agree that its probably the ammo.

The case length its at 19.08mm (spec calls for 19.15mm max), and the OAL is at 28.72mm (spec is 29.69mm max). It chambers, headspaces, and shoots in VP9 fine though.

 

Here is the same cartridge in the CC9 chamber vs the VP9A1F chamber.

 

It feeds Hornady fine but had a problem with Freedom Munitions…color me shocked.
enjoy your CC9. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with it.

 

I have some Hornady 147gr XTP on the way, to confirm that it loads and cycles fine. But yeah, its the ammo for sure. Just not clear why it feeds and shoots fine from the VP9 barrel and not from the CC9 though.

 

Freedom Munitions is not great ammo.

 

One "problem" I have ran into loading 147gr 9mm is the bullet seating depth, not overall length. I think the technical term for this section of the bullet is the Ogive but I could be mistaken there. Where the diameter of the bullet started to typer to a point was out further so it would hit the barrel lands. I tried to draw a rough line on one of your pictures of the point that I am talking about. I only noticed this on my SP5 when I went to unload a live round, the charging handle was really really hard to pull back. I had shot ~1,000 rounds of this hand load (I load in batches, I get the machine set up and will load a few K over a few days and then clean up. so I had a few thousand rounds that were "all the same") in Glocks, Sigs and Colt AR9, Ruger PC carbine and never had a problem unloading a live round. Something about the SP5 chamber did not like it. All the ammo fit and passed the Dillon 9mm chamber gauge so it was "in spec" but my SP5 did not like it. In the SAAMI chamber spec I think the dimension that controls this is the 0.8113" value and there is no tolerance on that like many of the other values. so it would seem a manufacturer as some wiggle room here. Also on the cartridge drawing there is no distance value from the back of the cartridge to a 0.354" OD on the bullet, its not controlled on that end either.

In my last batch of 147gr that I loaded I used the SP5 chamber as my go/no go gauge. I loaded ~10 rounds and I chambered them and unload them. I made sure it felt right during unloading and that there was no sign of the lands hitting the bullet once unloaded. My overall length was on the shorter side but still within spec, I was using Bullseye powder so the charge weight was something like ~3.5gr so I was not worried about a compressed charge. I did measure each round before and after chambering and there was no setback taking place during chambering. I then shot the rounds and there was no sign of over pressure.

Everything might be "in spec" is all I am getting at.

 

One "problem" I have ran into loading 147gr 9mm is the bullet seating depth, not overall length. I think the technical term for this section of the bullet is the Ogive but I could be mistaken there. Where the diameter of the bullet started to typer to a point was out further so it would hit the barrel lands. I tried to draw a rough line on one of your pictures of the point that I am talking about. I only noticed this on my SP5 when I went to unload a live round, the charging handle was really really hard to pull back. I had shot ~1,000 rounds of this hand load (I load in batches, I get the machine set up and will load a few K over a few days and then clean up. so I had a few thousand rounds that were "all the same") in Glocks, Sigs and Colt AR9, Ruger PC carbine and never had a problem unloading a live round. Something about the SP5 chamber did not like it. All the ammo fit and passed the Dillon 9mm chamber gauge so it was "in spec" but my SP5 did not like it. In the SAAMI chamber spec I think the dimension that controls this is the 0.8113" value and there is no tolerance on that like many of the other values. so it would seem a manufacturer as some wiggle room here. Also on the cartridge drawing there is no distance value from the back of the cartridge to a 0.354" OD on the bullet, its not controlled on that end either.

View attachment 473942


In my last batch of 147gr that I loaded I used the SP5 chamber as my go/no go gauge. I loaded ~10 rounds and I chambered them and unload them. I made sure it felt right during unloading and that there was no sign of the lands hitting the bullet once unloaded. My overall length was on the shorter side but still within spec, I was using Bullseye powder so the charge weight was something like ~3.5gr so I was not worried about a compressed charge. I did measure each round before and after chambering and there was no setback taking place during chambering. I then shot the rounds and there was no sign of over pressure.

Everything might be "in spec" is all I am getting at.

View attachment 473941

The barrels chamber is still in spec but have short throat. This is the reason I always do a plunk test on my guns’ barrels prior to reloading. I use an automated Dillon RL110 so each reloading batch is at least 5000 rounds. One of my 9mm competition gun (CZ Czchnate) has a short throat and doesn’t allow me to load to 1.165” OAL so I sent it out to be throated.

The ogive is the cone-like section between the body of the bullet and the meplat. It’s the area that narrows from the bearing surface to the meplat.

Ogives that are blunt (fat at the ogive’s base) have to be reloaded at a shorter length in order to chamber reliably or else you run the risk of having it stuck.

Addiotionally, FM(Freedom Munitions) don’t have a good track record amongst competitors because of the inconsistency in their reloaded ammo, I would not shoot them in my firearms if given free. However, I will disassemble them just to get the cases and primers and use them to reload my own.

My reloading equipment.

 

I’ll be as brief as possible. Lots of pictures and Data points. Still troubleshooting, but I kinda figured out part of the problem. Your opinion and knowledge is appreciated.

Purchased CC9 from Academy Sports on 18 May 2025 for $599. Serial number: B007xxx.

Immediately took to the range and fired 25 rounds of Hornady Defense Ammo, 124gr XTP. Pistol ran great, very impressed with form and function , very accurate. Trigger was great, heavier than what I was used to with my previous carry pistol, but a lot more crisp and predictable. Zero malfunctions. Then ran 100rnds of 147gr freedom Munitions Match Hollow-Points. Zero malfunctions.

A week later I return to range. Using same ammo. Hornady XTP 124gr, two mags, NO issues. Then I load up two mags of 115gr range target ammo, no issues, then 1 mag of the same 147gr target ammo, fire to empty. Last round mag did not hold open. Dropped the empty mag and inspected the gun, chamber indicator showed loaded chamber, slide was locked up. Failed to eject last case. I put it up and took it home. At home I verified it was an empty case. Slide was not unlocking. I pressed on the back of the extractor, and forced slide open. Stuck case. Used a punch to push case out. It was obviously bulging out. Field stripped firearm and didn’t find damage.

Took back to the range today to double check if it was the ammo. I fired 2 mags of 115gr target ammo. No malfunctions. Loaded 2 mags of the same 147gr target ammo. 3 shots into the second mag, slide failed to go into battery. Pulled on slide, same issue, slide locked up, failed to extract. live round stuck in the chamber. Got it home, and unloaded.

Busted out the calipers. The photos below show all the dimensions of the different ammo used. The 147gr case is shorter than the other two rounds, but the cartridge fails to insert completely into the chamber. I don’t think it is headspacing on the case edge, might be on the bullet.

But if I am not mistaken, all rounds OAL are within spec of 9x19 Parabellum. The 147gr cases are wider at the base of the case (not the rim) than the other rounds, but only by .08mm. So the round is either getting stuck at the base (at the wider part) or they are headspacing on the bullet.

Either way I think I am lucky I didn’t have an OOB detonation. Because that 147gr ammo is not chambering correctly.

Weapon has been degreased from the factory heavy grease it had, and lubed with CLP.

I am not going to shoot that same ammo any more. But my question is: if the ammo OAL is still within the 9x19 Parabellum spec, could it be that the bullets are just too wide? Could my chamber be out of spec? Have never had this issue with this ammo or any ammo in any pistol. My VP9A1F eats it like candy. I used this same ammo on my Glock 34 for USPSA Production without issues. Also used it as practice ammo on my Glock 43x / 48.
It’s a shame because I have over 1000 rounds of that ammo still.

I got 124gr of that same ammo coming to see if it the bullet being too big or their cases to wide. I also got 124/135/147gr Defensive Ammo on its way to test all of those for reliability.

Pistol is still in its break in period, since this happened at the 175 round mark.

I will follow up with more range trips with different ammo and any suggestions as to what to check to get to the bottom of it 100%. It is obviously ammo related, just trying to find the why exactly. View attachment 473915 View attachment 473916 View attachment 473917 View attachment 473919 View attachment 473921 View attachment 473920 View attachment 473922 View attachment 473932 View attachment 473923 View attachment 473924 View attachment 473930 View attachment 473926 View attachment 473925 View attachment 473931 View attachment 473927 View attachment 473928 View attachment 473929 View attachment 473933

The CC9 is the most tested HK pistol ever. It's the ammo.

 

I’ll be as brief as possible. Lots of pictures and Data points. Still troubleshooting, but I kinda figured out part of the problem. Your opinion and knowledge is appreciated.

Purchased CC9 from Academy Sports on 18 May 2025 for $599. Serial number: B007xxx.

Immediately took to the range and fired 25 rounds of Hornady Defense Ammo, 124gr XTP. Pistol ran great, very impressed with form and function , very accurate. Trigger was great, heavier than what I was used to with my previous carry pistol, but a lot more crisp and predictable. Zero malfunctions. Then ran 100rnds of 147gr freedom Munitions Match Hollow-Points. Zero malfunctions.

A week later I return to range. Using same ammo. Hornady XTP 124gr, two mags, NO issues. Then I load up two mags of 115gr range target ammo, no issues, then 1 mag of the same 147gr target ammo, fire to empty. Last round mag did not hold open. Dropped the empty mag and inspected the gun, chamber indicator showed loaded chamber, slide was locked up. Failed to eject last case. I put it up and took it home. At home I verified it was an empty case. Slide was not unlocking. I pressed on the back of the extractor, and forced slide open. Stuck case. Used a punch to push case out. It was obviously bulging out. Field stripped firearm and didn’t find damage.

Took back to the range today to double check if it was the ammo. I fired 2 mags of 115gr target ammo. No malfunctions. Loaded 2 mags of the same 147gr target ammo. 3 shots into the second mag, slide failed to go into battery. Pulled on slide, same issue, slide locked up, failed to extract. live round stuck in the chamber. Got it home, and unloaded.

Busted out the calipers. The photos below show all the dimensions of the different ammo used. The 147gr case is shorter than the other two rounds, but the cartridge fails to insert completely into the chamber. I don’t think it is headspacing on the case edge, might be on the bullet.

But if I am not mistaken, all rounds OAL are within spec of 9x19 Parabellum. The 147gr cases are wider at the base of the case (not the rim) than the other rounds, but only by .08mm. So the round is either getting stuck at the base (at the wider part) or they are headspacing on the bullet.

Either way I think I am lucky I didn’t have an OOB detonation. Because that 147gr ammo is not chambering correctly.

Weapon has been degreased from the factory heavy grease it had, and lubed with CLP.

I am not going to shoot that same ammo any more. But my question is: if the ammo OAL is still within the 9x19 Parabellum spec, could it be that the bullets are just too wide? Could my chamber be out of spec? Have never had this issue with this ammo or any ammo in any pistol. My VP9A1F eats it like candy. I used this same ammo on my Glock 34 for USPSA Production without issues. Also used it as practice ammo on my Glock 43x / 48.
It’s a shame because I have over 1000 rounds of that ammo still.

I got 124gr of that same ammo coming to see if it the bullet being too big or their cases to wide. I also got 124/135/147gr Defensive Ammo on its way to test all of those for reliability.

Pistol is still in its break in period, since this happened at the 175 round mark.

I will follow up with more range trips with different ammo and any suggestions as to what to check to get to the bottom of it 100%. It is obviously ammo related, just trying to find the why exactly. View attachment 473915 View attachment 473916 View attachment 473917 View attachment 473919 View attachment 473921 View attachment 473920 View attachment 473922 View attachment 473932 View attachment 473923 View attachment 473924 View attachment 473930 View attachment 473926 View attachment 473925 View attachment 473931 View attachment 473927 View attachment 473928 View attachment 473929 View attachment 473933

The CC9 is the most tested HK pistol ever. It's the ammo.

Obviously it’s the ammo. I was looking for the what and why. And because I only had one sample of 147gr ammo, I couldn’t verify for sure.

But the two gentlemen above provided the answers I was looking for.

The cartridge is within spec on the OAL. But the bullet is seated too high making it headspace on the bullet instead of the case rim.

 

Late last night I rechecked all the chambers that I been shooting this ammo from for years, pistols and PPC’s, and they all head-spaced correctly. Then i got out one of my Mac 11’s and when i dropped the 147gr in the chamber, it did the same thing. head spaced on the bullet. So this about confirms it, the gentlemen above were correct in that the bullet seat depth and bullet taper are the cause of the issue.

I have marked all 1000+ rounds of that FM 147 I have left for Glock, CZ Scorpion, and AR-9 use only. And won’t buy it again. The CC9 is going to be my daily carry pistol, so I plan on shooting it a lot, so it does me no good to stockpile ammo from a manufacturer I am not 100% sure will make a cartridge that works in ALL of my 9mm chambers.

Thanks all for the input.

-Big Al

 

One "problem" I have ran into loading 147gr 9mm is the bullet seating depth, not overall length. I think the technical term for this section of the bullet is the Ogive but I could be mistaken there. Where the diameter of the bullet started to typer to a point was out further so it would hit the barrel lands. I tried to draw a rough line on one of your pictures of the point that I am talking about. I only noticed this on my SP5 when I went to unload a live round, the charging handle was really really hard to pull back. I had shot ~1,000 rounds of this hand load (I load in batches, I get the machine set up and will load a few K over a few days and then clean up. so I had a few thousand rounds that were "all the same") in Glocks, Sigs and Colt AR9, Ruger PC carbine and never had a problem unloading a live round. Something about the SP5 chamber did not like it. All the ammo fit and passed the Dillon 9mm chamber gauge so it was "in spec" but my SP5 did not like it. In the SAAMI chamber spec I think the dimension that controls this is the 0.8113" value and there is no tolerance on that like many of the other values. so it would seem a manufacturer as some wiggle room here. Also on the cartridge drawing there is no distance value from the back of the cartridge to a 0.354" OD on the bullet, its not controlled on that end either.

In my last batch of 147gr that I loaded I used the SP5 chamber as my go/no go gauge. I loaded ~10 rounds and I chambered them and unload them. I made sure it felt right during unloading and that there was no sign of the lands hitting the bullet once unloaded. My overall length was on the shorter side but still within spec, I was using Bullseye powder so the charge weight was something like ~3.5gr so I was not worried about a compressed charge. I did measure each round before and after chambering and there was no setback taking place during chambering. I then shot the rounds and there was no sign of over pressure.

Everything might be "in spec" is all I am getting at.

View attachment 473941

Thank you for the detailed explanation. It is what I was looking for. This confirms my suspicions that it was related to the bullet seat depth and dimensions / shape of the bullet.

The barrels chamber is still in spec but have short throat. This is the reason I always do a plunk test on my guns’ barrels prior to reloading. I use an automated Dillon RL110 so each reloading batch is at least 5000 rounds. One of my 9mm competition gun (CZ Czchnate) has a short throat and doesn’t allow me to load to 1.165” OAL so I sent it out to be throated.

The ogive is the cone-like section between the body of the bullet and the meplat. It’s the area that narrows from the bearing surface to the meplat.

Ogives that are blunt (fat at the ogive’s base) have to be reloaded at a shorter length in order to chamber reliably or else you run the risk of having it stuck.

Additionally, FM(Freedom Munitions) don’t have a good track record amongst competitors because of the inconsistency in their reloaded ammo, I would not shoot them in my firearms if given free. However, I will disassemble them just to get the cases and primers and use them to reload my own.

My reloading equipment.

Thank you for your input, its what I was looking for. I suspected this was the case, but as I am not a reloader and don't have the knowledge and equipment to test correctly, nor any 147gr ammo from another manufacturer, I was hoping the Reloaders would chime in with their knowledge.

I am confident that the ammo is the issue, but now I know why, and that makes me at ease, and gives me confidence in my pistol. I love this little thing. with the Hornady 124gr with XTP bullets its a sniper rifle. Makes me look like I know what I am doing.

I will take my CC9 barrel with me when I go ammo shopping locally, just to do the plunk test.

-Big Al

 

Ya know, there is treatment for O.C.D. ....just sayn

 

Not trying to stir the pot but my experience is below.

I posted my first range trip about a month ago and also experienced a lot of FTEs and chalked it up to the tight spring and limp writing (only used factory loaded 124 gr brass FMJ from Blazer or S&B).
My CC9 now has close to 1,000 rounds and still getting random FTEs (but at less frequency than initially but should never happen TBH). Took a lesson this past weekend with at the local range with the head instructor and he also experienced a FTE that surprised him. In his opinion, there may be an issue with my CC9 so reached to to HK to see if they will inspect it. Don't know what will happen but there may be some gremlins in a few of these units. TBD....

 

I will know soon enough. I will have an assortment of new ammo to burn through soon.

 

Sounds like you’ve done some solid troubleshooting. Based on what you’ve said, it really points to the 147gr Freedom Munitions being out of spec likely too wide at the base or a bullet profile that’s not playing nice with your chamber. The fact that other ammo runs fine makes a tight or defective chamber less likely.

 

The ammo measures within spec. Seems to be a bullet profile and seat depth + the CC9 chamber don’t get along. I had a CZ Shadow that had the same issue with similar 147gr bullets. I got some 147gr ammo with narrower bullet profiles (hornady) coming to test. Also same ammo from FM with 124, and 115gr bullets shoots fine.
I am confident that there is nothing wrong with my CC9, as I shoot tighter groups at 10yrds with it than with my VP9. It’s a dream to shoot really. Just this hiccup ate up my range time last two outings, can’t wait for the new ammo to get here so I can just let it eat.

 

based on my experience and many others I regularly shoot with, I would avoid Freedom Munitions at all costs and especially any of their brass

As a PS, I have had luck with some of their reman which used to use non Freedom Brass

 

based on my experience and many others I regularly shoot with, I would avoid Freedom Munitions at all costs and especially any of their brass

Extend that to their rifle ammunition. Popped primers stopped my KAC rifle within one mag.

 

BTW, a tight or defective chamber, as unlikely as it is, it was my main concern regarding the barrel, but it was quickly dismissed once I measured all the rounds I had and also started plunk testing the ammo on other barrels. Something should had done from the beginning like I normally do with other firearms. To be honest. I was just so excited to finally have a CC9, that I just rushed to the range, loaded the ammo I had and started playing with it without giving anything else any thought.

 

Freedom Munitions has a reputation for inconsistent ammunition; primarily in their remanufactured ammo, but also in their new-manufacture. Complaints have included bullet seating depth, squib loads, overcharged loads, and primer issues.

If you're having problems with a specific brand or load, it's an obvious choice to use that one no more.

Do a little research on Freedom Munitions.

 

Suggest getting a case gauge. Even if you don’t reload it can help you diagnose if the rounds are in spec. Passing the guage doesn’t guarantee it will fit your gun, but it should be in spec and is highly likely if barrel is in spec. Also, failing the gauge doesn’t mean it won’t fit your gun but will tell you the ammo is out of spec. Lyman makes a nice multi handgun caliber one that can be had on Amazon for $32.

 

I use a shockbottle gauge for ammunition, 100 rounds at a time. It allows a quick assessment of each round, and an easy transfer to a plastic 100 round ammunition box, when done. The gauge allows a visual and tactile inspection of the rounds together, and a quick visual inspection on primer depth (for anything obvious). Anything that raises a question, doesn't drop into the guage, or that sticks up (or sticks), gets set aside.

For competition rounds, anything that doesn't pass goes in a separate group.

The case gauge won't identify short rounds, squibs, or an overcharge, of course.

When rolling my own ammunition, I spot check charges; each charge visually, and I weigh every tenth charge of powder on a hand scale. I also remove any case that causes question visually, and weigh it. Certainly still not a 100% guarantee. I also check each round with calipers for correct OAL before dropping in the case gauge. Old habits.

 

I use a shockbottle gauge for ammunition, 100 rounds at a time. It allows a quick assessment of each round, and an easy transfer to a plastic 100 round ammunition box, when done. The gauge allows a visual and tactile inspection of the rounds together, and a quick visual inspection on primer depth (for anything obvious). Anything that raises a question, doesn't drop into the guage, or that sticks up (or sticks), gets set aside.

For competition rounds, anything that doesn't pass goes in a separate group.

The case gauge won't identify short rounds, squibs, or an overcharge, of course.

When rolling my own ammunition, I spot check charges; each charge visually, and I weigh every tenth charge of powder on a hand scale. I also remove any case that causes question visually, and weigh it. Certainly still not a 100% guarantee. I also check each round with calipers for correct OAL before dropping in the case gauge. Old habits.

off original topic but…Armanov has a plexiglass piece you put under their 100 rd guage a
I use to see if any rounds are drastically different in OAL. Won’t catch a thousandth, but easy to identify gross errors or the rare 380 brass that slips in. That or similar DIY might work for shockbottle.

 

I have no affiliation with this content. Just sharing an influencer's experience and seems rather balanced to me.
One comment to the vid is to check the stacking of the ammo in the magazine as it may push against the spent casing. Will check to make sure the rounds are seated well in my next trip to the range.

 

Just sharing an influencer's experience and seems rather balanced to me.

Balanced? Debatable.

I see no discussion about the ammo he is using from his sponsor and no cross test with other quality ammunition brands. But he talks about the guns failures...

Anyway, aready discussed here:

https://www.hkpro.com/threads/why-the-bad-press-mixed-reviews-of-the-cc9.587711/page-7?post_id=4291870#post-4291870

 

Testing anything should involve only the product in question without aftermarket accessories- to establish a baseline of operation. No optic, no light, etc.

 

Had a similar issue with my new CC9- fired about 100 rounds of 115 FMJ Winchester-zero issues. Took it home and loaded it with Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr Flexlock and put in the pistol safe (shopo gun). Today my new optic sight arrived so i pulled it out of the pistol safe, dropped the mag and the slide is locked up tight. Tried inserting another empty mag, dropped the mag again and still locked up,. What on earth? Have an email into HK CS.

Jeff

 

Was there an optic already on the gun when the slide wouldn't lock back? Was the gun cleaned after shooting it? Could humidity be a factor?

Just a few thoughts.

 

I've never had this happen with a handgun but I've had ARs "lock up" after shooting certain types of ammo (usually PMC X-Tac IIRC) and then sitting for a while. I often had to mortar the rifles to get the bolt open. Even if I fired them after without cleaning them they didn't have any issues cycling during actual shooting though.

 

So drove over to the indoor range where I teach and I mortar the slide with my hand and got the round out. Upon close inspection i could not see any issue with the round and the CC9 was in battery - so not sure what the cause was other than maybe just being new and still tight. I'll run the next 100 rounds later this week and see if it reoccurs.

 

How about field stripping, cleaning and lubing it first prior to your next range trip?

I always field strip, clean to remove excess oil or cosmoline and relube any gun I own prior to going to the range for an optest, so far, every single one has performed flawlessly even with my reloads. I do shoot them first with factory ammo to eliminate any additional variable if a problem pops up like FTE/FTF. So far, nothing but positive experience.