Federal’s introduction of the new high-performance 30 Super Carry handgun cartridge comes at a time when armed citizens are looking for something new and powerful in a smaller package.
According to Federal, the 30 Super Carry “delivers 9mm Luger terminal performance using a smaller case to provide big benefits for concealed carry.”
The new cartridge uses a .312-inch bullet weighing 100 grains, and it delivers. According to Federal, when fired from a 3.5-inch barrel through FBI bare gel protocol, the 30 Super Carry HST expands to .590 inch and penetrates 12 inches, while the 124-grain 9mm Luger HST expands to .650 inch and penetrates 13.1 inches. In the FBI’s heavy clothing protocol, the same 30 Super Carry HST expands to .530 inch and penetrates 15.5 inches; the 9mm Luger expands to .571 inch and penetrates 14.5 inches. You get a full inch better penetration than the average 9mm and more than 2 inches better penetration than the average .380 Auto defensive ammo. This penetration is partially due to the 30 Super Carry’s increased velocity and smaller frontal area that reduces drag.
In terms of energy, 30 Super Carry generates between 336 and 347 foot-pounds of at the muzzle, which is like the 9mm Luger, which averages 347 foot-pounds, and handily exceeds the 380 Auto’s 202 foot-pounds.
Beyond power concerns, the cartridge is comfortable to shoot. Recoil is on par to similar weight 9mm Luger pistols, and muzzle flash is comparable with both rounds. Pistols chambered in 30 Super Carry have a slightly faster report, but volume is almost the same as a 9mm. In short, it’s a fast-cycling, fun-to-shoot cartridge that’s also very accurate.
Current & Future Designs
Pistols currently chambered in Federal 30 Super Carry include Nighthawk Custom’s President and GRP 1911 pistols and Smith & Wesson’s M&P Shield Plus and M&P Shield EZ. Both Smith & Wesson Shield pistols increase magazine capacity by two rounds compared to their 9mm counterparts (although the M&P is based on a 9mm frame at the moment and, as such, guns chambered in both cartridges are the same size), said Federal. Both Nighthawk Custom 30 Super Carry pistol models are equipped with 12-round magazines, two more than their 9mm counterparts. Look for additional brands to offer new 30 Super Carry pistols in 2022. Eventually models with 30 Super Carry specific frames will arrive, which will reduce the pistol’s footprint.
In the future, expect more target ammunition offerings priced roughly the same as comparable 380 Auto loads as competitive shooters embrace the cartridge. As a side note, 30 Super Carry’s design makes it ideal for pistol caliber carbines.
Federal American Eagle and Remington UMC will both offer 100-grain FMJ target ammunition with a muzzle velocity of 1,250 fps, while Blazer Brass is offering a 115-grain FMJ 30 Super Carry target load with a muzzle velocity of 1,150 fps. For self-defense applications, Federal is offering a 100-grain HST HP 30 Super Carry load at 1,250 fps, and Remington is offering a 100-grain HTP JHP at 1,230 fps. Speer will offer 30 Super Carry in its Gold Dot line, and that load will fire a 115-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second (all velocities accomplished through 3.5-inch barrel).
This narrower diameter allows for additional 30 Super Carry rounds in the magazine—two more in initially available handguns. Pistols chambered in 30 Super Carry and built using cartridge-specific frames (as opposed to existing 9mm Luger frames) will maximize capacity while maintaining a narrower and shorter grip than 9mm pistols for easier concealability.
