We are on the hunt for the quietest 9mm ammo so that you can get the most out of your suppressed pistol or PDW!

Finding the quietest load for your suppressed set up can be tricky and costly, so we rented a decibel reader and hit the range with 15 different subsonic 9mm loads.

Keep reading for our results!

Speer Lawman 9mm Luger Ammunition - 50 Rounds of 147 Grain TMJ

$20.00

Federal American Eagle 9mm Luger Ammunition - 50 Rounds of 147 grain FMJ FN

$18.00

Decibel Testing 9mm Ammo

We wanted to find the best 9mm ammo to use with a suppressor to get the quietest results, so we rented a Larson Davis Spartan 821 Noise Sound Level Meter and hit the range.

We picked out 15 subsonic and suppressor-specific loads in search of the quietest round. Subsonic loads are those that travel under the sound barrier, and are therefore quieter.

Our test used both a suppressed pistol and a suppressed PDW (personal defense weapon).

• Pistol: Kimber R7 Mako TFS – 4.42” barrel length
• Pistol Suppressor: Rugged Suppressors Obsidian45
• Custom PDW: Aero Precision EPC-9 Upper and Lower & BSF Barrels 8.5” 9mm Barrel
• PDW Suppressor: Thunder Beast Arms FLY 9 Short (4.4”)

With the meter set up one meter to the left of the shooter, and using a .25″ microphone, we fired five rounds of each load. We then took the average z-weighted decibels of those 5 shots.

Z-weighted decibels, also known as linear or unweighted, are a more accurate method of measuring for potential hearing damage with gun shots.

Common Decibel Levels

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders says that exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA for long periods or repeated instances can cause hearing loss.

We tested the sound level of an unsuppressed CZ Shadow 2 with five Federal American Eagle 147gr. FMJ rounds, and the average decibel level measured was 157.42 dBZ. According to our results, the suppressor dropped the noise levels by about 30 dBZ.

Other average decibel rating from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders include:

• Normal conversation
  60-70 dBA
• Movie theater
  74-104 dBA
• Motorcyles and dirt bikes
  80-110 dBA
• Music through headphones at maximum volume, sporting events, and concerts
  94-110 dBA
• Sirens
  110-129 dBA
• Fireworks show
  140-160 dBA

Quietest 9mm Ammo for Suppressed Pistols

First, we tested out a suppressed 9mm pistol to find the quietest load. 

The top 5 quietest loads in the Kimber R7 Mako TFS (4.42″) with Rugged Suppressors Obsidian45:

1. Ammo Inc. Stelth Subsonic 165gr. TMJ
2. Federal Syntech Training Match 147gr. TSJ FN
3. Aguila Subsonic 147gr. FMJ
4. Fiocchi Subsonic 158gr. FMJ
5. Federal Syntech Action Pistol 150gr. TSJ

Ammo Inc. Stelth Subsonic 165gr. TMJ

• Tested Average Decibels: 124.62 dBZ
• Advertised Velocity: 800 fps

Ammo Inc.’s Stelth Subsonic 165gr. TMJ is the quietest load we tested, averaging 124.62 dBZ. Amm Inc. also produces a 147gr. load in the Stelth Subsonic line, but we weren’t able to get our hands on it. However, I do believe that this 165gr. load is likely quieter than the 147gr. due to the heavier bullet and lower velocity. 

Federal Syntech Training Match 147gr. TSJ FN

• Tested Average Decibels: 125.02
• Advertised Velocity: 1000 fps

The second quietest load we tested is the Federal Syntech Training Match 147gr. TSJ FN. Overall, most of the Syntech loads we tested performed surprisingly well. In addition to being quiet through the suppressed pistol setup, the Syntech also has a synthetic coating covering the lead bullet, reducing fouling in the gun and suppressor. 

Aguila Subsonic 147gr. FMJ

• Tested Average Decibels: 126.36 dBZ
• Advertised Velocity: 950 fps

At 126.36 dZB, the Aguila Subsonic 147gr. FMJ was the third quietest load we tested. We did have some trouble feeding the rounds into the chamber of the Kimber R7. However, as we shot the Aguila Subsonic load, we made note of how quiet they were to the ear, not knowing how they’d stack up in the decibel readings.

Fiocchi Subsonic 158gr. FMJ

• Tested Average Decibels: 126.76 dBZ
• Advertised Velocity: 850 fps

The Fiocchi Subsonic 158gr. FMJ was very pleasant to shoot for both its low recoil and soft sound. As one of the higher bullet weights we tested and with a 850 fps advertised muzzle velocity, I’m not really surprised this Fiocchi performed so well.

Federal Syntech Action Pistol 150gr. TSJ

• Tested Average Decibels: 127.4 dBZ
• Advertised Velocity: 890 fps

I was impressed to see this Federal Syntech Action Pistol 150gr. TSJ make the top five quietest loads for the pistol. It’s a soft-shooting round and doesn’t foul up the barrel thanks to its bullet coating.

Quietest 9mm Ammo for PDW’s

1. Federal Syntech Action Pistol 150gr. TSJ
2. Fiocchi Subsonic 158gr. FMJ
3. Ammo Inc. Stelth Subsonic 165gr. TMJ
4. Federal Syntech PCC 130gr. TSJ
5. Federal Syntech Training Match 147gr. TSJ FN

Federal Syntech Action Pistol 150gr. TSJ

• Tested Average Decibels: 127.18 dBZ
• Advertised Velocity: 890 fps

We were pleasantly surprised to see the Federal Syntech Action Pistol 150gr. TSJ measure as the quietest load for our suppressed PDW setup. We already know that Syntech Action Pistol is a top choice for matches. Its polymer coating prevents fouling in barrels and the round is consistent and accurate. 

Fiocchi Subsonic 158gr. FMJ

• Tested Average Decibels: 127.84 dBZ
• Advertised Velocity: 850

The Fiocchi Subsonic 158gr. FMJ is a pretty standard subsonic load, but when put to the decibel test, performed exceptionally. We experienced no reliability issues despite its low advertised velocity of 850 fps, and we noted that we liked its sound level to the ear during testing. 

Ammo Inc. Stelth Subsonic 165gr. TMJ

• Tested Average Decibels: 129.08 dBZ
• Advertised Velocity: 800 fps

The Ammo Inc. Stelth Subsonic 165gr. TMJ load has proven to be a quiet load. Ammo Inc. designed the bullet to burn cleanly and quietly, but the company also claims that it slows baffle erosion and reduces suppressor build-up. 

Federal Syntech PCC 130gr. TSJ

• Tested Average Decibels: 129.14 dBZ
• Advertised Velocity: 1140 fps

Federal optimized the Federal Syntech PCC 130gr. TSJ for use in longer barrels. Its Total Synthetic Jacket prevents metal fouling and reduces barrel heat and friction. The profile of the bullet is also shaped to prevent feeding issues in PCCs, an issue we see with longer bullets.

Federal Syntech Training Match 147gr. TSJ FN

• Tested Average Decibels: 129.72 dBZ
• Advertised Velocity: 1000 fps

Yet another Federal Syntech Match made our list for quietest 9mm ammo. Federal designed the Federal Syntech Training Match 147gr. TSJ FN to have similar ballistics as their Federal Premium Personal Defense HST loads, that way shooters can train with ammo similar to their defensive load without the price tag. The round also has the same benefits of reduced fouling due to the coated bullet.

Quietest 9mm Ammo: Unsuppressed

Unfortunately, I can’t recommend any 9mm ammo for shooting unsuppressed without ear protection. The gun shot of an unsuppressed 9mm is just too loud, no matter what ammo you use, to not use hearing protection. 

If you’re still planning on using ear protection and just want something that’s on the quieter side, you can still try out the suggestions from above. Generally speaking, the ammo with heavier bullet weights (147gr.+) will have lower velocities, which in turn should be quieter. However, I’m not confident that you will notice much of a difference. 

Final Thoughts

We didn’t get to test every subsonic round out there, but our results should give you somewhere to start if you’re looking for the quietest 9mm ammo for a suppressed pistol or PDW.

Four rounds stood out for landing in our top five for both guns: 

• Ammo Inc. Stelth Subsonic 165gr. TMJ
• Federal Syntech Training Match 147gr. TSJ FN
• Fiocchi Subsonic 158gr. FMJ
• Federal Syntech Action Pistol 150gr. TSJ

Whichever load you go with, it’s worth it to just grab a box or two to ensure it runs reliably in your gun before stocking up.

Speer Lawman 9mm Luger Ammunition - 50 Rounds of 147 Grain TMJ

$20.00

Federal American Eagle 9mm Luger Ammunition - 50 Rounds of 147 grain FMJ FN

$18.00