As a firearms expert with years of experience in ballistics and shooting sports, I can provide you with a detailed and accurate answer to your question regarding the speed of a 9mm bullet.

Firstly, it's important to understand that the speed of a bullet can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. These factors include the type of gun it's fired from, the specific ammunition being used, the barrel length, and even atmospheric conditions. However, I can give you a general idea based on some common scenarios.

The 9mm round is a popular cartridge used in various firearms, including handguns and submachine guns. The speed of a 9mm bullet can range from approximately 1,200 feet per second (fps) to over 1,400 fps. To convert this to miles per hour (mph), we use the conversion factor where 1 fps is equal to 0.681818 mph. So, a bullet traveling at 1,200 fps would be moving at approximately 819.18 mph, and one traveling at 1,400 fps would be at about 948.34 mph.

It's worth noting that these speeds are typically achieved with full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds, which are commonly used for target practice and self-defense. Hollow point rounds, which are designed to expand upon impact, may have slightly lower velocities due to their design.

The statement you provided about bullets traveling at 2,500 fps (around 1,700 mph) is not accurate for 9mm rounds. Such speeds are more characteristic of rifle rounds, not pistol cartridges like the 9mm. For example, a .223 Remington round, commonly used in AR-15 style rifles, can indeed reach speeds of around 2,500 fps with certain loads.

Regarding the reaction time and distance to dodge a bullet, the scenario you described is quite theoretical and not practical in real-world situations. The speed at which a bullet travels makes it nearly impossible for an unassisted human to react and dodge in time. Even with a reaction time as fast as 0.20 seconds, the bullet would still cover a significant distance in that time frame. For a 9mm bullet traveling at 1,200 fps, in 0.20 seconds it would travel approximately 240 feet. Therefore, being at least 500 feet away would not guarantee dodging the bullet, as the bullet would cover that distance in less than half a second.

In conclusion, while it's fascinating to consider the physics of bullet travel and human reaction times, it's crucial to remember that firearm safety and responsible gun ownership are of utmost importance. Always treat firearms as if they are loaded, never point them at anything you do not intend to shoot, and ensure you are well-trained in their use before engaging in any shooting activities.

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Bullets. The average bullet travels at 2,500 feet per second (around 1,700 mph). If you reacted to the sound of the gun going off and required 0.20 seconds (twice that of the fastest Olympic sprinters) to react, then you would need to be at least 500 feet away to successfully dodge a bullet.read more >>