Firearm reviewers and everyday carriers alike know that testing a pistol with ballistic gel gives powerful insight into how it might perform in real-world self-defense situations. That’s why we were excited to see the S&W M&P9 M2.0 Metal Compact recently tested using Clear Ballistics 10% FBI ballistic gel in a feature published by Guns.com.

The review offers valuable data on how this compact pistol performs when paired with Federal Punch 124-grain 9mm ammo in controlled conditions.

S&W M&P9 M2.0 Metal Compact Ballistic Gel Test by Guns.com

In the full review on Guns.com, the author fired five rounds into Clear Ballistics' synthetic gel from a distance of 10 feet using the 3.6-inch barrel M&P9 M2.0 Metal Compact. The gel, which mimics human tissue and follows FBI testing standards, clearly showcased how well the ammo and pistol performed together.

Test Results That Match FBI Standards

Here’s what stood out from the test:

Penetration depth: All rounds reached between 17 and 18 inches, hitting the FBI’s ideal range of 12–18 inches for self-defense loads

Expansion and wound cavity: Each hollow point opened consistently, leaving 1-inch- wide permanent wound tracks

Bullet stability: No fragmentation occurred; most bullets tumbled slightly near the end of their track, increasing their stopping power

The performance of the Clear Ballistics gel allowed the reviewer to clearly observe and measure these results.

"The performance on our ballistic gel was 100 percent for full opening of the hollow-point bullets, with no lost metal fragments in the process." — Guns.com

Why This Matters for Concealed Carry & Ammo Testing

If you're evaluating ammo for personal defense or firearm training, using 10% ballistic gel helps you simulate realistic outcomes. The fact that Guns.com used our Clear Ballistics gel block in their test shows the level of trust shooters place in our gel to produce consistent, measurable results.

Whether you're testing handgun loads or comparing firearm platforms, our gel helps take the guesswork out of performance reviews.

Want to Try the Same Gel Used in This Test?

We offer the same 10% synthetic FBI gel block used in the review.

Shop our 10% Ballistic Gel Block to start your own ammo tests or EDC evaluations.