{"id":9117,"date":"2022-07-14T15:21:11","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T15:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/?p=9117"},"modified":"2025-10-01T17:47:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T17:47:12","slug":"federal-syntech-9mm-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/federal-syntech-9mm-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal Syntech 9mm Review and Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There haven\u2019t been many major advances in firearm technology over the past decade. However, the amount of innovation in ammo design we\u2019ve seen in just the past few years blows my mind.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While ammunition designers are constantly pushing the envelope in accuracy and terminal ballistics, Federal Premium\u2019s Syntech line addresses other concerns. Namely lead exposure. Let&#8217;s dive into what this relative newcomer has to offer with an overview and Federal Syntech 9mm review.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Lead Problem<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shooting a firearm is a dirty affair. Traditional lead bullets fragment and vaporize during shooting, which exposes the shooter and anyone nearby to dangerous lead particles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reducing exposure to chemicals and toxins is super trendy these days, but caring about what goes into your body isn\u2019t limited to vegans wearing Birkenstocks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a high-volume shooter, Federal\u2019s Syntech line could offer the clean-shooting peace of mind you\u2019ve been looking for.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal Syntech Specs<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal Syntech loads all feature a frangible lead core under a polymer coating. Here\u2019s a look at the Syntech line-up:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/50rds-9mm-federal-american-eagle-syntech-115gr-tsj-ammo\">Syntech Range<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Featuring a bright red polymer coating, Syntech Range ammo is designed for practical plinking and target shooting. Loads are available in flat nose and round nose variations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Available in:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9mm &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/200rds-9mm-federal-syntech-115gr-total-synthetic-jacket-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\">115 grain<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/500rds-9mm-federal-syntech-124gr-total-synthetic-jacket-fn-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\">124 grain<\/a>, 150 grain<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/50rds-40-s-w-federal-syntech-165gr-tsj-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.40 S&amp;W &#8211; 165 grain<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10mm &#8211; 205 grain<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/500rds-45-acp-federal-syntech-230gr-total-synthetic-jacket-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.45 Auto &#8211; 230 grain<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/50rds-9mm-federal-syntech-150gr-total-synthetic-jacket-ammo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syntech Action Pistol<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9179\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Federal-Syntech-9mm-ammo.jpg\" alt=\"Federal Syntech\" width=\"1400\" height=\"796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Federal-Syntech-9mm-ammo.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Federal-Syntech-9mm-ammo-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Federal-Syntech-9mm-ammo-1024x582.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal Syntech Action Pistol loads are the official ammunition of the <a href=\"https:\/\/uspsa.org\/\">USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association)<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are \u201cdesigned for the action shooting sports and loaded to power factor requirements with heavy, flatter-nosed bullets for more reliable knock-downs on steel targets in competition.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like Syntech Range loads, Syntech Action Pistol ammo features stunning lipstick-red polymer-coated projectiles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Available in:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9mm &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/500rds-9mm-federal-syntech-150gr-total-synthetic-jacket-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\">150 grain<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/50rds-40-s-and-w-federal-syntech-action-pistol-205gr-total-synthetic-jacket-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.40 S&amp;W &#8211; 205 grain<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/500rds-45-acp-federal-syntech-action-pistol-220gr-total-synthetic-jacket-fn-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.45 Auto &#8211; 220 grain<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/50rds-45-acp-federal-syntech-training-match-230gr-total-synthetic-jacket-ammo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syntech Training Match<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal Syntech Training Match loads are designed to be realistic training loads. They offer the same velocity, trajectory, and point of impact as equivalent Federal Premium Personal Defense HST and Tactical HST duty ammunition, so you can transition seamlessly from practice rounds to defense rounds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These loads feature a vibrant purple synthetic jacket, so they are easy to distinguish from Syntech Action Pistol and Range ammo.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Available in:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9mm &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/50rds-9mm-federal-syntech-training-match-124gr-total-synthetic-jacket-fn-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\">124 grain<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/500rds-9mm-federal-syntech-training-match-147gr-total-synthetic-jacket-fn-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\">147 grain<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/50rds-40-s-w-federal-syntech-training-match-180gr-total-synthetic-jacket-fn-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.40 S&amp;W &#8211; 180 grain<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/50rds-45-acp-federal-syntech-training-match-230gr-total-synthetic-jacket-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.45 Auto &#8211; 230 grain<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"mc-shortcode\">\n    <div class=\"mc-shortcode__carousel\">\n                                                <div class=\"mc-shortcode__col\"  data-bannerIndex=\"1\">\n                <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/500rds-9mm-federal-syntech-training-match-147gr-total-synthetic-jacket-fn-ammo?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=product_carousel&utm_campaign=post&utm_content=federal-syntech-9mm-review\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"mc-shortcode__container\" onmouseout=\"handleShortCodeProductOut(event);\" onmouseover=\"handleShortCodeProductOver(event);\">\n                    <div class=\"mc-shortcode__product\">\n                        <div class=\"mc-shortcode__product-content\">\n                            <div class=\"mc-shortcode__product-contanier\">\n                                <div class=\"mc-shortcode__product-image\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static-cdn.ammunitiontogo.com\/pimages\/image\/512x\/e0266470459c8672771a1cb2d1bebeb3\/d\/b\/dbd21be89e8fc4e7bdd23a61b1ae765b.jpg\" width=\"70\" height=\"70\" alt=\"product\" \/>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"mc-shortcode__product-content-price\">\n                                                                            <div class=\"mc-shortcode__product-content-price-final\">\n                                            $218.95                                        <\/div>\n                                                                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"mc-shortcode__product-content-logo\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/themes\/atg\/assets\/img\/mc-logo-gray.svg\" alt=\"logo\" width=\"44\" height=\"40\" \/>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"mc-shortcode__product-title\">\n                            500rds \u2013 9mm Federal Syntech Training Match 147gr. Total Synthetic Jacket FN Ammo                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"mc-shortcode__pagination\">\n        <div class=\"mc-shortcode__nav-left\" onClick=\"handleMcGetPreviousSlides(event);\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/themes\/atg\/assets\/img\/mc-arrow-left.svg\" alt=\"left icon\" width=\"16\" height=\"12\">\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"mc-shortcode__nav-steps\">\n                                                                        <div class=\"mc-shortcode__nav-number mc-shortcode__nav-number--selected\" data-slideIndex=\"2\" onClick=\"handleMcGetSlidesByIndex(event);\">\n                    1                <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"mc-shortcode__nav-right \" onClick=\"handleMcGetNextSlides(event);\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/themes\/atg\/assets\/img\/mc-arrow-right.svg\" alt=\"right icon\" width=\"16\" height=\"12\">\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syntech Defense<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike the other loads in the Syntech line, Syntech Defense is designed for defensive shooting, not target shooting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The blue color-coded projectiles have Syntech\u2019s hallmark polymer coating. However, the coating surrounds a hollow-point bullet. The hollow point is designed to separate into three outer segments and a deep-penetrating core on impact. The segments create secondary wounds, while the core penetrates up to 18 inches in soft tissue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Available in:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/20rds-9mm-federal-syntech-defense-138gr-shp-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9mm &#8211; 138 grain<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/20rds-40-s-w-federal-syntech-defense-175gr-shp-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.40 S&amp;W &#8211; 175 grain<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/20rds-45-acp-federal-syntech-defense-205gr-shp-ammo?utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=link\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.45 Auto &#8211; 205 grain<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Makes Federal Syntech Special<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from its bright projectile colors, Federal Syntech has several other striking features.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TSJ (Total Synthetic Jacket)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those vibrantly colored bullets are actually color-coded polymer jackets. (I mean, if you\u2019re going to use a synthetic jacket, you can make it any color you want. I\u2019m partial to lipstick red.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syntech projectiles are completely encapsulated in a proprietary polymer coating designed to prevent metal-on-metal contact inside the barrel. The design eliminates internal copper and lead fouling. Reduced fouling means you won\u2019t need to clean your firearm as frequently as you would with standard ammo. <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9120 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/red-polymer-1024x557.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"557\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/red-polymer-1024x557.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/red-polymer-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/red-polymer-1536x835.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/red-polymer-2048x1113.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Polymer travels down the barrel with a lot less friction than copper. That copper-on-steel contact can heat up a barrel in a hurry. According to Federal Ammunition, the Syntech bullets produce 12 percent less friction and 14 percent less heat than standard jacketed projectiles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That means Syntech should run cooler than regular FMJs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By reducing wear and tear on the bore, shooting Syntech should also increase barrel life. That should be a major selling point for high-volume shooters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Performance on Steel<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to reducing barrel fouling, the Syntech jacket also makes these rounds a safer option for shooting steel targets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9121\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9121\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9121 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/polymer-vs-fmj-1024x563.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/polymer-vs-fmj-1024x563.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/polymer-vs-fmj-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/polymer-vs-fmj-1536x844.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/polymer-vs-fmj-2048x1125.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9121\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">TSJ vs FMJ<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hard copper jackets fragment when they strike steel, causing dangerous splashback that poses a risk to both shooters and casual bystanders. Small pieces of lead can bounce back from a steel target as far as 25 feet with enough energy to lodge into soft tissue. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because polymer is softer, it doesn\u2019t fragment in the same way as traditional FMJs. The chances of sharp polymer shrapnel flying off steel targets are fairly low.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You still shouldn\u2019t use Syntech\u2019s polymer jackets as an excuse for unsafe shooting practices. Syntech\u2019s lead core could still potentially bounce back, so always shoot steel targets at safe distances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clean-Burning Powders and Lead-Free Primers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federal optimized their Syntech ammunition for indoor shooting by using both clean-burning powders and their exclusive Catalyst lead-free primers. These elements also keep your gun cleaner longer, so you can spend more time shooting and less time cleaning up afterward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re worried about the reliability of Syntech\u2019s Catalyst primers, don\u2019t. They are formulated for reliable, consistent ignition shot after shot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syntech does more than keep your gun clean. It also reduces exposure to lead.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shooting lead ammo sends microscopic lead particles into the air, which can easily be inhaled. Once the dust settles, lead ends up on skin, clothing, and range surfaces, where it can be absorbed or accidentally ingested.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can have dire consequences. When lead builds up in the body, it can cause high blood pressure, memory problems, joint and muscle pain, headaches, and mood disorders. It can also reduce sperm count and cause other fertility issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lead isn\u2019t the only dangerous substance that should concern shooters. Other hazardous heavy metals are released during shooting, including antimony, boron, and manganese.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syntech uses lead-free primers and clean-burning powders and completely encases its lead projectiles in polymer. These features significantly reduce exposure to these toxic and potentially life-threatening substances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recoil and Power Factor<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syntech loads are engineered to produce a lower power factor. Power Factor takes a little math and is essential for shooters competing in USPSA, IDPA, or ICORE matches. (For those math-curious readers out there, power factor is the weight of the bullet in grains multiplied by the speed of the bullet in feet per second.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Competition matches aside, power factor also affects recoil. A load with a higher power factor will produce more \u201ckick\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recoil affects more than shooter comfort. Less recoil makes it easier to tame muzzle rise, so shooters can get back on target and make quick, accurate follow-up shots.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Proof is in the Pudding &#8211; Our Federal Syntech 9mm Review<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manufacturer claims are fine, but sometimes companies are a lot like politicians &#8211; they don\u2019t deliver as much as they promise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s why we headed to the range with an ammo can full of Federal Syntech Range and Action Pistol Ammo. Here\u2019s what we found.<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9122 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/syntech-testing-1024x765.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"765\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/syntech-testing-1024x765.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/syntech-testing-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/syntech-testing-1536x1148.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/syntech-testing-2048x1530.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is It Clean?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It makes sense that polymer wouldn\u2019t shed pieces the same way copper does. Polymer is much softer than copper (or any other metal). Any bits of synthetic material that might be shed inside the barrel should burn out with later shots.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I only fired about 400 rounds, but I couldn\u2019t find any bits of red polymer in my barrel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does it run cleaner? Probably.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s hard to gauge how much cleaner the barrel is over just a few hundred rounds. We would probably need to run a thousand or more before we could detect major visible differences.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Target Performance<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9123\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9123\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9123 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/holes-300x210.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/holes-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/holes-1024x717.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/holes-1536x1075.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/holes-2048x1434.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9123\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Syntech hole on the left. FMJ on the right.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While I wasn\u2019t shooting steel, there are some visible differences in how polymer bullets punch holes in paper targets. \u201cPunch\u201d is the operative word here. The polymer bullets literally punch perfectly round holes, while standard FMJs rip jagged openings in the paper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syntech bullet holes remind me of wadcutter holes. They are super clean, which should theoretically make them easier to score.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recoil<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While I\u2019m not exactly a \u201crecoil sensitive\u201d shooter, I am a woman with feminine wrists, which means excessive muzzle rise can be a little harder for me to tame. When I read that Syntech was designed to produce less recoil, I had high hopes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the difference in recoil between Syntech loads and my normal FMJ practice loads was noticeable, it was incredibly subtle. If I\u2019d had a buddy secretly swap out a magazine of my practice loads for a mag filled with Syntech, I probably wouldn\u2019t have been able to tell the difference.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>FYI, the Action Pistol loads had slightly less felt recoil than the Range loads. It was still difficult to tell much of a difference, but again&#8230; I only shot about 400 rounds. Things like recoil tend to become exaggerated the more you shoot them. I might have been thankful for that small recoil difference if I&#8217;d sent more lead downrange.<\/p>\n<p>Even when we tried to measure muzzle rise, we couldn&#8217;t find a significant difference between Syntech and my normal FMJ practice loads.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clearing the Air<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9129\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/20220620_115104-scaled-e1657810794896.jpg\" alt=\"The author firing Federal Syntech at the range\" width=\"1926\" height=\"1548\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/20220620_115104-scaled-e1657810794896.jpg 1926w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/20220620_115104-scaled-e1657810794896-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/20220620_115104-scaled-e1657810794896-1024x823.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/20220620_115104-scaled-e1657810794896-1536x1235.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1926px) 100vw, 1926px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syntech\u2019s clean-burning primers and powders are difficult for laypeople like me to measure. I don\u2019t have the means to measure air samples or run lab tests on lead surfaces. I\u2019ll leave that to the scientists in white lab coats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, I was able to observe a major reduction in smoke. Compared to Speer Lawman FMJs, Syntech produced slightly less smoke, especially the smoke emitted through the ejection port. Most of the Syntech smoke seemed to originate from the muzzle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019m no scientist, but that seems to indicate less toxic blowback for the shooter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What About Syntech Reliability?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those candy-apple red projectiles had me feeling a little skeptical about how these loads would cycle. The fact that they are \u201clow recoil\u201d also had me wondering how they would run in my Glock.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I shouldn\u2019t have worried. There were zero feeding, extraction, or cycling problems. My Glock 19 ate several hundred rounds without a problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who Should Shoot Federal Syntech?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s essential to remember that Federal Syntech was designed for competition. While a casual shooter may only send a couple of hundred rounds downrange each month to keep his skills from turning rusty, a competition shooter sends thousands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every jacketed pill that travels through your barrel damages the barrel in tiny, almost imperceptible ways. Over time, standard metal jackets deliver a major beat-down on the interior of your firearm.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The average lifespan of a factory barrel is around 100,000 rounds. Few EDC weapons will spit that many bullets in their entire lifetime. A competition pistol could see that kind of action in a few dozen months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a serious high-volume shooter, a polymer-coated, low-friction round like Federal Syntech could add years of use to your sidearm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Syntech also has some major perks for indoor range shooters. Clean-burning propellants and lead-free primers significantly reduce lead exposure, which is crucial when shooting indoors where lead residue coats everything, including your lungs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019m not a competition shooter, although I probably shoot more rounds through my EDC pistol than the average defensive shooter. I prefer to practice with ammo that is ballistically similar to my carry ammo. For me, that currently means <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/50rds-9mm-speer-lawman-124gr-tmj-ammo\">Speer Lawman<\/a>, because I\u2019m toting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/product_info.php\/pName\/50rds-9mm-speer-le-gold-dot-124gr-hp-ammo\">Speer Gold Dot<\/a> in my EDC Glock.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, I can certainly see the perks of using Syntech Range for a fun afternoon of plinking with the buddies, especially if your main goal is to ping steel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides\u2026 what could be more fun than loading your plinking pistol with festive red bullets?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/index.php\/cName\/federal-ammo?jacket_type=2908&amp;utm_source=lodge&amp;utm_medium=banner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-9180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Buy-federal-syntech-here.jpg\" alt=\"Where to buy Federal Syntech Ammo\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Buy-federal-syntech-here.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Buy-federal-syntech-here-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Buy-federal-syntech-here-1024x695.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A look at Federal&#8217;s Syntech line of ammunition. What makes it different from traditional loads and what can you expect from it in terms of performance?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":9181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,6],"tags":[312,313,311],"class_list":["post-9117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ammo-topics","category-range","tag-federal-premium","tag-syntech","tag-training-ammo"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Federal Syntech 9mm Review and Profile - AmmoToGo.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A review of Federal Syntech 9mm ammo along with a look at what the unique polymer line of ammo can do for shooters.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/federal-syntech-9mm-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Federal Syntech 9mm Review and Profile - 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