Ammo

I have a question regarding ammo...etc..Is all 'name brand' ammo all pretty much comparable?

I went out today and even though I wasn't planning on it initially I managed to buy some Speer Lawman rounds in .40 S&W, I plan on using these at the range to qualify and basically use on targets. Its the same exact type of round I use at the range with my USP with the exception that my duty is chambered in a .45

For regular carry purposes is there a type and brand most prefer etc..looking for opinions here. What do you use for 'target' and what do you stuff in your mags for duty/off-duty carry?

Dave

I would check with your dept and see what they allow for carry ammo. Some departments limit the type of round and brand.

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Originally Posted by pgg

I would check with your dept and see what they allow for carry ammo. Some departments limit the type of round and brand.

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According to our SOP's...the only restrictions I see imposed on us are no 'Magnum' loads and no Wolf Ammo. Other than that I haven't found any other mention of 'restricted' ammo or manufacturers.

Does your agency only issue .45 or .40 ammo also? If they issue .40 see if you can get some of that from them.

If you are choosing a duty round, go look at Doc Roberts' list.

If you are shooting targets, use the cheapest shit that won't fuck up your gun. Shooting hollow points for practice is insane!

I run into people who say you should qualify with your duty round - but in a handgun the differences in trajectory and recoil are so minute that it is only a waste of money.

As an instructor, I would rather see you shoot 15,000 rounds of shitty ammunition than 500 rounds of duty ammo.

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Originally Posted by pgg

Does your agency only issue .45 or .40 ammo also? If they issue .40 see if you can get some of that from them.

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Unfortunately they only issue .45 ammo..so I"m on my own with my off duty since it's a .40

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Originally Posted by maclean

If you are choosing a duty round, go look at Doc Roberts' list.

If you are shooting targets, use the cheapest shit that won't fuck up your gun. Shooting hollow points for practice is insane!

I run into people who say you should qualify with your duty round - but in a handgun the differences in trajectory and recoil are so minute that it is only a waste of money.

As an instructor, I would rather see you shoot 15,000 rounds of shitty ammunition than 500 rounds of duty ammo.

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The Speer Lawman rounds I bought today are pretty much the same rounds I shoot at the range with my duty, they are also $19.00 a box (50 rounds per box)....so not bad at all.

I just see so many different brands like Federal, Winchester etc...I was curious as to what would be better suited for a duty round not something cheap that I'm going to be putting into the berm...

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Originally Posted by Drico

Unfortunately they only issue .45 ammo..so I"m on my own with my off duty since it's a .40

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Then I would look for the same type of round that is your duty round in .40. ie. if your dept issues Gold Dot ammo then buy Gold Dot in .40

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Originally Posted by Drico

The Speer Lawman rounds I bought today are pretty much the same rounds I shoot at the range with my duty, they are also $19.00 a box (50 rounds per box)....so not bad at all.

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Uh, you shoot stuff that costs $19 a box for practice and consider that a good deal?

I'd be spending a new cars worth of ammo at that price.

Look at Doc Roberts' list.

Service Pistol Duty and Self-Defense Loads - M4Carbine.net Forums

Choose the one you can find at a decent price from that list, and shoot practice ammo on the range.

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Originally Posted by Drico

I have a question regarding ammo...etc..Is all 'name brand' ammo all pretty much comparable?

I went out today and even though I wasn't planning on it initially I managed to buy some Speer Lawman rounds in .40 S&W, I plan on using these at the range to qualify and basically use on targets. Its the same exact type of round I use at the range with my USP with the exception that my duty is chambered in a .45

For regular carry purposes is there a type and brand most prefer etc..looking for opinions here. What do you use for 'target' and what do you stuff in your mags for duty/off-duty carry?

Dave

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Stay with the "name" brands; there is a difference. But that doesn't mean you have to either buy the most expensive or hollowpoints for practice. Ball ammo/FMJ is fine for marksmanship; buy the least expensive decent brand you can.

I think there's a good chance that'll be Speer... Speer is OK, but lots of folks say it's dirtier than Federal, Remington, or Winchester. (I'm sure I'm missing some...)

I really like speer lawman for a target rd.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Drico

The Speer Lawman rounds I bought today are pretty much the same rounds I shoot at the range with my duty, they are also $19.00 a box (50 rounds per box)....so not bad at all.

I just see so many different brands like Federal, Winchester etc...I was curious as to what would be better suited for a duty round not something cheap that I'm going to be putting into the berm...

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Around here $19.00 for a box would be considered cheap. I can't touch a box of Speer Lawman for less then $30.00 :(

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Originally Posted by pgg

Around here $19.00 for a box would be considered cheap. I can't touch a box of Speer Lawman for less then $30.00 :(

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lol...yeah..that's why to Speer is cheap at $19.00 a box...when I started to compare it to other brands available that day it was clearly on the lower end in terms of cost..most everything else was above that.

Ammunition To Go : 500rds - 40 S&W Fiocchi 170gr. FMJ Ammo [Fiocchi40SWA] - $149.95

Fiocchi 170 grain FMJ for $14.95 a box when you buy 500 rds.

Ammunition To Go : 50rds - 40 S&W Speer Lawman 180gr. TMJ Ammo [53652] - $15.95

Lawman training for $15.95 a box, per 50.

Ammunition To Go : 50rds - 40 S&W Sellier & Bellot 180gr FMJ Ammo [A04001] - $16.95

Sellier-Bellot for $16.95 a box.

All of those are cheap, reliable shooting fodder that will go bang every time and put neat holes in paper targets.

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Originally Posted by maclean

Ammunition To Go : 500rds - 40 S&W Fiocchi 170gr. FMJ Ammo [Fiocchi40SWA] - $149.95

Fiocchi 170 grain FMJ for $14.95 a box when you buy 500 rds.

Ammunition To Go : 50rds - 40 S&W Speer Lawman 180gr. TMJ Ammo [53652] - $15.95

Lawman training for $15.95 a box, per 50.

Ammunition To Go : 50rds - 40 S&W Sellier & Bellot 180gr FMJ Ammo [A04001] - $16.95

Sellier-Bellot for $16.95 a box.

All of those are cheap, reliable shooting fodder that will go bang every time and put neat holes in paper targets.

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Very nice Mac..I appreciate it..I'm going to check out those online resources for ammo...seems like you can find great deals.

Another one I've used in the past is BUYAMMO.COM - Ammunition Industry News and Cheap Place to Find and Buy Dirt Cheap Ammo, Ammunition, Rifle Ammunition, 9mm Ammo, and Military Surplus!

They split the US into a West warehouse and East warehouse. If what you're looking for is not in stock in "your" warehouse, just switch to the other warehouse and order from there. It'll be a few dollars extra in shipping and take a couple of extra days, but they do it.

It is now against the law here to mail order ammo :mad:

Geez. That's it you're staying when you get here.

I don't know if you have a Glock, but if you do, stick with brass casings, the aluminum can rip the extractor apart. And yes, I know there's some discussion on the validity of this, but why take a chance?

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Originally Posted by APB

I don't know if you have a Glock, but if you do, stick with brass casings, the aluminum can rip the extractor apart. And yes, I know there's some discussion on the validity of this, but why take a chance?

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Among armorers, there is no longer any discussion of the validity of this.

Aluminum is weaker than brass, and the extractor is hardened steel.

I shoot aluminum when it's cheap without issue.

What happens with the aluminum case is that it expands more than brass (because it is weaker.) This causes the extractor to have to work harder, true.

I've seen the Glocktalk threads, too. Cosmetic wear of the finish is not a concern and does not indicate wear.