Brown Bear & Wolf 9mm & .40 is it ok ammo?

[.460V & XVR Magnum Man]

A friend of mine has 9mm & .40 in both Wolf & Brown Bear Brand. He wants to sell some of it as he needs a little extra $$$. I have never used this particular brands of ammo, and he wants $9.00 for the 9mm's and $12.00 for the .40's per box. I need to know what everyone thinks of this. I have heard it is a bit dirty, but shoots ok.
He has about 250 of each he wants to sell to me.
Thanks,

[BigRich315]

You've heard right, but you can't ask much more from a $9 box of practice ammo. I received some Brown Bear 9mm from a cousin's stash after he passed and it was fairly accurate out of the 6906: medium recoil, pretty flashy, and took maybe a whole extra minute to clean up afterwards. I wish it could be reloaded but I'd still take all I could afford.

[vipermd]

I know of 1 one sig and one kimber with a broken extractor while using brown bear. both guns had less than 500 rds through them. Does this mean it was the ammo???? I know other people that have shot it with out problems. Is the steel case a problem?? I do not know!! I have heard various theories that the steel is a problem for the extractor VS using brass cases. Could either gun have broken using any other ammo?? Yes? I have not shot it because I did not think the trade off ammo cost VS repair was worth it. Does any one know of any torture tests done with brass VS steel cases??

[Kanewpadle]

I think it depends on the gun your using.

I shot over 3000 rounds of steel case Wolf out a Kimber several years ago. Then after another 3000 rounds of brass cased ammo, I broke an extractor.

Was it worth it? Yes. Simply because I pulled a new extractor out of my stash and replaced it. Easy to do on a 1911 if you know how.

The same could be said for other guns as well providing you have another extractor and know how to replace it.

[alwslate]

I bought a couple thousand Wolf 9mm. Had jams due to it being lightly
loa`ed. Also some sticking in chambers due to the steel cases having
burrs on the mouth. Fearing a broken extractor I decided not to shoot
any more of it in my Berettas or Glocks. On the other hand I have two
WW2 era guns that function fine with it. A Luger and an Astra 600. I
don't plan to buy any more of it.

[LoboGunLeather]

During WWII, because of shortages in materials for cartridge brass (copper and zinc), the US Ordnance Bureau did extensive testing of cartridge cases made of mild steel and many millions of rounds of ammunition were loaded in calibers ranging from .45ACP through artillery and AA shells.

As I recall, several coatings were used on the mild steel cases including lacquers and zinc plating. These provided resistance to corrosion and improved functioning in self-loading weapons.

Even the mildest steel alloys are significantly harder than cartridge brass (typically 70% copper 30% zinc), so there must be a few trade-offs. Parts such as extractors and ejectors, manufactured with the goal of dealing with cartridge brass, may experience increase/accelerated wear and tear when used with steel cased ammunition.

I have used a few boxes of the Russian stuff without problems, but I don't think I want to make it the steady diet for my pistols.

[Raider]

I have shot almost 1,000 rnds of 9x18 Brown Bear out of my MAK. Its dirty but accurate and functioned well.

Charlie

[Dragon88]

I wouldn't buy it for that price, maybe a couple dollars less per box. You can get Blazer or Federal at Wal-Mart for about those prices when they have it in stock. While I think it's ok ammo and safe for most guns, I would never shoot Brown Bear regularly in mine.

[Njanear]

Originally Posted by Dragon88

I wouldn't buy it for that price, maybe a couple dollars less per box. You can get Blazer or Federal at Wal-Mart for about those prices when they have it in stock.

Unless your WalMart prices are WAY DIFFERENT than ours, you won't find it there for those prices anymore.

[BigRich315]

Originally Posted by Njanear

Unless your WalMart prices are WAY DIFFERENT than ours, you won't find it there for those prices anymore.

I was thinking the same thing, those prices are long gone in these parts. You might find 9mm for $14.97.

[North Star]

I have used Brown Bear in my FEG PA-63 (9x18) with no problems. I would rather the Silver Bear, but for practice ammo it would be okay. I found that the Brown Bear is dirtier and a real bright muzzle flash. It seems that the Russian ammo has flooded the market with cheap ammo to fill in the holes of the American Manufacturers.

Been told that it is okay to used Soviet Ammo in European guns but stick to american ammo for american guns.

There, both sides. Personally I would buy the ammo and use it for target and get some Hornady for SD. IMHO

[perrazi]

buy american or load your own.

[animalmother]

I don't shoot steel cased ammo in my guns. But to each his own.

[kenjen]

i have used brown bear in a sub 2000 kel-tec it didn't like it, had alot of ejection problems but had no problems in my bretta 92

[flop-shank]

Originally Posted by perrazi

buy american or load your own.

Amen. +1. If we don't make the effort to keep money in our own economy, this nation has no future.

[OKFC05]

I have tapped stuck cases out of a few pistols with the Russian ammo at the range. I would expect it with tight match chambers, but an XD also glued in the cases. More work than don't, but you might get unlucky and have a problem.

Never saw any stick in any Russian designed guns.

[n4zov]

Originally Posted by animalmother

I don't shoot steel cased ammo in my guns. But to each his own.

+1 I own some nice guns, and I don't see any advantage in shooting ammo that introduces its own set of problems.