Smith & Wesson Forum

Advertise With Us Search
Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Ammo

Ammo All Ammo Discussions Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-12-2016, 03:33 PM
mnshutterbug's Avatar
mnshutterbug mnshutterbug is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SW MN
Posts: 152
Likes: 280
Liked 102 Times in 57 Posts
Default Ammo advice

Are there any brands of 9mm ammo not recommended? I recently purchased the SD9VE and have been shooting what was locally on sale which is American Eagle 115 grain. I've read that this pistol handles all types of ammo nicely but there are quite a few brands available online so there are more than likely some to stay away from. I do realize that Tula isn't for indoor ranges but what about Ruag or Blazer, a couple cheaper brands?

Is remanufactured a good route to go for target practice?

Last edited by mnshutterbug; 10-12-2016 at 03:41 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-12-2016, 03:58 PM
Arik Arik is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Outside Philadelphia Pa
Posts: 16,601
Likes: 7,342
Liked 17,200 Times in 7,303 Posts
Default

I use anything and everything. If I could get rocks to function Id use them too. Some people have hangups on Russian ammo.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 10-12-2016, 04:13 PM
mnshutterbug's Avatar
mnshutterbug mnshutterbug is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SW MN
Posts: 152
Likes: 280
Liked 102 Times in 57 Posts
Default

I'd certainly stay away from ammo made in China.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-12-2016, 04:37 PM
Ranger17's Avatar
Ranger17 Ranger17 is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Back in WI
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 624
Liked 1,845 Times in 837 Posts
Default

all my range ammo (115fmj) for my MP 9's has mostly been Blazer Brass and Remington umc, plus some Herters (only at Cabelas i believe) as well. A few thousand rounds of that stuff with 0 issues so i stick with it.

Never bought remanu'd ammo, don't see a need or purpose for it for what i do. Esp as i tend to get the above practice ammo at reasonable to good costs when i do buy it. So no real experience with lesser brands, etc....

just my .02
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #5  
Old 10-12-2016, 05:06 PM
fyimo's Avatar
fyimo fyimo is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 18,732
Likes: 6,048
Liked 5,762 Times in 1,992 Posts
Talking

I reload all my 9mm ammo and for target practice I shoot 115 grain ball ammo and for defense I load 115 grain JHP ammo.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-12-2016, 05:46 PM
Arik Arik is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Outside Philadelphia Pa
Posts: 16,601
Likes: 7,342
Liked 17,200 Times in 7,303 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mnshutterbug View Post
I'd certainly stay away from ammo made in China.
That would be hard to do since it's not imported. It was outlawed 1994. But when it was imported 25 years ago it was actually good ammo

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #7  
Old 10-12-2016, 05:56 PM
Psalm144v1's Avatar
Psalm144v1 Psalm144v1 is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

I stay away from Tula, too many FTE's and extra dirty. Lately I've used about 2500 rounds of reloaded 115g brass ammo available online and haven't had a single problem in my M&P Shield 9mm. I use AmmoSeek and WikiArms iOS apps to find the best deals. Ship cost included, getting it in quantities of 500 or 1000, for about $0.17 or $0.18 a round.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #8  
Old 10-12-2016, 06:09 PM
lrrifleman's Avatar
lrrifleman lrrifleman is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Southern NJ
Posts: 4,702
Likes: 19,137
Liked 4,206 Times in 1,875 Posts
Default

I shoot a 439, and I use either handloads or ammo from: Remington, Winchester, Federal, Speer, or Geco. When I buy factory ammo, I focus on quality, boxer primed brass for reloading. I avoid aluminum and steel cased ammo. I have just started looking at Hornady's Critical Defense ammo.
__________________
Judge control not gun control!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-12-2016, 08:35 PM
max's Avatar
max max is offline
US Veteran
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: illinois
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 1,869
Liked 6,808 Times in 2,142 Posts
Default

Although I reload 9mm, I have been buying Federal aluminum at WalMart for $9.99 and have fired many thousands of them.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-12-2016, 08:45 PM
mnshutterbug's Avatar
mnshutterbug mnshutterbug is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SW MN
Posts: 152
Likes: 280
Liked 102 Times in 57 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by max View Post
Although I reload 9mm, I have been buying Federal aluminum at WalMart for $9.99 and have fired many thousands of them.
How long ago was that? They don't even have that on their website. The cheapest they show is Federal 100 pack for $24.54.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-13-2016, 10:35 AM
CTG_COLLECTOR CTG_COLLECTOR is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 79
Liked 282 Times in 164 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mnshutterbug View Post
I'd certainly stay away from ammo made in China.
Why is that?

Norinco's .223 and 9mm worked fine for me several decades ago. I still have 1K in 9mm. Excellent plinking ammo!
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #12  
Old 10-13-2016, 10:50 AM
Arik Arik is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Outside Philadelphia Pa
Posts: 16,601
Likes: 7,342
Liked 17,200 Times in 7,303 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CTG_COLLECTOR View Post
Why is that?

Norinco's .223 and 9mm worked fine for me several decades ago. I still have 1K in 9mm. Excellent plinking ammo!
Because people associate Chinese goods with poor quality while forgetting that Chinese factories make goods to the price point of their clients. In other words, of a company wants to sell it's goods here for $3 a piece the quality isn't going to be worth $10/piece

But at this point it's irrelevant. You're not going to just go to Walmart or any gun store and find Chinese ammo
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Last edited by Arik; 10-13-2016 at 10:53 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #13  
Old 10-13-2016, 11:06 AM
max's Avatar
max max is offline
US Veteran
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: illinois
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 1,869
Liked 6,808 Times in 2,142 Posts
Default

My WM had the 9mm in 50 for $9.99 and 100 packs for $19.99 just a few days ago. When I get a check in the next day or 2 from my pt driving job, I will buy more.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-13-2016, 11:09 AM
ArchAngelCD's Avatar
ArchAngelCD ArchAngelCD is offline
Moderator
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Northeast PA, USA
Posts: 8,855
Likes: 1,029
Liked 5,072 Times in 2,662 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mnshutterbug View Post
Are there any brands of 9mm ammo not recommended? I recently purchased the SD9VE and have been shooting what was locally on sale which is American Eagle 115 grain. I've read that this pistol handles all types of ammo nicely but there are quite a few brands available online so there are more than likely some to stay away from. I do realize that Tula isn't for indoor ranges but what about Ruag or Blazer, a couple cheaper brands?

Is remanufactured a good route to go for target practice?
American Eagle ammo is good ammo and is part of Federal. Blazer is also good ammo and is part of CCI/Speer. If you want to save money on practice ammo you can buy Blazer Aluminum case ammo. Federal is also making Aluminum case ammo too which keeps the price down. Independence also makes aluminum case ammo and it's a good choice too. I'm only recommending aluminum case ammo because you don't reload so you don't need brass cases.
__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Last edited by ArchAngelCD; 10-13-2016 at 11:10 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-13-2016, 11:48 AM
WVSig's Avatar
WVSig WVSig is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 467
Liked 2,047 Times in 648 Posts
Default

I prefer 124Gr in 9mm for plinking and go as high as 147gr for defense rounds.

Any brass cased 9mm new factory load that you can get for $.20 or under is good to go. Steel or Alum can be had for a few cents less. I always recommend buying in bulk. 1000 rounds at a time will get you to that $.20 number for 115gr or 124gr. If you don't want to buy in bulk Walmart or Cabela's when you hit a sale are good places where you can get close to that $.20 price point.

RAUG is very good ammo. I have shot a ton of their 124gr Geco, RAUG and RWS. Walmart blew it out at $6.99 a box at one time. I bought as much as I could at that price. These days you can find it around $.23 +/-.

In the end plinking ammo is plinking ammo. You are not looking for 50 yard 2" groups from this ammo. You want it to go off, every time and have it group with reasonable consistency. Don't over think it. Almost everything on the market can do that. IMHO

As for reloaded ammo it all depends on who is loading it. I do not recommend Freedom Munitions anymore because of inconsistent QC. If you can find a reloaded ammo that works for you and saves you money go for it!

SG Ammo has a good deal on Aguila right now. $199 with $16 shipping.

1000 round case - 9mm Luger 115 grain FMJ Brass Case Non-Corrosive Aguila Ammo | SGAmmo.com

Blazer 124gr for $210 + $16 shipping.

1000 round case - 9mm CCI Blazer Brass 124 grain FMJ ammo 5201 | SGAmmo.com

Last edited by WVSig; 10-13-2016 at 12:37 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 10-13-2016, 10:02 PM
Eddie Southgate's Avatar
Eddie Southgate Eddie Southgate is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Tennessee and Alabama
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 2,764
Liked 1,621 Times in 664 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mnshutterbug View Post
Are there any brands of 9mm ammo not recommended? I recently purchased the SD9VE and have been shooting what was locally on sale which is American Eagle 115 grain. I've read that this pistol handles all types of ammo nicely but there are quite a few brands available online so there are more than likely some to stay away from. I do realize that Tula isn't for indoor ranges but what about Ruag or Blazer, a couple cheaper brands?

Is remanufactured a good route to go for target practice?
Re manufactured is usually fine . Where do you find the Ruag ? It is excellent ammo in 7.5x55 Swiss so if available it might be my preference. What's the price like ?

Eddie
__________________
Grumpy Old Man With a Gun
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 10-13-2016, 10:08 PM
mnshutterbug's Avatar
mnshutterbug mnshutterbug is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SW MN
Posts: 152
Likes: 280
Liked 102 Times in 57 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddie Southgate View Post
Re manufactured is usually fine . Where do you find the Ruag ? It is excellent ammo in 7.5x55 Swiss so if available it might be my preference. What's the price like ?

Eddie
Target Sports USA - Free Shipping On Bulk Ammo & All Firearms has it for $9.49 with free shipping.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #18  
Old 10-14-2016, 11:39 AM
Papa_D's Avatar
Papa_D Papa_D is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SW Oklahoma
Posts: 258
Likes: 431
Liked 187 Times in 91 Posts
Default

The weakest stuff I've shot is the aluminum cased Federal stuff from Walmart. Never an issue with any of it.

Sent from my BLU STUDIO 5.0 II using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 10-14-2016, 07:49 PM
Eddie Southgate's Avatar
Eddie Southgate Eddie Southgate is offline
Member
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Tennessee and Alabama
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 2,764
Liked 1,621 Times in 664 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mnshutterbug View Post
If this is the same Ruag that makes ammo for the Swiss military it should be top notch stuff. I don't own a 9 or I would order some and try it myself. I was really hoping that they made .38 or .45 auto. Thanks for the link.

Eddie
__________________
Grumpy Old Man With a Gun
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 10-14-2016, 08:00 PM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,776
Likes: 1,899
Liked 5,550 Times in 2,801 Posts
Default

The quality of remanufactured ammo runs from excellent to dangerous, depending upon who makes it and their production standards.

Black Hills reman is outstanding. I personally wouldn't buy from anyone else, but I'm an old coot.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 10-15-2016, 09:44 AM
max's Avatar
max max is offline
US Veteran
Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice Ammo advice  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: illinois
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 1,869
Liked 6,808 Times in 2,142 Posts
Default

Got my check yesterday and went to Walmart and bought the ammo for $9.99.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
27-2 ammo advice please Dewy12 S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 13 06-27-2015 09:18 PM
Need ammo advice Leeheel9 Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 21 04-20-2014 09:44 PM
ammo advice SINISTER66 Ammo 4 03-14-2012 12:32 PM
.22 Mag Ammo Advice? Gebe The Lounge 15 06-20-2011 03:23 PM
Help - Ammo advice Vintage1 S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 9 05-20-2009 04:40 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:39 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)