9mm 115gr Critical Defense issue

[M19-5]

Went to the range today to function test and fire the M39-2, as I am wanting to have this pistol as my CCW.

Went through about 100 rounds of WW box in a pretty rapid pace with no issues, pretty happy at this point.

Finished up with what is going to be my carry ammo...

I have only 2 boxes of this of the same lot#

I had one that misfired (primer strike, but no detonation).
Tried a total of 5 times, no go.
Fired some others and no problem(so it is not a gun malfunction).

This has to be my first experience with a failure of factory defense ammo.

Now I am rethinking my carry ammo options.
I have to totally trust my pistol and ammo before I CCW with the combination.

Below are some pic's and Lot# if anyone else has had a problem.

Do you think Hornady would want this information, or it is just what it is ?

Clarence

 

[CTG_COLLECTOR]

My suggestion is to stay away from Hornady's FTX handgun ammo. It is a completely unproven performer on the streets (where it really matters!).

And I'm sure Hornady already knows about its primer problems already as your experience is nothing new to them.

 

[M19-5]

Should have researched earlier on this ammo.
On going problem for 3 years.
Too bad.
Not even going to contact Hornady, just going to chalk it up to experience.

Searching for another test subject.

Clarence

 

[blujax01]

I would contact them if only to get my money back!

 

[baccusboy]

Yet another primer problem from Hornady, and why I refer to this round as "Critical Dud."

I would NEVER trust my life to that company, unless I purchased just raw bullets and loaded my own. Your mileage may vary.

 

[pff]

40 rounds is hardly enough to prove function reliability, though in this case it was enough to prove it wasn't trustworthy.

If money is an issue, consider using a second-tier load that you can afford more of, like Federal 9BP.

I've seen some pretty decent pricing on case lots of it at Summit.

The Remington L9MM1B is a similar load, which is mostly what I carry. Under $30 per 100 at Walmart, when they have it.

Regards,

Pat

 

[Shielded]

Wow, I didn't know this ammo & the company had this as a problem. Learn something new everyday. Now I've spent about $45 bucks on .380 & 9mm on this stuff & it may not go bang What works nowadays anyway? And now perhaps an avatar change too.

 

[Steve C]

The reason you practice failure drills with semi auto's. All ammo can fail at one time or another. People brag about their guns reliability but often do not consider the other part of the equation which is the ammo. Personally I wouldn't worry too much about one round failing. Much better to have it FTF than squib and stick a bullet in your barrel. At least a rack of the slide would give you the next shot in about 1/2 second.

In a older handgun like the M39 which has been around a while and likely has had some use over the years it may be a good idea to replace the mainspring to make sure the hammer is giving the firing pin a good wack.

 

[M19-5]

Thanks to all that responded.

My M39-2 that I purchased used a couple months ago was treated like any other used gun that I aquire.

It was totally torn down to every piece and cleaned and inspected, all springs replaced at that time(Wolff).
Including magazine springs.

I am not too worried about a failure at the most inoportune time cause we all practice clearing the pistol and continuing on.

But when you get a bad primer in a 50rd lot, then I am concerned.

I personally have never experienced a primer not firing in supposedly top of the line factory and defense ammo, never.

There are a lot more out there to choose from and Hornady will not be on my list.

This was mainly a for your information post/ thread, nothing more and nothing less.

Thanks;
Clarence Perkins

 

[shawn mccarver]

Nothing much wrong with Federal 9BP, or if you or not scared of +P+, then Federal 9BPLE. Note that +P+ is not approved by the factory, and will cause accelerated wear, so they say.

 

[Bartman3562]

Federal Hst 2

Well worth a try. Try streithers, around $30 per 50, and works like it supposed to

 

[RichieC]

Here is a link to 9mm JHPs that I keep in my Glocks:
Underwood Ammo - 9mm Luger

And a test of one of those JHPs:
Underwood 9mm 115 gr +P+ JHP Ammo Test - YouTube

I know that 9mm +p or +p+ rounds should not be used in some handguns, but they are fine for Glocks. And the ammo costs far less than the major brands.

 

[blujax01]

At almost $1.00 per round for 115 grain 9mm Critical Defense, each and every one of them should be perfect!

Hand-packed by virgins wearing white flowing togas.

Complete with a "Ta-Da" sounding when you open the box.

Which by the way should have premiums like T-Shirts or ball caps included.

A dollar per for 9 MM??!!!

I'll take vanilla.

 

[Arik]

^^ LMAO!!

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[kentguy]

M19-5,

I certianly understand those who have had failures with one ammo or another, after-all this you your choice of ammo that you will trust your life on. But beware... as some have said NO AMMO IS PERFECT, if you have had or have never had a failure with a pitcular ammo - odds are you will! Nothing wrong with shopping around for what you feel comfortable with, however praticeing firing, reloading and failure dirlls at the range is even more critical.

I have used Hornady's XTP "Custom" bullets for both my 9mm (124g) & 380 (90g) CCW for many years. I thing all this time I may have experienced 1 or 2 failures... maybe? Just my own 2 cents here - Dump the 115g ammo for 9mm and stay with 124g you'll find your gun (especially your recoil spring) will like it much better.

You need to feel comfortable with the ammo in your gun not what's in mine - but self defence pratice is just as improtant if not more!

Have fun and be safe.

 

[M19-5]

Thanks for all the responses, I think.

As far as I am concerned, this topic has used up its life line.

Clarence

 

[lamrith]

What did you end up switching to? I have had a few FTF/jams with the CD 115g in my M&P9fs in the 2 boxes I have fired. The nose of the round stuffs into the top of the breach and I have to give the slide a slight tug to get it to load. Full rack of the slide will not clear it either as the case is not even engaged in the extractor. The CD 115g's are a short round and I have noticed in my reloading that short rounds tend to jam this way, so any input on a more consistent round would be appreciated. I am also looking to go to 147g

 

[M19-5]

Lamrith;

Went with Winchester 124gr PDX1.
No problems so far after a couple hundred rounds.
This stuff is really accurate also.
As a side note, I sold the M39 and now carry a Witness P-S 4.5"(totally reliable and accurate).

Clarence