Aluminum ammo?

[32icon]

Hi All,

Just wondering...have any of you tried the Federal aluminum ammo in your M&P? I've been using the brass in my 9m and it eats it up. I've been anxious to try the aluminum rounds, but afraid that over time it will cause malfunctions or wear out the inside of the barrel. Does anyone have any experience (or know of someone) using these rounds over a few thousand rounds? They seem to be making their way around the consumer market since ammo is increasing and you can still find these for about $10 for a box of 50 rds at your local Walmart. Thanks.

 

[safetyfast]

Ran through 100 rounds of it in my Shield. No issues.


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[32icon]

Ran through 100 rounds of it in my Shield. No issues.

I rented a glock 19 and 43 today and used the aluminum rounds, but refused to use them in my M&P. I'm afraid of the long term damage, if any at all. Thanks for responding.

 

[Bishop99]

Never had any problems with the Federal aluminum brand. The 9mm, 40 s&w, and 45acp has all been flawless in multiple firearms in my experience. Cheap range ammo for punching holes in paper at the range. Thumbs up.

 

[comiskeybum]

It can be pure dog **** in some guns, and feed perfectly in others. Dont know till you try it.

 

[gonerydin]

One range we go to only allows brass. So that's all I buy just for simplicity's sake.


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[roughneck6]

I used it during a IDPA match. Four new boxes from WalMart. The rounds blew up in my Shield and my Sig. S&W ended up replacing my gun. Sig was able to repair my P320. Federal finally paid for the ammo and repairs. Needless to say, I don't fire that ammo in my gun, I'll stick with brass.

 

[lrmnut]

I've shot 1k thru my shield,M&Pc,M&P F/S 2.0, Sig 226 Legion and Ruger
1911 all 9mm never a problem.

 

[32icon]

I used it during a IDPA match. Four new boxes from WalMart. The rounds blew up in my Shield and my Sig. S&W ended up replacing my gun. Sig was able to repair my P320. Federal finally paid for the ammo and repairs. Needless to say, I don't fire that ammo in my gun, I'll stick with brass.

Sheesh!! I'm sorry to hear that. Wow! For clarity, S&W replaced it for free, yet Federal paid you for the repair anyway?

 

[32icon]

I've shot 1k thru my shield,M&Pc,M&P F/S 2.0, Sig 226 Legion and Ruger
1911 all 9mm never a problem.

That's good news. I'm wondering if there's any wear on the inside of the barrel. Of course, one can't tell but just wondering anyway. Thanks for responding.

 

[lrmnut]

That's good news. I'm wondering if there's any wear on the inside of the barrel. Of course, one can't tell but just wondering anyway. Thanks for responding.

shouldn't be any wear aluminum is softer then brass.

 

[Flash_80]

Never had any problems with the Federal aluminum brand. The 9mm, 40 s&w, and 45acp has all been flawless in multiple firearms in my experience. Cheap range ammo for punching holes in paper at the range. Thumbs up.

+1 on this. I've used it in all these calibers as well with no problems. I shot for groups with it in 9mm a few weeks back to test against some remanufactured stuff I picked up on the cheap, and the Federal aluminum was the least accurate between the 3 brands I had on hand that day. But it wasn't bad by any means, and I buy this whenever its available if I'm there to get something that day. It cheap, it runs fine, and I don't reload so I don't care. Its also easy to see on the ground when you are picking up the empties. Fired 50rds of it today through a PPQ and a P99 without an issue once again. I won't do steel case, but I'll do aluminum all day.




The right side was some play money that the kids used for some project that was in the trash. Figured it was easier to cut a section of it than sit there and scribble with a sharpie.

 

[32icon]

shouldn't be any wear aluminum is softer then brass.

Gotcha. Thank you.

 

[32icon]

+1 on this. I've used it in all these calibers as well with no problems. I shot for groups with it in 9mm a few weeks back to test against some remanufactured stuff I picked up on the cheap, and the Federal aluminum was the least accurate between the 3 brands I had on hand that day. But it wasn't bad by any means, and I buy this whenever its available if I'm there to get something that day. It cheap, it runs fine, and I don't reload so I don't care. Its also easy to see on the ground when you are picking up the empties. Fired 50rds of it today through a PPQ and a P99 without an issue once again. I won't do steel case, but I'll do aluminum all day.

Hey, thank you for the info and the pics! Nice shooting. I agree with you, I'm not interested in steel at all, but it seems like this ammo might work from time to time. I, too don't reload so I don't care about the brass, but rather the life of the pistol and how this ammo will affect it over time. I just might try it out. Thanks again!

 

[BWNinja]

Ive ran a few hundred rounds of Federal alum casing with no issues or jams whatsoever. Cheap range ammo! (Shield 9mm PC here)

 

[roughneck6]

When the ammunition blew up in both my guns at the match, it blew the extractor out of my Sig but the Shield continued to fire. I ended up with several dead triggers during the course of fire with my Shield. I told CS at Sig and S&W what occurred with the ammunition. Both sent me a shipping label. After inspection, Sig repaired my gun and charged me for parts, labor and shipping. I then had to send the bill to Federal CS to get reimbursed. S&W called me and told me they would replace the entire gun under warranty. I received a new Shield 9mm. Federal picked up the aluminum ammo on a call tag and after a month said they would reimburse me for the ammo and sent me four boxes of Federal American Eagle. They never would disclose what happened with the ammo and why it blew up, or apologize. I carry Federal 124g HST in my 9mms, but use either Freedom Munitions, Atlanta Arms or Blazer Brass 115g 9mm for practice and matches.

 

[yep380]

You can brass ammo at walmart (Perfecta) for the same price.

I'd stick w/brass.

 

[kmanick]

I used to use that aluminum Federal all the time ,but since 9mm prices have come down a bit I don't bother with it any more.
I never had any issues with it but I found it a bit less accurate
than Lawman , and I like to shoot 124gr if possible and they only put that stuff out in 115gr.

 

[Disabled1]

I have used aluminum ammo for years with NO problems at all! The only ammo I stay away from, but, have used it in the past is LACQUER COATED AMMO. The lacquer melts and gums up the chamber.

 

[Ranger17]

When i started shooting 4 years ago, the range i used did not allow for non-brass ammo so since then I've been in the habit of buying only that regardless of where I shoot now. And as i tend to get the brands i want in the $10-11 range (if not less depending on any specials or coupons) i haven't even considered aluminum.

Figured what i use works so I don't see a benefit to switch.

my .02 only of course.