Looking for a reliable-feeding defense load for SW99 .40

[ab4ka]

I'm trying to find a defense load for my SW99c .40 cal that will feed reliably. I right now I just have Winchester white box hollow point "personal defense" ammo in it.

When I first shot it (actually the only time I've had a chance to shoot it) it did not like regular WWB at all...about 1 out of 2 failed to feed. If I pulled the slide back and released, it would go in. The "defense" ammo fed fine, as it has a much more rounded nose than the flat-nosed regular WWB. I picked up some Magtech guardian defense ammo at the gunshow yesterday in two different flavors...a 165 grain and a 180 grain. The 180 has a more rounded nose and smaller hole, whereas the 165 bullet is flat on the sides with a great big hole. Hand cycling them, I wasn't confident of the feeding of the 165, and the 180 didn't feel much better, so I just put the Winchester back in as I know it feeds well.

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for a defense load that feeds reliably in this weapon?

 

[ab4ka]

I'm trying to find a defense load for my SW99c .40 cal that will feed reliably. I right now I just have Winchester white box hollow point "personal defense" ammo in it.

When I first shot it (actually the only time I've had a chance to shoot it) it did not like regular WWB at all...about 1 out of 2 failed to feed. If I pulled the slide back and released, it would go in. The "defense" ammo fed fine, as it has a much more rounded nose than the flat-nosed regular WWB. I picked up some Magtech guardian defense ammo at the gunshow yesterday in two different flavors...a 165 grain and a 180 grain. The 180 has a more rounded nose and smaller hole, whereas the 165 bullet is flat on the sides with a great big hole. Hand cycling them, I wasn't confident of the feeding of the 165, and the 180 didn't feel much better, so I just put the Winchester back in as I know it feeds well.

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for a defense load that feeds reliably in this weapon?

 

[Charliee]

I have used both winchester Ranger 155 grain and Remington Golden Saber. Both functioned without failure in my SW99c. I did have a couple or failures to fire with the white box. Since I started doing my own reloading, I have had no failures.

 

[gmchenry]

I haven't yet found any .40 S&W ammo that my compact would not digest. I use the 165gr. Speer Gold Dot in .40 S&W.

Make sure you lube the pistol properly. The only time I ever had a problem with my SW99C was when I tried lightly lubricating with gun grease. Went back to oil and never had a problem.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by ab4ka:
I'm trying to find a defense load for my SW99c .40 cal that will feed reliably. I right now I just have Winchester white box hollow point "personal defense" ammo in it.

When I first shot it (actually the only time I've had a chance to shoot it) it did not like regular WWB at all...about 1 out of 2 failed to feed. If I pulled the slide back and released, it would go in. The "defense" ammo fed fine, as it has a much more rounded nose than the flat-nosed regular WWB. I picked up some Magtech guardian defense ammo at the gunshow yesterday in two different flavors...a 165 grain and a 180 grain. The 180 has a more rounded nose and smaller hole, whereas the 165 bullet is flat on the sides with a great big hole. Hand cycling them, I wasn't confident of the feeding of the 165, and the 180 didn't feel much better, so I just put the Winchester back in as I know it feeds well.

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for a defense load that feeds reliably in this weapon?

I rather like the 155 grain Federal Hydra Shok - not the 165 grain, but the 155 grain. Almost anything in the 155 to 165 grain weight going at 1100 or so fps is going to do fine for defense. The 165 grain Federal Hydra Shok is the feeble (read 38 special +P) load developed for the FBI. It only goes about 980 fps or so. I cannot recommend that 165 grain Federal Hydra Shok.

 

[Mortech]

The 165gr or 180gr Speer Golddots work just fine in my SW99 .