M&P 40 Full Size

[Hawaiianbro40]

I must say this is the first time I shot a 40 M&P and I love the gun.

First day I put down 150 rounds with no issues what so ever.
Recoil was controlable had no issues with recoil and must say it didnt seem that snappy as I read in some other forums.

My first time at a range so the first target was more or less me getting acquainted with the pistol so I was in a 5" radius some outside the target.
2nd target I placed up I was able to keep a 4" radius til I got tired and stopped.

Both targets where at 7 yards and the ammo used was
American Eagle 165 Grain 40SW FMJ

But all in all I love the pistol for a first time shooter, well last time I shot a gun I was 12 in basic gun class.(shot a glock 9mm and 357 revolver).

I was wondering what does everyone else use in there M&P 40?
My concern was the range had this ammo I have above for the range and was told it was good range ammo.
They had other brands there like Winchester and Remington.
Whats a good brand ammo thats reliable? Anyone heard of American Eagle?(had no issues but for a defensive gun I dont want FMJ or is FMJ ok?.........)

I feel I should stay with the same 165 grain since it felt great just wondering what kind of ammo type would be good.

My dad said HP would be a good round to use.
He has a M&P 9mm

 

[Dragon88]

Congrats on your new gun.

American Eagle is fine ammo for the range, it is the budget line made by Federal. Other good brands include Remington, Winchester, Blazer Brass, Fiocchi, S&B, some others... Really price and availability are two things you have to consider just as much as brand of ammo. Ranges sometimes rip you off because they know people just come in and ask for a box of ammo without checking the price. You can shop around your local big box stores or order online to save some money per box and shoot more.

For carry and home defense, you will want to use a good self-defense round. I use Winchester PDX-1 in most of my carry guns, it is commonly available at gun stores and even Wal-Mart.

 

[Hawaiianbro40]

Thanks

Yeah the guy recommended the American Eagle ammo so I figured what the hell. Problem I have is the gun range I went to you had to buy there ammo and there targets to shoot. But other brands I saw they had on the shelf where Winchester, Remington for sw40.

Maybe a odd question to ask. If I buy ammo and its the same grain 165.
I used 165 FMJ rounds would 165 gr HP rounds be any different as in feel? I just want to keep consistent with my gun and ammo.

 

[Dragon88]

165gr is a mid-weight bullet in 40 S&W, so I doubt you'll notice much difference going to 155gr or 180gr. You will, however, notice that self-defense ammo is loaded hotter than regular target ammo. So when you shoot some of your chosen SD ammo to test it in the gun (which you should do) expect a bit more recoil.

Ranges requiring you to buy their ammo and targets is a common trick. My local store sells 180gr American Eagle for $14.99 a box. Wal-Mart sells Federal for $16.47 a box. Prices at other stores vary, as high as $22 for target ammo of various brands.

 

[Hawaiianbro40]

ok sounds good man thanks for the info. Next time I go I will try there other ammo as well I may go to another range that doesnt require me to buy there ammo.

 

[Hatz]

I agree, the M&P 40 is one sweet shooting pistol. I have run Magtech, Lawman, Winchester, and Federal with no promblems. Since finding the Federals at WalMart, thats what I have been staying with for now.

 

[Lost Lake]

I buy ammo from Tactical Ammunition for $245 per 1000 and they throw in a free ammo can. No problems so far.
That works out to about $12 a box for .40 cal 180 grain.
I have bought UMC from WalMart when I could find it for $72 per 250 pack also. A little more expensive but real convenient. The local Wally World here quit stocking the 250 pack though so now I just keep a supply from Tactical in the safe.

 

[Hawaiianbro40]

Yeah I just found out at the other ranges its $20 per hour and bring your own ammo while the place I go to is buy the ammo and shoot for free. so I may end up staying at that particular range for now.
They have Winchester and Remington as well I will try those out.
I did notice theres only....4 types of 40sw that they carry between Winchester, Remington, and American Eagle.

 

[Hawaiianbro40]

I use Winchester PDX-1 in most of my carry guns, it is commonly available at gun stores and even Wal-Mart.

Yeah found that ammo at Gander Mountain seems pricey but I may try that ammo out at another range maybe.

 

[Dragon88]

Don't buy ammunition at Gander mountain! Actually don't buy anything there without checking online prices first. Occasionally they run good deals on stuff, but normally they are hugely overpriced. A box of .40 PDX-1 should cost you about $23, it is the most commonly seen PDX-1 loading. Wal-Mart usually has tons of it even if the rest of the shelves are bare.

 

[Hawaiianbro40]

ah ok lol yeah I purchased my gun from there which I got a deal on.
But yeah will do I will double check pricing now, thanks for the heads up.

edit: yeah after checking compared to online places yeah they are pricey.

 

[BlackRain17]

You should try different ammo and see what you like the best. I've recently purchased M&P40 FS myself and put 200 rounds so far. (100 rounds of Federal Champions 180gr and 100 rounds of Remington UMC 180gr) No FTF or FTE, they both worked flawlessly and didn't see much difference between the two. Next up, Winchester White Box...

Bottom line, long as they fire and hit the target without any problems, it's all good. I love my M&P.

 

[Hawaiianbro40]

You should try different ammo and see what you like the best. I've recently purchased M&P40 FS myself and put 200 rounds so far. (100 rounds of Federal Champions 180gr and 100 rounds of Remington UMC 180gr) No FTF or FTE, they both worked flawlessly and didn't see much difference between the two. Next up, Winchester White Box...

Bottom line, long as they fire and hit the target without any problems, it's all good. I love my M&P.

I just went to the range today and shot other brands as well cleaned out my box of American Eagle 165grain FMJ.

I also used PMC FMJ 165grain and was pretty accurate and used Winchester JHP 180grain which felt great and seemed to be the most accurate from what ive shot. I have yet to use remington which I will next time I go. Right now Ive got the Winchester PDX1 40sw 165 grain as home defense but will probably use the ammo at the range and get 180grain(180grain to me feels better)

 

[NCW Ray]

I've have both a 40 FS & 40c and have shot American Eagle & Winchester White Box 180 gr through them without any problems, plus my wife, daughter & son all have 40 FS's and they too function flawlessly with both brands.

Another ammunition option is usaammo.com. I tried a box of their 180 gr RELOADS and it too functioned flawlessly, they also sell NEW ammo.

My carry ammo is the Federal HST 180 gr JHP.

 

[sheepdawg]

My MP40 Pro Series eats everything. I can also recommend Georgia Arms for factory reloads at $135 for 500 packed in a military type ammo box. As far as a personal defense load my 40 seems to love 165 grain Golden Sabers. It always shoots tight groups.

 

[SpicyMcHaggis]

My 40c won't run that cheap steel cased **** TulAmmo. I tried some just to see and it burped every other shot. I might have had one 3 round run without failure to feed. Wally federal and WWB runs fine and Winchester Super Elite PDX1 did also.

 

[carpenter302]

My M&P40 full size has eaten everything I have thrown down the pipe. Ive shot PMC, Wolf, and Tulammo without a hiccup of any kind. I am getting ready to run WWB and Federal Champion thru it. The Wolf And Tulammo didnt smoke very bad and didnt leave any more residue than the PMC(which is what my dealer stocks). The Tulammo is 13 bucks a box at my local wally world. Just trying to decide what to stock up with in bulk.