M&P .40 recommended Hollow point

[PerpetualChange]

I recently had some feeding issues with Fiocchi and some other brand I can't remember the name (Some Russian Manufacture that uses metal casing instead of brass...Sold at Wal-Mart. Maybe you might know what I'm talking about?). Anyway I digress.

Now granted I only went through roughly 400-500 rounds so far. So it still may need some loosening up. With no exception for the Fiocchi though. I read another forum and those don't feed in ANY M&P. Not sure about the other brand I shot.

I haven't tried Hollow Points in my M&P .40 yet. I want to try some. But before I spend the money I would like to know what you guys/gals had experience with and what works best with the M&P .40.

Disclaimer: I'm still somewhat a n00b at this. I been an owner for about 2 months. I try to read and watch as much as I can. I believe I learned quite a bit in the short time I became an owner... But the learning process is never over .

 

[Jordanjf86]

If you were using Tulammo it's on the junk side of ammo. I've ran a bunch of it through my XD9 and had several issues. The gun has always performed flawlessly with any brand of brass cased ammo I've used. As for hollow points I've ran a few rounds of Hornady Critical Defense through my M&P Shield with no problems but not enough to thoroughly test it. I've never experienced any issues with hollow points in any of my guns as of yet but I've heard some guns are pickier than others.

 

[OKFC05]

Suggest you try any major US brand brass case 165 or 180gr. I use Federal and Speer with zero issues in HP or any other.

 

[Jmc24]

Concur with OKFC. The best way (and only way) to see if any ammo works with your gun is to buy a box and shoot it. Gets kinda expensive with HP ammo, but it's necessary.
I'd stick with the major US brands (Winchester, Federal, Speer) since they all make quality ammo.

 

[TahoeDust]

Like others have said, stick with the major USA brands. After that it is personal preference. I prefer Federal HST, Winchester DPX1, or Speer Hold Dot.

 

[SpringGunTunes]

I use Federal HST 180 grain in all my .40 pistols.
Rob

 

[M29since14]

My M&P .40 seems to prefer lighter bullets than 180-gr, which seems odd since 180 is "standard" and should be as good as it gets, but in my gun, not the case. I try keep a box of Winchester Ranger 165-gr SXTs on hand for it, but they are hard to find. My fall-back is Winchester 155-gr Silvertips, which I keep on hand for another gun that shoots them particularly well. Both are pricey. I don't shoot many. I agree with OKFC05 - buy good quality U.S.-manufactured ammunition if you use it for anything important. Stay away from the steel-case stuff.

 

[walkin' trails]

Federal HST
Winchester Ranger Bonded 180
Speer Gold Dot 180s

These are three good 180 grain defense loads that a lot of law enforcement agencies rely that seem to have a good track record.

For 165 grain, I have had experience with Federal Hydra Shok and Speer Gold dots. If you were going to use a 165 grain for a defense load, I'd give the nod to the Gold Dots, but there are other good bullet designs out there. I can't tell you the best source for them at the moment, however.

Remington and Corbon also make some reputable hollow point ammunition in various bullet weights and configurations, as does Hornaday. I'm probably forgetting a few. I have experience with the Remington Golden Saber HP in 230 grain 45, but not in the 40 S&W.

Good luck with it. I have never tried some of the Russian steel case brands, but I have heard as many negative comments about them as I've heard positive. Try some decent brass case Winchester/Federal/Remington/CCI Speer thru it and see how it behaves.

 

[PerpetualChange]

Hey everyone thanks for all the help. Much obliged!

 

[PerpetualChange]

The best way (and only way) to see if any ammo works with your gun is to buy a box and shoot it. Gets kinda expensive with HP ammo, but it's necessary.

Yeah I couldn't agree more... I'm just hurt aftet what happened to me on a big purchase. But I guess I just need to keep on chuglin'.

 

[Gyrene6891]

Don't mean to be picky but isn't brass also a metal? I only use brass ammo in all of my guns whether it be a pistol a revolver or a rifle...

 

[Arik]

I shoot whatever I can get my hands on. Brass or steel. But I carry glod dots and Winchester rangers.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[DocSunShine]

I use Federal HST 180 grain in all my .40 pistols.
Rob

For the OCD among us, above is the best .40 ammo available... But Ranger T's & Gold Dots are good as well assuming they function in your gun.

 

[PerpetualChange]

If you were using Tulammo it's on the junk side of ammo. I've ran a bunch of it through my XD9 and had several issues.

Yeah, it was that kind. Seen them at WalMart today...I cringed a little.

 

[PerpetualChange]

Don't mean to be picky but isn't brass also a metal? I only use brass ammo in all of my guns whether it be a pistol a revolver or a rifle...

Yeah I meant to say steel. My bad

 

[PerpetualChange]

Federal HST
Winchester Ranger Bonded 180
Speer Gold Dot 180s

Going to keep an eye out for those, and thanks for the feedback!

 

[scooter123]

A more complete description of your particular M&P would be quite helpful. Because as barrel lengths are shortened the "action length" of the slide is also reduced. As a consequence Compact models with a barrel length under 3.5 inches in the 40 caliber can be rather fussy about what ammunition will function reliably.

The second factor that can come into play is the experience level of the shooter. If you haven't yet heard the term "limp wristing" you're in for a bit of an education. In order for a semi auto pistol to function well the gun must be held rather firmly. Because if you allow the pistol to come back towards you as it recoils you can basically reduce the total movement of the slide. When that happens the slide may not come far enough back to fully eject a fired casing or pick up a fresh round from the magazine.

Finally there is a bit of a balancing act between the strength of the recoil spring and the power of the cartridge in use. Normally this won't come into play with barrel lengths of 4 inches or more but with shorter barrels a "weak" ammunition may not produce enough energy to fully cycle the slide. This has the result of exactly the same types of failures as seen with Limp Wristing.

Now for ammo recommendations. I have a real preference for Speer Gold Dot with Winchester Ranger-T as a second choice. I also prefer the 165 grain versions over the 180 grain loads because they typically produce a bit more muzzle energy. Note, Speer sells two versions of the 165 grain Gold Dot, one a high energy load at 1150 fps and the second a reduced recoil load at 1050 fps. My preference is for the high energy version but will warn you that it's a bit of a "stinger" that can lead to flinching issues in some shooters.

 

[PerpetualChange]

Okay, that seems to make sense. I know now, sometimes I'm "limp wristing". The majority of the time I give it a good firm grip. But I guess over time I tend to loosen up and have to correct myself. I guess that's maybe the reason why. I would say only 2-4 out of 50 in a box get jammed up. I'll work on that next time I head out to the range.

I did have the privilege to get hands on advice from a well experienced member of Front Sight (A friend of mine older brother). That seemed to help my accuracy quite a bit that day...Just need to figure out this whole "limp wristing" issue.

Thanks for the advice scooter123

 

[Joe101]

I recently had some feeding issues with Fiocchi and some other brand I can't remember the name (Some Russian Manufacture that uses metal casing instead of brass...Sold at Wal-Mart. Maybe you might know what I'm talking about?). Anyway I digress.

Now granted I only went through roughly 400-500 rounds so far. So it still may need some loosening up. With no exception for the Fiocchi though. I read another forum and those don't feed in ANY M&P. Not sure about the other brand I shot.

I haven't tried Hollow Points in my M&P .40 yet. I want to try some. But before I spend the money I would like to know what you guys/gals had experience with and what works best with the M&P .40.

Disclaimer: I'm still somewhat a n00b at this. I been an owner for about 2 months. I try to read and watch as much as I can. I believe I learned quite a bit in the short time I became an owner... But the learning process is never over .

PerpetualChance, I also had a feeding issue with Fiocchi 170 gr FMJ ammo in my M&P 40 Compact. What was strange about that issue was the same ammo functioned fine in my M&P full size and in my Glock 22 and 27. I shipped both the barrel from my M&P compact and ammo back to the factory for examination; they throated the chamber and explained to me that the ammo may not have been crimped enough when it was manufactured. Upon its return, I again tried firing the gun at the range and again it jammed. So I no longer use that ammo in my M&P Compact and once I have used up the remaining Fiocchi ammo I will not be purchasing any more of their ammo. This ammo was used only for target practice.
I currently use Winchester 40 caliber 165 gr FMJ flat nosed bullets and I have them reloaded with 155 gr flat nosed bullets and I have never had a mishap with them in any of my guns. This ammo is also used for target practice only. For my concealed carry ammo I recommend Winchester Ranger T Series JHP. For home defense and because I live in a townhouse with two shared walls with my neighbors and should I miss, I use Glaser Safety Slugs 40 cal 115 gr blue tip in summer and Silver tip in the winter bullets. Even though Glaser Safety Slug ammo will penetrate a wall, its energy is greatly reduced which may only lower's the chances of someone on the other side of the wall being fatally injured! Well there you have it, I hope it has been informative as well as helpful!

 

[Joe101]

PerpetualChance, I also had a feeding issue with Fiocchi 170 gr FMJ ammo in my M&P 40 Compact. What was strange about that issue was the same ammo functioned fine in my M&P full size and in my Glock 22 and 27. I shipped both the barrel from my M&P compact and ammo back to the factory for examination; they throated the chamber and explained to me that the ammo may not have been crimped enough when it was manufactured. Upon its return, I again tried firing the gun at the range and again it jammed. So I no longer use that ammo in my M&P Compact and once I have used up the remaining Fiocchi ammo I will not be purchasing any more of their ammo. This ammo was used only for target practice.
I currently use Winchester 40 caliber 165 gr FMJ flat nosed bullets and I have them reloaded with 155 gr flat nosed bullets and I have never had a mishap with them in any of my guns. This ammo is also used for target practice only. For my concealed carry ammo I recommend Winchester Ranger T Series JHP. For home defense and because I live in a townhouse with two shared walls with my neighbors and should I miss, I use Glaser Safety Slugs 40 cal 115 gr blue tip in summer and Silver tip in the winter bullets. Even though Glaser Safety Slug ammo will penetrate a wall, its energy is greatly reduced which may only lower's the chances of someone on the other side of the wall being fatally injured! Well there you have it, I hope it has been informative as well as helpful!