S&W Branded ammo from the 70's

[45stops-em-quick]

Hi, I'm trying to find out the value, if any, of a full box of S&W branded and headstamped 9mm 90gr soft point ammo that was purchased in the late 70's by my Dad. Not sure if this is collectible, but figured it might be worth more to someone else than him just blasting it at the range.

 

[CTG_COLLECTOR]

Anything branded Smith & Wesson is collectable including the ammo. What's great about the old S&W ammo is that they used some unique styles of bullets (like the rounded JSP bullets and the Nyclad coated bullets) and that there were several different companies (Fiocchi, Olin, Amron) that provided cases for the most popular handgun calibers, and the many different calibers and loadings that were made for S&W (from .22 Short blanks to rifle calibers, shotgun loads and empty hulls and even L.E. Tear Gas loads I. 12GA.).

The only problem is taking the time find someone who wants to buy the ammo at a decent price ($20-30 max IMO). Maybe take it around to some gun shops or gun shows to see if anyone might take trade for it.

 

[Bailey Boat]

I can tell you one thing from experience, the cases are worthless for reloading. Back in the 70's I tried reloading some of the 357 cases and head separations were common place enough that I finally threw them in the trash out of frustration.

 

[Alk8944]

I can tell you one thing from experience, the cases are worthless for reloading. Back in the 70's I tried reloading some of the 357 cases and head separations were common place enough that I finally threw them in the trash out of frustration.

Interesting! Explain then how I have been using S&W .38 and .357 cases ever since our department bought their ammunition during the 70s, with never a failure? Only have a couple of hundred, out of several thousand total in both calibers, but they have all been loaded several times.

In over 50 years shooting and loading for revolvers, several hundred-thousand rounds, I have never had, seen, or know any other shooter who has ever had a head separation in a revolver! Except for forum posters, that is. Can you explain that either????

 

[Bailey Boat]

Interesting! Explain then how I have been using S&W .38 and .357 cases ever since our department bought their ammunition during the 70s, with never a failure? Only have a couple of hundred, out of several thousand total in both calibers, but they have all been loaded several times.

In over 50 years shooting and loading for revolvers, several hundred-thousand rounds, I have never had, seen, or know any other shooter who has ever had a head separation in a revolver! Except for forum posters, that is. Can you explain that either????

Not that it matters, but I've been shooting/reloading myself for roughly 45 years and hundreds of thousands or rounds in numerous calibers, so what???? I related AN EXPERIENCE I HAD, not one that you had. I stand by my statement, the cases didn't reload well for ME....

 

[CTG_COLLECTOR]

Not that it matters, but I've been shooting/reloading myself for roughly 45 years and hundreds of thousands or rounds in numerous calibers, so what???? I related AN EXPERIENCE I HAD, not one that you had. I stand by my statement, the cases didn't reload well for ME....

Who made the cases? Was it Federal, Olin, Amron, Starline or IVI of Canada? All of these companies made cases for S&W's .38 and .357 calibers.

 

[Bailey Boat]

Who made the cases? Was it Federal, Olin, Amron, Starline or IVI of Canada? All of these companies made cases for S&W's .38 and .357 calibers.

I don't have a clue, headstamp was S&W .357 Magnum, nickle.... They said S&W, I assumed that meant they were quality, I was wrong....

 

[chief38]

My Dad recently passed away and I inherited all his guns & ammo of which there were a half dozen or so boxes of S&W branded ammo. I have not had any failures to fire with the .38 Specials that I have shot so far, but I will tell you it is the first time I have ever experienced Nickel cases flaking off! They flaked their Nickel off on just about each and every cartridge, so after firing them they went into the trash, instead of going into my reloading buckets.

The S&W ammo was stored in the same ammo cans as all the other brands, and the Remington, Winchester & Federal ammo is just fine.

I believe that the S&W ammo was manufactured by Fiocci.

Chief38