Steel case ammo in M&P 9mm

[MyDads38]

Went shooting with a buddy yesterday and he had his Beretta 92FS. He was shooting TulAmmo steel case rounds with no issues (other than accuracy seemed a little iffy). Was wondering if shooting steel case in my M&P 9 FS would hurt/damage it? Seems I've read that steel cases are hard on the ejectors, if this is true, I'll just pass on trying in my pistol.

Thoughts/experiences?

 

[Steve_NEPhila]

I have shot many thousands of steel cased pistol and rifle cartridges and have had no issue with them. If you approach this from a business perspective, analyze the cost difference between steel cased and brass cased ammunition and figure out the break even point to replace an ejector. In other words, at what point does the aavings in ammo pay for the new ejector.

Steel cased ammo often has steel jacketing of the lead core of the bullet. This is a factor when shooting cartridhes like 5.56 mm. However, the cost difference between the ammunition types is so dramatic that it easily pays for a new barrel. These are machines and they wear out, it iz just fine to replace parts just like with our cars.There is a really good article written by Andrew Tuohy over at Vuurwapen blog a year or three Go where he fired tens of thousands of rounds of steel cased ammo through a handful of AR15 rifles, then he cut the barrels open and examined the damage. He did the math on the price difference and figured it worth it...

 

[Volc0m23]

I only have $.01 to add to this but I recently purchased a 9mm shield and the previous owner threw in some Tulammo - took it to the range a few days ago and had 2 FTF's out of 50 and 0 issues with 150 rounds of federal. Talking to the RSO he showed me how sharp of a lip the Tul casings have as opposed to the federal and Golden sabres that I had with me. Again, nothing really based on the steel vs brass but my gun does not like the finishing touches (or lack of) that they put on their casings. I'd never buy any of it.

 

[Magload]

It can't be shot at the indoor range I belong to. Neither can 5.56 or .223 you have to but their ammo.

 

[deputy tom]

My two cents...
I only shoot steel cased ammo in guns that originally used it ie SKS, AKs, Makarovs ,etc. My American made firearms only get brass cased ammo. I don't even care for aluminum cased ammo made here. YMMV. tom.

 

[Capt_Destro]

I've honestly shot more steel/aluminum cased ammo through my M&P9FS than brass.

I've had zero failures. But It's only been about 1000 rounds of the above cased ammo.

 

[Fred_G]

I shoot both in my 9c. The only FTF issues I have had with the gun were ammo related, mine would not feed about 15% of the time. Made the class I was taking more interesting having to do so many malfunction drills.

I would think you would have to shoot an awefull lot of it to damage the extractor.

 

[martybee]

Most indoor ranges will not allow steel cased, nor bi-metal bullets!
mb

 

[5906fan]

a bit off topic since I've never shot any steel case ammo in a pistol but the steel rifle ammo with copper washed steel jacket is for chrome bores.
I've obsereved my ruger mini30 barrel seems to heat up more with the steel jacket rounds.

 

[Venenoindy]

Tula is the very worst ammo you can buy (quality), any other brand I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Chdezjr]

Just bought my Shield. Field-stripped and cleaned/lubed it prior to hitting the range with 200 rounds of Federal Aluminum 115 gr and Winchester White Box 115 gr. The shield ate the bullets like it was her last meal, but seemed to like the Federal Aluminum case ammo much more than the Winchester Brass case... was also much more accurate and hit tighter groups. To make sure it wasn't just me, I did the same thing in my Glock 17 and found it ate both, but really liked the Federal Aluminum. They were cleaner than Winchester too.

I cleaned my gun after the range and both guns looked great. As long as you clean and lube your gun properly I think you shouldn't have any issues whatsoever.

 

[Arik]

I use it all the time regardless of firearm. Never had problems related to breakage. Just yesterday I ran several hundred rounds through my Springfield TRP and S&W 4566

There have been some quirks with certain guns but nothing as far as function or wear

 

[micocyco]

Went shooting with a buddy yesterday and he had his Beretta 92FS. He was shooting TulAmmo steel case rounds with no issues (other than accuracy seemed a little iffy). Was wondering if shooting steel case in my M&P 9 FS would hurt/damage it? Seems I've read that steel cases are hard on the ejectors, if this is true, I'll just pass on trying in my pistol.

Thoughts/experiences?

Hi Dads, I told this on the SD forum , but back when there was no ammo to be found I started to find this Tulammo steel case at WM.
At first I shoot a few then more & more.
One of the guys in sporting goods at WM tried to advise me against using it even said it would void my warranty :roll eyes:
The whole time I shot it I only had one problem & that was tha last time I shot it.
I had a round not fire but some how jammed the slide , it would not fire & I could not move the slide to eject it. I'm sure i bumped / banged it harder than i should have I finally had to get help from some one that works at the range to help me get the round out.
He said he would never use tula in a pistol, said he thought it was over sized case but was like me puzzled that it did not fire the primer had a good dint in it.
That was all it took for me, I know it could happen with any ammo but I will pay a $ or two more from now on.
I do have 8 boxes left & I am wondering how long before the steel case starts to rust

 

[martybee]

I do have 8 boxes left & I am wondering how long before the steel case starts to rust

It should be good for a very long time. The steel cases are treated & lacquered.

If you belong to a gun club, or group, offer the ammo to them.

mb

 

[micocyco]

It should be good for a very long time. The steel cases are treated & lacquered.

If you belong to a gun club, or group, offer the ammo to them.

mb

Thanks for the response , I am a member at a range that has a gun shop & I did ask. They said bring it in & we would talk a trade. I would take $8 a box but I have a feeling they would offer $5. May take it one day

 

[smolck]

I shoot plenty of steel and aluminum cased ammo and never have issues save for some hard primers in the steel stuff. But I've had that in WWB too so for practice, it works.

 

[Ranger17]

after i've now ran thru over 1500 rounds in my 9c and 140 in my new fs9 which has been all brass 115fmj ammo (mostly UMC, Blazer, etc) with zero trouble i find it hard to go to something else.
My old range in SC (actually PSA's store/range location) only allowed brass, so kinda got in that habit. And as i buy ammo when i see it in the 11.99-12.99 price area i'm just not sure i want to try anything new just to save a buck.
Heck if anything i think i'll have to start saving my brass, in case reloading is another hobby of the future for me lol.